Head of Operations – CQC Supported Living
Location: North West London (Office Based)
Salary: £50,000 – £55,000 per annum (depending on experience) plus performance-related bonuses.
Build Something That Matters
Unity Housing Support has built a strong reputation for delivering high-quality supported housing services across London. We are now entering the next stage of our journey with the launch of a brand-new CQC regulated Supported Living division.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced operational leader to join us at the very beginning of this journey and help create a service that delivers outstanding care, achieves excellent regulatory standards and genuinely changes lives.
We are seeking an ambitious, motivated and highly experienced Head of Operations who has a proven track record in successfully registering and operating CQC regulated supported living services. This is not simply an operational management role – you will play a leading role in designing, building and growing an entirely new provision from the ground up.
Working directly with the Managing Director, you will lead the mobilisation of the service, oversee the CQC registration process, recruit and develop the operational team, establish governance systems and ensure our services achieve and maintain the highest standards of quality and compliance.
If you enjoy building services, creating positive cultures and making a genuine impact, we would love to hear from you.
About the Role
As Head of Operations, you will have overall responsibility for establishing and leading Unity Housing Support's regulated Supported Living provision across North West London.
Initially, your focus will be on successfully registering the service with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), ensuring all operational systems, governance arrangements, policies and procedures are developed to meet regulatory requirements.
Following registration, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across the service, ensuring exceptional person-centred support is delivered whilst maintaining full compliance with CQC regulations and contractual obligations.
You will work closely with commissioners, local authorities, NHS partners, healthcare professionals and other stakeholders to establish Unity Housing Support as a trusted provider of high-quality supported living services.
This role offers genuine autonomy and the opportunity to shape the future of a growing organisation.
Key ResponsibilitiesService Development
- Lead the mobilisation and launch of new CQC regulated Supported Living services.
- Successfully manage the CQC registration process.
- Develop operational policies, procedures, governance frameworks and quality assurance systems.
- Design safe, effective and person-centred service delivery models.
- Support the strategic growth of the regulated division.
Operational Leadership
- Provide day-to-day operational oversight of all regulated services.
- Lead, mentor and support Registered Managers and senior operational staff.
- Ensure services consistently achieve high standards of care, quality and regulatory compliance.
- Monitor operational performance, quality indicators and service outcomes.
- Drive continuous improvement across all areas of the business.
Regulatory Compliance
- Ensure ongoing compliance with all CQC Fundamental Standards.
- Lead preparation for CQC inspections.
- Oversee audits, action plans, incident investigations and governance reporting.
- Ensure safeguarding responsibilities are fully embedded across services.
- Promote a positive culture of learning, accountability and continuous improvement.
People Management
- Recruit, develop and retain high-performing teams.
- Deliver supervision, appraisal and professional development.
- Foster a positive, supportive and accountable workplace culture.
- Ensure staff receive appropriate training and competency assessments.
Stakeholder Engagement
- Build strong relationships with commissioners, local authorities, NHS partners and external professionals.
- Represent Unity Housing Support professionally with regulatory bodies and partner organisations.
- Support business development opportunities and contribute to future service expansion.
Essential Requirements
Applicants must demonstrate:
- Significant senior management experience within CQC regulated Supported Living services.
- Previous experience successfully registering new CQC regulated services.
- Extensive knowledge of CQC regulations and inspection frameworks.
- Strong understanding of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations.
- Excellent knowledge of safeguarding legislation, the Mental Capacity Act, Mental Health Act and associated best practice.
- Experience leading multiple services or operational teams.
- Excellent leadership, organisational and communication skills.
- Experience developing operational policies, governance frameworks and quality systems.
- Commercial awareness and the ability to balance quality with sustainable service delivery.
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Essential Qualifications
- Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care (or equivalent).
- Evidence of continuous professional development.
- Full right to work in the UK.
Registration Requirements
The successful applicant must:
- Meet the CQC fit person requirements.
- Be eligible to hold CQC registration in the appropriate capacity.
- Have previous experience working directly with the CQC during registration, inspection and ongoing compliance.
- Be capable of leading and maintaining a fully compliant regulated service.
Working Arrangements
This is an office-based leadership role.
Applicants must be willing to commute regularly to our North West London office and travel across our services as operational requirements dictate.
Flexibility is essential, as occasional evening or weekend working may be required to support the needs of the business.
A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle would be advantageous.
What We Offer
- £50,000–£55,000 basic salary (dependent upon experience).
- Performance-related bonus opportunities.
- Opportunity to build and shape a brand-new regulated service.
- Direct influence over operational strategy and future growth.
- Ongoing professional development.
- Opportunity to work alongside an ambitious leadership team committed to innovation and excellence.
- Genuine career progression as the organisation continues to expand.
Why Join Unity Housing Support?
This is a unique opportunity to join a growing organisation at a pivotal point in its development.
Rather than inheriting an existing service, you will help create one.
You will play a key role in developing a high-quality Supported Living provision that delivers exceptional outcomes for the people we support while establishing Unity Housing Support as a leading provider of regulated care across London.
If you have the experience, ambition and leadership skills to build something exceptional, we would love to hear from you.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £50,000.00-£55,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
