At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and mentor a compassionate team in children's residential care across multiple locations.
- Company: YMCA Robin Hood Group, dedicated to making a positive impact on children's lives.
- Benefits: Generous annual leave, wellbeing package, funded training, and career progression opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements with a supportive and inclusive culture.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in children's residential care management and strong interpersonal skills required.
The predicted salary is between 65918 - 65918 £ per year.
YMCA Robin Hood Group is seeking an Operations Manager to join our Children’s Residential Care team in this newly created role. We are looking for a compassionate leader who can empower our existing team and provide invaluable support and experience to our Registered Managers, allowing them to thrive under your guidance, mentoring, and coaching. You’ll join an experienced Leadership Team, rooted in collaboration and compassion, who share the same aim - keeping the best interests of children at the heart of everything we do. We operate homes across Nottingham, Newark, Goole, and Selby. This role provides oversight across all locations - we value strong relationships with all teams and children, rather than limiting you to a single home.
Your week will typically include 1 day working from home and 4 days across the homes and the Village, with flexibility to manage your diary. If you’re hands-on, people-focused, and driven to both support teams and raise standards, this could be the role for you.
Role Highlights
- Location: Split between YMCA Newark & Sherwood Community & Activity Village and the residential homes; flexibility to work from home 1 day per week.
- Salary: £65,918 per annum.
- Hours: 40 hours per week, primarily Monday to Friday but with flexibility to work evenings and weekends to support the needs of the homes.
The Opportunity
As Operations Manager, you will:
- Provide nurturing, mentoring and coaching to our Registered Managers, supporting their growth while leading a team dedicated to achieving high standards and making a meaningful impact on children’s lives.
- Use your wealth of residential care experience to provide responsive, pro-active and meaningful help and support to our team, being flexible to respond to the needs of that home or that child in the moment.
- Embed high-performance, values-led practice and quality standards.
- Lead on quality, contracts, audits, and compliance – maintaining and improving our Good and Outstanding Ofsted ratings.
- Support performance, wellbeing, and development across a multi-site team.
- Oversee budgets, contracts, and funding opportunities to ensure the sustainability of the service.
- Work closely with our in-house therapeutic teams.
- As part of our future growth plan, lead the registration and launch of new homes.
Does this sound like you?
- Significant experience in management roles within Children’s Residential Care.
- Already hold or be prepared to work towards your Level 5 Diploma in Leadership & Management (or equivalent) to become qualified within 2 years of appointment.
- A track record of successful Ofsted inspections.
- Quality driven, with high standards of what a children’s home should look like.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to build trusted relationships with colleagues and children.
- Able to challenge and question as well as make recommendations to improve practice and outcomes for children.
- A strong team player, driven to foster a culture of teamwork and accountability throughout the service.
- A confident, working knowledge of key legislation and standards, including the Children’s Homes Regulations, Children Acts, and safeguarding frameworks.
- A full driving licence and willingness to travel frequently across the region, often at short notice.
- Flexible to work evenings and weekends when required, occasionally acting as part of an on-call rota pattern to support the overall wellbeing of the team.
What We Value
We’re driven by our core values and we look for these in every member of our team:
- We Seek Out – We’re looking for ways to do better.
- We Welcome – We include, respect, and support everyone.
- We Inspire – We believe in every person’s potential.
- We Speak Out – We advocate for what’s right.
- We Serve Others – We act with compassion and purpose.
These values are more than just words—they shape how we work, lead, and serve.
Our North Star – What Guides Us
Everything we do is inspired by our ambition that every child and young person we support:
- Builds the relationships that help them discover who they are.
- Develops the skills and confidence to shape their own life.
- Learns how to connect with and contribute to the world around them.
Your leadership will play a vital role in achieving this mission. We value your commitment and relentless dedication and have crafted a package of health & well-being benefits. Here’s some of what you can expect:
- 27 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), increasing to 32 days with 5 years’ service.
- Wellbeing package (after passing probation): 24/7 GP access, health/dental cashback, Employment Assistance Programme.
- Funded training, qualifications & career progression across YMCA services.
- Quarterly Campfires – celebrating our impact across the organisation.
- Discounted YMCA childcare & holiday clubs.
- £500 refer-a-friend bonus.
Diversity & Safer Recruitment
YMCA Robin Hood Group is committed to equal opportunities, promoting diversity, and creating an inclusive culture where all staff can thrive. Should you require any adjustments to support your full participation in our recruitment process, we would encourage you to share your needs with us so we can support you with your requirements. Please contact the Recruitment team in the first instance. We follow rigorous safer recruitment processes to ensure the protection of children, young people, and adults at risk. All applicants will be subject to enhanced DBS checks, reference checks, and thorough vetting as part of our commitment to safeguarding.
Ready to Apply?
If you are ready to use your wealth of experience gained from years as a Registered Manager with our teams, share our values, and have the relevant experience to match, we want to hear from you. Apply now and be part of something bigger. Help us shape not just better services, but brighter futures for children.
What Happens Next?
We reserve the right to close the position earlier than advertised if required. Due to the large number of applications we receive, we will be unable to provide specific feedback on why you may not have been shortlisted. For an informal conversation before applying, please reach out to our recruitment team who would be delighted to help.
Operations Manager in Newark on Trent employer: YMCA Robin Hood
YMCA Robin Hood Group is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work culture that prioritises the well-being and development of both staff and the children we serve. With a commitment to professional growth, employees benefit from funded training opportunities, a comprehensive wellbeing package, and a flexible working environment that fosters a healthy work-life balance. Join us in making a meaningful impact while enjoying generous leave entitlements and a vibrant community atmosphere at our Newark & Sherwood Community & Activity Village.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Manager in Newark on Trent
✨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 YMCA Robin Hood.
✨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 YMCA Robin Hood.
✨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 YMCA Robin Hood.
✨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 YMCA Robin Hood. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Manager in Newark on Trent
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 YMCA Robin Hood. 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 Operations Manager, 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 YMCA Robin Hood
✨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 YMCA Robin Hood. 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!
