At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage services supporting women in the criminal justice system.
- Company: Advance Charity, a feminist organisation dedicated to empowering women.
- Benefits: Generous holiday allowance, hybrid working, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to equality and safeguarding.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in women's lives while working in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in leadership and knowledge of women's issues in criminal justice.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 40000 £ per year.
Are you looking for a dynamic and rewarding role working for an organisation with the feminist agenda at the core of its ethos? Then Advance Charity could be the career choice for you! We are looking for an Operations Manager to manage our Hampshire services.
Salary: £35,000 - £40,000 pro rata
Location: This role will be based in Basingstoke but cover the entire Hampshire area. We offer hybrid working with up to 2 days per week from home, with an expectation of a minimum of three days spent in face‑to‑face, in‑person contact (e.g. in Women’s Centres, Estates or external visits), and one of these days being a monthly visit to head office in Hammersmith.
Hours: 35 hours per week
Contract: Fixed Term - until 31st March 2027 with potential to extend
This post is open to female applicants only as being female is deemed to be a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010. Any offer of employment will be made subject to references, confirmation of the right to work in the UK, and satisfactory enhanced DBS check. This role is also subject to Police Vetting.
About us
Advance is an award‑winning and innovative women‑only organisation, established in 1998, providing emotional and practical support to women and girls survivors of domestic abuse and supporting women with short‑term sentences to reduce offending. We believe in empowering women and girls to lead safe, non‑violent, equal lives so that they can flourish and contribute to the community. We are a community‑based organisation who lead in best practice approaches to supporting women in their local community. We achieve this by being available to meet and support women in local settings and at our women’s centres and by working in close partnership with other agencies. Our values are to listen and support, to empower and respect, collaboration, innovation, and accountability.
About the role
As an experienced senior manager with a proven track record of leadership you will lead and manage the Advance commissioned services across your region, working collaboratively with fellow Advance managers, external agencies and key subcontracted partners to provide a consistent and holistic service. You will manage 7 employees including front line workers who deliver a 1:1 advocacy service, as well as a Women’s Interventions programme, through women’s centres and hubs that fulfils the needs of the women accessing the service.
About You
To be successful as the Operations Manager you will need the below experience and skills:
- A thorough understanding of and knowledge of the issues relating to women in the criminal justice system
- A sound knowledge of safeguarding adult and children principles, child abuse, child protection issues and safeguarding
- A good knowledge and understanding of organisational systems and frameworks, line management and project management
- Significant experience of working with women and/or service users with a complex range of needs, particularly within the criminal justice system, in custody and/or community
- Experience with report writing, contract management and financial reporting including analysis of outcomes, outputs and gaps
- Experience of implementing quality assurance frameworks, monitoring, evaluating and measuring impact
- The ability to work well within a team and responsibly on own initiative and of maintaining professional boundaries with staff, clients and partner agencies
What we can offer you - Employee Benefits
- 35-hour working week
- An exceptional 30 days of paid holiday per year (pro rata for part time), plus public holidays on top (nearly 40 days paid holiday per year)
- Additional days off to celebrate International Women’s Day, and for religious observance and moving home
- Perkbox - an employee discount platform where you can receive free rewards as well as take advantage of savings on clothes, groceries, travel, leisure and more
- Pension scheme
- Enhanced maternity/adoption provision
- Access to our Employee Assistance Programme
- Employee eye‑care scheme
- Clinical supervision for front line staff and first line management roles
- Refer a Friend Scheme - £250 for each referral who passes probation
- Organisation wide away days
- One‑week paid carers’ leave
- Career development pathways
Under the Equality Act 2010, we are required to make any reasonable adjustments. If you have a disability as defined under this act and/or have special needs, please email the Talent Acquisition Team via the Advance website and will aim to make the necessary arrangements to accommodate your needs.
Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunities
We are committed to providing equality of opportunity and actively seek to recruit people from groups underrepresented in our current team. We have policies and processes in place to ensure that all employees are offered an equal opportunity in recruitment and selection, promotion, training, pay and benefits.
Safeguarding
Advance is committed to safeguarding and creating a culture of zero‑tolerance of harm and expects all staff, including volunteers to share this commitment. We believe all individuals have the right to live their life free from violence and abuse and the right to feel and be safe. We have a suite of safeguarding policies, procedures and practice guidance, accessible to all staff, which promotes safeguarding and safer working practices across all our services and activities. When we recruit staff, we follow rigorous safer recruitment practices, this involves carrying out pre‑employment checks including references, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, and identity checks. We ensure all staff undertake mandatory safeguarding training relevant to their role and responsibilities, to empower them to be competent and feel confident in recognising and responding appropriately to safeguarding issues and promote wellbeing.
Operations Manager - Criminal Justice in Basingstoke employer: Advance Charity
Advance Charity is an exceptional employer dedicated to empowering women and girls, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises collaboration, innovation, and accountability. With a generous benefits package including 30 days of paid holiday, hybrid working options, and career development pathways, employees are encouraged to grow both personally and professionally while making a meaningful impact in the community. Located in Basingstoke, this role provides the unique opportunity to lead vital services across Hampshire, contributing to a feminist agenda that is at the heart of our mission.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Manager - Criminal Justice in Basingstoke
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Advance Charity.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Advance Charity.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Advance Charity.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Advance Charity. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Manager - Criminal Justice in Basingstoke
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Advance Charity. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Operations Manager - Criminal Justice, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Advance Charity
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Advance Charity. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
