Operations Manager - Nursing Home Group (Highly Confidential)
Blackburn/Lancashire/Preston portfolio | 3-5 days per week | £50,000-£55,000 (pro-rata) + bonus potential
If you've ever thought, "I could run more than one home… but I don't want the corporate circus," this is the role.
A small, privately owned nursing-home group (three services across Lancashire/Preston) is creating a new Operations Manager position to strengthen support for Home Managers, tighten commercial performance, and keep standards consistently high, without the layers, the red tape, or the endless "meetings about meetings".
This is a hands-on regional role with real autonomy and a clear brief: support the homes to thrive clinically, culturally, and commercially.
The Directors are pragmatic, accessible, and invested in their environments. The portfolio is stable and full/near-full, with further improvement plans underway.
A genuine selling point: flexibility.
They're open to 3 or 4 days per week for the right person (or 5 if preferred) as long as outcomes are delivered.
You'll focus on the things that matter most:
Operational leadership
Lead and support Home Managers across a small portfolio of nursing homes
Strengthen leadership capability: coaching, induction support, confidence-building
Foster a positive, accountable culture across the group
Quality & governance
Drive safe, resident-focused care and strong CQC readiness
Identify risk early, implement improvements, and sustain good practice
Step in as Registered Manager when required to ensure continuity
Commercial performance
Oversight of budgets, staffing ratios, and workforce efficiency (safely)
Improve performance around fees, funding streams, and resident mix
Introduce/strengthen KPI reporting and provide clear updates to Directors
Future scope
Opportunity to take on Nominated Individual responsibility (with an enhanced package), if you have the experience and appetite.
Interested or know someone who'd love a high-impact role without the corporate noise?
Apply in strict confidence with a CV (or a brief profile) and we'll share full details privately.
Ideal background
Minimum 2 years as a Care Home Manager (nursing home experience strongly preferred)
Commissioning exposure helpful (not essential)
Commercially minded: understands funding, fee negotiation, and the reality of acuity vs staffing
Nurse with an active NMC PIN desirable, not essential
Calm, credible leader who can influence without ego