Head of Operations | Southend | Up to £55k | 35 hours per week
Role Purpose
The Head of Operations is a senior leadership role responsible for providing strategic & operational leadership across the Company's executive functions.
Reporting to the Executive Director & working closely with the Director of External Services, the postholder leads operational teams, oversees governance, budgets & resources, & ensures the effective delivery of services supporting the Company's charitable objectives, membership, professional standards, conferences & events, & member communications.
The role works closely with Trustees, senior leaders, committee members & external stakeholders to drive organisational performance, compliance & strategic priorities.
Key Responsibilities
Operational Leadership
- Provide strategic & operational leadership across the Company's core functions.
- Support the Executive Director & Director of External Services in delivering the Company's strategic objectives.
- Lead operational planning, resource management, budget oversight & service improvement initiatives.
- Monitor departmental performance, identify efficiencies & promote continuous improvement.
- Contribute to organisational strategy, strategic reviews & implementation of agreed projects.
- Prepare reports & present updates to the Council, Executive Board & other governance groups as required.
- Participate as a member of the Senior Leadership Team.
Membership & Professional Standards
- Line manage the Membership Manager & oversee membership operations, including professional registrations & accreditations.
- Review membership systems, data & CRM processes to improve efficiency, member engagement & renewals.
- Attend Membership Committee & Professional Standards Board meetings, acting as Secretary to the Professional Standards Board & ensuring agendas, papers, minutes & actions are effectively managed.
- Work with the Executive Director & Marketing Team to support membership growth & retention.
Governance & Compliance
- Oversee governance support for the Council, Executive Board & other committees, ensuring effective management of agendas, papers, minutes & follow-up actions.
- Manage governance processes including Council nominations & elections, Trustee registers, annual audit support & preparation of governance documentation.
- Maintain the Company's policy framework, ensuring policies remain current, compliant & effectively implemented.
- Manage escalated complaints & provide guidance on organisational complaints procedures.
- Monitor developments in governance, information security & data protection, implementing improvements where required.
- Build effective relationships with Trustees, officeholders, committee members, volunteers & external partners.
- Line manage the Governance Team.
Conferences, Events & Publications
- Line manage the Conferences & Events Team & the Editorial Executive (or Communications Lead).
- Oversee the planning, budgeting & delivery of a sustainable programme of conferences, events & member communications.
- Approve conference & event proposals where appropriate & attend events as required.
- Support the production & delivery of the Company's member publication & associated communications.
Leadership & People Management
- Lead, motivate & develop operational teams through effective leadership, coaching & performance management.
- Foster a collaborative, inclusive & high-performing culture.
- Conduct performance reviews & support the professional development of direct reports.
- Ensure resources are effectively managed to deliver high-quality services across all operational areas.
What you’ll need?
Essential
- Degree-level qualification or equivalent professional experience.
- Significant experience in a senior operations, business management or leadership role.
- Experience of leading & developing multidisciplinary teams.
- Experience working within a charity, membership organisation, public sector or not-for-profit environment.
- Experience supporting senior boards, committees & external stakeholders.
- Experience of governance, committee administration & corporate decision-making processes.
- Experience managing budgets, projects & organisational change.
Desirable
- Experience within a professional membership body, regulatory organisation or charity.
- Experience working with volunteers.
- Experience overseeing conferences, events or stakeholder engagement activities.
Skills & Attributes
Essential
- Excellent organisational, planning & prioritisation skills.
- Strong written, verbal & interpersonal communication skills.
- Ability to build effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
- Strong administrative & analytical skills with excellent attention to detail.
- Ability to work independently while leading collaborative teams.
- High levels of integrity, discretion & professionalism.
- Strong IT skills, including CRM systems, databases & Microsoft Office applications.
- Flexible, proactive & solution-focused approach.
- Sound judgement, tact & diplomacy.
Knowledge Essential
- Understanding of charity governance & organisational accountability.
- Knowledge of organisational policy development & review.
- Understanding of data protection legislation & information governance.
- Knowledge of Charity Commission regulation & governance best practice (desirable).
What’s in it for you?
- £50,000 - £55,000 depending on experience
- 9:00am – 5:00pm Monday to Friday (Hybrid) 3 days WFH 2 office based
- 9% company pension contribution
- Holiday entitlement 25 days plus bank holidays
- Christmas shut down from Christmas Eve until beginning of January which will not be deducted from you holiday entitlement
For more information please contact Sophie Barnes
