Operations Director in Belfast

Purpose of the Role

To lead and develop the operational and clinical performance of Macklin Care Homes through effective leadership, governance, and business improvement. The Operations Director will ensure that all homes deliver exceptional care standards, operational efficiency, and sustained commercial growth while nurturing a culture aligned with Macklin Care Homes' values of Trust, Dedication, Treating People Really Well, and Continuous Development. This senior leadership role has direct responsibility for a defined group of homes and line management of the Regional Manager, Business Development Manager, and Learning & Development Manager. The postholder will act as the key link between operational delivery and the Board, providing expert advice, insight, and assurance on all aspects of clinical and operational performance.

About this role

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership & Governance
  • Lead and oversee the operational and clinical performance of all Macklin Care Homes.
  • Develop and implement strategic business plans to enhance operational efficiency while maintaining safe and high-quality care.
  • Attend monthly Board meetings, providing reports and insights on clinical outcomes, occupancy performance, risk, and staffing.
  • Act as the group's senior point of contact for regulators and external stakeholders in relation to clinical governance and service quality.
  • Identify risks and opportunities across the group and implement proactive measures to mitigate issues and drive improvement.
• Operational Oversight
  • Maintain direct operational responsibility for assigned care homes, ensuring they consistently meet or exceed regulatory standards.
  • Provide strategic oversight and mentorship to the Regional Manager, supporting consistent management standards and accountability across all homes.
  • Support Home Managers and Nurse Managers in embedding best practice, ensuring safe staffing levels, compliance, and clinical excellence.
  • Lead the development and execution of efficient business systems and processes across homes to improve operational consistency and productivity.
• People Leadership & Development
  • Strengthen the management capability of Nurse Managers and Home Managers through coaching, performance management, and structured development.
  • Build a robust succession plan to support future business growth and leadership continuity across the group.
  • Oversee the Deputy Regional Manager's work, delegating regional support and development tasks effectively.
  • Work closely with HR and the Training & Development Manager to identify leadership gaps and implement tailored training solutions.
  • Foster a culture of high engagement, accountability, and continuous learning.
• Business Development & Growth
  • Line-manage the Business Development Manager to ensure marketing, occupancy, and reputation strategies are aligned with operational goals.
  • Drive occupancy and financial performance through effective operational and clinical leadership.
  • Use data and market intelligence to inform decision-making, enhance service offerings, and identify growth opportunities.
  • Contribute to the development of new business initiatives and service diversification projects.
• Quality, Risk & Compliance
  • Lead the continuous improvement of care quality, ensuring compliance with RQIA and all relevant legislation.
  • Oversee audits, quality inspections, and governance reviews, ensuring all actions are completed within agreed timeframes.
  • Monitor incident reporting, complaints, and safeguarding activity across the group, ensuring effective investigation and learning.
  • Ensure all homes operate in line with Macklin Care Homes' policies, procedures, and ethical standards.
• Reporting & Continuous Improvement
  • Produce comprehensive monthly reports to the Board summarising key operational, financial, and quality metrics.
  • Use data analytics and trend analysis to identify risks and opportunities for improvement.
  • Lead cross-functional projects aimed at innovation, efficiency, and service excellence.
  • Share best practices across the group to promote a consistent and high-performing culture.
• Training & Professional Development
  • Provide strategic leadership and oversight of the Training and Development function, ensuring the design and delivery of learning programmes that support clinical excellence, compliance, and leadership capability across all homes.
  • Manage the Training Manager by setting clear objectives, monitoring performance, and ensuring training plans align with organisational priorities.
  • Ensure all statutory and mandatory training requirements are met across the group, maintaining robust systems for monitoring compliance and competency.
  • Work in collaboration with Home Managers and HR to identify skills gaps, succession needs and emerging training priorities.
  • Champion a culture of continuous professional development, promoting reflective practice and evidence-based learning.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness and impact of training initiatives, using data and feedback to drive continuous improvement in learning outcomes.
  • Oversee the development of leadership and clinical development pathways to support retention, progress and quality improvement.
  • Ensure all training activities reflect and reinforce Macklin Care Homes' values and strategic goals.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Regulatory compliance outcomes and audit scores.
• Occupancy and revenue performance across the group.
• Staff turnover and leadership development progression rates.
• Incident reduction and complaint resolution metrics.
• Operational efficiency improvements and cost savings.
• Achievement of Board-approved business strategy targets.