Join Our Team as an Operations Manager Kent (based in services across Kent) - £55,000 - £62,000 pa, dependent on experience OPERATIONS MANAGER ADULT SOCIAL CARE KENT (HYBRID / ON SITE (MULTI SITE) 3-4 DAYS PER WEEK) KENT AUTISTIC TRUST Kent Autistic Trust (KAT) is recruiting an additional Operations Manager to provide strong, proactive leadership across our residential, supported living and day services. This is a senior operational role reporting directly to the Chief Executive, created following a strategic review to strengthen quality oversight, regulatory assurance and sustainable service performance across a large and complex portfolio. THE ROLE As Operations Manager, you will: o Provide senior operational leadership and line management to Service Managers across multiple sites o Jointly act as a Registered Manager for Supported Living services o Share responsibility and regulatory risk Lead safeguarding practice, risk management, and complaint oversight o Drive improvement through audits business plans appraisals and performance management o Work closely with a dedicated Compliance and Quality Manager with a clear separation of compliance and operational functions o Support inspection readiness and act as a first line operational lead during CQC inspections o Play a key role in service development, mobilisation, and capacity planning o On call commitment approx 1 in 3-4 weeks o Hybrid working with travel across Kent This role is designed to provide proactive, well governed operational leadership rather than being a fire-fighting role. ABOUT YOU o We are looking for experienced, confident leader who: o Has significant senior management experience in adult social care o Is an existing or former Registered Manager (Supported Living or equivalent) o Have strong working knowledge of the Care Act, safeguarding, MCA/DoLS and CQC frameworks o Are comfortable managing multisite services o At scale Can balance operational grip with values led, person-centered leadership Have sound judgement and know when to escalate risk appropriately WHY JOIN KAT Opportunity to shape a newly strengthened operational structure Clear executive support with delegated authority and trust Strong values led organisation focused on quality and inclusion Real influence over culture, systems, and outcomes Collaborative senior team with specialist compliance and support functions WHAT WE OFFER: Competitive salary and benefits package. Opportunities for professional growth and development. A supportive and collaborative work environment. The chance to make a meaningful impact in the lives of the people we support and the community. We offer many benefits, which include some salary sacrifice arrangements, although some benefits are dependent on a minimum earnings threshold: Paid DBS Check 33 days holiday Company Sick Pay after 12 months service Death in Service Benefits Long Service and Contribution Recognition Awards Pension (after 3 months) Employee Assistance Programme, with counselling services Significant Retail and Leisure Discount Scheme that could save staff an average of £1,000 pa Discounted Gym Membership Financial Well-being Scheme (loans and savings) Refer a Friend Scheme via Care Friends app ABOUT THE TRUST Supporting over 80 people in Medway and across Kent, The Kent Autistic Trust provides a wide range of services designed to meet diverse needs of the people we support with autism, learning disabilities and related difficulties. We provide residential homes, supported living accommodation, day resource services and outreach services. Ensuring the voice of those we support is actively listened to, working for us often means that no two days are the same, but the care and support we give is of consistently high quality, with CQC rating all our services good, and many outstanding. OUR VALUES AND COMMITMENT KAT is committed to providing high quality supports designed around individual abilities, needs and choices. KAT is committed to promoting independence and inclusion within communities. KAT believes everyone is able to make their own individual contribution. KAT seeks to work in partnership with all relevant parties but in particular with the individual themselves. Please find attached a copy of our Privacy Notice. Or a copy can be found on our website. We are not accepting applications from agencies for this role. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if a suitable candidate is found or experiencing a high volume of applications.