Role: Head of Older Communities
Location: England and Scotland (Remote with travel across sites)
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
We are an outstanding values driven charity who have been supporting people in their lives for 140 years. We are proud to offer a rare and exciting opportunity to lead a truly unique portfolio of care services and are seeking a visionary leader for our Head of Older Communities. The role is to oversee several registered care/nursing homes and domiciliary services, delivered through full management contracts with religious communities across Scotland and England.
About the Role:
This is no ordinary leadership position. You will be at the forefront of developing new services, and shaping and delivering exceptional care for older people, ensuring services meet the highest standards of quality, compassion, and innovation. You’ll lead the Older Communities strategy, working closely with the people we support and their community families, and care teams to develop forward-thinking models of care that reflect the values of SJOG.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Provide strategic and operational leadership across a diverse portfolio of older communities services.
2. Ensure full compliance with regulatory frameworks and best practice standards
3. Manage and negotiate complex contracts within older communities and with partners
4. Oversee a budget exceeding £4 million, ensuring financial sustainability and value
5. Drive continuous improvement and innovation in care delivery
6. Champion outstanding outcomes for older people, rooted in hospitality, compassion and respect
7. Complete tenders and develop new services with NHS/ICBs and Local Authorities and other religious communities UK wide
What We’re Looking For:
8. Proven experience in managing and leading older people’s services at a senior level
9. Experience of multi-site operational management across the UK
10. Deep knowledge and understanding of legislation, policy, procedures and practices in older people and nursing care
11. Inspirational leadership and the ability to build trusted relationships
12. The ability to develop and shape an older people’s strategy, monitor and report to the Executive Management Team
13. Values Driven, Compassion, innovation and good communication skills
Benefits and Rewards:
14. Annual leave entitlement of 33 days (pro-rata) including bank and public holidays
15. Employee Assistance Programme
16. Auto Enrolment Pension Scheme
17. Health Cash Plan
18. Bike to Work Scheme
19. Excellent training and development opportunities
20. An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check (which we will pay for) will be required for the role.
Closing Date for applications: Monday 19th January 2026
1st Stage Interview: Thursday 29th January 2026
2nd Stage Interview: Monday 2nd February 2026
For all applications and enquiries please contact our Recruitment Partner Joanne Diver at Defour Partnership. or apply via this link: