Operations Manager For Zubeda Welcome - FILLED

Job Details

• Permanent
• Full time or able to consider the role to be a job share opportunity for two people
• 35 hours/week
• Office-based role – (North London)- requiring regular travel to client and partner locations

Zubeda Welcome is an award‑winning, UK‑based charity focused on empowering refugee and asylum‑seeking children by helping them access madrasa (Islamic school) education, enabling them to retain their faith and cultural identity. We are committed to providing vital support to families, ensuring children can continue their religious education while settling into their new lives.

What you’ll be doing:

As Operations Manager, you will be at the heart of Zubeda Welcome’s day‑to‑day operations, helping to shape the charity’s future direction. Your leadership will ensure that our programmes run efficiently, our team is motivated and supported, and that we continuously improve how we operate to deliver maximum impact for those we serve. You will work closely with the CEO and senior leadership team to drive operational excellence, growth and long‑term sustainability.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Lead Operations: Manage and coordinate the daily functions of the operations team, ensuring alignment with Zubeda Welcome’s mission and goals.
• Strategic Input: Contribute to both short‑ and long‑term planning and strategy as part of the senior leadership team, helping to shape the charity’s future trajectory.
• Optimize Processes: Develop and refine operational policies, procedures, and business processes to improve efficiency and effectiveness across all functions.
• Program Delivery: Oversee the effective implementation of our programmes, ensuring high standards, smooth delivery and measurable outcomes for beneficiaries.
• Budget & Resource Management: Monitor and manage the operational budget, ensuring that resources are used effectively and that financial goals are met.
• Risk Management & Compliance: Identify operational risks and ensure the charity complies with all legal, regulatory and internal requirements.
• Staff Leadership & Development: Lead, mentor and support a small but dynamic team, fostering a culture of continuous learning, performance management and personal development.
• Recruitment: Lead the recruitment process, from job descriptions and advertisements to interviews and onboarding, ensuring we attract top talent.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, representing Zubeda Welcome at meetings, public events and community forums.
• Fundraising & Marketing Support: Collaborate on fundraising initiatives, attending events and engaging with partners to help secure funding. Assist with social media and marketing strategies to raise awareness of our work.
• Volunteer Coordination: Work with the volunteer and social media teams to engage volunteers and develop content that supports our mission.
• Outreach Support: Support outreach efforts by coordinating logistics, managing resources and supporting outreach staff/volunteers.

What you’ll bring:

• Experience in operations or management roles, ideally within a charity or similar environment.
• Strong organisational, planning and time‑management skills with the ability to balance multiple priorities in a fast‑paced setting.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience presenting to diverse audiences.
• Proven leadership capabilities with experience in team management, performance development, and fostering a positive, productive work environment.
• Strong problem‑solving abilities with a focus on driving operational improvements and increasing efficiency.
• Ability to motivate, inspire and engage staff, volunteers and external partners.
• Knowledge of the charity sector and an understanding of UK charity regulations.
• Experience in fundraising, grant writing or partnership‑building within a non‑profit context.
• Experience of working in an agile, operational start‑up mode.

Additional Information

• DBS Check: This role is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
• Hours: This role requires flexible working hours, including occasional weekend and evening work to support charity events and activities.

What’s in it for you:

• Opportunity to increase your scale of good deeds through ongoing rewards of Sadaqa Jaariya (endless rewards, so as long as the beneficial knowledge of our beneficiaries is passed on to generations)
• 28 days annual leave (incl. bank holidays)
• Prayer facilities
• Opportunity to really make a difference!

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief or age.