Regional Operations Director

About the company

Kingsley Healthcare is a family-led care home group focused on delivering high-quality, compassionate support that makes a real difference to residents’ lives. The organisation is values-driven, with a strong emphasis on integrity, respect and person-centred care.

The company is the UK’s only large care home provider with B Corp certification. It has also been recognised as Health Investor’s Residential Elderly Large Care Provider of the Year in 2024 and 2025, and has featured among the Top 20 Large UK Care Home Groups for eight years running. In addition, it is a Real Living Wage employer and has earned strong workplace ratings, including a 4.7 on Glassdoor, 4.5 on Indeed, and the number one ranking in the UK for wellbeing at work in Indeed’s Better Work Awards 2023.

About the role

This senior leadership role is accountable for the operational performance, quality standards and strategic development of the East region portfolio. The postholder will lead a cluster of homes across Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex, combining hands-on support with strong commercial oversight to ensure consistent, person-centred care and solid business results.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer and working closely with the wider operational leadership team, you will help shape group strategy while also taking responsibility for the day-to-day success of the region.

Reports to: Chief Operating Officer

Key responsibilities

Operational leadership

• Provide overall leadership and day-to-day operational direction for all homes and services in the East region.
• Coach and support operations managers so they can deliver excellent care and stay compliant with regulatory expectations.
• Make regular, structured visits to homes to maintain a visible and approachable leadership presence.
• Take the lead on operational responses to quality or compliance issues, working in partnership with the Group Quality team.

Quality and compliance

• Ensure homes in the region achieve or maintain CQC ratings of Good or Outstanding.
• Promote continuous improvement in care quality, resident experience and clinical results.
• Oversee CQC inspection readiness and manage follow-up actions from regulatory feedback.
• Strengthen Kingsley’s values and care standards across every home in the region.

Commercial performance

• Own regional targets for occupancy, revenue and EBITDA.
• Work alongside Business Development and Sales teams to keep referral channels strong and occupancy levels healthy.
• Manage regional budgets and look for efficiency gains without affecting care quality.
• Support fee discussions and relationships with local commissioners.

People and culture

• Support recruitment, retention and succession planning for Home Managers and Operations Managers across the region.
• Build a positive, inclusive workplace culture that supports staff wellbeing and reduces turnover.
• Partner with the People team on complex employee relations matters at regional level.
• Promote and embed Kingsley’s values throughout the regional workforce.

Essential experience and attributes

• Background in senior operational leadership within the care home sector or a broader healthcare environment.
• Proven success managing several sites or services at the same time.
• Strong understanding of CQC requirements and the adult social care regulatory landscape.
• Clear ability to improve quality and deal with underperformance effectively.
• Commercial awareness, including experience with P&L ownership or budget responsibility.
• Strong people leadership skills, with a focus on developing talent as well as managing performance.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders.

Desirable experience

• Previous experience in a regional director role or a similar senior leadership position.
• Registered Manager qualification or a comparable clinical/care leadership background.
• Knowledge of the care sector and the local commissioning environment.
• Experience supporting new home launches or acquisitions.

Package and benefits

• Salary of £85,000 per year, depending on experience.
• Company car or car allowance.
• Performance-related bonus and excellent PRP.
• Private healthcare, subject to eligibility.
• 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Pension scheme.
• Monthly car allowance.
• Comprehensive induction and training.
• Career development and progression opportunities.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Blue Light Card scheme, with the enrolment fee reimbursed; this provides discounts on holidays, days out and more than 15,000 national brands.
• Loyalty bonus that can add up to 5 extra holiday days based on length of service.
• Full DBS disclosure paid for by the employer.

Additional information

Location: Kingsley Healthcare HQ, Lowestoft, Suffolk.

Employment type: Permanent, full-time role on day shifts.

Right to work: Applicants must be able to prove eligibility to work in the United Kingdom in line with the Asylum and Immigration Act 2006.