Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Shaw Healthcare; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Shaw healthcare seeks an exceptional Chief Operating Officer to lead our growing portfolio of elderly care homes, extra care and supported living. You will translate group strategy into measurable results, drive operational excellence, strengthen leadership capability and ensure consistently excellent care and regulatory outcomes.

As a visible, hands-on leader, you will work with the CEO and Board across services to deliver growth, quality improvements and sustainable performance.

Qualifications

• 5+ years at board-level or equivalent in private elderly care.
• Track record of improving occupancy, EBITDA and service quality.
• Experience leading multi-site care operations.
• Strong financial and P&L capability.
• Knowledge of CQC and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead and transform a significant operational portfolio across sites.
• Deliver measurable improvements in quality, people and commercial performance.
• Develop the next generation of operational leaders.
• Support sustainable growth through acquisitions, new developments and service expansion.
• Drive governance and risk management to uphold standards.

Skills

Strategic leadership

P&L management

Operational excellence

Quality & regulatory focus

Stakeholder management

People development

Education

Degree in Business/Healthcare Management or equivalent

Nursing qualification (RGN/RMN) beneficial

Job description

Shaw healthcare is seeking an exceptional and experienced Chief Operating Officer (COO) to lead operational performance across our growing portfolio of elderly care homes, extra care and supported living services. This is a high-impact opportunity for a commercially astute, values-driven leader who combines financial discipline with a passion for outstanding care, operational excellence and sustainable growth. Working closely with the CEO and Board, you will translate Group strategy into measurable results, strengthen leadership capability, improve quality and regulatory outcomes, and ensure consistently excellent experiences for residents and their families.

As COO, you will have overall responsibility for the Group's operational, commercial and quality performance, ensuring excellent care and sustainable business results go hand in hand. Your responsibilities will include:

• Operational excellence: Drive consistent performance across a geographically dispersed portfolio.
• Commercial performance: Improve occupancy, revenue, EBITDA, P&L and cost control, including private-pay admissions.
• Quality and compliance: Strengthen CQC outcomes, safeguarding, care standards and continuous improvement.
• People and leadership: Improve recruitment, retention, succession planning and workforce stability while reducing agency dependency.
• Resident experience: Promote dignity, choice, independence and high standards of care.
• Performance and transformation: Establish clear KPIs, accountability and data-led decision-making, leading major improvement programmes and digital transformation.
• Growth and integration: Support acquisitions, new developments and service integration, ensuring consistent Group standards.
• Risk and governance: Identify, manage and elevate operational risks effectively.

As a visible, hands-on leader, you will spend significant time across our services, supporting operational teams and providing clear insight and challenge to the CEO and Board.

What You Will Achieve Success will be measured through tangible improvements in four key areas:

• Commercial: Increased occupancy, revenue and profitability; stronger private-pay admissions; effective cost management.
• People: Greater workforce stability, reduced agency use, improved retention and strong leadership succession.
• Quality and resident experience: Improved regulatory outcomes, safeguarding, care quality and resident and family satisfaction.
• Growth and transformation: Successful integration of acquisitions, delivery of service openings, commissioning, refurbishment and closures where required, and implementation of major operational improvements., This is an opportunity to shape the future of Shaw healthcare, influence Group strategy and make a meaningful difference to residents, families and colleagues.

You will work directly with the CEO and Board to:

• Lead and transform a significant operational portfolio.
• Deliver measurable improvements in quality, people and commercial performance.
• Develop the next generation of operational leaders.
• Support sustainable growth through acquisitions, new developments and service expansion.

You will be a proven senior operator with significant leadership experience in the private elderly care sector, typically with 5+ years at Board, Managing Director, Group Operations Director or equivalent level. You will demonstrate a track record of:

• Leading large, multi-site care operations and geographically dispersed teams - residential, nursing, dementia homes.
• Improving financial and operational performance, including turning around underperforming services.
• Managing occupancy, EBITDA, staffing costs and agency expenditure.
• Delivering organisational change, transformation and acquisition integration.
• Navigating CQC requirements and the wider regulatory environment.
• Developing high-performing Regional Directors, Operations Managers and Home Managers.

Experience across residential, nursing, dementia, extra care or supported living is advantageous, as is knowledge of private-pay and local-authority-funded care markets. Your Leadership Style You will be a visible, decisive and inspiring leader who builds accountability, develops talent and brings people with you. You will be:

• Commercially astute, with strong financial and P&L capability.
• Uncompromising on care quality, safety and safeguarding.
• Data-driven, resilient and confident in making difficult decisions.
• Engaged across our services, with a hands-on leadership approach.
• Skilled at developing high-performing teams and future leaders.
• Collaborative at Board level, comfortable challenging the status quo and focused on sustainable, long-term performance.,

A degree-level qualification in Business, Healthcare Management or a relevant discipline, or equivalent senior-level experience, is desirable. A relevant professional or management qualification is advantageous.

A Nursing qualification (RGN/RMN) is beneficial but not essential. Evidence of ongoing professional and leadership development is expected.

Salary: £160k plus car allowance of £715 pcm