Operations General Manager

We are a Community Benefit Society established to deliver social and environmental value to our local community. Operating as a cooperative enterprise, we are governed by our members and reinvest surplus back into our mission rather than benefiting private shareholders. We are committed to inclusive leadership, sustainability, and creating positive impact in the communities we serve.

We are seeking an experienced Operations General Manager to oversee the day-to-day operational delivery and efficient running of our organisation. You will work closely with our CEO to implement organisational strategy, lead and manage teams across functions, and ensure we deliver high-quality services and programs that fulfill our community benefit mission.

This role is ideal for a hands-on operations leader who is energized by solving problems, improving processes, and ensuring smooth service delivery. You will have direct responsibility for staff management, budget oversight, and operational excellence, whilst working collaboratively with the CEO on strategic priorities.

This is a really broad role and as such, the key responsibilities are

Operational Management & Delivery

• Oversee all day-to-day operations and ensure efficient, high-quality service delivery
• Implement operational strategies and plans as set by the CEO
• Manage departmental workflows, schedules, and processes to maximize efficiency
• Identify operational bottlenecks and implement improvements
• Ensure service quality meets agreed standards and user/community expectations
• Work with teams to meet deadlines and operational targets

People Management & Development

• Lead, manage, and motivate teams across the organization
• Recruit, induct, and develop staff; manage performance and conduct
• Create a positive, inclusive workplace culture aligned with our values
• Handle day-to-day HR matters, disciplinary issues, and staff support
• Foster collaboration and effective communication across departments
• Provide training and development opportunities; identify future talent
• Report to CEO on staffing matters and organisational culture

Budget & Resource Management

• Manage operational budgets and monitor spending against forecasts
• Identify cost-saving opportunities and improve resource efficiency
• Ensure value for money in procurement and service delivery
• Track and report on budget performance to the CEO
• Support financial planning and forecasting processes
• Manage organisational assets and facilities effectively

Systems, Processes & Compliance

• Implement and maintain operational systems and procedures
• Ensure compliance with health & safety, data protection, and regulatory requirements
• Maintain proper documentation and record-keeping
• Audit and improve operational processes to support quality and compliance
• Manage risk at operational level and escalate where needed
• Support health & safety management and incident reporting

Service & Quality Excellence

• Monitor service quality and user/community satisfaction
• Gather and act on feedback to drive continuous improvement
• Implement best practice in service delivery
• Manage service standards and performance metrics
• Support program delivery and service user support
• Liaise with service teams to understand and address operational challenges

Communication & Coordination

• Communicate CEO priorities and strategies to teams
• Coordinate across departments to ensure integrated service delivery
• Provide regular operational updates and reports to the CEO
• Support organisational communications and coordination
• Facilitate team meetings and information sharing
• Act as point of contact for operational matters

Essential experience and skills will be:

• 3-5+ years' experience in an operations or general management role
• Proven track record of managing multiple teams and staff development
• Strong operational and process management skills
• Experience with budget management, financial monitoring, and reporting
• Excellent organizational and time management abilities
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Experience implementing systems and operational improvements
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and organizational management software
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Commitment to quality, efficiency, and continuous improvement
• Understanding of health & safety, compliance, and risk management

And even better if you also have:

• Experience in social enterprise, voluntary sector, or community-based organizations
• Knowledge of community benefit society or cooperative operations
• HR management experience (recruitment, performance management, development)
• Project management experience
• Experience in quality assurance or continuous improvement
• Familiarity with safeguarding in community settings
• Experience working within a mission-driven organization

• Resilient and adaptable to changing circumstances
• Results-focused and performance-oriented
• Proactive problem-solver with can-do attitude
• Strong attention to detail with ability to prioritize effectively
• Collaborative team player with genuine commitment to community benefit
• Fair, consistent, and supportive in people management
• Strong integrity and ethical standards
• Emotionally intelligent with good interpersonal skills
• Inclusive, respectful approach to diversity and difference
• Comfortable working within operational frameworks set by CEO

Salary £38,000 - £50,000 dependent upon experience

We have excellent benefits including:

• We work a 9 day fortnight (every alternative Monday off)
• 25 days annual leave FTE (rising to 29 with service) plus 5 wellbeing days. These are based on working 5 days per week so are prorated to your working pattern including the 9 day fortnight
• 8% employer pension contribution (Nest). 
• Health Cash Plan (dental, optical, physio, prescriptions). 
• Employee Assistance Programme (24/7 counselling and GP access). 
• Life Assurance (4× salary). 
• Flexible working. 
• Monthly volunteering opportunities. 

If this exciting opportunity sounds interesting to you, please submit a Cover Letter and CV which addresses your experience in line with the skills and experience detailed in the advert.

If you would like a 10 minute informal chat with Megan Smith, CEO, please email [email protected] and we arrange a time to speak

We may close this opportunity early if we get a great candidate in, so don't delay in getting your application in if this opportunity excites you 

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds.