Introduction/background:

Our client is a well-established business providing social and healthcare services throughout the West Midlands. The organisation has an excellent reputation for quality and effective service delivery, with both service users and commissioners and operates across a number of strong working partnerships with Government Agencies, Local Authorities and PCTs in the region.

The recent appointment of a new CEO has led to the development of an exciting growth and change agenda aimed at significantly expanding this current £6m, 150 person organisation with the vision of being a major nationwide. Actions are in place to expand the commercial side of the business and now the attention is focused upon attracting the best talent in to operations. The CEO now seeks an Operations leader to run three of the four business units covering 130 staff and be a key senior manager in the change programme to roll out over the next twelve months and beyond.

The successful candidate will possess a strong service operations background able to bring best in class operations practice and thinking and effect and embed change through a clear and inclusive leadership style. The CEO is keen to see candidates from a wide range of sectors who possess the right personal qualities and experience.

The job role: Operations Manager

Reporting to: Director of Services

Direct reports: Five, plus 125 indirect

Executives Online job ref: 3158

Location: West Midlands

Start date: 1 October 2008

Salary: £45k- £50k plus package

Key tasks

• Direct responsibility for the employees, performance, cost and customer service quality of the operations within your charge
• Management of three operational groups requiring employee leadership, tactical direction, budgetary and compliance management, performance management and their continued development
• Overhaul operations aligned to the goals and objectives of the new strategic plan
• Inculcate a continuous improvement and best practice operational culture
• Lead specific projects and initiatives aimed at driving efficiency, expansion and new systems developments
• As a senior manager work in partnership with other functions and interface with service commissioners, partner organisations and other external bodies as directed by the CEO

Candidate profile

• Experienced service operations manager with a passion for customer service quality, cost management and hitting targets
• Excellent leadership skills with the ability to get work done through others
• Possess change and project management experience
• A good working understanding of ERP systems underpinning operational processes and data requirements for managerial control
• Demonstrable experience and possess methodologies for systems and process development aimed at increasing effectiveness, reducing costs and waste and improving information flows
• Using customer and consumer information and feedback to support the continuous improvement in services and operations
• Proactive with the ability to think ahead and ensure that performance is in line with the plan
• Experience of working across multiple sites
• Used to working at all levels from Board downwards you will be a clear communicator with strong influencing, motivating and co-ordination skills.

To apply for this role, send us your CV along with a relevant experience summary.