Description

Regional Operations Director

Elderly Residential & Nursing Care | Up to £110,000 + Car Allowance + Bonus

Locations: Mid–North West Sussex
Reporting to: Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Lead. Inspire. Transform.

Are you an experienced senior leader in elderly residential and nursing care, ready to make a real difference across multiple services?

We are seeking an ambitious, commercially minded and people-focused Regional Operations Director to lead operational performance, drive quality excellence and develop high-performing teams across a regional portfolio of care services.

Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, you will play a pivotal role in delivering the organisation’s operational strategy, ensuring outstanding standards of care, achieving strong financial results and identifying opportunities for sustainable business growth.

This is an exciting opportunity for a proven multi-site care leader who combines strategic vision with the ability to influence, inspire and deliver results on the ground.

The Role

As Regional Operations Director, you will have overall responsibility for the operational, financial and quality performance of your region. You will provide visible leadership to Operations Managers, Service Managers and operational support teams, creating a culture of accountability, continuous improvement and professional development.

You will balance commercial success with the delivery of protected, high-quality, person-centred care, ensuring services meet regulatory requirements while achieving ambitious performance targets.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & People Development

- Provide inspiring, visible leadership across a portfolio of residential and nursing care services.

- Coach, mentor and performance-manage Operations Managers, developing strong leadership capability and effective succession plans.

- Drive recruitment, retention and workforce planning strategies to reduce employee turnover and agency reliance.

- Foster a positive, accountable and high-performing culture focused on continuous improvement.

Quality, Compliance & Service Excellence

- Ensure all services meet the requirements of the CQC and, where applicable, the relevant regulatory frameworks in Scotland and Wales.

- Oversee monthly quality audits, ensuring services remain inspection-ready and consistently achieve internal quality standards.

- Identify underperforming services and lead targeted turnaround plans,



working collaboratively with Operations Managers to deliver measurable improvements.

- Maintain the highest standards of safeguarding, governance, regulatory compliance and person-centred care.

Financial & Commercial Performance

- Take full regional Profit and Loss (P&L;) accountability, managing multi-million-pound budgets and delivering financial objectives.

- Monitor and improve key performance indicators, including occupancy, payroll, agency spend and operational expenditure.

- Identify and develop commercial opportunities, including market expansion, new service commissions and private-pay business growth.

- Work closely with the Commercial team to maximise regional growth and long-term financial sustainability.

Stakeholder Engagement & Business Development

- Build strong, collaborative relationships with Local Authorities, NHS Integrated Care Boards, commissioners, social work teams and other key stakeholders.

- Represent the organisation professionally within the local care market, strengthening partnerships and identifying opportunities for growth.

- Act as a senior escalation point for complaints, safeguarding concerns and complex contractual matters.

- Support the COO in delivering the wider operational business plan and organisational objectives.

About You

You are a confident, resilient and commercially astute leader with a strong track record of managing multiple care services. You understand the complexities of elderly residential and nursing care and can demonstrate your ability to improve quality, develop people and deliver sustainable business performance.

You will bring the credibility to challenge and support operational teams, the judgement to navigate complex situations and the drive to turn strategic priorities into tangible results.

Essential Experience & Qualifications

- A minimum of 3–5 years' senior multi-site management experience within elderly residential and/or nursing care.

- A proven track record of leading operational teams and delivering strong financial, quality and compliance outcomes.

- A Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care,



or an equivalent or higher qualification.

- Strong knowledge of regulatory requirements, safeguarding, quality assurance and care service improvement.

- Demonstrable experience of budget management, financial KPIs and commercial decision-making.

- Experience of developing leaders, managing performance and driving organisational change.

- A full UK driving licence and the flexibility to undertake extensive regional travel, including occasional overnight stays.

Desirable

- Previous Regional Director or equivalent senior regional leadership experience.

- A clinical background, such as an active NMC nursing registration.

- Experience of successfully turning around underperforming services and identifying new business opportunities.

The Skills That Will Set You Apart

- Commercial acumen: You understand the numbers, identify opportunities and make informed decisions that improve performance.

- Regulatory expertise: You know what excellent care looks like and how to build services that consistently meet and exceed regulatory expectations.

- Inspirational leadership: You develop capable, confident managers and create a culture where people take ownership and deliver results.

- Resilience and agility: You thrive in a dynamic environment, respond effectively to challenges and lead change with confidence.

- Relationship building: You communicate effectively and build trusted relationships with colleagues, commissioners and external partners.

- Accountability and fairness: You set clear expectations, address performance issues constructively and support people to reach their potential.

What's on Offer?

- Salary up to £110,000, depending on experience.

- Car allowance.

- Performance-related bonus scheme.

- Company pension.

- Private healthcare following successful completion of probation.

- The opportunity to influence regional strategy and make a meaningful impact on the quality and performance of multiple care services.

- A senior leadership position with direct access to the COO and the chance to shape future operational growth.

Ready to Make an Impact?

If you are a passionate and commercially driven care leader who can inspire teams, improve service quality and deliver exceptional operational performance, we would love to hear from you.

Apply now to take the next step in your leadership career and help shape the future of high-quality care.

Benefits

Excellent benefits package

📌 Regional Operations Director - Regulated Care Services (Newara)
🏢 Shaw Healthcare
📍 Newara