Senior Head of Operations

Worcester, Worcestershire
RLSS UK

Senior Head of Operations

CONTRACT: Permanent, Full Time (35 hours per week)

ORGANISATION: Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK)

DIRECTORATE: Corporate Services

LOCATION: RLSS UK HQ, Worcester/Hybrid (3 days per week at HQ)

REPORTS TO: Chief Executive Officer

DIRECT REPORTS: HR Manager, Interim Head of Compliance, Head of Business Systems and IT

SALARY: £48,000 to £52,000 per annum

ABOUT RLSS UK

The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) is the national charity supporting communities of all backgrounds to enjoy water safely and be free from drowning. Our vision is to have ‘Communities free from drowning’ and our strategic framework details our goals over this period.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Senior Head of Operations will play a central leadership role within RLSS UK, ensuring the charity operates effectively and efficiently. The successful candidate will lead and support the RLSS UK HR, Business Systems and IT, and Compliance departments and provide high quality decision support to senior managers on areas within this portfolio. This is a strategic and hands-on operational role overseeing key areas of the corporate services directorate.

Our current Regulatory bodies are:

• The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation, Ofqual in England.
• The Council for the Curriculum, Examinations & Assessment, CCEA in Northern Ireland.
• Qualifications Wales, QW in Wales.

Maintaining and exceeding the standards, policies and procedures of these bodies are essential for ensuring our Awarding Organisation and Awarding Body status with the respective Regulators, enabling us to offer regulated qualifications. We also maintain compliance with the Charity Commission, Companies House and the Fundraising Regulator.

Working closely with the CEO and Senior Leadership Team, the postholder will help manage the organisation’s systems and culture needed to support high-quality delivery across a growing water safety education charity.

The role will suit someone who thrives in dynamic organisations, enjoys problem solving and optimising systems, understanding and making sense of complexity, and is motivated by supporting teams to deliver meaningful impact and achieving the organisation’s purpose ‘To prevent drowning, so everyone can enjoy water safely’.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Organisational Leadership & Operations

• Lead and oversee day-to-day organisational operations across the HR, Business Systems and IT, and Compliance functions
• Develop and improve internal systems, processes, and operational procedures
• Support organisational planning and delivery
• Work closely with the CEO and senior managers to support organisational growth and resilience
• Contribute to organisational decision-making and leadership culture
• Attend Board meetings and committees where required, and any other such Leadership Team functions where necessary
• Build effective relations across departments to support organisational excellence
• Always demonstrate and uphold the Society’s values and behavioural standards.

People & HR Management

• Ensure effective, legally compliant policies and procedures are in place to support the recruitment, development, and retention of a high performing workforce
• Support the development and implementation of HR initiatives that build and underpin equality, diversity and inclusion, learning and development, wellbeing, and employee engagement
• Lead on the development and presentation of recommendations for annual pay and benefits review
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and staff development processes
• Help foster a positive, inclusive, and high-performing workplace culture
• Support managers with operational people-management matters

Compliance

• Ensure that standards, policies, and procedures meet and exceed the regulatory requirements set by our regulatory bodies
• Ensure compliance with RLSS UK regulators
• Oversee organisational risk management systems
• Ensure appropriate insurance, contracts, and compliance frameworks are in place
• Lead on operational health and safety systems and organisational compliance

Organisational Systems

• Support organisational budgeting and financial monitoring alongside the finance and Senior Leadership teams
• Oversee operational procurement and contract management systems
• Support implementation and optimisation of organisational systems, including Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and IT systems including cyber security
• Improve internal reporting and programme coordination systems

Programme & Delivery Support

• Support operational coordination across RLSS UK programmes and projects
• Help ensure teams are appropriately resourced and supported
• Improve organisational project management systems and workflows
• Support efficient collaboration across delivery teams
• Contribute to organisational development opportunities and partnerships

Other Duties & Responsibilities

• All other duties reasonably associated with your role, as directed by the Line Manager
• Ensure compliance with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 by complying with internal information governance policies and maintaining up-to-date documentation as part of RLSS UK’s compliance programme
• To help create an inclusive working environment where diversity is valued, everyone can contribute, and everyday actions ensure we meet our duty to uphold and promote equality

This job description is not to be regarded as exclusive or exhaustive. It is intended as an outline indication of areas of activity and responsibility and will be amended in the light of the changing needs of the organisation.

PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential Relevant Experience, Skills, and/or Aptitudes

• Significant experience in operational management, organisational leadership or business management
• Experience developing and improving organisational systems and processes
• Strong understanding of HR, Compliance and organisational Risk Management, and Business Systems & IT
• Demonstrable experience supporting HR and people-management processes
• Excellent organisational and project management skills
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to work strategically while also being comfortable with operational detail
• Experience managing competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
• High level of integrity and dependability
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and multi-tasking skills, with the ability to work to tight deadlines, and pick up new information and apply at pace
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and organisational software systems

Desirable Relevant Experience, Skills, and/or Aptitudes

• Experience working within the charity sector
• Knowledge of charity governance and funding environments
• Experience supporting organisational growth and change management
• Familiarity with CRM systems and operational databases
• Understanding of health and safety systems

We are looking for someone who:

• Is highly organised, proactive, and solutions-focused
• Enjoys enabling others to succeed
• Can balance strategic thinking with practical delivery
• Is calm and adaptable in a growing organisation
• Has a positive, can-do attitude and demonstrates RLSS UK values
• Has strong emotional intelligence and leadership skills

YOUR APPLICATION
Please send your CV and a Cover Letter outlining your suitability for the post

Closing Date – 11.59pm, Thursday 23 July 2026

Interview Date – Thursday 30 July 2026 at our Worcester Head Office (subject to change)

WHAT RLSS UK CAN OFFER YOU

• Annual Leave based on 27 days + Bank Holidays + a discretionary day off for your birthday
• Private Healthcare Plan
• Enhanced Society Sick Pay
• Eye Care
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Life Assurance Scheme
• Salary Sacrifice Pension Scheme
• Discounts available including high street brands, entertainment, eating out and more
• Free RLSS UK Membership
• Free tea and coffee when working from HQ, including access to our wonderful Coffee Machine
• Free on-site parking when working from HQ
• Company events and socials

Subject to eligibility criteria

Should you wish to discuss the role, any adjustments you may require throughout the recruitment process, or have any questions, please get in touch where a member of the RLSS UK HR Department will be happy to help.

RLSS UK are a Disability Confident Committed Employer and an INclusive Worcestershire Leader.