At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operations to support individuals with complex disabilities and drive service excellence.
- Company: Join Sense, a charity dedicated to empowering disabled individuals and fostering inclusion.
- Benefits: Flexible working environment, career growth opportunities, and a chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to breaking down barriers for disabled people.
- Why this job: Shape the future of care services and inspire teams to deliver exceptional support.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in social care and strong financial management skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Lead with Purpose. Drive Excellence. Change Lives. At Sense, we believe that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Every day, we support children, young people and adults with complex disabilities, including people who are deafblind, to communicate, connect with the world around them, and live fulfilling lives. As we continue to grow and innovate, we’re looking for an exceptional leader to join our leadership team and help shape the future of our services. This role is home based covering a large geographical area within the West & Wales region requiring visiting and travelling throughout the area.
About the Role
This is a rare opportunity to lead a diverse portfolio of services across a defined geographical area, combining strategic leadership, operational excellence, financial accountability and a relentless focus on quality. You will inspire and support a team of Operations managers to deliver outstanding, person-centred services while ensuring strong financial performance, regulatory compliance and sustainable growth. Working closely with colleagues across the organisation, you will play a key role in driving innovation, improving outcomes and ensuring the people we support remain at the heart of everything we do.
Key Responsibilities
- Providing strategic direction and operational leadership across a range of services.
- Ensuring outstanding quality, compliance and safeguarding standards are consistently achieved.
- Leading and developing high-performing, geographically dispersed teams.
- Driving continuous improvement, innovation and service excellence.
- Managing significant budgets and ensuring financial sustainability.
- Building strong relationships with commissioners, regulators, families and wider stakeholders.
- Supporting service growth, occupancy and community engagement.
- Contributing to the wider leadership and strategic direction of Sense.
About You
We’re looking for a compassionate and commercially aware leader who combines strategic thinking with a deep commitment to delivering exceptional care and support. You will be educated to degree level or equivalent in a relevant discipline and bring the following experience:
- Significant senior leadership experience within social care, disability services or a related sector.
- A successful track record of managing large-scale operations and leading organisational change.
- Experience working within regulated environments such as CQC, Ofsted, CIW or RQIA.
- Strong financial acumen, including budget management and performance oversight.
- The ability to inspire, coach and develop leaders and teams.
- Excellent relationship-building, communication and influencing skills.
- A passion for improving the lives of people with complex disabilities and sensory impairments.
About Sense
At Sense, we believe that every disabled person should have the opportunity to connect with others and be included in the world. We use our knowledge and expertise to deliver personalised, creative and flexible support at every stage of life. We are proud to be a Disability confident leader and a charity where people can grow their skills and careers in a supportive, flexible environment.
Our values
- We’re creating change
- We’re always learning
- We’re better together
Sense is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable children and adults and expects all employees to share this commitment. Therefore, all offers of employment, where appropriate, are subject to a DBS check; level dependent on the nature of the role. Sense is here to break down barriers alongside disabled people with complex needs. That’s why we’re committed to increasing the number of disabled people working across our organisation and creating an environment where everyone can thrive. We actively encourage disabled people to apply for our vacancies and believe that a diverse range of perspectives, experiences and talents makes us stronger. We know there’s always more we can do to become a truly inclusive employer, and we’re working together to achieve that. Join us and help create the change thousands of disabled people with complex needs and families told us they want to see: a world without limits.
Head of operations in Wales employer: Sense
At Sense, we are dedicated to creating a supportive and inclusive work environment where every employee can thrive. As the Head of Operations, you will lead a passionate team committed to making a difference in the lives of individuals with complex disabilities, all while enjoying the flexibility of a home-based role covering the West & Wales region. We offer exceptional growth opportunities, a culture of continuous learning, and a strong commitment to diversity, ensuring that your contributions are valued and impactful.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of operations in Wales
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Sense.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Sense.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Sense.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Sense. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of operations in Wales
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Sense. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Head of operations, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Sense
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Sense. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
