Assistant Director of Operations - Wales (Interim)

Salary: -75,000 - -80,000
Contract: 12-Month Interim
Location: Neath (significant onsite presence required)
Reporting to: Managing Director of Adult Services

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced and resilient Assistant Director of Operations to lead adult services across Wales on a 12-month interim basis.

This is a high-impact turnaround role, offering full regional accountability for operational performance, quality, safeguarding, and financial sustainability. You will take ownership of stabilising underperforming services, leading complex recovery programmes, and managing regulatory and commissioner relationships in challenging environments.

This is a role for a confident senior leader who thrives under pressure and is comfortable making tough, high-stakes decisions.

Key Responsibilities

Regional Leadership

• Provide senior oversight across all adult services in Wales
• Drive performance, quality, safeguarding, and compliance
• Lead and hold Registered Managers accountable through robust governance
• Maintain strong onsite presence, particularly in services requiring intervention

Turnaround & Transformation

• Lead recovery of failing or high-risk services
• Deliver improvement plans, workforce stabilisation, and financial recovery
• Manage service closures with care, ensuring continuity for individuals and families

Quality & Regulatory Oversight

• Act as the senior lead for CIW assurance across the region
• Oversee inspection readiness and regulatory responses
• Embed strong governance, audit, and assurance frameworks
• Maintain rigorous attention to detail in compliance and documentation

Risk & Safeguarding

• Lead on safeguarding, serious incidents, and complaints
• Manage complex investigations and multi-agency responses
• Escalate risk appropriately to Executive and Board level

Financial Accountability

• Own regional budgets and cost control
• Deliver financial recovery plans for high-risk services
• Support fee negotiations and commissioner engagement

Stakeholder Management

• Build and manage relationships with Local Authorities, including high-challenge environments
• Represent the organisation with authority in sensitive or adversarial situations

Leadership & Culture

• Lead teams through change, instability, and pressure
• Address underperformance decisively
• Foster a culture of accountability, professionalism, and high standards

About You

You will be a proven senior operational leader with a strong track record in adult social care.

Essential Experience

• Senior leadership experience in adult social care, learning disability and/or autism services
• Proven success in turnaround and recovery environments
• Strong experience with CIW inspections and regulatory engagement
• Experience managing service closures or major redesign
• Track record of handling complex Local Authority relationships
• Strong safeguarding leadership experience
• Financial accountability for large, complex service portfolios

Key Attributes

• Exceptional attention to detail and governance discipline
• Strong risk assessment and decision-making capability
• Confident communicator at Executive and Board level
• Resilient, decisive, and calm under pressure
• High integrity and accountability

Qualifications

• Level 5 qualification in Leadership & Management for Health and Social Care (Wales) (or equivalent)
• Ongoing professional development aligned to senior leadership

Desirable:

• Level 7 qualification or equivalent experience
• Registration with Social Care Wales

Why Apply?

This is a rare opportunity to step into a senior, high-impact interim leadership role where you can make a tangible difference across a regional portfolio. You''ll be empowered to lead from the front, shape recovery strategies, and influence outcomes at scale.



INDSLS