Operations Manager-Accommodation and Community Services (Sussex)

ASPENS CHARITIES; Battle; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid DBS check

Flexible work

Nest Pension

Employee Assistance Programme

Mental Health First Aiders

Discounts for staff

Refer a Friend

Recognition programs

Job summary

Aspens Charities is seeking an Operations Manager for Accommodation and Community Services in Sussex. The role requires leading Residential, Supported Living and Outreach services with a focus on safety, quality and positive outcomes for people supported.

You will work closely with Service Managers, champion inclusion and independence, and drive service improvements across a broader area while maintaining strong community links and robust governance.

Qualifications

• Experience leading residential, supported living or community-based services.
• Experience supporting people with autism, learning disabilities, or complex needs.
• Strong organisational and communication skills.
• Commitment to inclusion, co-production and person-centred practice.

Responsibilities

• Lead Service Managers across multiple services to ensure safety and quality.
• Drive high-quality, person-centred support and rights-based care.
• Oversee safeguarding, risk management and inspections.
• Support quality reviews, audits and continuous improvement.
• Build relationships with commissioners, regulators and stakeholders.
• Manage budgets and ensure service sustainability.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Safeguarding & decision-making

CQC regulations knowledge

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Level 5 Leadership & Management in Health & Social Care

Job description

Operations Manager-Accommodation and Community Services (Sussex)

Role/Job Title: Operations Manager -Accommodation and Community Services (Sussex)Location:19 High St, Battle TN33 0AE [hybrid working with regular travel across our Sussex services. A visible leadership presence within services is an important part of this role]

Mileage expenses will be paid for travel to locations away from your main workplace, in accordance with the organisation's mileage policy.

Hours: 37 hours per week (Monday – Friday)Salary:£40,000 - £45,000 per annum (dependent on experience)

Closing date for applications:8th November 2026 Please note that we may close this vacancy before the advertised closing date should we receive sufficient suitable applications. We encourage you to submit your application at the earliest opportunity.

Equal Opportunity/Accessibility and Accommodations Statement:
As a Disability Confident employer, Aspens Charities is committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for individuals with disabilities. We actively promote the recruitment, retention, and career development of people with disabilities, recognising the invaluable contributions they make to our organisation. We are dedicated to ensuring an accessible recruitment process for all candidates. If you require any accommodations during the application or interview process, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Aspens’ mission is to provide high-quality care and support to individuals on the autism spectrum and with learning disabilities; meeting their needs and aspirations and empowering them to learn and grow through an integrated network of services across the South-East.

This role could suit an experienced Registered Manager who is ready to take the next step in their career and broaden their experience beyond the leadership of a single service.

You may be someone who is passionate about raising standards across residential and supported living services, enjoys supporting and developing other managers, and is ready to gain experience of providing operational oversight across a wider group of services.

Equally, you will be motivated by creating more holistic pathways for the people we support, building strong connections with local communities, identifying meaningful opportunities for people to develop skills, relationships and independence, and helping services become more connected to the communities around them.

This is an opportunity for someone who combines strong operational leadership with a genuinely person-centred approach and who is ready to develop their strategic thinking while influencing quality, culture and outcomes across a broader area.

About the Role:
As Operations Manager– Accommodation and Community Services you will provide operational leadership across our Residential, Supported Living and Outreach services in Sussex. You'll work closely with Service Managers to ensure services are safe, effective, outcome-focused and aligned with best practice, while championing a culture that promotes independence, inclusion and positive outcomes.

You’ll oversee service quality, safeguarding, workforce leadership, performance and continuous improvement, ensuring the people we support remain at the centre of everything we do.

Key responsibilities:

• Leading and supporting Service Managers across multiple services.
• Driving high-quality, person-centred and rights-based support.
• Overseeing safeguarding, risk management and service quality.
• Supporting services through inspections, audits and quality reviews.
• Leading service improvement initiatives and organisational projects.
• Building strong relationships with commissioners, regulators and stakeholders.
• Promoting positive behaviour support, inclusion and community engagement.
• Supporting effective budget management and service sustainability.
• Embedding a culture of accountability, learning and continuous improvement.

About you:
You'll be an experienced leader who is passionate about helping people achieve positive outcomes and supporting teams to deliver exceptional services.

You'll bring:

• Experience working within residential, supported living or community-based services.
• Experience supporting people with autism, learning disabilities, mental health needs and/or complex needs.
• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Experience of safeguarding and decision-making in complex situations.
• Knowledge of CQC regulations, quality standards and service improvement.
• The ability to build strong relationships and influence others positively.
• Strong organisational, analytical and communication skills.
• A commitment to inclusion, co-production and person-centred practice.

We'd particularly love to hear from you if you have:

• Experience as a Registered Manager looking to progress into a multi-service leadership role.
• Experience supporting managers and developing leadership capability.
• Experience overseeing multiple services or dispersed teams.
• Experience leading successful CQC inspections.
• A Level 5 qualification in Leadership and Management in Health & Social Care, or equivalent experience.

Why Join Us?
At Aspens, you'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact across a range of services, helping shape high-quality support for people across Sussex. You'll join a values-driven organisation committed to innovation, inclusion, continuous improvement and enabling people to live their best lives.

Ready for your next leadership challenge?

What We Offer:

• Comprehensive paid training and excellent career progression opportunities, including recognised qualifications in health and social care
• Paid DBS check
• Flexible work arrangements, with the option to take on additional bank shifts
• Nest Pension and Death in Service benefit
• Access to a dedicated Employee Assistance Programme and Mental Health First Aiders
• Blue Light Card discounts
• 20% discount at Aspens High Street Stores for all staff
• Discounted staff menu available at the Bluebell Café (Pembury)
• Refer a Friend scheme - earn up to £250 for every successful referral
• Employee recognition programmes, including ‘Employee of the Month’

If shortlisted, we will contact you directly to schedule an interview. We strive to respond to all applicants; however, if you have not received a response within a reasonable timeframe, please feel free to contact us for a status update or feedback (where available). After the interview, you will be notified of the outcome. If successful, you’ll receive a formal offer in writing. Upon acceptance, we’ll guide you through the onboarding process, providing you with all the details you need

Please note, any offer of employment will be subject to Disclosure and Barring checks (which we will arrange on your behalf if you don’t already have one) and satisfactory employment references.