At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operations to support individuals facing homelessness and health challenges.
- Company: Join Happy Days, a charity dedicated to social justice and community support.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, impactful work, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a focus on innovation and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while shaping organisational strategy.
- Qualifications: Extensive leadership experience in social care or community services required.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) provides strategic and operational leadership across all frontline services, accommodation provision, organisational infrastructure, and compliance functions within the charity. The COO is responsible for ensuring safe, trauma-informed, financially sustainable, and outcomes-focused delivery for individuals experiencing homelessness, poverty, health exclusion, addiction, and crisis.
The role leads operations across the charity’s accommodation portfolio, including winter shelter provision, general needs accommodation, supported accommodation, and intensively supported housing. The COO also oversees the operational platform of the charity’s support programmes, including a community café, community supermarket, crisis drop-in provision, and integrated health clinics.
Working collaboratively with the CEO, Board, statutory agencies, housing provider partners, and wider stakeholders, the COO plays a key leadership role in shaping organisational strategy, strengthening operational systems, embedding trauma-informed practice, and developing innovative models of support that improve long-term outcomes for individuals experiencing multiple disadvantage.
The COO provides executive oversight of operational risk, health and safety, HR, operational systems, and service compliance, ensuring the organisation maintains robust standards of governance, accountability, and person-centred care across all services.
Key Responsibilities- Provide executive operational leadership across services and organisational functions.
- Lead the delivery, development, and continuous operational improvement of supported and temporary accommodation services, crisis and drop-in provision, food programme and social supermarket, and winter shelter provision.
- Translate organisational strategy into effective operational delivery plans.
- Drive organisational improvement, innovation, and sustainable service growth.
- Lead operational responses to emerging community need, organisational risk, and system pressures.
- Support strategic planning, organisational development, and long-term sustainability.
- Lead operational capital development initiatives across the organisation.
- Operational management, legal compliance, health and safety, quality assurance across all accommodation services.
- Lead strategic partnerships with housing providers.
- Manage delegated housing arrangements and supported housing pathways.
- Maximise occupancy, sustainment, and positive move-on outcomes.
- Oversee property-related risk management, maintenance coordination, and accommodation standards.
- Lead the transformation and redevelopment of The Gathering Place.
- Oversee operational development planning for the Bramwell Booth building.
- Lead organisational safeguarding strategy and systems.
- Ensure SOPs are in place to enable staff to respond effectively to complex needs.
- Oversee serious incidents, risk management, and quality assurance processes.
- Promote reflective practice, professional accountability, and safe service delivery.
- Lead continuous safeguarding improvement and organisational assurance processes.
- Support development of innovative approaches addressing homelessness, substance use, poverty, and social exclusion.
- Contribute to wider system responses focused on prevention, health equity, and community resilience.
- Provide executive oversight of organisational governance, operational compliance, and corporate infrastructure.
- Lead organisational responsibility for Human Resources, Health & Safety, Insurance, and organisational risk.
- Ensure robust organisational policies, procedures, and assurance frameworks are developed, implemented, and maintained.
- Oversee compliance with employment legislation, health & safety standards, and contractual obligations.
- Lead organisational risk management processes, incident oversight, and business continuity planning.
- Lead the development and implementation of operational systems, reporting frameworks, and service infrastructure.
- Design and embed systems that improve operational efficiency, safeguarding oversight, housing management, and service coordination.
- Use data, insight, and performance analysis to improve outcomes and organisational effectiveness.
- Foster a high-performing, inclusive, and values-led organisational culture.
- Oversee workforce planning, recruitment, retention, supervision, and staff development.
- Promote staff wellbeing, reflective practice, and psychologically safe leadership.
- Represent the organisation within strategic partnerships and multi-agency forums.
- Work collaboratively with commissioners, funders, housing providers, and community partners.
- Budget development and financial planning in conjunction with the CEO and Finance Team.
- Support organisational sustainability through efficient service delivery.
- Monitor operational performance, quality standards, and service outcomes.
- Significant senior leadership experience within homelessness, housing, health, social care, community, or voluntary sector services.
- Extensive operational leadership experience across complex, multi-service environments.
- Experience leading services supporting individuals with multiple disadvantage and complex needs.
- Strong understanding of safeguarding, trauma-informed practice, and organisational risk management.
- Experience managing accommodation-based and community support services.
- Experience overseeing HR, compliance, governance, and organisational systems.
- Strong partnership and stakeholder engagement skills across statutory and voluntary sectors.
- Values-driven and strongly committed to social justice and health equity.
- Strategic thinker with strong operational leadership capability.
- Calm, resilient, and decisive in complex and high-pressure environments.
- Compassionate and emotionally intelligent leader.
- Strong communicator with the ability to influence across systems and sectors.
- Innovative, solutions-focused, and collaborative.
- Committed to continuous improvement, accountability, and inclusive leadership.
Chief Operations Officer in Halifax employer: Happy Days UK
Happy Days is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises the wellbeing of both employees and the individuals they serve. Located in Calderdale, the organisation offers meaningful opportunities for professional growth and development, empowering staff to lead innovative solutions in addressing homelessness and social exclusion. With a strong commitment to trauma-informed practices and community engagement, Happy Days provides a unique environment where employees can make a tangible impact while enjoying a collaborative and values-driven workplace.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Operations Officer in Halifax
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the charity sector, especially those involved in homelessness and health inclusion. Attend events or webinars where you can meet potential colleagues and stakeholders – it’s all about making those valuable connections!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation thoroughly. Understand their mission, values, and current projects. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference in the lives of those they serve.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills during interviews. Share specific examples of how you've led teams through complex challenges, particularly in environments similar to the one at Happy Days. Highlight your experience with trauma-informed practices and operational improvements.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our platform. Let’s get you on board!
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Operations Officer in Halifax
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific skills and experiences that align with the COO role. Highlight your leadership experience in homelessness and health inclusion, as well as your understanding of trauma-informed practices.
Showcase Your Impact:Use concrete examples to demonstrate how you've made a difference in previous roles. Whether it's improving operational efficiency or leading successful partnerships, we want to see how you've positively impacted individuals facing multiple disadvantages.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon where possible. This will help us quickly understand your qualifications and fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure it reaches us directly and allows you to easily track your application status. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Happy Days UK
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into the charity's mission and values. Understand their approach to homelessness and health inclusion. This will help you align your answers with their goals and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led teams or projects, especially in complex environments. Highlight how you’ve implemented trauma-informed practices or improved operational systems, as this is crucial for the COO role.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions about how you'd handle specific challenges related to homelessness, compliance, or community engagement. Think through potential scenarios and how you would apply your strategic thinking and problem-solving skills to address them.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Demonstrate your ability to work collaboratively with various stakeholders. Prepare to discuss how you've built partnerships in the past and how you would engage with housing providers and community partners to enhance service delivery.
