To provide strong, visible leadership and strategic oversight of a 40-bed nursing and residential care home specialising in dementia care. The Operations Manager will ensure the delivery of high-quality regulatory compliance, financial sustainability, and continuous service improvement.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Management
Provide clear leadership to the administrative and domestic team
Foster a positive, inclusive, and accountable workplace culture
Oversee recruitment, retention, and development of staff
Implement systems and processes to support high quality care and improve operational efficiency
Ensure effective use of clinical systems and digital services
Lead on policies and HR processes
Strategic Oversight
Contribute to and implement the organisation s strategic plan
Identify growth opportunities and service improvements
Monitor performance against KPIs and drive continuous improvement
Lead change management initiatives
Quality & Compliance
Ensure compliance with regulatory standards (e.g. Care Quality Commission requirements)
Oversee audits, inspections, and action plans
Maintain high standards of clinical governance and safeguarding
Ensure robust policies and procedures are in place and followed
Operational Management
Ensure safe staffing levels and effective rota management for the administration and domestic team
Monitor occupancy levels and admissions processes
Manage incidents, complaints, and risk effectively
Financial Management
Manage budgets, financial planning and reporting
Monitor income streams including OCC contracts and self-funding residents.
Work with accountants and the finance officer to ensure financial stability
Ensure efficient use of resources without compromising care quality
Identify opportunities to improve income generation and operational efficiency.
Procurement & Resource Management
Lead procurement strategy for equipment, supplies, and services
Negotiate contracts and maintain supplier performance
Ensure value for money and compliance with procurement policies
Stakeholder Engagement
Build strong relationships with families, and external partners
Liaise with local authorities
Represent the organisation professionally in all interactions
Safeguarding & Risk Management
Ensure robust safeguarding practices are embedded
Lead on risk assessments and mitigation strategies
Promote a culture of safety and transparency
Person Specification
Essential Qualifications & Experience
Proven experience in a senior management role within health or social care
Strong knowledge of regulatory frameworks (e.g. Care Quality Commission standards)
Demonstrable experience in staff leadership and team development
Experience in financial management and budget control
Experience in procurement and contract management
Desirable
Management qualification (e.g. Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health & Social Care)
Experience managing care services
Skills & Competencies
Leadership
Strong, confident, and empathetic leadership style
Ability to motivate and inspire teams
Strategic Thinking
Ability to think long-term and align operations with organisational goals
Data-driven decision-making
Communication
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders
Operational Excellence
Strong organisational and problem-solving skills
Ability to manage competing priorities
Financial & Commercial Awareness
Understanding of budgets, cost control, and financial reporting
Commercial awareness in procurement and service delivery
Personal Attributes
Compassionate and values-driven
Resilient and adaptable
High integrity and professionalism
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Regulatory inspection ratings (e.g. Care Quality Commission)
Occupancy rates
Staff turnover and retention
Budget adherence
Resident and family satisfaction
Working Conditions
On-site role, with participation in the on-call rota out of hours
Other Requirements
Enhanced DBS check
Right to work in the UK
Vale House is a not-for-profit Dementia Care Home specialising in the highly skilled care required for people who have complex needs arising from dementia. Its specialist care is much sought after and is provided in a light bright building which was purpose built in 2012 just outside Oxford, between Littlemore and Sandford-on-Thames. The forty individual en-suite rooms, which are all outward looking, are built around a figure of eight with internal courtyard gardens where residents can walk safely and securely. Founded in 1990 Vale House has one clear purpose: to care for people with dementia however severe or complicated, and to support their families. The quality of the work of Vale House rests on the skill and commitment of the staff who are chosen with care, well taught and then helped to learn further and work closely as a team.
Support for families is a defining characteristic of Vale House, and unusually Vale House has dedicated family support workers, committed to supporting the family and friends of each resident. This commitment contributes greatly to the inclusive friendly environment which so many family and visitors comment on.
Vale House is registered as an independent charity with the Charity Commission and with Companies House and conforms to the standards and procedures required by those two bodies. It is governed by a committed Board of Directors (unpaid) who are also the Trustees of the charity.