Director of Operations

PERIDOT PARTNERS; Essex; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

An organization in the care sector is seeking a Director of Operations to lead outstanding care across Essex. The role involves providing leadership, overseeing operational excellence, and driving innovation. Candidates should have senior experience in health or social care, with a focus on collaboration and strategic vision. This is an opportunity to make a lasting impact on people’s lives in adult social care.

Qualifications

• Senior experience in health and/or social care, local government or the NHS.
• Understanding of local authority commissioning dynamics.
• Experience in navigating complexity and building partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Provide visible, values-led leadership to high-performing teams.
• Oversee operational excellence across a diverse, multi-site portfolio.
• Drive innovation, inclusion, and digital transformation.

Skills

Operational credibility

Strategic vision

Collaboration

Resilience

Continuous improvement

Job description

Join ECL as Director of Operations and lead outstanding care, drive transformation and empower lives across Essex and beyond.

Applications close at 9 a.m. Monday 1st December

Who we are

ECL (Essex Cares Limited) is one of the UK’s leading providers of care and wellbeing services, supporting thousands of people every day to live independently and with confidence. With all our services rated Good or Outstanding, we’re proud to make a real difference; through reablement, day opportunities, sensory support, and innovative community services that put people first.

About the role

This is a pivotal time to join ECL. As our new Director of Operations, you’ll provide visible, values-led leadership to our high-performing teams and play a central role in shaping the next chapter of our success.

Reporting to the Managing Director and working closely with Essex County Council (our shareholder), you’ll oversee operational excellence across a diverse, multi-site portfolio. You’ll ensure we continue to deliver outstanding, efficient services while driving forward innovation, inclusion, and digital transformation.

You’ll be joining a highly capable Senior Leadership Team with strong operational Heads of Service beneath you; freeing you to think and act strategically. Yet you’ll also stay close enough to the frontline to ensure our culture, quality, and purpose are lived every day.

Who we are looking for

We are seeking a collaborative and resilient leader who brings both operational credibility and strategic vision.

You’ll likely bring senior experience within health and/or social care, local government or the NHS, used to working with a wide range of stakeholders and bringing an understanding of the dynamics between local authority commissioning and provider delivery. You’ll be comfortable navigating complexity, building partnerships, and maintaining a focus on people – customers and colleagues alike.

You’ll bring energy, curiosity and a drive for continuous improvement; successfully balancing stability with innovation as ECL evolves in a changing local government landscape.

You’ll be joining an organisation grounded in purpose yet ambitious about growth. With the support of an experienced leadership team, a committed shareholder, and passionate colleagues, you’ll have the platform to truly make a lasting impact on people’s lives and on the future of adult social care.