At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operations to support individuals facing homelessness and complex needs.
- Company: A charity dedicated to social justice and health equity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a passionate team committed to innovative solutions and continuous improvement.
- 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.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ 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.
Housing, Property & Supported Accommodation Executive Oversight
- 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, including partnership working with architects, infrastructure planning, and service design.
- Oversee operational development planning for the Bramwell Booth building to support future service delivery and organisational growth.
Safeguarding Operational Platform
- Lead organisational safeguarding strategy and systems.
- Ensure SOPs are in place to enable staff to respond effectively to complex needs including addiction, mental ill-health and physical health needs, dual diagnosis, homelessness, domestic abuse, offending histories, and health exclusion.
- 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 the organisation’s progression towards recognised safeguarding quality and excellence standards.
Health Inclusion & Community Services
- 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.
Corporate Governance, Compliance & Organisational Infrastructure
- Provide executive oversight of organisational governance, operational compliance, and corporate infrastructure.
- Lead organisational responsibility for Human Resources, Health & Safety, Insurance and organisational risk, and operational systems and digital infrastructure.
- 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.
- Ensure effective management of organisational insurance provision, liability protection, and risk mitigation.
- Support governance reporting, operational assurance, and organisational accountability.
- Develop quarterly Trustee and governance reporting packs in conjunction with Heads of Department and the CEO.
Systems Development & Digital Transformation
- 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.
- Support digital transformation, service modernisation, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Develop monitoring, evaluation, and impact reporting systems to support organisational learning and strategic decision-making.
Leadership, Workforce & Organisational Culture
- 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.
- Provide leadership oversight and strategic direction for volunteer services and volunteer programme development.
- Support the organisation’s progression towards recognised volunteer quality standards, including the VSI Volunteer Excellence Award.
Partnerships, Stakeholder Engagement & Representation
- 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.
- Ensure effective governance, accountability, and operational compliance across all services.
Person Specification
- 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.
- Experience leading quality assurance, risk, and compliance frameworks.
- Strong partnership and stakeholder engagement skills across statutory and voluntary sectors.
- Experience managing operational budgets, compliance frameworks, and performance systems.
- Experience working within homelessness, substance use, or health inclusion services.
- Experience working within housing such as a registered housing provider.
- Understanding of public health approaches and health inequalities.
- Knowledge of housing legislation, supported housing models, and safeguarding frameworks.
- Experience with digital transformation, systems implementation, and organisational modernisation.
Key Attributes
- 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 Operating Officer (COO) employer: Happydaysuk
As a leading charity dedicated to supporting individuals facing homelessness and multiple disadvantages, we pride ourselves on fostering a compassionate and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth. Our team enjoys a range of benefits, including opportunities for continuous development, collaborative partnerships, and the chance to make a meaningful impact in the community. Located in a vibrant area, our organisation not only champions social justice but also provides a supportive environment where innovative ideas can flourish.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Operating Officer (COO)
✨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 collaborators or decision-makers.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation's values and recent projects. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their mission and how you can contribute to their operational goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership style! During interviews, share examples of how you've led teams through complex challenges, particularly in environments focused on social justice and health equity.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Operating Officer (COO)
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 strategic leadership experience and how it relates to operational improvement in services for individuals facing multiple disadvantages.
Showcase Your Impact:Use concrete examples to demonstrate how you've made a difference in previous roles. Whether it's improving service delivery or leading innovative projects, we want to see how your contributions have led to positive outcomes.
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We value compassion and emotional intelligence, so don’t hesitate to share your motivations for wanting to work in this sector and how you connect with our mission.
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure to submit your application through our website. This ensures it gets to the right people and shows you're serious about joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Happydaysuk
✨Know the Organisation Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into the charity's mission, values, and recent initiatives. Understanding their approach to homelessness and community support will help you align your answers with their goals and demonstrate your commitment to their cause.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles that highlight your operational leadership skills, especially in complex environments. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully led teams, managed budgets, and implemented innovative solutions to improve service delivery.
✨Emphasise Trauma-Informed Practice
Given the focus on trauma-informed care, be prepared to discuss your understanding of this approach. Share experiences where you've applied trauma-informed principles in your work, and how it positively impacted service users and outcomes.
✨Engage with Stakeholder Collaboration
Highlight your experience in building partnerships and engaging with various stakeholders. Discuss how you've worked collaboratively with other organisations or agencies to enhance service delivery and address community needs effectively.
