At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop high-quality supported living services across the East region.
- Company: Join Sanctuary Group, a compassionate not-for-profit organisation making a real difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days annual leave, health support, flexible working, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values inclusion and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make an impact in your community while growing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in supported living services and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 71155 - 71155 £ per year.
Regional Head of Operations for the East Region (covering Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Kent, and North & East London, with regular travel to our Worcester Head Office). Salary: £71,155.30 per annum plus Car Allowance of £9,800.73 per annum. Working hours: 37.5 hours per week.
Make a difference where it matters most. We’re proud to be recognised as the 2025 Housing with Care Employer of the Year – and we’re excited to welcome a new Regional Head of Operations to our East region. This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced leader with significant experience within supported living services, including the delivery of housing-related support, homelessness services, tenancy management and tenancy sustainment.
You’ll be part of a compassionate, community-focused team that puts people first – every single day. #BeYourBest is more than a hashtag – it’s our commitment to helping our people grow, thrive and feel valued. We’ll support you with the tools, training and encouragement to reach your full potential, while celebrating your individuality and the difference you make every day.
As a not-for-profit organisation, we reinvest in our people and our services, helping colleagues thrive both personally and professionally while delivering outstanding outcomes for our customers and communities.
Your role:
- Support the strategic development and implementation of high-quality supported living services, ensuring services meet customer, organisational, and financial needs while maintaining long-term sustainability.
- Provide effective leadership across supported living services within the region, promoting a positive organisational culture, safe working practices, and a high-performance environment.
- Coach, guide, and support Area Service Managers to deliver service improvements, successful transformations, new service implementations, and organic business growth.
- Ensure compliance with all legislative, regulatory, and governance requirements, minimising risk and maintaining safe, secure, and high-quality services.
- Monitor and audit service performance against contractual obligations and key performance indicators (KPIs), identifying areas for improvement and driving corrective actions.
- Oversee the financial performance of regional services, including budget setting, monitoring, and cost management to ensure sustainable operations.
- Analyse and communicate emerging trends, customer needs, behaviours, and market insights to support strategic planning and future service development.
- Build and maintain effective relationships with senior internal and external stakeholders, providing reports and presentations to inform decision-making and regulatory compliance.
- Lead recruitment, performance management, and staff development activities to ensure a skilled, engaged, and high-performing workforce.
- Lead and contribute to strategic programmes, projects, and initiatives that support organisational objectives, values, and continuous improvement.
Qualifications:
- CIH Level 5 qualification (or willingness to attain).
- Full UK driving licence.
- Extensive knowledge of supported living services, legislation, and regulatory requirements including CQC and Ofsted.
- Proven experience delivering service improvements, business growth, and cost-effective operations.
- Strong commercial, tendering, budgeting, and financial management skills.
- Experience working successfully within a regulated environment.
- Excellent stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills.
- Strong project management and people leadership experience.
- Ability to drive performance, change, and continuous improvement within services.
Your rewards:
- 33 days’ annual leave pro rata (rising to 38, including bank holidays).
- Occupational sick pay linked to length of service.
- Contributory pension scheme.
- Health and wellbeing support – including Aviva Digicare+ with virtual GP appointments, plus an Employee Assistance Programme offering medical, financial, and legal advice, as well as short-term counselling.
- Company-paid life insurance.
- Parental leave arrangements and annual leave purchase scheme.
- Company-funded training and ongoing career development opportunities.
- Flexible working options and an inclusive culture where everyone belongs, supported by our staff networks including PRISM, Disability, Race Equality and Parent networks.
- Exclusive retail discounts, Cycle to Work, and salary sacrifice arrangement.
Some rewards are subject to a qualifying period or other criteria – visit our website for more information.
Ready to #BeYourBest? Apply today and start an inspiring career with Sanctuary Supported Living. Curious about what it’s like to work with us? Discover our values, culture, and real stories from our teams at www.sanctuary-supported-living.co.uk/jobs or follow us on socials.
Before you apply:
- We can only accept applications from individuals with the right to work in the UK.
- All roles require safeguarding and pre-employment checks, including criminal records and overseas police checks if needed; for more information, please get in touch.
- Internal candidates should apply via their internal careers account.
- We may close this advert early, so please apply as soon as possible.
Inclusion is one of our core values. We’re committed to being a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and will make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process in line with our Disability Confident employer status.
Regional Head Of Operations in Felixstowe employer: Sanctuary Group
Sanctuary Maintenance Contractors Limited is an excellent employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises the well-being of its employees. With generous benefits such as up to 30 days of annual leave, a pension scheme, and access to wellbeing support, employees are encouraged to grow and thrive in their roles. Working in Sheffield, you will be part of a dedicated team making a meaningful impact on the community while enjoying the advantages of a not-for-profit organisation focused on improving lives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Regional Head Of Operations in Felixstowe
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Sanctuary Group.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Sanctuary Group!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Sanctuary Group, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Sanctuary Group or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Regional Head Of Operations in Felixstowe
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Sanctuary Group:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Sanctuary Group! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sanctuary Group
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
