Role Summary
The Operations Project Manager plays a key role in leading service transformation and operational improvement across adult health and social care services. This includes services supporting adults with learning disabilities, autism, complex mental health needs, and long-term health conditions.
Working across care, and support teams, this role ensures that new services and improvement initiatives are delivered safely, effectively, on time, and within budget. The postholder will oversee change projects such as service redesigns, digital care system implementations, pathway improvements, and regulatory readiness. This is a strategic and hands-on role with high visibility across operational and clinical leadership.
Main Responsibilities
Project & Programme Management
- Lead complex service transformation and improvement projects across adult health and social care.
- Apply structured project methodologies (e.g. PRINCE2, Agile) to plan, execute and evaluate projects.
- Ensure projects meet clinical, operational, and regulatory standards.
- Track progress, manage risks, and report against KPIs and CQC quality outcomes.
- Conduct post-implementation reviews to assess impact on service users and staff.
Service Redesign & Operational Improvement
- Redesign care delivery models and operational pathways in response to changing needs, regulations, and commissioning goals.
- Support digital transformation (e.g., care management systems, medication safety tech, remote monitoring tools).
- Embed a culture of continuous improvement using Lean and Six Sigma principles.
- Ensure person-centred, safe, and inclusive practices remain at the heart of service changes.
New Service Development & Expansion
- Support the mobilisation and scaling of new supported living, residential, or community services.
- Develop safe, replicable processes to support service start-up and CQC registration.
- Collaborate with commissioners, regulators, and internal leaders to meet local health and care needs.
- Ensure new services meet contractual and safeguarding requirements from day one.
Budget & Resource Management
- Develop and manage project budgets, ensuring best use of public and internal resources.
- Forecast spend, identify savings opportunities, and monitor financial performance.
- Work closely with finance and commissioning teams to align operational goals with funding frameworks.
Stakeholder Engagement
- Act as a key liaison between project teams, clinical leads, service managers, and executive leadership.
- Facilitate steering groups, governance boards, and multi-disciplinary workshops.
- Produce clear, accessible reporting for varied stakeholders including families, staff, CQC, and NHS partners.
- Build relationships that support integrated care working across health and social care sectors.
Learning, Compliance & Continuous Improvement
- Capture lessons learned from all projects and implement changes based on feedback from staff, families, and service users.
- Maintain records and documentation to support CQC inspections, safeguarding audits, and clinical governance reviews.
- Promote shared learning across services, driving excellence in care and support delivery.
Essential
Qualifications & Experience
- 5-8 years in operations, transformation, or programme delivery within health or social care.
- Track record of delivering service changes in regulated environments (e.g., CQC-registered services).
- Experienced in multi-stakeholder project environments.
- Strong grasp of safeguarding, mental capacity, and quality standards in adult care.
Desirable
- Project management certifications (PRINCE2, Agile, MSP).
- Lean/Six Sigma or service improvement qualifications.
- Experience working with NHS, local authorities, or integrated care systems (ICSs).
- Knowledge of electronic care planning, incident management, or clinical systems.
What We Offer
- Length of service leave (up to five extra days holiday)
- Fully funded Blue Light Discount Card
- Access to Wagesteam - our financial wellbeing app that lets you access your pay as and when you earn it, get discounts at supermarkets and helps you save.
- Employee Assistance Programme (access to free telephone counselling and legal advice)
- NEST Pension Scheme
- Free enhanced DBS check
- Life Assurance (2 x salary)
