At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operations, governance, finance, HR, and IT for impactful charity work.
- Company: Join the Ben Kinsella Trust, dedicated to preventing knife crime through education.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, pension scheme, and personal development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a passionate team committed to honouring Ben's legacy.
- Why this job: Make a real difference while developing your leadership skills in a meaningful role.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience in operations, finance, and governance.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
As Head of Operations, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring the Ben Kinsella Trust has the strong operational foundations needed to maximise its impact and support continued growth. Reporting to the CEO and as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will provide strategic leadership across the charity's operations, governance, finance, HR and IT, ensuring the organisation operates efficiently, remains compliant and has the systems and infrastructure required to deliver its mission.
You will lead the development and continuous improvement of organisational systems, policies and processes, driving operational excellence and enabling colleagues to focus on delivering high-quality programmes, campaigns and services. Working closely with the CEO, Finance Manager, trustees and external partners, you will oversee governance, risk management, financial planning, people and culture, and digital infrastructure; ensuring the charity is well-managed, resilient and equipped for future growth.
We’re looking for a proactive, organised and collaborative leader who enjoys improving how organisations work and can balance strategic thinking with practical delivery. Your leadership will help ensure the Ben Kinsella Trust remains a well-governed, financially sustainable and high-performing organisation, enabling us to honour Ben's legacy and prevent knife crime through education and campaigning.
Key Responsibilities- Operations: Lead the development and continuous improvement of operational systems, processes and policies to ensure the charity operates efficiently, consistently and in line with best practice. Oversee organisational project management, ensuring strategic projects are effectively planned, monitored and delivered on time and within budget. Develop and maintain effective systems for organisational planning, reporting and information flow, ensuring senior leaders and trustees have access to timely and accurate information. Identify opportunities to improve efficiency through process redesign, automation and the effective use of technology and digital systems. Provide operational leadership across the organisation, ensuring resources, systems and infrastructure effectively support programme delivery and organisational growth.
- Governance: Lead the charity's governance framework, ensuring compliance with Charity Commission requirements, statutory obligations and internal policies. Maintain the organisation's policy framework, ensuring policies are regularly reviewed, updated and effectively implemented across the charity. Lead organisational risk management, maintaining the risk register and supporting senior leaders and trustees to identify, monitor and mitigate strategic and operational risks. Ensure appropriate compliance with data protection, safeguarding, health and safety, insurance and other regulatory requirements.
- Finance: Lead the charity's financial management, working closely with the CEO and Finance Manager to develop budgets, forecasts and management accounts. Monitor organisational income and expenditure, providing financial analysis and recommendations to support effective decision-making. Oversee financial controls, procurement processes and delegated authorities, ensuring robust stewardship of the charity's resources. Support the preparation of statutory accounts, annual budgets, audits and financial reporting for the Board of Trustees and external stakeholders. Develop financial systems and reporting processes that improve visibility, accountability and organisational planning.
- HR & IT: Lead the development of the charity's people infrastructure, ensuring effective HR policies, systems and processes to support employee wellbeing, performance and compliance. Oversee recruitment, onboarding, performance management and learning and development processes, working with managers to build a high-performing and inclusive culture. Ensure the charity's HR systems and employee records are maintained accurately and comply with employment legislation and GDPR requirements. Lead the organisation's IT strategy and digital infrastructure, ensuring staff have secure, reliable and effective technology to support their work. Oversee cyber security, business continuity, system procurement and relationships with external IT providers, driving continual improvement in digital capability.
- Flexible working opportunities where possible
- 27 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays (rising to 30 days and 33 days after 5 and 10 years’ service, respectively)
- Enhanced sick policy
- Contributory pension scheme
- Cycle to work scheme with the Green Commute Initiative
- Personal development opportunities
Head of Operations in Barking employer: The Ben Kinsella Trust
The Ben Kinsella Trust is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where your leadership can make a real difference in preventing knife crime through education and campaigning. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, flexible working opportunities, and generous annual leave, the Trust fosters a collaborative culture that prioritises personal development and operational excellence. Join us in honouring Ben's legacy while enjoying the unique advantages of working within a dedicated charity committed to impactful change.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Operations in Barking
✨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 The Ben Kinsella Trust.
✨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 The Ben Kinsella Trust.
✨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 The Ben Kinsella Trust.
✨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 The Ben Kinsella Trust. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Operations in Barking
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 The Ben Kinsella Trust. 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 Head of Operations, 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 The Ben Kinsella Trust
✨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 The Ben Kinsella Trust. 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!
