Operations Strategic Team Manager

Overview

Are you an experienced adult social care leader with a passion for innovation, inclusion and high-quality services? Buckinghamshire Council is seeking an Operations Strategic Team Manager to lead the strategic development and quality assurance of our Short Breaks and Short Stay Respite services for adults with disabilities.

This is a key leadership role with real influence shaping services that promote independence, improve life outcomes and ensure our residents receive compassionate, person‑centred support now and into the future.

About us

Buckinghamshire Council is a relatively new organisation that combines the strengths and expertise of the previous five councils in the county to create positive change for local people, communities, and businesses. We are firmly focused on the future and have made a clear commitment to serve residents better and to provide stronger representation for Buckinghamshire, both locally and nationally. 

About the role

As Operations Strategic Team Manager, you will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight across day services and short stay respite provision for adults aged 18+. Working closely with internal and external partners, you will drive service improvement, ensure regulatory compliance and embed a strength‑based culture that empowers people to live more independent and fulfilling lives.

Key aspects of the role include:

• Leading the strategic development and transformation of services in line with legislation, best practice and local need
• Championing innovation, inclusion and continuous quality improvement
• Compliance with CQC regulations and statutory social care requirements, including the Care Act, Mental Capacity Act and Mental Health Act
• Providing inspirational leadership, coaching and supervision to managers and staff, fostering a high‑performing and motivated workforce
• Overseeing performance, quality assurance, audits and KPIs to ensure services are safe, responsive and effective
• Contributing to financial oversight and ensuring robust, value‑for‑money service delivery
• Representing Adult Social Care in partnership forums, multi‑agency meetings and complex or sensitive discussions
• Supporting change management and service improvement plans, responding confidently to a fast‑paced and evolving environment

You will work flexibly across services in Aylesbury, Chesham, Beaconsfield and High Wycombe and may be required to participate in management on‑call arrangements and occasional out‑of‑hours work.

Mobile:
A ‘mobile’ role gives you the flexibility to schedule your own diary, so you can meet with colleagues and clients in a variety of locations. You’ll access digital folders and resources on your laptop and be able to use the network wherever you are based. Working from home will be common, as well as meeting your team in the office where necessary.

About you

You will be a confident, credible and values‑driven leader with significant experience in adult social care at a senior level. You bring the ability to inspire others, manage complexity and deliver improvement while always keeping people at the heart of what you do.

We’re looking for someone who has:

• Extensive experience leading regulated and non‑regulated care services within Adult Social Care
• Expert knowledge of adult social care legislation, safeguarding and commissioning frameworks
• A strong track record of leading change, service development and continuous improvement
• Proven ability to build trusted relationships and influence successfully across organisations and partnerships
• Excellent communication, planning, report‑writing and project management skills
• Experience motivating, developing and coaching multi‑disciplinary teams

A full driving licence with access to a vehicle is an essential requirement for this role.

Please refer to the job summary attached for further information about the role.

Other information

If you would like to hear more about this exciting role, please contact Patience Mudambanuki at [email protected]

Interview dates: 22nd April-24th April 2026

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

• All unspent convictions and conditional cautions
• All spent convictions and adult cautions that are not protected (i.e. that are not filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2020 and 2023).

For further information on filtering please refer to Nacro guidance and the guidance published by the Ministry of Justice (see, in particular, the section titled ‘Exceptions Order’).

We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.

We understand that candidates may use AI tools to assist with their applications. While we welcome innovation, we expect all submissions to reflect your own experience, skills, and achievements accurately. Please ensure your application is truthful and demonstrates your personal capabilities, as this will be assessed during the selection process.

Buckinghamshire Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk.

Our values

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.

By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:

• a fair and inclusive culture
• the chance to really make a difference to those around you
• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events

At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

We recognise and reward you

Hard work and success deserves recognition. That’s why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.

https://jobs.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/working-buckinghamshire-council/