Head of Operations

HappyJobsNI is delighted to be exclusively working alongside WOMEN'STEC to recruit an experienced, professional and driven Head of Operations to join this passionate team at a time of exciting growth.

POST TITLE:
Head of Operations
HOURS:
35 hours per week (Full-time)
A 4 day week (pro-rata) will be considered

LOCATION:
WOMEN'STEC, 29 Chichester Avenue, Belfast, BT15 5EH

SALARY:
£37,336 - £43,421 (NJC Scale Pt 29 - 35,)
Dependent on experience
RESPONSIBLE TO:
Chief Executive Officer

RESPONSIBLE FOR:
Line management of Programme Delivery Team

TIMESCALE:
Full-time, permanent
ABOUT WOMEN'STEC:
WOMEN'STEC is a social enterprise based in North Belfast. It was born out of a recognised need for the creation of non-traditional training and employment opportunities for women in industries traditionally associated with men, including construction skills, engineering and IT.
WOMEN'STEC supports unemployed women to address the barriers that prevent them from moving into employment or training and embarking on a career in an industry which is lucrative and filled with opportunities for women. A major aspect of our work also involves changing attitudes and perceptions, both amongst employers and women seeking employment.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
This is a senior management post. The Head of Operations will represent WOMEN'STEC in a professional manner at all times, maintaining and protecting the reputation of the organisation and its services, programmes and initiatives. The Head of Operations will be responsible for ensuring the efficient and effective management of our service delivery, supporting the programme team to deliver our programmes and services in line with agreed outputs and outcomes. The person appointed must have an understanding of and be supportive of the values and ethos of WOMEN'STEC and the promotion of equality.

Specific Responsibilities:

1. Service Delivery:

● Ensure the aims and objectives of WOMEN'STEC are met through service delivery
● Implement and monitor agreed strategic and operational plans
● Identify, manage and report on risks and issues as appropriate and resolve operational, contractual and performance issues as they arise, seeking support from the CEO as and when appropriate
● Develop and oversee volunteer management
● Contribute to the achievement and implementation of ISO 9001:2015 and other quality systems as appropriate

2. Management and Leadership

● Oversee the delivery of projects to planned performance and outputs adhering to time, budget commitments and quality specifications
● Provide direct line management, supervision and leadership to a programme co-ordinators and the workshop manager, including identifying problems and providing assistance and support where necessary, performance management, training and development, holiday and absence management, and disciplinary and grievances, ensuring the delivery of a high quality services to users
● Undertake Annual Performance Development Reviews and monthly support and supervision meetings
● Co-ordinate the work of programme staff to ensure a consistent service for users and the delivery of activities as agreed with our funders and partners
● Carry out and oversee the monitoring and evaluation of all work carried out by WOMEN'STEC, in compliance with specifications outlined by funders
● In conjunction with the Head of Finance and Resources, compile a written report for Senior Management Team Meetings and to ensure provision of timely accurate reports and information, in conjunction with programme staff, to funders as required
● Deal with any complaints from WOMEN'STEC users in an efficient and timely manner
● Practice an open, communicative, coaching and supportive management style that embraces diversity and encourages all employees to reach their full potential
● Deputise for the CEO when required

3. Communication and Information

● Ensure strong internal communication with both the Senior Management Team and the Staff Team
● Prepare regular reports on progress of programme and service delivery activities, outputs and outcomes to the Senior Management Team.
● Establish and chair regular meetings of the programme team
● Establish and develop working links with relevant networks and form partnerships with appropriate agencies, community groups and organisations to develop and raise awareness of the services, programmes and initiatives delivered by WOMEN'STEC
● Act as a senior representative and attend events on behalf of WOMEN'STEC as required

PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential Skills and Experience:
* A minimum of three years' experience of managing the operations or service delivery of a small or medium sized organisation or social enterprise
* A minimum of three years demonstrable experience of managing and supporting staff
* Significant experience of successfully building, leading, and working with multiple teams, including setting objectives and managing performance
* Experience of project management and coordinating programme teams
* Experience in monitoring and evaluating service impact and performance
* Proficient in the use of databases and information management systems for reporting
* Excellent communication and relationship management skills
* Effective organisational, prioritisation and time management skills including an ability to plan programmes, develop, monitor and achieve targets within deadlines
* Strategic thinking and management skills
Desirable Experience
* Knowledge and understanding of ISO Quality Standards
* Experience and knowledge of working within the charitable sector
* Knowledge and understanding of the key issues and challenges experienced by our target beneficiary group
* Knowledge and understanding of funding bodies
Personal Qualities and Core Competencies
● Effective leadership: Highly motivated with an ability to lead, motivate, support and develop others to achieve goals whilst maintaining responsibility and accountability
● Focus on outcomes / management: Strong attention to detail; with the ability to effectively plan and organise work efforts / projects, anticipate issues and overcome obstacles to ensure results are delivered in line with organisational goals and KPIs
● Building relationships, teamwork and communication: The ability to act as an effective ambassador and team player to build and maintain effective relationships, ensuring appropriate two-way information sharing
● Sound judgement and decision making: The ability to gather, analyse and evaluate the appropriate information / data to generate solutions, enable effective judgements and decisions to be made to influence or negotiate with others
● Change and resilience: The ability to use your initiative to think ahead and evolve / implement new opportunities, ensuring their effective management and helping others to adapt within a changing environment
General
● Willingness to work unsociable hours
● Full Driving License and ability to travel within Northern Ireland
● An understanding and be supportive of the values and ethos of WOMEN'STEC and the promotion of equality.

BENEFITS:
* 25 days annual leave plus 11 statutory days (pro-rata)
* Benenden Healthcare Cover (upon successful completion of probationary period)
* Pension scheme (6% employer contribution)
* Death in Service Insurance
* Wellbeing initiatives

You could be right for this Head of Operations position if you've previously worked as any of the following: Operations Manager, Operations Director, Operations Coordinator, Chief Operating Officer (COO), General Manager, Business Operations Manager, Director of Operations, Operations Lead, Operations Supervisor, Business Process Manager, Service Delivery Manager or as a Process Improvement Manager

HOW TO APPLY:
If you are a seeking a new challenge, we would love to hear from you. To express your interest and learn more about this exciting opportunity, please submit your updated CV outlining your relevant experience and achievements either by applying online or sending your CV alternatively call our team on 028 ##### ##### and we'd be happy to answer any questions you may have on the position.

*Closing date for applications for this role is Friday 19th April at 12pm. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews, in-person at the WOMEN'STEC head office. Provisional interview date TBC.*

Please note: All applications will be processed upon their receipt and not after the job advert closing date therefore we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role, should this occur the provisional interview date may be brought forward. Therefore if you are interested in the position, we strongly advise submitting your application as early as possible. If you would like to confirm the current application status prior to applying for the role please contact Happy Jobs NI directly at or on 02890995808.