Residential Business Support Manager - 12-Month Fixed Term

Compass Children's Homes; Rustington; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Compass Community is seeking a dynamic Residential Business Support Manager to support the effective operation and growth of our Residential Childcare Services. The role is based at the South Central Office and focuses on planning, compliance, and business coordination to enable children and young people to thrive.

You will lead divisional projects, supervise the Business Support Officer, manage data, and coordinate training on systems and reporting to empower leaders to improve outcomes for

Qualifications

• Proven experience in business operations, service management, or project coordination within children's services or other regulated environments.
• Experience supporting senior leaders and managing competing priorities across multiple locations.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret operational, compliance, and financial data.
• Experience working within regulated services with safeguarding and quality standards is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct administrative and organisational support to the Senior Director of Residential Services, including diary management, travel coordination, expenses and meeting logistics.
• Lead and coordinate divisional projects, operational reviews, performance forums, and strategic initiatives across residential services.
• Supervise the Business Support Officer, ensuring high standards of service delivery, accountability, and professional development.
• Support compliance and quality assurance processes by coordinating data, audits, reporting requirements, and action plans.
• Drive continuous improvement in systems and processes, leveraging digital solutions to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
• Act as a key link between operational leaders, registered managers, and central support functions to resolve challenges and promote collaborative working.
• Manage supplier relationships and service contracts to achieve best value and operational efficiency.
• Deliver training and guidance to operational leaders on systems, reporting processes, and business procedures.
• Support occupancy, workforce, and performance reporting to help leaders make informed decisions that improve outcomes for children.

Skills

Organised

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Regulated environments

Communication & influencing

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Reporting dashboards

Job description

About The Role

Are you a Life Changer? Do you want to lean in and transform the life of a child?

Compass Community puts children first through our therapeutic, innovative approach. Integrity, Courage and Care shape how we work. We listen deeply, challenge each other and fix what needs fixing, together.

This is the work. And we'd like you to be part of it.

About the Role

Compass Community is seeking a dynamic Residential Business Support Manager to support the effective operation and growth of our Residential Childcare Services. This pivotal role works closely with senior operational leaders, ensuring our homes are supported through effective planning, compliance oversight, performance monitoring, and business coordination. You will help drive high-quality, child-centred services that enable children and young people to thrive.
This role is a12-Month Fixed Term Contractand is based inSouth Central Office.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide direct administrative and organisational support to the Senior Director of Residential Services, including diary management, travel coordination, expenses and meeting logistics.
• Lead and coordinate divisional projects, operational reviews, performance forums, and strategic initiatives across residential services.
• Supervise the Business Support Officer, ensuring high standards of service delivery, accountability, and professional development.
• Support compliance and quality assurance processes by coordinating data, audits, reporting requirements, and action plans.
• Drive continuous improvement in systems and processes, leveraging digital solutions to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
• Act as a key link between operational leaders, registered managers, and central support functions to resolve challenges and promote collaborative working.
• Manage supplier relationships and service contracts to achieve best value and operational efficiency.
• Deliver training and guidance to operational leaders on systems, reporting processes, and business procedures.
• Support occupancy, workforce, and performance reporting to help leaders make informed decisions that improve outcomes for children.

What Success Looks Like

• Residential leaders have access to clear performance data, reliable planning tools, and timely business support.
• Compliance, quality assurance, and operational priorities are effectively coordinated across regions.
• Business plans and operational projects are delivered on time and contribute to positive outcomes for children and young people.
• Systems and processes continuously improve to support safe, therapeutic, and high-quality residential care.
• Leaders feel supported, informed, and equipped to focus on delivering exceptional care and safeguarding standards.

Candidate Profile

Experience & Qualifications

• Proven experience in business operations, service management, or project coordination within children's services, social care, education, healthcare, or other regulated environments.
• Experience supporting senior leaders and managing competing priorities across multiple locations.
• Strong analytical skills and confidence interpreting operational, compliance, and financial data.
• Experience working within regulated services and an understanding of safeguarding and quality standards is desirable.

Skills & Attributes

• Highly organised, proactive, and solutions-focused.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively across multiple teams.
• Excellent attention to detail and the ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Strong communication and influencing skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and PowerPoint; experience using reporting dashboards and management systems is advantageous.
• Flexible and able to work outside of core hours when required to support operational priorities.
• Passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people.

About Compass Community

Compass Community exists to create a future of strength and opportunity for every child. We provide specialist fostering, residential care, and education services through an innovative, therapeutic approach. Our bold ambition is to be the UK's leading children's services provider, transforming lives while maintaining the highest standards of quality, care, and safeguarding.

Our REACH Ethos

We are Resilient, Educators, Accepting, Child-Centred, and Holistic. We show up, listen, learn, and adapt. We accept every child as they are and help them thrive.

If this resonates with you, we'd love to hear from you.