Job title: Operations Manager
Organisation: UK youth charity
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
Line management: [To confirm, e.g. administrator / freelance IT support]
Contract: Permanent, full-time
Location: Fully remote (UK-based), with occasional travel for team days and events
Salary: £40,000 per annum
About the organisation
Our client is a UK charity that runs free personal development workshops for young people in schools. The workshops help young people build self-awareness, resilience and confidence.
The charity is growing fast and has ambitious plans to reach many more young people over the next few years. Growing at that pace needs strong systems, good people practice and reliable technology, and this role is central to all three.
Purpose of the role
This role builds and runs the operational backbone that lets Inner Spark grow without losing quality. You will lead three areas:
- Operations: processes, policies, suppliers, facilities and compliance
- IT and systems: technology, data, cyber security and digital tools
- HR and people: the full employee lifecycle, from hiring to leaving
You will be a hands-on generalist who enjoys fixing problems, putting structure in place and making work easier for everyone else. The team works remotely, so you will also shape the tools and routines that keep a dispersed team connected. You will work closely with the CEO, the fundraising team and the delivery team.
Key responsibilities:
Operations
- Design, document and improve operational processes so the organisation can scale its schools programme.
- Own the policy framework (e.g. health and safety, data protection, safeguarding administration, expenses) and keep it current.
- Manage suppliers, contracts and renewals, making sure they deliver value for money.
- Oversee equipment for remote staff, insurance and any shared workspace or venue arrangements.
- Support governance: prepare operational reports for the CEO and trustees and keep the risk register up to date.
- Work with finance colleagues or the external accountant on budgets, purchasing, payroll inputs and month-end.
- Support the logistics behind workshop delivery and major fundraising events.
IT and systems:
- Own the IT setup, including Microsoft 365 / Google Workspace, devices, accounts and access.
- Manage the outsourced IT support provider and act as the first point of contact for IT issues.
- Lead on cyber security and data protection, including UK GDPR compliance, backups and staff awareness.
- Look after the CRM and other core systems, keeping data accurate and useful for reporting on reach and impact.
- Identify and introduce digital tools and automation that save time, including sensible use of AI.
HR and people
- Run the full employee lifecycle: recruitment, contracts, onboarding, probation, appraisals and leavers.
- Keep HR policies, the staff handbook and employment documentation compliant and up to date.
- Maintain HR records and the HR system, including absence, holiday and training data.
- Advise managers on day-to-day people matters, escalating complex cases to external HR or legal advisers.
- Manage safer recruitment processes, including DBS checks and references, for all staff, freelancers and volunteers.
- Support a positive, inclusive culture, with a focus on wellbeing, learning and development.
- Coordinate benefits, pension auto-enrolment and payroll changes.
General
- Act as a trusted deputy to the CEO on operational matters.
- Take on other reasonable duties in line with the role as the organisation grows.
The postholder will need an enhanced DBS check.
What we offer and how to apply
- Salary of £40,000 per annum
- Standard holiday entitlement plus bank holidays
- Fully remote working
- Pension and [other benefits, e.g. flexible working, wellbeing support]
- The chance to shape the operations of a fast-growing charity with a bold ambition
To apply, send your CV Simon.pickerell@veredus.co.uk
Our client is committed to safeguarding children and young people and welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds.