Head of Operations

**Head of Operations - Reading Central and Abbey Quarter Business Improvement**

Permanent

Full time 37 hours

Ref: DEN0737

RG7- scp 33-36

**£37,568 - £40,578**

Our small, dynamic, business focussed team is recruiting a Head of Operations. The Business Improvement District (BID) is helping make Reading a safer, cleaner, greener, and more attractive place to live, visit and work and this role will be central to that.We are looking for someone dedicated to improving Reading town centre for all who live, work and visit.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

**About the role**

As a first point of contact for BID levy paying businesses you will be able to build positive relationships with the town centre retailers and organisations, late night venues and stakeholder partners. You will be expected to collect and analyse BID LevyPayers (customer) feedback and proposing creative solutions and new projects and services as a result.

Key areas of responsibility include:

- Day to day supervision of Business Wardens
- Check and update CRM system
- Engage with retailers and businesses regularly
- Meet and introduce new businesses to the BID services
- Provide regular newsletter updates to BID businesses
- Assist in the organising and running of events and seeking ideas for new experiences in the town

You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successfuland vibrant place. Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
**Work Together as one team** - champion and inspire a culture which ensures that all employees across the organisation work together to provide excellent outcomes for Reading

**Drive Efficiency** - create an environment in which resources are used efficiently and employees’ skills are developed and used effectively

**Be Ambitious -** aspire to deliver excellence and inspire and support others to reach their potential

**Make a Difference to Reading** - inspire a culture in which the customer is the focus and where change is welcomed as an opportunity

**About you**

We’re looking for someone who knows, understands, and has a passion for Reading, has experience in improving their living or working environment, loves face to face customer relations, can build and maintain good working relationships within professional,commercial office and retail situations. A person who can deliver a high quality of customer service and operational standards while maintaining a helpful and positive manner. You will be confident in dealing with difficult situations and be able to communicatewith high quality verbal and written skills. You will also be pro-active keen to explore new ideas and opportunities and a good listener

**Specific requirements**
- Working within, or with, private companies in a relationship building role
- Experience in working with varied external partners and stakeholders
- Able to deliver services and find solutions to a high standard
- Competent in using MS Office packages and knowledge of CRM systems/databases
- Able to demonstrable interest in how our town centres grow, adapt, and develop in the future

**Our offer**

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

- Generous holiday entitlement - 24 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 32 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
- A wide range of flexible working opportunities
- Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
- On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted, and a salary sacrifice scheme to help lower the cost of your nursery fees
- Season Ticket Loan - to help with the cost of your rail/ bus journey, to & from work
- Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax

Closing Date: 10th July

Interview Date: 19th July