Regional Operations Lead – South

NHS; Abingdon; On-site; GBP 62,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare charity in the UK seeks an experienced individual for operational leadership to enhance clinical services focused on individuals with complex communication needs. You will manage services, support the Senior Management Team, and ensure compliance with professional standards. The role requires strong analytical, communication, and leadership skills, as well as a relevant health qualification. A commitment to continual improvement and the ability to work collaboratively are essential. Salary is aligned to NJC payscales.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Pension scheme

CPD opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience providing specialist clinical input in complex cases.
• Understanding of operational and workforce planning across teams.
• Evidence of ongoing CPD in clinical governance or leadership.

Responsibilities

• Provide operational leadership for clinical services.
• Manage relationships with external partners.
• Support Senior Management with data analysis and planning.

Skills

Communication skills

Leadership ability

Teamwork

Analytical skills

Education

Relevant professional qualification in health

Postgraduate qualification in clinical governance

Job description

We are seeking to recruit an experienced and highly motivated individual to provide operational leadershipfor Ace Centre's clinical services in the South and to support our Senior Management Team to ensure the continual improvement of our portfolio of services that focus on supporting the evolving needs of people with complex communication difficulties and put the people we serve at the heart of all decision making.

Ace Centre is a registered charity (No. 1089313) thatspecialises in providing Augmentative andAlternative Communication (AAC) and Assistive Technology (AT) services and support for people with complexneeds. We offer assessment, training, technical and engineering, research andinnovation, and information services, and we work actively with partners andstakeholders to advance service delivery and development across the UK.

We are recognised for the quality of our work, and wedeliver services contracted by the NHS in the North West of England and theThames Valley and Wessex region. In addition to our NHS work we are active inbuilding partnerships across the health and education sectors, training,engineering and technological development, research and innovation, andemerging fields.

This is an exciting time to join Ace Centre as we look tomeet the challenges and seize the opportunities that lie ahead as we embark on the next stage of ourjourney.

Closing date for applications: 11 January 2026

Interviews to be held: 21 and 23 January 2026

Main duties of the job

The role is to provide operational leadership for Ace Centre's clinical services in the South and to support the Senior Management Team in developing services and enhancing systems at a regional level.

Ace Centre's operations in the South predominantly refer to the Thames Valley and Wessex region as determined by our NHS contract although some activities may require travel beyond that region.

The successful applicant will be responsible for the coordinated planning and delivery of our services in the South, and contribute to the recruitment, induction and ongoing training and support of service delivery staff to ensure we maintain a workforce that has the capacity, skill and competency mix to meet service requirements

They will also support our Senior Management Team to develop working relationships with external partners and to manage overall service capacity and demand, promoting the effective collection and use of data to inform operational decisions and facilitate the formulation and evaluation of business plans.

About us

We are a registered charity (No. 1089313) providing Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and Assistive Technology (AT) services for people with complex needs.

With bases in Oldham and Abingdon, our multi-disciplinaryteam of specialist teachers, occupational therapists, speech and languagetherapists, technical and administrative staff ensure that we are focused onsupporting the evolving needs of people with complex communicationdifficulties.

We believe everyone should be given the opportunity and the tools they need to fulfil their potential. We lobby for change in statutory policy as well as working directly with people who need our support and we are dedicated to thecontinual improvement of our portfolio of services that puts the people weserve at the heart of all decision making.

We have a clear business plan to deliver on four key goals:

• Establish and develop AAC/AT expertise to meet the needs of the community
• Become the nationally recognised Centre of Excellence in the provision and delivery of AAC/AT services
• Provide advocacy for all people needing/using AAC/AT
• Become the "go to" place for AAC and AT resources and information

We offer excellent CPD opportunities, a competitive salary, and membership of a generous pension scheme with Greater Manchester Pension Fund.

Job responsibilities

With strategic oversight from the Director of Clinical Services, and in close collaboration with the Regional Operations Lead - North and wider Management Group colleagues, you will lead the operational coordination and delivery of regional clinical services, ensuring effective caseload management, workforce deployment, and service responsiveness.

You will maintain and develop effective relationships with external partners andstakeholders to support the implementation of agreed service plans, streamlinedelivery, and ensure services are responsive to local needs. Theserelationships will also enable you to gather insights that inform operationalimprovements and support regional collaboration.

As postholder, you will:

• Provide specialist clinical input and guidance in complex cases and contribute toresolving complex clinical issues as required.
• Support theSenior Management Team by analysing and presenting data on regional servicecapacity and demand, developing, promoting and embedding the use of effective performanceand activity reports to inform operational decisions, and contributing tobusiness planning and resource allocation.
• Be responsible for the coordinated planning and delivery of regional services, developing and implementingstrategies to support effective caseload and workload management across teams,in alignment with organisational priorities and service capacity.
• Workcollaboratively with the Regional Operations Lead - North to ensure consistencyin operational approaches, while recognising and supporting appropriate,justifiable geographic variations.
• Actively coordinate workforceplanning across all areas of service delivery, working collaboratively with theRegional Operations Lead - North, Senior Management Team, and Management Groupcolleagues to ensure staffing capacity aligns with service requirements.Address recruitment, retention, and evolving service needs, and contribute tothe development of sustainable workforce models, working collaboratively withthe Quality, Compliance andRelationships Manager to ensure alignment withprofessional standards and service quality.
• Alongside ManagementGroup colleagues, provide managerial and professional supervision to allocated SeniorAAC Consultants, AAC Consultants and AAC Assistant Practitioners and furtheridentified staff with clinical responsibilities as identified by the jobplanning process.
• Act as a point ofliaison for sensitive and confidential staff-related matters, providingappropriate pastoral support to team members experiencing personal difficultiesthat may affect their work. Ensure concerns are managed with discretion and incollaboration with Human Resources to ensure compliance with organisationalpolicies and procedures.
• Work with the SeniorManagement Team and Human Resources to lead the recruitment of new servicedelivery staff and ensure robust induction processes are in place to supportstaff integration and readiness for service delivery.
• Work with the SeniorManagement Team and Regional Operations Lead - North and Quality, Compliance andRelationships Manager in the planning, development and delivery of a cohesiveand sustainable approach to working with local services.
• Work with the SeniorManagement Team and Management Group colleagues to develop and maintaineffective working relationships with external partners in the South region,including NHS Trusts, Local AAC Services, and education providers, to supportcoordinated service delivery and regional collaboration.
• Support the implementation of Ace Centre's ContinuingProfessional Development framework within the South region, ensuringclinical staff have access to appropriate development opportunities andmaintain professional registration in line with HCPC and other relevantstandards. Monitor local compliance and liaise with the Quality, Compliance andRelationship Manager to enable effective reporting to the Senior ManagementTeam.
• Workcollaboratively with the Regional Operations Lead - North to coordinate theimplementation of peer support groups and professional supervision acrossservice delivery teams. Ensure these structures are embedded in operationalplanning and accessible to clinical staff, in alignment with the frameworkprovided by the Quality, Compliance andRelationships Manager. Monitor localuptake and operational delivery and provide feedback to the Quality, Complianceand Relationships Manager to support ongoing development of the framework.
• Support clinicalstaff to maintain accurate and up-to-date personal development records in linewith professional standards and organisational expectations by ensuringoperational processes enable staff to meet requirements for professionalregistration and development.
• Work with theSenior Management Team and identified Management Group colleagues to supportclinical staff in adhering to GDPR and Caldicott principles by coordinating theimplementation of relevant policies and procedures across service delivery.Monitor operational compliance and elevate concerns in line with organisationalgovernance processes.
• Manage complaints relating to service delivery in the South,ensuring complaints are handled promptly, appropriately and sensitively,avoiding escalation where possible in line with organisational policies.
• Act as Deputy Safeguarding Lead.
• Work collaborativelywith the Senior Management Team to shape and deliver organisation-wide qualityimprovement initiatives, contributing operational insight to ensure serviceefficiency and effectiveness, and supporting clinical colleagues to embed improvementsinto day-to-day practice.
• Work with the Director of Clinical Services to ensure timely and accurate reporting on operational aspects of NHS Contract delivery, including service capacity, workforce deployment, and data to support strategic planning and resource management.
• Notwithstanding the key tasks described above, contribute toother organisational workstreams and initiatives as appropriate to the role,including deputising for colleagues where required, supporting collaborativeefforts and responding to evolving service needs.

Person Specification

Experience

• Experience of providing specialist clinical input in complex or escalated cases.
• Experience in supporting colleagues in the use and development of AAC/AT solutions.
• Experience of delivering or overseeing AAC/AT services within a clinical, educational, or social care setting.
• Understanding of operational and workforce planning across multi-disciplinary teams.
• Experience of providing Professional Supervision.
• Experience of building relationships with external stakeholders (e.g. NHS, education, local authorities, user networks), acting as a positive role model for your organisation.
• Experience of managing sensitive staff matters and acting in accordance with organisational HR policies.
• Experience in understanding and using service data to inform decision-making and resource allocation.
• Experience of handling incidents, complaints, and/or compliments in accordance with organisational policy.
• Experience of providing Managerial Supervision and performance management.
• Experience of contributing to the development of Standard Operating Procedures.

Qualifications

• Relevant professional qualification in health, with experience in AAC/AT.
• Current professional registration with HCPC.
• Evidence of ongoing CPD in clinical governance, supervision, or strategic leadership.
• Postgraduate qualification in clinical governance, leadership, or a relevant clinical specialism.

Personal attributes

• Professional integrity and commitment to ethical practice.
• Strategic thinking and attention to detail.
• Resilience and adaptability in a dynamic service environment.
• Collaborative approach to leadership, team working and workforce development.
• Alignment with organisational values and mission.

Skills

• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both written and verbal, to a standard appropriate for the role.
• Commitment to the provision of high-quality person centred services
• Commitment to working collaboratively across teams to embed service improvement, staff development and process management.
• Ability to promote evidence-based practice in AAC/AT and provide advanced clinical guidance to staff in complex cases.
• Commitment to focusing on outcomes/impact for people who use our services.
• Well-developed interpersonal, communication and leadership skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities.
• Ability to positively contribute to the delivery of coordinated service plans.
• Ability to interpret and present data to support strategic planning.
• Ability to contribute to organisational strategy development and service improvements.

Knowledge

• In-depth understanding of AAC and Assistive Technology solutions, including current evidence-based practice, service models, and relevant clinical frameworks.
• Awareness of emerging trends and innovations in AAC/AT and their implications for service delivery.
• Good understanding of clinical governance, professional standards, and regulatory frameworks (e.g. HCPC, GDPR, Caldicott).
• Awareness of the importance of effective Standard Operating Procedures in delivering operational consistency and quality assurance.
• Awareness of quality standards and data protection requirements and legislation.
• Knowledge of safeguarding frameworks and professional accountability.
• Familiarity with national and organisational frameworks for clinical service delivery and workforce planning.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

£61,527 a yearwith salary being aligned to NJC payscales wef 01/04/26