Kent (Hybrid / on site (multi site) – 3-4 days per week) based in Medway
£55 - 62k - dependent on experience
Kent Autistic Trust (KAT) is recruiting an additional Operations Managers 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.
The Role
As Operations Manager, you will:
* Provide senior operational leadership and line management to Service Managers across multiple sites
* Jointly act as a Registered Manager for Supported Living services in the Medway based services.
* Lead safeguarding practice, risk management, and complaint oversight
* Drive improvement through audits, business plans, appraisals and performance management and strive for outstanding service level only.
* Work closely with a dedicated Compliance and Quality Manager, with a clear separation of compliance and operational functions
* Work closely with our award-winning PBS team.
* Support inspection readiness and act as a first‑line operational lead during CQC inspections
* Ensure contract compliance across the services in Medway.
* Play a key role in service development, mobilisation, and capacity planning
About You
We are looking for experienced, confident leader who:
* Has significant senior management experience in adult social care
* Has significant experience working with autistic adults who may have behaviours of concern and is familiar and experienced with respectful approaches, language and interventions.
* Is an existing or former Registered Manager (Supported Living or equivalent)
* Have strong working knowledge of the Care Act, safeguarding, MCA/DoLS and CQC frameworks
* Has a positive and can‑do attitude, driven by dedication and passion for people’s rights and wellbeing.
* Can balance operational grip with values‑led, person‑centred leadership
* Have sound judgement and know when to elevate 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
Additional Information
* On‑call commitment approx. 1 in 3–4 weeks (under review)
* Hybrid working with travel across Kent services
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