Catch22 exists to help build a society where everyone has a good place to live, good people around them, and a fulfilling purpose - we call these our '3Ps'.

We achieve this in two ways. First we improve lives on the frontline through delivery of public services. Secondly, we use our knowledge to change 'the system', to fix the complex web that can trap and disempower those it was set up to help. With the heart of a charity, and the mindset of a business, we are uniquely placed to deliver on this challenging agenda.

As Operational Director you will provide strategic and operational leadership across Catch22’s Employability, Health and Wellbeing services, with clear accountability for safe, high-quality and sustainable delivery that improves outcomes for people and their communities through high-quality advice, guidance and support.

You will translate strategic ambition into high-performing services, balancing impact, safeguarding, quality, compliance, financial sustainability, and growth. Safeguarding, risk management, and assurance will be embedded as core operational priorities, with clear oversight, escalation, and accountability.

Our Operations Directors are accountable for the overall performance, quality, safeguarding and sustainability of our Employability, Health and Wellbeing services for both adults and young people. You will provide clear strategic and operational leadership across a diverse portfolio, ensuring services deliver agreed outcomes, meet contractual and statutory requirements, and maintain strong commissioner confidence.

• You will lead the development and delivery of operating models aligned to organisational priorities, commissioner expectations and system reform. You will translate strategy into clear priorities, delivery plans and decisions, maintaining a strong line of sight from ambition to impact.
• You are the accountable portfolio-level decision-maker, providing pace, consistency and delivery confidence across services. This includes full accountability for financial sustainability, budget delivery and value for money, alongside robust governance, assurance and risk management.
• You will champion a strong, evidence-led approach to impact measurement, using data, insight and feedback to demonstrate outcomes, strengthen assurance and drive continuous improvement. Safeguarding, safety, wellbeing and compliance are core operational priorities.
• You will identify and progress opportunities to grow, expand and evolve this portfolio of provision in response to commissioner need, policy change and evidence of impact, while acting as a visible senior leader and ambassador for Catch22 with commissioners, partners and external stakeholders.

Working collaboratively with other Business Leaders, services and partners, you will strengthen how services operate as part of a connected system, ensuring learning, insight and good practice are shared and applied consistently. You will operate within a matrix model, combining direct portfolio accountability with shared leadership to strengthen delivery assurance and commissioner confidence.

See full Job Description here.

Closing Date: This advert will close for applications at midnight on 2nd August, with interviews planned for between 13th-19th August. 

See the benefits of working for Catch22 here.

Unless otherwise stated, interviews will be arranged as suitable candidates are identified, so early application is strongly advised.

We aim to review applications as quickly as possible. However, due to the volume of interest we receive, we may not be able to contact all applicants individually. If you have not heard from us within two weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful this time.

At Catch22 we value equality, diversity and inclusion. We are wholeheartedly committed to the principle of equality of opportunity, both as an employer and as a provider of services. Diversity and Inclusion is part of what we do every day, working to deliver our vision to build a strong society where everyone has good people around them, a purpose, and a good place to live.

Catch22 is committed to rigorous safeguarding and safer recruitment practices; ensuring that every individual within the organisation has been safely and appropriately checked.

Catch22’s Commitment to Ban the Box

Catch22 is proud to have “Banned the Box”. This means that we do not ask for candidates to disclose criminal convictions at the application stage. Instead, we invite disclosures at interview stage, and encourage them at the offer stage. Please see our statement of commitment on hiring people with convictions for more information.