Charity Operations Manager

Job description

We are looking for an experienced Manager to guide our team and support the Charity Director with the growth of our charity.

About Interakt

Interakt Community is a UK-based charity committed to supporting adults with learning difficulties as well as sensory, and physical challenges that empowers through the prism of the arts, developing confidence, communication, creativity, and collaboration.

The Operations Manager will play a pivotal role in supporting the Charity Director, ensuring that all day-to-day activities run smoothly, that delivery meets our standards, and that the team is supported to thrive.

This is an exciting opportunity to join an established charity and be part of the development of its ambitious future.

Purpose of the Role

The Charity Operations Manager will take ownership of the day to day operational delivery of Interakt's core activities. You will manage the planning, scheduling and facilitation of the sessions; oversee a small operations team (session facilitators, business admin, Bookkeeper); ensure compliance, processes and procedures are in place; and support the organisation's growth and operational effectiveness

Key Responsibilities

Session & Programme Delivery

Oversee the day-to-day management of all sessions: planning, scheduling, and resources are arranged and facilitators are working effectively, as a team, towards a united goal.

Work with the facilitators to maintain high standards of safeguarding, session delivery & quality, , participant experience and inclusion.

Monitor attendance, participant feedback and outcomes; ensure monitoring and evaluation data is captured and reported.

Troubleshoot issues in session delivery (facilitator absence, session structure, session content, participant concerns) and ensure continuity.

Work with session delivery team and Charity Director to communicate communications to the participants guardians/care homes/ parents.

Collaborate with other senior team members, including the board of trustees to align session schedules with organisational goals.

Team Management & Support

Line-manage the small team: session facilitators, business admin support, and work alongside the Bookkeeper. Provide coaching, supervision, performance reviews and professional development.

Foster a positive, inclusive and collaborative team culture.

Allocate workloads, manage rotas, cover arrangements and ensure team resilience.

Be part of the recruitment process, induction and training of new facilitators and support staff as necessary.

Operations, Finance & Administration

Work closely with the Bookkeeper to oversee financial operations relevant to sessions: budgets for sessions, facilitator fees, travel/expenses and resources.

Ensure administrative systems are robust: scheduling software, attendance registers, invoicing, record-keeping, risk assessments, health and safety compliance, safeguarding disclosures.

Work with the Charity Director to draft and implement policies and procedures for operations: session standards, safeguarding, equality, risk management, data protection.

Strategic & Organisational Support

Contribute to the strategic planning of Interakt, including growth of session reach, exploring new delivery models, and continuous improvement of operational processes.

Produce operational reports for the Charity Director and Board: session metrics, staff performance, budgets, risk register updates.

Work with the Charity Director and Board of Trustees to support grant applications: providing data, costings, feasibility and operational perspective.

Stay informed about sector best-practice in charity operations, group delivery, safeguarding and community engagement.

Person Specification

Essential Experience & Skills

Proven experience in operations management within the charity, third sector or community engagement environment.

Experience managing a team (staff and/or facilitators) and overseeing day-to-day delivery of programmes or sessions.

Strong organisational and project-management skills: able to plan, prioritise, meet deadlines, coordinate multiple programmes.

Budgetary experience: understanding of basic financial management, liaising with finance/accounting teams.

Excellent interpersonal skills: ability to work with facilitators, participants from diverse backgrounds, and external partners.

Clear understanding of safeguarding, health & safety, inclusion and equality issues.

Confident using digital tools (including Microsoft Office) and comfortable implementing and improving systems.

Strong written and verbal communication skills; comfortable producing reports and presenting to senior management or trustees.

A self-starter with a proactive approach and ability to adapt in a small charity environment.

Full UK driving licence with no restrictions.

Desirable Attributes

Experience in arts, community development and/or the LD community.

Experience with monitoring and evaluation in a service delivery context.

Experience in service development as a complete process.

Personal Qualities

Enthusiastic champion for the charity's mission, values and inclusive culture.

Reliable and accountable, with attention to detail and a commitment to quality.

Collaborative and nurturing team-player, but comfortable taking confident initiative and ownership.

Flexible and responsive: able to respond to changing session needs and participant number

Terms & Benefits

Salary: £27,500-£30,000 per annum dependent on experience

Pension: After 3 months a post holder that would enrolled in our NEST pension program

20 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Flexible working where appropriate (with requirement to be present at venue sessions)

Professional development opportunities

Occasional evening or weekend sessions may be required (time off in lieu provided