Head of Operations

PURSUING INDEPENDENT PATHS; Greater London; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A local charity in Greater London is seeking a Head of Operations responsible for day-to-day delivery and strategic development. The ideal candidate will lead a team, ensure regulatory compliance, and work towards continuous operational improvement. A strong commitment to a person-centered approach and significant experience with learning disabilities is required. The role contributes to managing key relationships, overseeing budgets, and supporting our mission to empower individuals. Competitive benefits include a generous holiday policy, pension contributions, and team events.

Benefits

25 days holidays + bank holidays

Travel subsidy up to £7.50 per day

4% pension contribution

Free Employee Assistance programme

Regular team meals and socials

Cycle-to-work scheme

Qualifications

• Significant experience of working with people with learning disabilities or similar.
• Proven leadership and management experience.
• Strong commitment to a person-centred approach.
• Experience collaborating with various agencies and professionals.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation regarding learning disabilities.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the operations and staff management.
• Ensure continuous operational improvement.
• Manage relationships with local authorities.
• Hold budget responsibility across services.
• Champion regulatory compliance and reporting.

Skills

Experience with learning disabilities

Leadership and management skills

Strong communication skills

Project management capabilities

Knowledge of safeguarding processes

Flexibility and adaptability

Job description

Job Summary

The Head of Operations holds responsibility for our day-to-day delivery, strategic development of our services, and operational team leadership. As our new Head of Operations you will:

• sit on the PiP Senior Management Team and lead our team of circa twenty delivery staff.
• ensure continuous operational improvement, working with SMT to develop our service and systems, through new projects or ways of working, and champion a learner-led approach to everything we do.
• champion PiP meeting our regulatory and reporting requirements, manage key relationships including with local authorities, and hold budget responsibility across our service.

Who We Are

PIP is a local charity that supports adults with learning disabilities or autism to achieve their potential, and to lead lives that are as independent as possible.

Our mission is to empower adults with learning disabilities to achieve their potential. We are a growing, grassroots charity based in West London, and run a number of key services to promote independence and choice for our students.

What You'll Need:

• Significant experience of working with people with learning disabilities, or a similar vulnerable client group, including knowledge of Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adults (SOVA) processes.
• Significant experience of leading and managing a staff team.
• Strong understanding of and commitment to a person-centred approach to working with people with learning disabilities, including planning, progress monitoring and review.
• Experience of liaising with a wide network of agencies and sector professionals in support of student needs.
• Knowledge of national and local legislation and policy affecting people with learning disabilities, including personal budgets. Alongside knowledge of key legislation and processes including on Health & Safety and Risk Skills and abilities
• Able to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, including the ability to maintain accurate records and produce reports for a variety of internal and external audiences.
• Able to take a lead role in the implementation of major tasks, including contributing to the delivery of key performance management targets and making organisational and systems improvements.
• Able to manage and complete projects successfully, including delegating tasks and monitoring and evaluating progress against outcomes.
• Able to establish, develop and maintain constructive and professional relationships with a wide variety of professionals and carers both internally and externally.
• Able to liaise and work closely with student families, carers and other stakeholders in planning, implementing and monitoring support.
• Able to take a flexible approach to work, including flexible and out of hours working in response to service needs and developments.
• Willing and able to participate actively in a variety of fundraising events and activities, including some evening and weekend events.

What We Offer:

• You'll get 25 days holidays + bank holidays every year. We're closed for Christmas but the rest of the year you may take leave whenever you wish.
• An extra day of annual leave for each year you've worked with us up to another 5 (30 in total)
• We offer a travel subsidy of up to £7.50 per day to help with the commuting costs.
• We provide a 4% pension contribution
• Free Employee Assistance programme 24/7 with access to counselling
• We offer regular team meals and socials - generally during work hours and they are optional.
• We offer a cycle-to-work scheme and as we're a charity you'll get access to savings like charityworkerdiscounts

Our Mission

PiP's mission is to empower adults with learning disabilities to achieve their potential. We are a growing, grassroots charity based in West London, and run a number of key services to promote independence and choice for our service users.

Our commitments

PiP is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be required to undertake an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion at work and are accredited with the Inclusive Employers Standard 2020. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, particularly applicants who are significantly underrepresented in our sector, such as people with lived experience of disabilities and individuals from Black and Minority ethnic communities.

PiP keeps all personal information confidential and in line with current data protection legislation and GDPR.

Closing Date: December 5th 2025. We encourage you to apply early, as applications will be reviewed as soon as they are received, and we reserve the right to close the advert sooner subject to finding suitable candidates.