We are seeking an experienced Operations Director to join Priory at a pivotal time of growth and expansion. This is a high-impact leadership role with responsibility for a significant portfolio of services across the Lancashire region, offering the opportunity to shape performance, drive improvement, and deliver high-quality care at scale.
Reporting to the Managing Director of the region, you will be accountable for the financial, operational, and quality performance across your portfolio of sites. You will lead and inspire Site Leaders to deliver excellence in safety, quality, cost control, and regulatory compliance, while driving sustainable performance, profitability, and growth. This is a remote-based role with extensive travel across the region.
What you’ll be doing
You will take full ownership of site performance, ensuring services consistently deliver safe, effective, and commercially sound outcomes. Through a visible, hands‑on leadership approach and regular site presence, you will oversee quality, staffing, and financial performance, using data and insight to identify opportunities and drive continuous improvement. You will lead and manage Site Leaders, holding them accountable for delivery against key quality indicators, operational targets, and budgeted revenue and EBITDA.
Working closely with the Regional Senior Management Team and central support functions, you will ensure regulatory compliance, respond effectively to audits and inspections, and play a key role in service development and growth initiatives. You will build high‑performing teams by prioritising recruitment, retention, and development, coaching leaders and strengthening succession pipelines. With responsibility for budget management, risk, and reputation, you will foster a culture of accountability, excellence, and continuous improvement across all services.
What you’ll bring
You are a credible and experienced operational leader with a strong track record in site or regional management within Health and Social Care. You bring experience of leading multi‑site services, ideally within private healthcare, social care, or education, alongside a strong understanding of financial and operational performance, including cost control and budget delivery.
You are a confident and resilient leader, comfortable operating in a fast‑paced, complex environment and managing competing priorities with sound judgement. You have experience leading diverse teams, developing services, and working within matrix organisations, with the ability to influence across functions to deliver results. You bring experience of conducting investigations from both HR and clinical or care perspectives, alongside a proven ability to improve performance, strengthen teams, and deliver sustainable outcomes. Your communication skills are exceptional, with the ability to adapt your style to engage and influence a wide range of stakeholders.
This position is a leadership role at Priory and during the interview process we will be assessing candidates against our leadership behaviours. These are a set of ten values driven behaviours that define great leadership at Priory. They are integral to driving a positive high performing culture where we strive to deliver the best care and outcomes for the people we support. You can find out more about our interview approach and our leadership behaviours here.
What we will give you in return
We want you to succeed at Priory and thrive in your role. You will be well supported with regular career conversations. We also offer full training and numerous pathways into leadership and qualified clinical positions to help you shape your career with us.
* Private Medical Insurance
* 25 days Annual Leave + Bank Holidays + additional day’s leave for your Birthday!
* Annual leave entitlement increases based on length of service: 27 days after 5 years’ service and 30 days after 10 years’ service
* Length of service recognition awards – every 5 years
* Employee Assistance Programme
* Initial Disclosure Check Cost covered, if applicable to role
* ‘My Possible Self’ App and health‑related benefits
* Online discounts and cashback rewards – Priory Perks
* Smart Technology scheme (qualifying period)
* Cycle to work scheme (qualifying period)
* Smart Holidays (qualifying period)
* Gym Flex (qualifying period)
* Eye Care Vouchers
* ‘Cash for Colleagues’ – Employee referral scheme
* Access to development opportunities
* Sponsorship of professional qualifications through our Individual Professional Development (IPD) panel
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