At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage operations to support life-changing work for children affected by trauma.
- Company: Join the Mulberry Bush, a charity dedicated to helping troubled children thrive.
- Benefits: 33 days holiday, wellbeing support, pension contributions, and subsidised meals.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a supportive environment focused on healing and growth.
- Qualifications: Experience in operations management, project management skills, and strong communication abilities.
- Other info: Be part of a family-like team committed to safeguarding and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 33900 - 45500 £ per year.
Location: Mulberry Bush, Witney, Oxfordshire.
Salary: £39,958 - £47,957
Job type: Permanent, full-time.
Hours: 37.5 hours a week, Monday to Friday
About the role
As Operations Manager, you'll play a vital role in keeping the Mulberry Bush running smoothly behind the scenes, so that life-changing work with those affected by childhood trauma can flourish. You will work closely with teams across the organisation, overseeing systems, governance and key operational projects that shape our long-term sustainability. From strengthening processes to managing vital partnerships, your work will help create the foundations that enable those who have been troubled and traumatised as children to heal, grow and thrive.
We’ll look to you to:
- Operations & Systems
- Manage relationships with IT providers, ensuring reliable systems
- Review and streamline operational processes
- Monitor performance and ensure high standards across key charity policies and contracts
- Provide regular operational updates and risk assessments to senior leaders
- Governance & Compliance
- Oversee commercial and legal matters, working closely with legal partners
- Strengthen governance frameworks, lead GDPR compliance and ensure secure handling of sensitive data
- Establish and maintain robust data storage, retention and access systems
- Develop and maintain a business continuity plan
- Leadership & Projects
- Lead major operational projects from planning through to delivery, ensuring they’re completed on time and within budget
- Support charity-wide accreditation and quality assurance processes
- Contribute to a culture rooted in our values, safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion
We’ll care for you too
You’re not just part of a team, you’re part of our family. Support echoes through every part of our community, and your colleagues are always here to lend a hand or share a smile. We also offer the following benefits to make your journey with us even more rewarding:
- 33 days holiday each year (including public holidays).
- A comprehensive range of informal and formal wellbeing support.
- Employer contribution pension of 6%.
- Enhanced parental leave benefits.
- Subsidised meals.
About you
You’ll bring sound judgement, resilience and a calm, practical approach. You’re someone who can see the bigger picture while still paying attention to the details that matter. You’re comfortable working independently, but you thrive in collaboration and know how to build trusted relationships. Most of all, you’re motivated by purpose. You understand that strong operations aren’t just about systems, they’re about creating stability and safety.
You’ll also bring:
- Proven experience in operations management, ideally within a charity or non-profit setting
- Experience managing IT contracts, digital systems and service providers
- Strong project management skills, with a track record of delivering improvements on time and within budget
- Experience drafting, reviewing and implementing policies and procedures
- Knowledge of GDPR, data protection and secure data handling
- Confidence interpreting and managing commercial and legal contracts
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work across teams and with external partners
- A clear commitment to safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion
About the Mulberry Bush
The Mulberry Bush is the charity that exists to support those who were troubled and traumatised as children. We help them feel listened to, understood, and supported to make positive change. For over 75 years, our expertise has been embedded in our therapeutic residential school. Today, we also extend this specialist knowledge across education, health, social care, justice, and community settings, offering outreach services, training, consultancy, research, and thought leadership to develop trauma-informed, relational and reflective organisational cultures. By empowering others to use our approach, we increase understanding, raise standards, and positively influence the systems around children, young people, families and communities. Our mission is to ensure every individual we support – directly or indirectly – has the opportunity to live their own version of their 'best life'.
Apply now
If you believe that you have the experience and expertise required to succeed in this role, please submit your CV via the 'Apply for this job' button. All applicants shortlisted must be willing to complete an application form for regulatory purposes. If you have any questions about the role or the work we do, please email the HR team at The Mulberry Bush is an equal-opportunity employer. It is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable people and expects all staff and students to share this commitment. Applicants must have the appropriate right to work in the UK. For applicants requiring visas, we can only accept those with visas which allow you to work in the UK indefinitely (we do not have the ability to offer sponsorship). This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore candidates must be prepared to undertake a DBS criminal background check.
Selection process
- Attend an initial team interview.
- Complete an application form (this is a requirement of our safer recruitment policy).
- Attend a face-to-face interview.
- Participate in the DBS criminal background checking process.
Operations Manager in Witney employer: The Mulberry Bush Organisation Ltd
Contact Detail:
The Mulberry Bush Organisation Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Manager in Witney
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those connected to the Mulberry Bush. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that a job description just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation's values and mission. Show us how your experience aligns with our goals, especially around supporting those affected by childhood trauma.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your skills in operations management can help us strengthen processes and improve our systems. Confidence is key!
✨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 you’re serious about joining our family at the Mulberry Bush.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Manager in Witney
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Operations Manager role. Highlight your experience in operations management, especially within a charity or non-profit setting, to show us you’re the right fit.
Showcase Your Projects: When detailing your work history, focus on specific projects you've led. We want to see your project management skills in action, so mention how you delivered improvements on time and within budget.
Communicate Clearly: Your written application is our first impression of you, so make it count! Use clear and concise language, and ensure your passion for supporting those affected by childhood trauma shines through.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates from our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Mulberry Bush Organisation Ltd
✨Know Your Operations Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the operations of the Mulberry Bush. Understand their systems, governance, and key projects. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you discuss how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Be ready to share specific examples of projects you've managed in the past. Highlight how you delivered improvements on time and within budget, as this is crucial for the Operations Manager role. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Demonstrate Your Understanding of Compliance
Brush up on GDPR and data protection regulations. Be prepared to discuss how you've handled sensitive data in previous roles and how you would ensure compliance at the Mulberry Bush. This shows that you take governance seriously.
✨Emphasise Your People Skills
As an Operations Manager, building trusted relationships is key. Prepare to talk about how you've collaborated with teams and external partners in the past. Share anecdotes that highlight your communication skills and commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.