Social Finance is a leading not-for-profit organisation dedicated to tackling complex social challenges through innovative partnerships and solutions. A core focus is IPS Grow, a national programme supporting the expansion of Individual Placement and Support (IPS) across England. IPS is an evidence-based model that helps people with severe mental illness, drug and alcohol addiction, and other health needs to access and sustain employment. Over the past decade, IPS has transformed employment support within healthcare settings, helping thousands build confidence, independence, and long-term wellbeing. As IPS expands nationally, IPS Grow plays a vital role in strengthening delivery, improving quality, and ensuring robust evidence of impact.
We are seeking a Director of Central Operations to join the IPS Grow Senior Leadership Team at a pivotal stage of growth. This role will ensure the programme has the systems, infrastructure, and operational strength needed to deliver impact at scale. Working closely with senior colleagues, you will provide oversight across key operational areas including finance, governance, data and digital, and business support. You will drive organisational effectiveness through strong financial planning, risk management, workforce planning, and the development of systems that enable consistent, high-quality delivery. Strengthening data and digital capability will also be a key priority as IPS Grow continues to mature into a nationally embedded and high-performing organisation.
The successful candidate will bring significant senior leadership experience across operational functions, alongside a strong track record in organisational strategy, planning, and continuous improvement. You will have excellent financial literacy and experience overseeing complex budgets to support effective decision-making. A proven ability to lead inclusive, high-performing teams and build strong relationships with stakeholders is essential. Experience in publicly funded or contract-driven environments would be advantageous. Above all, you will be a collaborative and strategic leader who can foster a ?'one team' culture, build trusted partnerships, and combine strategic insight with practical delivery.
Social Finance is committed to diversity and inclusion and welcomes applicants from a broad range of backgrounds.
Purpose of the role
The Director of Central Operations is a core member of the IPS Grow Senior Leadership Team, alongside the Executive Director – IPS Grow, Director — IPS Delivery, Director – Research & Innovation. Responsible for the strategic and operational oversight of IPS Grow's finance, data and digital, business support, governance, project management and organisational development functions.
The Director of Central Operations ensures IPS Grow has the infrastructure, systems, culture and operational excellence required to deliver highperforming Individual Placement and Support (IPS) services across England. The postholder deputises for the Executive Director – IPS Grow as required.
Key responsibilities
Strategic oversight of IPS Grow finance function
* Liaise with SF Finance Director and finance team colleagues to ensure IPS Grow has accurate, up-to-date budgets.
* Ensure IPS Grow colleagues are involved in setting and reviewing budgets in line with our annual planning cycle
* Check actual spend against profiles and ensuring costs are allocated correctly against different IPS Grow projects and funders.
* Raise variances with the Executive Director – IPS Grow and agree budget reprofiles and/?or remediation strategies
* Use budget information to recommend cost efficiencies and quality improvements to the Executive Director – IPS Grow
Strategic lead for IPS Grow data function
* Senior lead for IPS Grow data team. Work closely with the Executive Director – IPS Grow and other senior colleagues in Social Finance, including our data and digital team, to ensure that we have effective oversight over our data and digital delivery
* Line manage the Head of Data IPS Grow to ensure that data analysis and reporting meets the needs of internal and external stakeholders
* Through line management of the Head of Data, ensure effective oversight of IPS Grow's Customer Relationship Management system and ongoing development to provide required business intelligence.
* Task manage the Data Manager for IPS Grow to ensure that developments to the IPS Grow Reporting Tool are appropriately prioritised, planned and budgeted and delivered within required timeframes
* Work closely with commissioners and other senior stakeholders to monitor satisfaction with our delivery. Identify and implement improvements based on what we learn.
* Act as a point of escalation for concerns, complaints or issues with our data delivery, working with the Head of Data to ensure appropriate resolution
* Lead responsibility for ensuring that contract KPIs and quality requirements in relation to data and digital are met
For complete job description and to apply, visit:
https://www.socialfinance.org.uk/join-us/current-vacancies/director-of-central-operations-ips-grow
HOW TO APPLY:
Tall Roots is acting as an employment agency partner to Social Finance. Applications should be made online at www.tallroots.co.uk/sf-ipsgrow-doco (https://www.socialfinance.org.uk/join-us/current-vacancies/www.tallroots.co.uk/sf-ipsgrow-doco) and include:
* a CV
* a Covering Letter that provides brief responses to the following four questions:
* What is motivating you to become our new Director of Central Operations for IPS Grow? (200 words)
* Given what you have read about us so far, why do you believe you would make an effective Director of Central Operations at IPS Grow? (200 words)
* Please describe a time when you identified that an organisation needed to strengthen its infrastructure, systems or ways of working to support future growth or delivery. What was your role, what changes did you make and what impact did this have? (250 words)
* Please tell us about a time when you built strong partnerships across teams or organisations to deliver a shared goal. What approach did you take and what was the outcome? (250 words)
If you have any questions relating to the role or the process, or would like any adjustments made to accommodate your needs, please contact Tall Roots by ema
https://www.tallroots.co.uk/sf-ipsgrow-doco