OPERATIONS MANAGER

The Linking Network

The successful applicant will become part of a dynamic charity that is continuously learning and evolving, building on the foundations of over two decades of leading work to tackle prejudice and inspire community cohesion. You will join a small nurturing and committed team based in the centre of Bradford who are working with schools and communities across the country to make a difference. There is real scope for the successful candidate to shape their role alongside the Directors. For the right candidate we are open to exploring part-time and flexible working options.

The Linking Network inspires and equips schools to support children and young people to build meaningful connections across all forms of difference. We work with 25 Local Authority Areas to deliver a local Schools Linking Programme, collectively reaching 26,000 children, 850 classes in over 500 schools across England. We also work directly with 100 schools locally in Bradford and deliver Intergenerational Linking, reaching around 2,200 pupils in 110 classes and 1000 older people in the Bradford district. For more information on The Linking Nework, please visit our website.

My mum s never going to believe I ve got a new friend who is 100! Primary Intergenerational Linking pupil

Purpose

The successful candidate will be employed by The Linking Network (TLN) in Bradford and work collaboratively as part of a small team and a wide network of committed stakeholders who are working together to inspire community cohesion through schools across the UK. The Operations Manager will have an opportunity to help shape how the organisation runs, playing a pivotal role in ensuring smooth, efficient and compliant operations. The post-holder will have responsibility for the day to day operations and finances of our charity and offer vital administrative and organisational support to TLN s team, Board of Trustees and wider network of partners across the country, helping them to plan ahead and enabling them to fulfil their responsibilities.

This role comes with substantial responsibility, as an integral part of a high-performing team working across the UK. We are a small team that achieves big things. The post holder will need to be versatile, dependable and thrive on working in a fast paced, dynamic and supportive environment. In all that we do, we aim to be thoughtful, collaborative, creative, up to date with national thinking, challenging where needed, action focused and to strive for excellence. The role requires an individual who can be a practical thinker with a flexible approach and attitude, with the ability to act on their own initiative as well as part of a team.

This role will have responsibility in three key areas of our work:

1. Supporting our team and network
2. Managing our general operations
3. Managing our finances

The key responsibilities are described in more detail below; these are subject to change as the needs of the charity evolve over time. Training and support will be available for the successful candidate depending on experience.

Key responsibilities

Supporting our team and network

Contribute to organisational planning and reporting cycles, in pursuit of our collective vision to inspire community cohesion across the country

Assist the Directors through diary management, prioritising where needed and supporting preparation before meetings

Provide general administration support to the team such as booking meeting rooms, arranging travel and maintaining a comprehensive filing system

Develop our internal processes and support our team meetings with clear agendas and actions

Support the team to plan and deliver stakeholder meetings and events (e.g., celebration events with our schools and communities), including through sourcing the right venue, managing the guestlist and liaising with speakers

Help the team develop compelling presentations, training aids, handouts or other communications

Provide general support to TLN s Local Areas, for example booking training sessions, printing and posting key materials or following up on agreed actions

Enable the team to plan effective Network meetings, ensuring the right materials are shared in advance and notes of key points and actions circulated promptly afterwards

Request and organise accurate records for TLN s local areas across the country so that we understand our collective work across schools and communities

Managing our general operations

Help foster a supportive, inclusive and values-driven working culture

Support staff recruitment, induction, development and training, working with the Directors to manage HR records including annual leave

Work with external providers to ensure the team have the right IT systems and support

Maintain and update TLN s website and web-based resources, working alongside the team and our contracted website developer

Manage the office space and supplies to ensure that the team has the required resources to achieve their objectives

Provide administration support to the Board of Trustees, including organising meetings, circulating board papers and taking minutes

Coordinate the implementation of key policies – including Safeguarding, Health & Safety and GDPR – ensuring the policies are kept up to date with support from the Directors and Trustees and all relevant procedures are in place

Ensure the charity s insurance, Health & Safety and DBS certificates are up to date and maintain a single central record of safeguarding training and DBS certificates

Managing our finances

Monitor organisational spend against budget, ensuring the timely spending of restricted funds and value-for-money procurement

Manage payroll and staff expenses and keep finance records up to date

Administer grants to TLN s Local Areas, ensuring all contracts are signed, invoices are requested and payments are made on time

With the support of the Directors and our contracted accountants, prepare monthly management accounts, the year end statutory accounts and budgets for the year ahead and funding applications

Support the team to develop effective reports that communicate the progress of our work to funders and other key stakeholders

Ensure all funders receive invoices and any reporting requirements within their deadlines