Operations Manager in Chelmsford

Salary: £36,000 - £40,000 (depending on experience) Full Time, 35 days annual leave. Location: Own home and on expeditions and school visits as required.

Application closing date: 5pm, 12th December 2025 - Applicants will be notified as soon as they are shortlisted to allow for preparation for interview. Start Date: 1st March 2026 (flexibility based on notice period). Interviews: Held in person on 18th December 2025.

About Outspark: We are Outspark, and for over 18 years we’ve been helping schools take the stress out of running Duke of Edinburgh Award expeditions. Our founder, a former teacher and Scout Leader, set up Outspark to prioritise the quality of young people’s experiences. We’re a mix of outdoor professionals, youth workers, and teachers who enjoy working together to deliver expeditions that challenge young people to step up and grow.

The Role: Outspark is seeking an experienced, enthusiastic, and highly organised Operations Manager to lead our small but brilliant and dedicated team. At the heart of the organisation, you will be responsible for the day-to-day operations, ensuring that all Outspark expeditions, trips and programmes run smoothly, safely, and efficiently. You will lead teams of outdoor instructors and regularly take charge in the field by leading expeditions. You will oversee trip documentation, administrative processes, and maintain consistently high operational and safety standards. While you will work within well‑established systems, processes, and procedures, you will have the autonomy to manage day‑to‑day decisions, resolve challenges on the ground, and ensure that operations are delivered to the highest standard. This is a hands‑on leadership role that combines operational oversight, team management, and direct involvement in the delivery of Outspark programmes whilst being supported by a team of experienced colleagues. Along with the Managing Director, Business Development Manager and Deputy Operations Manager you will share responsibility for innovation and growth.

Key Responsibilities:

• Leading and Instructing Duke of Edinburgh Expeditions – Take a hands‑on leadership role on expeditions, guiding participants safely and confidently through all stages of the DofE programme. Lead and coordinate the instructor team on each expedition, ensuring they are supported, clear on their roles, and able to deliver a high‑quality experience. Provide direction, mentorship, and real‑time guidance to instructors, fostering teamwork and maintaining high standards of safety and participant support. Uphold Outspark’s established procedures and risk management practices, adapting as necessary to respond to operational challenges in the field.
• Operational Oversight – Oversee the planning and delivery of all programmes, ensuring established procedures and operational standards are consistently applied. Conduct risk assessments and manage safety standards across all expeditions, including undertaking recces where required. Oversee, produce and distribute all trip documentation, ensuring accurate and timely information is available to staff, clients and participants. Oversee the bookings and finance system. Manage equipment, first aid kits, maps, trackers and stock, including ordering and replenishment.
• Staff Management & Development – Line‑manage the contracted team, conducting regular meetings and annual appraisals. Manage seasonal instructor recruitment, induction, and ongoing performance monitoring. Lead annual staff training and ensure instructors are confident, capable and compliant with relevant procedures.
• Duty & Incident Management – Undertake Duty Officer shifts throughout the season, responding to communications from expedition staff. Liaise with emergency services, clients and parents/guardians when required, ensuring calm and professional incident management.
• Quality Assurance & Compliance – Prepare the organisation for inspections by AALA, DofE, LOTC and other external bodies. Maintain accurate records and ensure all operations meet Outspark’s safety standards, risk management policies and organisational values. Identify opportunities for incremental improvements to systems and processes, implementing changes thoughtfully and collaboratively.
• Client Engagement – Deliver meetings, briefings and assemblies with schools, parents and participants. Represent Outspark professionally and confidently in all external communications.

Essential Requirements:

• Previous experience working within the outdoor adventure or education industry with young people.
• Experience leading multi‑day outdoor expeditions, including supervising teams of instructors and ensuring participant safety.
• Mountain Leader (summer) qualification or equivalent.
• Knowledge of, and commitment to, the ethos and requirements of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
• Proven ability to oversee day‑to‑day operations, including planning, scheduling and ensuring adherence to established procedures and operational standards.
• Experience managing staff and instructors, including recruitment, induction, training, performance monitoring and professional development.
• Knowledge and experience in conducting risk assessments, managing safety standards and responding effectively to incidents in outdoor education contexts.
• Confident in producing and managing trip documentation, maintaining accurate records, and overseeing equipment, stock and bookings systems.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure, make informed decisions in emergency situations and liaise with external agencies, clients and parents/guardians professionally.
• Ability to build rapport and communicate effectively over the phone, face‑to‑face and in group settings.
• High level of English literacy and numeracy.
• Confident in using computers, Microsoft Office, Google Drive and relevant operational software.
• Strong interpersonal skills, teamwork and leadership ability; capable of motivating and directing staff effectively.
• Ability to contribute to senior meetings, challenge directors appropriately and defend professional judgment.
• Full driving licence and access to own vehicle.
• Self‑driven, focused and able to work independently with limited supervision.
• Commitment to operate with passion, drive and integrity, in line with Outspark’s company values.

Desirable Requirements:

• Experience using CRM databases.
• Public speaking and presentation skills.
• DofE Assessor / Supervisor.
• Teaching or youth work qualification.
• Safeguarding and inclusion training.
• Other outdoor activity qualifications.
• Marketing and customer engagement skills.
• Website building and maintenance.
• Sales and marketing experience.
• Experience with finance systems.

Work Pattern & Flexible Working:

The total number of days worked over each year for the full‑time role would be 225 (260 days before the deduction of 35 days annual leave). The precise pattern will vary from year to year, but around 100 days would be on expedition or days in schools, and a further 20 or so involving school visits for assemblies, planning days etc. with the rest working from home. You will be expected to work on evenings, weekends and public holidays as required, and will keep an accurate note of the hours worked.

Why You’ll Love It Here:

This role offers a unique opportunity to have a tangible impact on young people’s lives, combining expedition leadership with operational responsibility. You’ll work in a supportive, collaborative and flexible team, where no two days are the same. You’ll gain hands‑on experience in business and operational management all while helping shape the future of a growing organisation. The hybrid working structure allows you to balance home‑based planning with the excitement and reward of fieldwork, giving you variety, autonomy and responsibility.

Who This Role May Not Suit:

If your style leans towards barking orders instead of inspiring others, or if you’re very hot on the outdoor bit of outdoor education but lukewarm about the education bit, this probably isn’t the right fit for you.