Commissioning Home Manager (Nurse Qualified or Experienced in Nursing Home Management) | Luxury New Build Care Home | Preston
Salary: Up to £80,000 per annum + 40% Bonus + Private Medical Insurance
Location: Preston, Lancashire
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
Opening Date: September 2026 (first admissions – subject to change)
About the Role
This is a rare opportunity to take full commissioning ownership of a brand-new, state-of-the-art 89-bed luxury care home in Lancashire.
Currently in the build phase, with completion expected in August 2026 and first admissions targeted for September 2026, this is a true start-up leadership position requiring a hands-on, commercially driven Commissioning Home Manager to lead the service from concept through to operational launch.
Due to the clinical complexity of the service, applicants must either be a Registered Nurse (RGN/RMN/RNLD) with an active NMC pin, or have significant experience successfully managing nursing homes.
You will be responsible for delivering every aspect of pre-opening readiness, including recruitment, team building, systems implementation, regulatory registration, stakeholder engagement, and early occupancy generation.
This is a high-impact leadership role with strong central support, including direct guidance from senior commissioning and regional leadership teams, alongside full head office operational functions.
The service will be positioned within the premium private-pay market, with a clear focus on quality, reputation, and sustainable occupancy growth.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead all pre-opening commissioning activity, including recruitment, onboarding, training, and operational readiness
- Manage the full CQC registration process
- Build, develop, and lead the initial multidisciplinary team
- Drive occupancy from zero through targeted marketing and referral strategies
- Establish service culture, operational standards, and brand reputation from launch
- Develop strong local stakeholder relationships including GPs, hospitals, discharge teams, and commissioners
- Work collaboratively with head office teams to embed systems, processes, and compliance frameworks
- Ensure full readiness for CQC inspection and early-stage operational delivery
Candidate Profile
- Registered Nurse (RGN, RMN, or RNLD) with a valid NMC pin, OR substantial experience as a Home Manager within a nursing home environment
- Minimum 3–5 years’ experience in a Home Manager or senior leadership role
- Proven commissioning experience within a care home or similar setting
- Strong track record in occupancy growth and service development
- Experience managing CQC registration and early operational setup
- Confident team builder with the ability to recruit and develop high-performing teams
- Strong commercial acumen, including budgets, private fee growth, and marketing strategy
- Experience engaging with NHS, local authorities, and external stakeholders
- Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health & Social Care (or equivalent)
- Entrepreneurial mindset with a desire to build a flagship service from the ground up
Location
This role is commutable from Preston, Blackpool, Lancaster, Blackburn, Chorley, Lytham St Annes, Southport, and surrounding areas.
Support Structure
You will be fully supported throughout the commissioning journey by:
- Senior Commissioning Leadership
- Regional Operational Leadership
- Central Head Office Functions (HR, Compliance, Finance, Marketing, Systems)
This is a supported commissioning project with significant autonomy at site level.
Key Priorities (First 12–24 Months)
- Successful commissioning and launch of the service
- Strong and sustainable occupancy growth within the private-pay market
- Embedding a high-quality, clinically robust, and compliant care culture
- Achieving and maintaining a strong CQC rating
Unique Selling Points
- Brand-new, luxury, purpose-built 89-bed care home
- Clinical and operational autonomy to build your own team and culture
- Opportunity to create a flagship “Centre of Excellence”
- Strong central support structure without operational micromanagement
- High-profile commissioning project with long-term progression potential
Interview Process
Two-stage interview process with senior operational stakeholders.
Summary
This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced Commissioning Home Manager to lead the launch of a premium, purpose-built nursing care home in Lancashire.
The successful candidate will either be a nurse-qualified leader or an experienced nursing home manager with a strong clinical understanding, commercial focus, and the ability to build a service from the ground up.
In return, the role offers autonomy, comprehensive commissioning support, and the opportunity to create a flagship service from inception through to full occupancy.
Recommendations
Compass Associates Ltd is acting as a recruitment consultancy for this permanent vacancy. We offer £500 vouchers for each successful recommendation.
Contact Details
To be considered for this opportunity, please send an up-to-date CV to [email protected] or call 02392 316036 for a confidential discussion.
