Job Opportunity with Action for Children: Operational Director of Children's Services

Location: Homebased in the South- East with significant presence in London and Leeds​​

Salary: £68,800 per annum

Contract: Permanent, Full-Time

Closing Date: 4th February 2026

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A bit about the role  
You will be a senior leader with considerable experience in leading and managing children’s services either in Local Authorities or the Voluntary Sector. A strong communicator and creative thinker with a flair for innovation who is focused and passionate about changing the lives of children and their families. 

We have a unique opportunity for an Operational Director of Children's Services to provide leadership and management across England predominantly London and Leeds. This is an exciting and rewarding role with the opportunity to make a huge personal impact.  

Reporting to the National Director of England South, you will lead, develop, and manage a dedicated team of managers who develop and deliver a range of children's services across a specified area. You will work will commissioners and be responsive to legislation and policy change to identify areas for service development. You will be skilled in working across service areas to meet identified needs and develop new, sustainable services. 

England has ambitious plans to grow residential and criminal exploitation services whilst ensuring our existing service footprint remains strong and sustainable. The development and delivery of these services will be a key element of this role.

You will have responsibility for oversight of specific regulated services including holding responsibility for the quality and culture of the service. You will need a strong understanding and significant experience of both children’s homes regulations and criminal exploitation as part of this role.

This is an exciting opportunity for an inspirational leader who wants to make a difference to the lives of children and young people as part of an enthusiastic and ambitious England team. 

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