At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team supporting volunteers and garden owners while managing essential operations.
- Company: Join the National Garden Scheme, a charity with a warm and welcoming culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days holiday, flexible hours, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Be part of exciting events like national garden shows and enhance our public reputation.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in a hands-on role that values kindness and community.
- Qualifications: Experience in database management and excellent communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
At the National Garden Scheme, a central office with a team of 13 is the hub for a wide range of activity involving hundreds of volunteers, thousands of garden owners and a large audience of beneficiary charities, suppliers, supporters and partners, as well as members of the public who want to visit gardens and engage with the charity.
The Head of Operations leads and manages County Support, a team of four who deliver the resources, information and support needed by our volunteer county organising teams who support the garden owners. The Head of Operations is key in ensuring that the volunteers feel valued and supported.
The right candidate will have experience of database management, ideally Microsoft Dynamics, so that they can update, interrogate and maintain our database and online portal through which garden owners register and manage their garden data. We are currently updating our IT system and there will be a need for change management to ensure that staff and volunteers are comfortable using the new system.
The successful applicant will thrive in a busy, hands-on and varied role and the key requirements are efficiency and excellent communication skills. This is a role for a meticulous, problem-solving people person. The ethos of the organisation is rooted in generosity and kindness and the office is a warm and welcoming place to work.
Key responsibilities- Manage the county support team
- Lead and manage the county support team
- Manage smooth working relations between the county support team and other staff
- Lead the county support team in their day to day activities and relationships with county organising teams, garden owners, visitors and other stakeholders
- Work closely with and manage liaison with county team volunteers
- Work with county organisers to maximise levels of service from head office
- Work with county organisers for smooth recruitment and succession for volunteer roles
- Manage and deliver the annual data gathering and fulfilment operations
- Work with county support and county teams in annual gathering of garden data
- Ensure timely delivery of material to publisher
- Organise and deliver with county support the annual delivery of bulk orders to county teams
- Manage key operational elements for the organisation
- Oversee the insurance of garden openings, including claims
- Support the Chief Executive in the provision of HR to employees and volunteers
- Recruit, induct and train new members of staff as required
- Carry out performance reviews for some members of staff
- Manage welcome days at head office for new volunteers
- Attend national garden shows (e.g. Chelsea) and other events as required
- Protect and enhance the organisation’s public reputation when speaking on its behalf
- 28 days holiday (inclusive of public holidays), subsequent increases up to 33 days
- Permanent, full time role, 35 hours a week – 9am to 5pm with one hour lunch break
- Confident knowledge of Microsoft Office suite (Essential)
- Knowledge and experience of databases, preferably Microsoft Dynamics (Desirable)
- Experience as an office administrator (Desirable)
- Efficiency and reliability (Essential)
- Excellent interpersonal skills (Essential)
- Excellent oral communication skills (Essential)
- Accuracy and attention to detail (Essential)
- Ability to prioritise and work to strict deadlines (Essential)
- Car owner and driver (Essential)
Locations
Head of Operations in Guildford, Surrey employer: National Garden Scheme
The National Garden Scheme is an exceptional employer that fosters a warm and welcoming work environment, where generosity and kindness are at the core of our ethos. As the Head of Operations, you will lead a dedicated team, ensuring volunteers feel valued while enjoying a healthy work-life balance with 28 days of holiday, increasing to 33 days. With opportunities for personal growth and the chance to make a meaningful impact in the community, this role offers a rewarding experience in a vibrant office located at the heart of our charitable activities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Operations in Guildford, Surrey
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections and let them know you're on the hunt for a Head of Operations role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on opportunities or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the National Garden Scheme and its values. Show us how your experience aligns with our mission and how you can support our volunteers and garden owners effectively.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! As a people person, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to connect with various stakeholders. Role-play common interview questions with a friend to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows us you're genuinely interested in being part of our warm and welcoming team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Operations in Guildford, Surrey
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through. We want to see how much you care about supporting volunteers and garden owners, so share your personal connection to the cause!
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the job description. Highlight your experience with database management and any relevant skills that match what we’re looking for. We love seeing how your background fits with our needs!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. Remember, we appreciate efficiency just as much as you do!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at National Garden Scheme
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re familiar with the National Garden Scheme and its mission. Understand how the Head of Operations role fits into the bigger picture, especially regarding volunteer support and database management. This will show your genuine interest and help you connect your experience to their needs.
✨Showcase Your People Skills
Since this role is all about managing a team and supporting volunteers, be ready to share examples of how you've successfully led teams or improved communication in previous roles. Highlight your interpersonal skills and how you’ve made others feel valued and supported.
✨Get Technical
Brush up on your knowledge of Microsoft Dynamics and any other relevant database management tools. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve used these systems in the past, and think about how you would approach the upcoming IT system changes. This will demonstrate your readiness for the technical aspects of the job.
✨Be Ready for Change Management
Since the organisation is updating its IT system, think about your experience with change management. Prepare to discuss how you’ve helped teams adapt to new processes or technologies, ensuring everyone feels comfortable and supported during transitions.
