Interim Operational Manager – Children and Young People Service

Midland Mencap; West Midlands; On-site; GBP 41,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading community-focused organization in the West Midlands is seeking an Interim Operational Manager for the Children and Young People's Service. This role involves leading service delivery, ensuring compliance with regulations, and fostering a high-quality, responsive service. The ideal candidate will have proven leadership experience in relevant services. This fixed-term role offers a competitive salary of £40,995.

Benefits

Flexible and family-friendly working practices

Learning, development, and progression opportunities

Supportive team culture

Pension scheme

Expenses reimbursement

Qualifications

• Experience in children and young people’s services.
• Ability to engage confidently with stakeholders.
• Commitment to safeguarding and quality assurance.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop operational functions for CYP services.
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations.
• Support performance targets and quality standards.

Skills

Proven leadership and operational management

Effective communication

Team leadership and development

Organizational and problem-solving skills

Job description

Overview

Job Title: Interim Operational Manager – Children and Young People’s Service (CYP)

Reporting To: Senior Operations Manager – Community Operations

Responsible For: CYP service team

Job Location: Based at Pinewood, West Midlands Wide

Contract: 37 hours per week – Fixed Term 12 months (Maternity Leave Cover)

Salary: £40,995.00

Who We Look For

We’re seeking an experienced and inspiring Interim Operational Manager who is passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of children and young people.

You will thrive in this role if you:

• Proven leadership and operational management experience within children and young people’s services or a related sector
• Are an effective communicator who can engage confidently with children, young people, families, and stakeholders
• Can lead, motivate, and develop teams to deliver high-quality, person-centred services
• Understand the challenges and opportunities in delivering responsive, inclusive, and outcomes-focused support
• Are committed to safeguarding, quality assurance, and continuous improvement
• Possess strong organisational and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities

It would be a bonus if you have:

• Experience of service development, contract management, and compliance within the children and young people’s sector
• A track record of building and sustaining strong partnerships across statutory, voluntary, and community sectors
• Knowledge of relevant regulations, legislation, and best practice in children and young people’s services

This is more than a management role – it’s an opportunity to lead services that empower children and young people to achieve their goals and aspirations. If you are committed to delivering excellence and driving positive change, we would be delighted to hear from you.

What this role involves

Reporting to the Senior Operations Manager of Community Services you will provide support, direction and leadership for the effective delivery of day-to-day operational activities and business development across Midland Mencap’s CYP services portfolio. Ensuring compliance with relevant regulation and legislation. To be part of the management team that drives a proactive, responsive and truly exceptional service to citizens and families and lead and inspire a performance related and person-centred focussed culture. Working collaboratively with the Chief Executive, Director of Operations and other senior colleagues to ensure Midland Mencap is a sustainable, ambitious, dynamic and successful organisation.

1: Key Tasks

1. 1.1 To lead and develop the strategic priorities and plans for all operational functions ensuring excellent customer service, developing and delivering a comprehensive range of services to meet children and young people’s needs and aspirations. Identifying business development, tendering and procurement opportunities consistent with Midland Mencap’s strategic aspirations
2. 1.2 To provide support to management colleagues to ensure all services are effective, responsive, deliver value for money and are compliant with best practice, regulatory and statutory requirements.
3. 1.3 Ensure the service meets high performance objectives, safeguarding standards, regulatory and quality standards and deliver outcomes for children and young people.
4. 1.4 To oversee and ensure effective and robust contract management and compliance on all operational contracts, ensuring quality assurance and compliance.
5. 1.5 Ensure teams and individuals are managed, supported and developed to provide high performance targeted services for children and young people and be accountable for the quality of work of both individuals and the team.
6. 1.6 To support ongoing organisational change and help embed a performance related and child/young person-focussed culture across teams ensuring dynamic services and the highest standards of customer care and support.
7. 1.7 To be part of a management team that ensures clarity of direction, effective communication and development of personal and team potential.
8. 1.8 Adopt a collaborative and supportive approach, maintaining up to date professional knowledge and providing advice and assistance to teams as required.
9. 1.9 Contribute to the development of strategic and financial plans and keep business plans and other key strategies under review ensuring risk is managed and mitigated against.
10. 1.10 Support the achieving of and accountability for performance targets, communicating relevant business and performance data to the Senior Operations Manager and Leadership team as appropriate.
11. 1.11 Support the Senior Operations Manager and the Director of Operations to monitor and report to the CEO on standards of performance across all services ensuring the development of effective services that remain responsive to changing circumstances and demands.
12. 1.12 In all aspects of the Midland Mencaps’s work, promote effective communications, excellence in customer service, and a focus on continuous improvement.
13. 1.13 Be pro-active in the development of key partnerships, working with stakeholders to ensure the effective co-ordination and delivery of services with other organisations, agencies and partners.
14. 1.14 Ensure the Midland Mencap values are reflected in the work the teams and that all services provided are delivered in line with the Midland Mencap vision and values.
15. 1.15 Act as an ambassador for Midland Mencap, attending and contributing to professional forums and events
16. 1.16 Ensure compliance with all regulatory, statutory and legal requirements

2: General

1. 2.1 To work flexibly and positively as part of the management team
2. 2.2 To put citizens first at all times, providing a high standard of customer service both internally and externally
3. 2.3 To adhere to the spirit and requirements of Midland Mencap’s equal opportunities and other policies
4. 2.4 To represent Midland Mencap at internal and external meetings as required portraying a professional image at all times
5. 2.5 To exercise a duty of care with respect to the health and safety of all
6. 2.6 To undertake any other reasonable duties that may be required from time to time

Full job description and person specification.

What we offer?

Why Work with Midland Mencap?

• Join a passionate, inclusive, and community-led organisation making a real impact.
• Flexible and family-friendly working practices.
• Learning, development, and progression opportunities.
• Supportive team culture and access to employee wellbeing services.
• Pension scheme and expenses reimbursement.

When applying for this job role, please complete and attach the following to your application:

• Either the Application Form or your CV
• The Equal Opportunities Form

Word Document Format: Application Form Word; Equal Opportunities Monitoring Word

PDF Format: Application Form PDF; Equal Opportunities Monitoring PDF

This is a rolling recruitment process. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may take place at any time. The post will close once a successful candidate has been appointed, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.