Regional Head of Operations

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 the East region. 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, celebrating individuality and helping you thrive both personally and professionally.

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.

Your skills:

• Relevant degree, management qualification, or equivalent experience.
• 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.

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.