Head of Operations (Care Homes)
| Posting date: | 25 September 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £80,000 to £85,000 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 23 October 2025 |
| Location: | Greater Manchester, SK4 1RD |
| Company: | Harbour Healthcare Ltd |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | ORG3022-SN1406012StoHOOH |
Summary
Head of Operations (Care Homes)
Harbour Healthcare
Location - National (with regular travel across 41 care homes)
80-85k pa, depending on experience plus £5,000 Car Allowance and paid mileage.
The Head of Operations will play a pivotal national leadership role in supporting the Director of Operations and designated Regional Managers to deliver excellent operational performance across 41 care homes. This role will ensure the highest standards of care, compliance, and business efficiency are maintained, and will deputise for the Director of Operations when required.
Operational Leadership & Support
Provide strategic and operational support to Regional Managers to ensure each care home delivers high-quality, person-centred care.
Monitor performance, compliance, occupancy, staffing, and financial targets across regions, intervening when performance dips.
Lead on the implementation of new policies, procedures, and improvement plans across the estate.
Ensure effective communication and collaboration across all operational levels.
Conduct regular regional and home visits to support and guide local leadership.
Quality & Compliance
Support Regional Managers in ensuring homes are fully compliant with CQC/ Care Inspectorate (Wales) standards and internal governance frameworks.
Participate in and support preparation for CQC/Care Inspectorate (Wales) inspections, internal audits, and safeguarding investigations.
Promote a culture of continuous improvement and learning.
Leadership & People Management
Mentor and develop Regional Managers, supporting their leadership capabilities and performance.
Deputise for the Operations Director in meetings, reporting, and decision-making as needed.
Support recruitment, onboarding, and development of senior care home leaders (e.g., Home Managers).
Strategic Development
Contribute to business planning, growth strategy, and innovation projects.
Identify risks and opportunities at both regional and national levels, escalating appropriately.
Support integration and mobilisation of new homes or services into the operational portfolio.
Performance Monitoring & Reporting
Analyse performance data, providing insights and recommendations to the Operations Director.
Lead or contribute to the resolution of underperformance or operational crises.
Essential Requirements:
Proven experience in a senior operations role within the care sector, preferably across multiple sites.
In-depth knowledge of CQC/CIW regulations and best practices in adult social care.
Strong leadership, mentoring, and team development skills.
Excellent communication, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.
Willingness and ability to travel nationally on a regular basis.
Driving licence.
Desirable:
Relevant health or social care qualification (e.g., RN, NVQ Level 5 in Health & Social Care or Leadership & Management).
Five years’ experience in a senior operational role.
Experience in leading through regulatory inspection or turnaround situations.
Commercial acumen with budget and financial management experience.
Who are Harbour Healthcare?
We are a Family run business with 41 Care Homes across the UK and are growing year by year.
Inclusion is how we unleash the power of diversity. We strive to foster belonging and empowerment at work. Harbour Healthcare listen and engage with our diverse communities, and we value teamwork within our diverse workplace.
Having family traditions at heart, our philosophy is actually quite simple. We strive to provide an excellent standard of care to our residents, treating them with complete dignity and respect.
We are looking for people who care regardless of qualifications or experience. We care more about you sharing and demonstrating our values, which are, -
Humility
Accountability
Achievement
Passion
Integrity
We will give you all the training and support you need, such as obtaining a qualification in health and social care and opportunities for promotion and career growth.
Harbour Healthcare have won many accolades and awards over the years from carehome.co.uk Top 20 Awards, now for the 5th year running as well as Disability Confident Committed.
Please note that all our positions require an Enhanced DBS check in relation to Children and Adults.
Interested? – Go on and click that apply button now!
Harbour Healthcare
Location - National (with regular travel across 41 care homes)
80-85k pa, depending on experience plus £5,000 Car Allowance and paid mileage.
The Head of Operations will play a pivotal national leadership role in supporting the Director of Operations and designated Regional Managers to deliver excellent operational performance across 41 care homes. This role will ensure the highest standards of care, compliance, and business efficiency are maintained, and will deputise for the Director of Operations when required.
Operational Leadership & Support
Provide strategic and operational support to Regional Managers to ensure each care home delivers high-quality, person-centred care.
Monitor performance, compliance, occupancy, staffing, and financial targets across regions, intervening when performance dips.
Lead on the implementation of new policies, procedures, and improvement plans across the estate.
Ensure effective communication and collaboration across all operational levels.
Conduct regular regional and home visits to support and guide local leadership.
Quality & Compliance
Support Regional Managers in ensuring homes are fully compliant with CQC/ Care Inspectorate (Wales) standards and internal governance frameworks.
Participate in and support preparation for CQC/Care Inspectorate (Wales) inspections, internal audits, and safeguarding investigations.
Promote a culture of continuous improvement and learning.
Leadership & People Management
Mentor and develop Regional Managers, supporting their leadership capabilities and performance.
Deputise for the Operations Director in meetings, reporting, and decision-making as needed.
Support recruitment, onboarding, and development of senior care home leaders (e.g., Home Managers).
Strategic Development
Contribute to business planning, growth strategy, and innovation projects.
Identify risks and opportunities at both regional and national levels, escalating appropriately.
Support integration and mobilisation of new homes or services into the operational portfolio.
Performance Monitoring & Reporting
Analyse performance data, providing insights and recommendations to the Operations Director.
Lead or contribute to the resolution of underperformance or operational crises.
Essential Requirements:
Proven experience in a senior operations role within the care sector, preferably across multiple sites.
In-depth knowledge of CQC/CIW regulations and best practices in adult social care.
Strong leadership, mentoring, and team development skills.
Excellent communication, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.
Willingness and ability to travel nationally on a regular basis.
Driving licence.
Desirable:
Relevant health or social care qualification (e.g., RN, NVQ Level 5 in Health & Social Care or Leadership & Management).
Five years’ experience in a senior operational role.
Experience in leading through regulatory inspection or turnaround situations.
Commercial acumen with budget and financial management experience.
Who are Harbour Healthcare?
We are a Family run business with 41 Care Homes across the UK and are growing year by year.
Inclusion is how we unleash the power of diversity. We strive to foster belonging and empowerment at work. Harbour Healthcare listen and engage with our diverse communities, and we value teamwork within our diverse workplace.
Having family traditions at heart, our philosophy is actually quite simple. We strive to provide an excellent standard of care to our residents, treating them with complete dignity and respect.
We are looking for people who care regardless of qualifications or experience. We care more about you sharing and demonstrating our values, which are, -
Humility
Accountability
Achievement
Passion
Integrity
We will give you all the training and support you need, such as obtaining a qualification in health and social care and opportunities for promotion and career growth.
Harbour Healthcare have won many accolades and awards over the years from carehome.co.uk Top 20 Awards, now for the 5th year running as well as Disability Confident Committed.
Please note that all our positions require an Enhanced DBS check in relation to Children and Adults.
Interested? – Go on and click that apply button now!
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.