Funeral Service Manager

Job Overview Please note all positions within Funeralcare can involve direct physical contact with the deceased as part of normal duties – the amount of contact will differ dependant on role applied for. Typical duties include but are not limited to preparation, transportation, and personal care of the deceased to be carried out with professionalism, dignity, respect and adherence to health and safety standards. Please carefully consider your comfort levels with these responsibilities before applying. We’re looking for a funeral service manager to join the Co‑op Funeralcare team and help our colleagues deliver the best possible service to our clients. If you can bring amazing people skills combined with real commercial focus, we can offer you the opportunity to make a difference. As a funeral service manager you’ll work with colleagues at all levels, covering between 7 and 15 funeral homes in your region. We’ll look to you to build great relationships, set standards for care and adherence to regulatory compliance, and oversee funeral services and processes to ensure we consistently deliver to the highest possible standards. Responsibilities Lead and coach a team of funeral directors and arrangers across your region. Build strong and effective relationships with colleagues in your area to drive a consistently high standard of funeral service to our clients. Inspire your teams to focus on achieving the highest possible standards of client care in line with business and commercial objectives. Analyse and review management information to spot opportunities and drive continuous improvement and consistency across the wider business. Take an active role in the community; build relationships with other Co‑op businesses and external organisations to promote our services and bring our communities together. Ensure ‘certified colleagues’ are fully supported in reaching and maintaining the required levels of competency for operating in a regulated environment. Ensure ‘non‑certified’ colleagues are operating within regulatory guidelines and processes. Manage resources across the area to ensure funeral plan arrangement cover in the homes where there are no trained colleagues. Take responsibility for any client complaints and issues. Carry out inspections of funeral homes to ensure standards are met and premises are always immaculate, presentable and in line with risk, health and safety standards. Work under FCA regulation – provide all training needed for yourself to become a ‘certified colleague’ and manage the certification requirements of others. Support the development of new and existing staff, including coaching, training and competitive hiring practices. Qualifications Real commercial focus and the ability to spot opportunities and trends. Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail to ensure regulatory policies and processes are always adhered to. Confidence communicating and presenting to all kinds of people. Strong relationship‑building and customer‑service skills. Ability to communicate professionally and sensitively with clients during a difficult time in their lives. An open mind to working with and around the deceased. A full UK manual driving licence. Previous experience managing or coaching multiple points of service within a regulated environment is desirable. Required for certain roles: official BIE qualification for embalming or enrolment in an embalmer apprenticeship if the qualification is not held. Additional qualification to become a funeral director may be upgraded through Level 2 or Level 3 funeral team programmes. Pre‑Employment Screening At the point of selection we will perform DBS (disclosure and barring service) and adverse media checks, an occupational health questionnaire to confirm fitness to perform the role, regulatory references, and a social media activity review on platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. For FCA‑regulated practices, we will carry out FCA and financial integrity checks (excluding credit score checks) to identify any financial sanctions such as CCJs or bankruptcy. Any offer of employment will be conditional upon the completion of these checks. Benefits & Development Competitive salary. Coaching, training and support to help you develop. Pension with up to 10 % employer contributions. Annual incentive scheme. 28 days holiday (increasing with service). Vacation and holidays starting from 31 days per year (includes bank holidays). Discounts on Co‑op branded products in our food stores (30 % off). Wagestream – a money‑management app that gives you access to a portion of your pay as you earn it. Services to support your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Flexible working arrangements to suit your life. Endless career development opportunities, including apprenticeships and degree programmes. Support for creating a good work‑life balance and preventing abuse or harassment in the workplace. Success Profile Forging Relationships. Co‑operation. Teamwork. Empathy. Compassion. Speaking Up. #J-18808-Ljbffr