Operations Director

Location: Bournemouth
Contract: Full-time permanent - 40 hours per week
Salary: £70,000 - £75,000 per annum, depending on experience

At Budwood, we believe in making a real difference in the lives of young people. We provide high-quality Registered Children's Homes and Supported Living Homes for those with complex needs across Dorset and Hampshire. Our ethos is rooted in therapeutic, nurturing, family-style care , ensuring every young person experiences safety, stability, and the opportunity to thrive.

As part of the Polaris Community, one of the UK's leading children's service providers, we are committed to excellence and continuous improvement. Join us in our mission to support the best outcomes for every child in our care!

We are on the lookout for an enthusiastic and driven Operations Director to support our Managing Director in delivering exceptional services. If you are passionate about transforming the lives of young people and committed to excellence in care, we want to hear from you!

As our Operations Director, you will be a vital leader, ensuring our homes run effectively and deliver exceptional support. Your presence will inspire and motivate our teams while driving continuous service improvement.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Overseeing the effective running of all homes to ensure high-quality, therapeutic support is consistently delivered.
• Leading, supervising, and developing Area Managers to build strong, motivated teams.
• Ensuring regulatory compliance and striving for Good and Outstanding Ofsted outcomes.
• Maintaining occupancy levels above 90%.
• Overseeing workforce planning, recruitment, and induction to reduce reliance on agency staff.
• Supporting the delivery of trauma-informed practice alongside clinical teams, therapists, and psychologists.
• Managing budgets, rotas, and operational processes in line with legislation and company policies.
• Leading multi-agency liaison, chairing meetings and reviews, and ensuring safeguarding is upheld to the highest standard.
• Building strong relationships with internal teams, stakeholders, and commissioning authorities.

We are looking for someone who embodies our values and is ready to make a significant impact. Key qualifications include:

• Minimum of Level 5 qualification in residential childcare.
• Proactive, enthusiastic, and committed to achieving the best outcomes for children.
• Experience managing complex social care/LAC services and trauma-informed practice.
• Excellent understanding of safeguarding, Children's Homes Regulations, and relevant legislation.
• Confident leadership skills with robust decision-making abilities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage budgets, oversee rotas, and deliver projects effectively.
• A proactive, solution-focused approach.
• A commitment to personal development.
• Full UK driving licence.

We value our team and offer a range of benefits to support your career and well-being:

• Discretionary bonus of up to 10% per annum
• Car allowance
• 25 days' annual leave plus Bank Holidays
• Company Pension
• Life Assurance
• Employee Discount Scheme

We are an Equal Opportunities employer and are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults. All staff are expected to share this commitment.

Join us at Budwood and be part of a community that is ambitious for our children, young people, families, and staff. Together, we can create brighter futures!