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Emerging Futures Logo Horizontal

Head of Operations – Midlands & South

Leading our community services, drug & alcohol recovery support and recovery-focused housing across the Midlands & South.

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Key Information

Position: Head of Operations
Contract: Full-time
Salary: £54,479 – £59,824 per annum
Location:
Midlands & South
Hours per week:
37.5 hours per week
Application Closing Date:
18/11/2026

About Emerging Futures CIC

Emerging Futures began in 2014, born from a belief that recovery is possible for everyone, and that those who have walked that path should lead the way forward.

From modest beginnings, Emerging Futures expanded across the UK, to a growing and diverse team of staff and volunteers, many with lived experience themselves. Offering support to people affected by homelessness and drug and alcohol use, Emerging Futures has helped thousands through housing, coaching and therapeutic programmes.

Using compassion and courage, Emerging Futures believes that recovery is not just a word, it’s a promise that anything is possible. Together, we’re working for a world where everyone has somewhere to live, something to do, and someone to love.

About the role

This is a hands-on senior leadership role with responsibility for the performance, quality, safety and financial sustainability of services across the Midlands and South. You’ll lead and develop Area Service Managers, stay connected to what is happening within services and provide practical support where improvement is needed.

You’ll also build strong relationships with commissioners, partners and local stakeholders, helping to strengthen and grow Emerging Futures’ work across the region.

Your main focus will be on:

Leading and developing Area Service Managers and their teams.

Driving operational performance and ensuring services meet contractual expectations.

Overseeing budgets and leading recovery plans where services are off track.

Providing leadership across quality, safeguarding, risk and housing compliance.

Strengthening drug and alcohol practice and our wider recovery offer.

Building commissioner and partner relationships and supporting contract growth.

Creating a positive employee experience and addressing people or performance issues early.

Contributing to organisational development as a member of the Senior Management Team.

Download Job Description

About you

You will have substantial experience of leading or delivering drug and alcohol services, with a sound understanding of the treatment and recovery system, harm reduction and recovery-oriented practice. You should also have recent experience in working at a senior level, developing new and existing services and partnership working. You should also have:

  • Extensive experience working in homelessness, drug and alcohol, housing and/or criminal justice services.
  • Experience in supporting managers and staff teams to deliver high-quality, cost-effective services across geographically dispersed teams.
  • Excellent skills in communication, leadership and influencing.
  • Experience and knowledge in relation to safeguarding and effective risk management.
  • Strong and proven leadership skills including an excellent ability to motivate, inspire and influence people.
  • Ability to meet targets and deadlines within financial constraints and available resources, anticipating financial risks, planning ahead and acting promptly on early warning signs to prevent minor pressures from developing into significant financial issues.
  • Demonstrate a capacity to work autonomously, keep calm under pressure and the flexibility to work from varying operational sites as required across a regional geographical footprint.

How to apply

To apply for this role, click the ‘apply now’ button and complete our online application form.

Our online application form consists of a set of “getting to know you” questions that are specific to each role. For most of our positions, we also ask that you upload a CV.

Download the job description for a full list of duties, along with a person specification detailing essential and desirable skills.

See below for our step-by-step guide to completing your application, and some useful tips to help you understand what we look for.

Download Job Description View GDPR for applicants

Key Dates

Deadline – 18/11/2026
Interview – TBC

A guide to completing your application

STEP 1

Copy and save the URL at the bottom of the form

So that you can revisit your application at a later date.

STEP 2

Complete your personal details

In order for us to contact you about your application.

STEP 3

Answer our ‘about you’ questions

To help us understand your values, skills and experience.

STEP 4

Upload your CV

Not all roles require a CV. This will not be visible if it is not required.

STEP 5

Complete the declarations

About any adjustments, GDPR, your legal right to work, and DBS checks.

STEP 6

Don’t forget to click ‘submit’

Wait until you see the “application successful” message.

Useful tips

Read these useful tips to help you prepare your application.

Read these useful tips to help you prepare your application.

  • Our job applications are submitted on an online form by clicking the “apply now” button. As with all online webpages, if you lose your internet connection the page can crash, and you risk losing your application.
  • To avoid this happening, we’d advise writing the answers to our ‘getting to know you’ questions offline first, either on your computer or phone. Once you’re happy and ready to submit, you can paste them into the online form. Alternatively, copy the form URL displayed at the bottom of the form by the “submit” button, and use this to revisit your application online later.
  • It’s always worth double checking that your email address and phone number are correct. If there are typos here, we won’t be able to contact you about your application after we have shortlisted to interview.
  • Write your ‘getting to know you’ responses in your own words. Imagine you’re speaking to the person who you hope might hire you. The more we know about the real you, your values, and your experiences the better (so don’t let ChatGPT answer for you!).
  • Read through your responses a few times before you send the final application and correct any spelling errors or add anything you may have missed. We’re not looking for seasoned copywriters, but it shows you’ve taken care over your application.
  • Not all our jobs require you to upload a CV, but if you are asked to, please make sure it’s in a format that we can read. Accepted formats: pdf, doc, jpeg, jpg, png, txt, docx.
  • Once you have submitted your application, wait until you see the “application successful” message. You’ll also receive an email confirming the application has been received, which has a link to complete our Equality and Diversity short survey.

Working in our Midlands & South services

By joining the Emerging Futures workforce, you become part of a nationwide team dedicated to providing addiction recovery support services throughout the United Kingdom. This role joins part of a larger team in the Midlands & South, with colleagues working across our services in Birmingham, Gloucester, Worcester, West Sussex and Hertfordshire.

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Application Form

Thank you for your interest in applying for a role at Emerging Futures CIC.

Below is our digital application form. Please complete all fields in the online application form before submitting.

As with all online webpages, if you lose your internet connection the page may crash, and you risk losing your application. To avoid this happening, we’d advise writing the answers to our ‘getting to know you’ questions offline first. Once you’re happy, you can paste them into the online form and submit your application.

Alternatively, click the "save for later" button at the bottom of this form and copy the URL link it displays. You can use this to return to your application online later.

Once submitted, please wait for a confirmation message before closing the page.

Whilst a digital application is preferred, if you would prefer to complete your application via a Microsoft word document, please email recruitment@emergingfutures.org.uk and a member of the team will respond.

*all fields marked with an asterisk are required fields. 

Personal Details

Role Applying For
 

Getting to know you*

This is your chance to tell us more about yourself. The following questions are designed to help us understand your background, motivations, and how you approach challenges. Your responses will give us insight into how you might fit within the team and contribute to the role. We encourage you to write in your own voice and be authentic with your answers, so please avoid using ChatGPT.

Question 1*

What would you consider to be the main political, policy and commissioning challenges affecting our sector across the Midlands and South?

Question 2*

Describe how you have led managers and teams across a wide geographical area.

Question 3*

Please provide an example of where you have managed commissioner relationships across different areas.

Question 4*

How have you previously strengthened managers’ understanding and ownership of budgets across multiple contracts? Please provide an example of how you helped a team spot risk early, act quickly and protect financial sustainability.

Question 5*

Tell us about a time you inherited or encountered a service facing significant operational challenges. How did you approach the situation, empowering your team to be at the centre of the changes required?

Upload CV*

Please upload your CV using the ‘Upload File’ button below.

Accepted format: pdf, doc, jpeg, jpg, png, txt.

Files should not exceed 50MB.

Adjustments/Arrangements for interview

Data Protection*

Right to work*

DBS / Criminal Record*

Emerging Futures CIC encourages applications from candidates with lived experience of the criminal justice system, and a criminal conviction will not necessarily prevent you from being offered a role; the decision will depend on the type of offence and its relevance to the role.

To discuss any convictions beforehand, contact recruitment@emergingfutures.org.uk. All information will 
be dealt with according to the Emerging Futures Confidentiality Policy.

Declarations*

Submit Application

Thank you for completing the application, click submit and wait for a confirmation
 message before closing the page. You will also receive a confirmation email confirming the application has been received, which has a link to complete our Equality and Diversity short survey. 

QUICK LINKS

Email: info@emergingfutures.org.uk 
Call: 03330 124 714
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© Emerging Futures 2026
Registered office: Glen Valley House, 634 Bacup Road,  Waterfoot, Rossendale, Lancashire, BB4 7AW  Company number: 8938725
© Emerging Futures 2026
Registered office: Glen Valley House, 634 Bacup Road,  Waterfoot, Rossendale, Lancashire, BB4 7AW   Company number: 8938725