Head of Operations - People Matters - MAT leave cover April 26 - June 27 People Matters (Leeds) CIC
Location: Hybrid - based at our Leeds office with the flexibility to work from home. There is an expectation to work in the office at least once per week.
Introduction
People Matters is a medium-sized charitable incorporated organisation with a wide membership model. Its members are people with disabilities, predominantly those with learning disabilities or autistic people who use its services. The staff team includes around 50 people, supported by volunteers. Services include social care, learning and social opportunities, and employment support.
We are a values-led charity with a hands-on culture, limited bureaucracy, and a deep commitment to inclusion and empowerment.
Purpose
The Head of Operations will lead the operational delivery of People Matters' services, ensuring high quality support, strong safeguarding practice, and sustainable organisational growth. You will balance strategy with hands-on leadership - sometimes switching between the two within the same hour. This role is central to shaping the organisation's future, strengthening internal systems, and ensuring that our members receive the best possible experience.
Key Responsibilities
- Area Responsibilities
- Operational Leadership: Oversee day-to-day operations across all services, ensuring they run efficiently, safely, and in line with organisational values.
- Lead service planning, delivery, and evaluation to maintain high standards and continuous improvement.
- Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, including safeguarding, health and safety, and data protection.
- Strategic Development: Work closely with the CEO and Board to develop and implement organisational strategy.
- Identify opportunities for service expansion, partnership development, and innovation.
- Contribute to long-term financial planning and sustainability.
- People Management: Lead, support, and develop the managers and coordinators.
- Foster a positive, inclusive, and high-performance culture.
- Oversee workforce planning, recruitment, training, wellbeing and performance management.
- Quality and compliance: Ensure services meet or exceed quality standards, contractual obligations, and regulatory frameworks.
- Lead on safeguarding practice, risk management, and incident reporting.
- Implement systems for monitoring outcomes, impact, and service effectiveness.
- Systems and IT: Oversee the organisation's digital infrastructure, ensuring systems are reliable, secure, and fit for purpose.
- Ensure compliance with data protection legislation and best practice in information governance.
- Identify opportunities to modernise systems, automate routine processes, and improve reporting and analytics.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Build strong relationships with members, families, commissioners, partners, and community organisations.
- Represent People Matters at external meetings, networks, and events.
- Promote the organisation's mission and values across West Yorkshire.
- Finance and Resources: Manage operational budgets and ensure cost effective service delivery.
- Support income generation through tenders, bids, and partnership opportunities.
- Oversee effective use of organisational resources, systems, and technology.
Person Specification
- Proven senior leadership experience in social care, community services, education, or a related field.
- Strong understanding of safeguarding, risk management, and regulatory compliance.
- Demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage change, and drive improvement.
- Excellent communication, relationship-building, and problem-solving skills.
- Commitment to inclusion, empowerment, and person-centred practice.
- Demonstrated ability to complete reports for stakeholders and update organisational policies and processes.
- Relevant Level 4 qualification (minimum) in education or social care.
- Commitment to continuous professional development.
- Humility, warmth, and collaborative leadership.
- Respect for lived experience.
- Emotional intelligence and resilience.
- Commitment to co-production and rights-based practice.
- Experience working with people with learning disabilities, autism, or additional needs.
- Experience overseeing a CQC regulated service.
- Knowledge of commissioning, contract management, and the voluntary/community sector.
- Experience in strategic planning and organisational development.
- Understanding of digital transformation and modern operational systems.
The Realities of This Role
- This role is hands-on; you will be close to operational issues.
- You will juggle strategy and delivery.
- The environment is dynamic, fast-paced, and people-centred.
- Resources are finite; creativity and pragmatism are essential.
- You will lead through complexity and ambiguity.
This role is NOT for you if
- You want a purely strategic post with minimal operational involvement.
- You prefer predictable routines.
- You feel uncomfortable leading safeguarding practice.
- You struggle with fast decision-making.
This role IS for you if
- You thrive in a values-driven environment.
- You enjoy balancing strategy with hands on leadership.
- You are motivated by inclusion and empowerment.
- You want to influence culture and systems.
What We Offer
As a values driven charity with a strong sense of purpose, respected throughout Leeds, we offer a supportive and positive working environment where your leadership can make a genuine difference. In this role, you can expect:
- Meaningful Work: The opportunity to contribute to an organisation that makes a real impact in the lives of people with learning disabilities, autism, and hidden disabilities in West Yorkshire.
- Positive, Supportive Culture: A workplace built on trust, collaboration, and kindness, where colleagues champion one another and work towards shared goals.
- A Voice That Matters: We actively encourage feedback and ideas at all levels. Your insight and experience will help shape the future of the organisation.
- Hybrid & Flexible Working: The autonomy to manage your time effectively with a blend of home-working and office presence. While there is an expectation to work from our Leeds office at least once per week, we support flexible arrangements around personal commitments such as childcare or other needs.
- Trust and Autonomy: A high degree of independence in how you plan and deliver your work, recognising you as a senior leader.
- Health & Wellbeing Support: Access to our health benefits scheme and Employee Assistance Programme, offering confidential emotional, financial, and wellbeing support.
- Exclusive Discounts: A range of discounts available to charity and social care workers.
- A Place to Grow: Opportunities to develop professionally while shaping an organisation that values continuous improvement.
People Matters is a member led organisation supporting people with learning disabilities, autism, and other support needs to live more independent, connected, and fulfilling lives. We are seeking an experienced and values driven Head of Operations to provide maternity cover and ensure the smooth running of our services, teams, and organisational systems.
About the Role
The Head of Operations plays a central role in ensuring our services run safely, efficiently, and in line with our mission. You will oversee day to day operations, lead and support staff teams, manage compliance and quality standards, and contribute to strategic planning during a key period of organisational delivery and development.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and support operational teams to deliver high quality, person centred services
- Oversee staffing, recruitment, supervision, and workforce planning
- Ensure compliance with safeguarding, health and safety, and regulatory requirements
- Manage budgets, resources, and operational systems
- Monitor performance, outcomes, and service quality
- Work closely with senior leadership to support organisational development
- Build strong relationships with members, families, partners, and commissioners
About You
- Experienced in operational leadership within social care, community services, or the voluntary sector
- Skilled in managing teams, systems, and compliance
- Committed to person centred practice and co production
- A confident communicator who builds positive relationships
- Comfortable working in a dynamic, values driven environment