Operations Director

About Us Happy Days is one of the largest providers of nursery and pre-school care in the South/South West. We're committed to and passionate about delivering quality childcare and early years learning. We underpin our unique approach to nursery and pre-school care by constant reference to the best international research, backed up by 30 years in the sector. Happy Days are enjoying a period of sustained growth and continue to expand throughout the South/South West of England. We have 21 nurseries and counting. We aim to add 3-4 sites per annum for the foreseeable future. Although we are growing, we remain small enough that everyone is involved and makes a noticeable impact. We enjoy autonomy and our approach is personable, supportive, proactive and collaborative. Above everything, we care. We care about each other, we care about developing our people and we care about providing the highest quality childcare service to our customers. Happy Days is the perfect fit if you… … enjoy a collaborative culture … are committed to going the extra mile … are passionate about delivering outstanding service … explore, produce and embrace new ideas. The Role: Operations Director We are looking for a passionate, enthusiastic and commercially minded Operations Director to join Happy Days as we expand throughout the South/South West. You will have a passion for education and the ability to provide strong leadership and sound commercial management across all nurseries, ensuring we have the best, high quality working environments and processes that enable the highest quality outcomes for children. Responsibilities: To work actively with the Managing Director and other Directors, in providing vision, leadership and direction which ensures Happy Days services are delivered to the highest standards and are consistent with the company ethos and values. Take responsibility for providing leadership to ensure that the Company Objectives and core values are put into practice, promoting a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values a commitment to quality, learning and teamwork. Using sound business processes, plan for and oversee the leadership and management of the day to day operations through the implementation of the Happy Days strategic plan ensuring that managers and other staff are equipped with appropriate resources, advice and knowledge to enable the company to perform within government directives and regulatory requirements as appropriate. Working with the Finance Director to develop a budget to support the strategic business growth. Set KPIs aligned to the company strategy, in the areas of budgets, staffing and performance and occupancy. Ensure that all nursery financial targets are met with regards to revenue, cost control and debt management by structuring and setting fee levels, optimising nursery bookings, setting staffing levels and salary structures and ensuring maximum effectiveness, efficiency and co-ordination of all elements of the service delivery. Support in the strategic development of new nursery settings and the operational set up required. Leading the marketing team, ensuring that marketing plans deliver sufficient enquiries to achieve budgeted occupancy targets; support nursery managers in implementing local marketing initiatives, analyse strengths and weaknesses within the market and competition. Work with the Marketing Manager to ensure marketing materials appropriately reflect the Company’s ethos. Identify external funding opportunities to support training, capital projects and operational overheads. Working with the C&E Director to uphold a high standard of care and learning to allow the nurseries to consistently meet the requirements set out in the Early Years Foundation Stage to a good standard (as a minimum). As well as the children’s development age and individual needs. Working closely with the C&E Director, ensure quality standards are maintained and enhanced. Maintain an up to date knowledge and understanding of Ofsted and best practice, making improvements to nursery settings that support the continuing development and progress of all nurseries reaching outstanding. To attend regular supervisions with your line manager, agreeing personal goals and objectives with an aim of achieving the wider company plan. Recruit, actively manage and develop a high quality operational team, marketing and nursery management teams. To hold regular departmental meetings and supervisions to ensure Operations remain focused on both company and individual goals and objectives. Working with the Head of HR, define people strategies with an aim of attracting and retaining high quality talent to support the company growth plan. To achieve this, reviewing annual staff questionnaires and to develop and implement strong communication strategies. Regularly measure Happy Days rewards and benefits with local competition, particularly in areas of growth to ensure the company achieves its growth plan. Working with colleagues to ensure the company remains compliant on all Health and Safety matters. Working closely with both Health and Safety consultants and the senior team to ensure that Health and safety is embedded within Happy Days culture. To report any other serious risks or Health and Safety concerns to the Executive. Act as Happy Days main adviser on all issues relating to operational function and keep abreast of latest developments to ensure that Happy Days continues to maintain its competitive position. To act as an ambassador for Happy Days and in the capacity of Director to attend appropriate meetings and events, representation to external bodies, decision making and providing expert, professional advice to executive and non-executive management. Ensuring support for the broader management and strategic direction of the company. To maintain confidentiality at all times. Key Attributes and Skills Experienced Operations Director within the Childcare or Care sector would be preferred. Experience of growth through new development or acquisition would be advantageous. Strong experience in a commercial organisation or very good commercial knowledge of the provision of Early Years or Care. Strong experience in successfully managing teams across multi-site settings that are ideally rated outstanding. Excellent people management experience with a passion for supporting and motivating teams. Demonstrable sector related qualifications are desirable, i.e. Level 4 in Early Years Care and Education and ideally a management level degree/qualification. Significant practical experience in an Early Years education environment with a good understanding of the reality of delivering ‘on the ground’ is desirable. Commercially astute with the ability to drive strategic and operational change. A confident and credible leader with a strong ability to influence at a senior level. A passion for continuous improvement and experience in leading business-wide change initiatives. A proactive and collaborative relationship-builder with strong communication skills (both verbal and written). Excellent organisational and project management skills with experience managing budgets. Good report writing skills and confidence presenting at board level in a professional manner. Results-oriented with the confidence to make decisions under pressure. A self-starter, comfortable using their initiative and working autonomously. Ability to develop individuals and teams with a positive and motivational leadership style.