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Director of People and Service Excellence
A rare, newly created executive role at the heart of Signature Senior Lifestyle's bold cultural transformation — shaping the future of luxury later-life living.
The Signature Story
Redefining Later-Life Living
Signature Senior Lifestyle operates on a fundamental belief: residential care should be as much about living an exceptional, fulfilling life as it is about receiving expert clinical support. From our support office in Beaconsfield, we combine bespoke, high-end care with five-star luxury living across 10 highly regarded care homes in Greater London and the Home Counties.
We are entering an aggressive and exciting phase of growth. Backed by our primary investor, Elevation — who view Signature as their "company silver" and most ambitious venture — we have a firm, long-term investment cycle mapped through to 2030 and beyond. We are actively sourcing new land within the M25 and opening three state-of-the-art homes this year in Enfield, Surbiton, and Hornchurch.
Drawing inspiration from American luxury care models and elite hospitality brands, Signature is boldly rewriting what premium residential care looks and feels like.
Growth at a Glance
10
Homes across London & Home Counties
3
New homes opening in 2026
2030
Long-term investment horizon with Elevation

Signature Care Homes

Why Choose Signature? | Exceptional Care in Luxury Homes

Discover why families choose Signature. We offer exceptional care in the luxurious surroundings of a private residence, where dignity and comfort come first.

Cultural Context
A Cultural Turning Point
To understand the profound importance of this role, you must understand Signature's journey. When our CEO, Rob — headhunted following a highly successful tenure at Anchor — joined the organisation, he inherited a culture described as stagnant and "toxic," with a staggering 40% staff turnover despite the business offering top-tier sector pay.
Rob's philosophy is clear and unequivocal. His leadership has been defined by championing an authentic, highly visible, human-centric culture, rapidly driving turnover down to 29%. This transformation is real — and it is far from finished.
"Pay isn't the only factor… it isn't the only factor for people to stay and work. What's good today will just be okay tomorrow. What's okay tomorrow? We'll be poor the day after that. So we have to constantly innovate and change our practice standards."
— Rob, CEO, Signature Senior Lifestyle
We are now seeking a visionary leader to complete the "jigsaw puzzle" — finalising a 10-year cultural transformation that keeps directors accountable and positions Signature as the undisputed employer and care provider of choice.
The Role
Director of People and Service Excellence
Reporting directly to the CEO, this newly created, highly influential role leads a critical multi-function department with six direct reports — and spans three transformational pillars.
Vision, Values & People
Develop and embed Signature's Vision, Mission, and Values. Create an industry-leading Employee Value Proposition, champion best-in-class inductions and training, and maintain absolute CQC and Employment Rights Act compliance.
Transformational Projects
Acting on behalf of the CEO, oversee all key strategic project activity. Champion continuous improvement, embed lessons learned, and keep the leadership team fully cited on progress, risks, and outcomes — on time and on budget.
Technology & IT Change
Develop a comprehensive technology roadmap. Drive the shift away from legacy systems toward automated workforce platforms, lead the 2026 rollout of falls-monitoring sensors, and co-author Signature's AI policy with the CFO.

You will be fully shielded from day-to-day HR casework. A dedicated, CIPD-qualified Technical HR Manager will handle specialist grievances and tribunals, allowing you to focus entirely on overarching strategy, culture, and service excellence.
Service Vision
The Hospitality-Led "High Points" Vision
The social care consumer is evolving rapidly. Tomorrow's residents — including a growing male demographic — will demand experiences aligned with elite hospitality brands. Working alongside the renowned brand consultancy Eat Big Fish (known for their work with Four Seasons and Pret), you will bring a genuinely disruptive, outside-in perspective to Signature's service model.
Collaborating closely with Andy Seal, Director of Hospitality & Wellness, you will design and deliver diverse "high points" across all homes — moments that surprise, delight, and fundamentally elevate how residents experience daily life.
Elevated Dining
From relaxed pub lunches to bespoke four-course dinners served on fine porcelain with gold leaf mats — offering genuine "informed choice" to every resident.
Sensory Wellness
Transforming standard bathrooms into full sensory spas — infrared treatments, saunas, Botox aesthetics, ambient scents, and bespoke pillow menus.
Technology-Enhanced Care
Heat-sensitive, falls-monitoring room sensors rolling out in late 2026 — discreetly enhancing safety whilst preserving residents' dignity and independence.
Ideal Candidate
A Visionary Operator — Not Just a Strategist
We are looking for a high-energy, emotionally intelligent communicator with a genuine "sleeves rolled up" mentality. Someone who builds trust quickly, drives culture visibly, and never mistakes a compelling idea for a finished outcome.
A Compelling Communicator
Entirely comfortable presenting to senior audiences, engaging on video and podcasts, and maintaining a credible, visible digital presence. You communicate with clarity, warmth, and authority.
A Sector-Agnostic Leader
HR, IT, or care sector qualifications are desirable but absolutely not essential. We are actively seeking leaders from fast-paced, customer-obsessed sectors — luxury hospitality, leisure, or retail (think Pret, Costa, or Topshop) who have navigated complex cultural shifts.
A Hungry Implementer
We have zero tolerance for "ideas people" who do not personally drive implementation. You hold a Degree (or equivalent) and a Project Management qualification. You are eager to make a truly special, lasting impact — not just to advise.

Ideally based within the Surrey to Thames Valley / North East corridor. Candidates must be entirely comfortable with a highly visible, floor-level leadership style — connecting personally with both residents and front-line teams.
The Team
The Senior Leadership Team You Will Join
You will step into a deeply collaborative, relationship-led Senior Leadership Team where authenticity, visibility, and mutual accountability are non-negotiable. Hierarchy is actively discouraged; impact is everything.
Rob — CEO
Headhunted into Signature following a highly successful tenure at Anchor. Architect of the ongoing cultural transformation and your primary reporting line.
Steve — CFO
Your partner in authoring Signature's AI policy and a key financial steward of the growth agenda through to 2030.
Andy Seal — Hospitality & Wellness
Trained under Michelin-star chefs and Director of Hospitality & Wellness. Your creative partner in designing the "high points" experience model across all homes.
Stephanie Bowie — Sales & Marketing
Director of Sales & Marketing, championing Signature's brand and commercial growth narrative as the portfolio expands.
Amanda Rice — Quality
A Queen's Nurse and Director of Quality, described by peers as "the best in the game." Your clinical governance partner and quality standard-setter.
Chloe Cristinziano — Operations
Operations Director and your key ally in the interview process. Her judgement will be highly influential — she leads the informal show-round at Highgate.

Organisational Chart

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Signature Organisational Charts 26-05-26.pptx

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Our Culture
How We Work — Authentically
High Trust, High Visibility
Signature's culture is authentically non-hierarchical. Rob actively detests leaders who "talk but don't walk." We expect every leader to be highly visible on the floor — connecting meaningfully
with residents, families, and front-line teams on a regular basis.
We operate on strict output-focus rather than presenteeism. There is no reward for being seen at your desk; there is every reward for delivering measurable, human impact.
Wellbeing is Protected
We actively and deliberately protect our teams' wellbeing. Late-night email culture is heavily discouraged across the organisation. We encourage the use of "delayed send" functions as a practical, everyday tool to ensure a genuinely healthy work-life balance for all colleagues.
This is not performative. It reflects a leadership team that has lived through the consequences of poor culture and is committed — from the CEO down — to never returning there.
Remuneration & Process
The Package & Interview Process
Compensation
£108,000 – £120,000
Base salary, permanent role
+ Bonus
Comprehensive annual bonus plan
3 Months
Notice period fully accommodated
A Process Designed to Impress
Our swift, four-week interview process is deliberately designed to genuinely "wow" candidates — not to exhaust them. Every stage is intentional and respectful of your time.
01
Informal Show-Round
A tour of our spectacular Highgate (or Bishops Avenue) home, led by Operations Director Chloe Farnness. A relaxed environment to see our operations firsthand — and for you to drop your guard. Chloe's judgement carries significant weight.
02
Formal Final Interview
A final-stage interview at Highgate with Rob (CEO) and a representative from Elevation investors — reflecting the critical strategic importance of this appointment.

Shortlist presented by 12th June 2026. Final interviews scheduled for 23rd and 24th June 2026. Candidates should be prepared to address: Why Signature? Long-term career plans? Balancing internal service with external focus? And how do you build culture during change?
Benefits Package
Holiday
25 days plus Bank Holidays
Sick Pay
Company Pension Contributions
Salary sacrifice available by application: 5% matching
Private Medical Insurance
By application only: Option of Single / Couple / Family cover
Group Life Assurance
3 x Basic Salary
Discretionary Bonus
50% plan
Long Term Service Awards
Ready to Shape the Future of Care?
This is a once-in-a-career opportunity to lead a genuine cultural and operational transformation at one of the UK's most ambitious premium care providers — with the full backing of the CEO and a committed long-term investor.
Be Bold
Challenge convention, bring the outside-in perspective, and drive meaningful change across 10 exceptional homes — and counting.
Be Visible
Lead from the floor, not the boardroom. Build authentic relationships with residents, families, and colleagues at every level.
Be Exceptional
Help complete a 10-year cultural transformation and position Signature as the undisputed employer and care provider of choice.
Recruitment Partner
About Practicus: Inclusive Hiring for Purpose-Led Organisations
This appointment is being managed exclusively by Practicus, one of the UK's leading management consulting and executive recruitment firms specialising in the Healthcare Sector. Practicus is committed to inclusive, accessible, and equitable recruitment, and we take that commitment seriously at every stage of this process.

Practicus

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Our Commitment to Inclusion
Practicus is proud to be an inclusive employer and recruitment partner. We actively work to remove barriers that prevent talented people from applying for senior roles, and we welcome candidates from all backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences. We believe that diverse leadership teams build stronger, more resilient, and more impactful organisations.
We will make reasonable adjustments at every stage of the recruitment process for candidates who require them. If you have accessibility needs — whether for interviews, written assessments, or any other part of the process — please let us know at the earliest opportunity and we will accommodate them without question.

Practicus

2025 EDI Report Download

Accessibility & Support

Need adjustments? We can provide documents in alternative formats, offer British Sign Language interpretation, arrange remote or in-person interviews, and adjust timelines where needed. No request is too small.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Signature are committed to building a workforce that reflects the communities it serves. This appointment will be conducted in full accordance with their EDI commitments.

Your Recruitment Partners


Meet Your Practicus Recruitment Team
Your dedicated contacts at Practicus are here to guide you through every step of this executive search process. They are committed to ensuring a fair, transparent, and supportive experience for all candidates.
Natalie Allen — Head of Practice
Tel: +44 (0) 1491 637066
Email: natalie.allen@practicus.com
Michael Gater — Head of Delivery
Tel: +44 (0) 1491 637090
Email: michael.gater@practicus.com