Operations Director

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 The 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.

Additional Information

Please note that we will only accept up-to-date CVs; without this, an interview cannot be offered. We are not offering visa sponsorship for this role - if you require sponsorship, your application will be automatically declined. Please consider this carefully before applying. Interviews may take place before the job advertisement closes, as and when suitable applications are received. If a suitable candidate is appointed, the role may close early; therefore, please submit your application promptly. In addition, we also reserve the right to enhance the criteria at the shortlisting stage. An Enhanced Access NI Check will be required for this post. If successful, please be aware that we do have a policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders. As per the Access NI Code of Practice, Macklin Care Homes also has a policy on the secure handling, use, storage, and retention of disclosure information. Copies of these documents, along with the Access NI Code of Practice, are available upon request by contacting the HR Department. It is Macklin Care Homes' Policy that any existence of a criminal conviction will not necessarily lead to the withdrawal of a job offer, but the failure to disclose all criminal convictions fully and accurately will lead to the withdrawal of a job offer. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team that reflects the communities we serve. Macklin Care Homes is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

Required Criteria

• Relevant clinical qualification with significant senior operational leadership experience.
• Proven experience in multi-site management within the care home or healthcare sector.
• Strong clinical governance, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance knowledge.
• Demonstrable experience developing and leading successful teams and succession plans.
• Commercially astute with a track record of improving business efficiency and occupancy growth.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving ability.
• Full UK driving licence and flexibility to travel.

Desired Criteria

• Current professional registration desirable.

About The Company

Macklin Care Homes - Caring with Heart for Over 30 Years. For over 30 years, Macklin Care Homes have been dedicated to providing exceptional care. We bring decades of experience, knowledge, and expertise to every individual we support. But we are not just another care home - we are family-first. Everyone who comes through our doors - residents, staff, relatives, and suppliers - is treated as part of one big caring community. We proudly operate six care homes across Northern Ireland: Arlington, Our Lady's, and Parkmanor Oaks - Belfast; Milesian Manor - Magherafelt; Ratheane - Coleraine; Leabank - Ballycastle. Our vision is to make a genuine, positive impact on the lives of people in our local communities. We strive to be the trusted care provider that families choose with confidence. Through dedication, passion, and commitment, we care with heart - creating an environment where people feel safe, loved, and respected. At Macklin Care Homes, we aim to be the preferred choice in the community - where families know their loved ones are in the best hands.

Company Culture

Make a Real Difference - Join Macklin Care Homes. Do you want to make a genuine difference in the lives of others? At Macklin Care Homes, we are always looking for passionate individuals.