Funeral Operations Manager

Life Services Group; Walthamstow; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

4% pension

Employee discounts (MyStaffShop)

24/7 Employee Assistance Programme

Training and development

Free on-site parking

Job summary

Life Services Group is seeking an experienced Funeral Operations Manager (Care Centre Lead) to oversee the Walthamstow Care Centre. You will lead a cross-functional team of funeral operatives, embalmers and supervisors, plan rotas, vehicles and resources, and ensure compassionate, compliant care for families during every stage of the process.

The role requires proven leadership in busy operations, a calm, organised approach, and a strong commitment to dignity and safety.

Qualifications

• Has proven experience leading teams in a busy operational, logistics or service-led environment.
• Is confident planning people, vehicles and resources, and stays calm when things get busy.
• Is comfortable working with people who have died, and understands why caring for them with dignity matters so much.
• Has solid knowledge of regulatory compliance and health & safety.
• Is a clear, honest communicator who can work well across different sites and teams.
• Holds a Full UK Driving Licence (essential).
• Is happy to work flexibly, including out-of-hours support when needed.

Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day running of the Care Centre, setting the standard for how we care for people who have died
• Manage, coach and develop a team of funeral operatives, embalmers and supervisors
• Make sure everyone in our care is looked after with dignity and respect, and that every funeral runs on time and as the family wished
• Plan staff rotas, vehicles and resources across multiple funeral homes so we always have the right people in the right place
• Keep the site safe, compliant and efficient, meeting regulatory, health & safety and company standards
• Carry out regular audits and quality checks, and act quickly on what they show
• Look after the site's budget, equipment and supplies so the team always has what it needs
• Work closely with our funeral directors and arranging teams so families get a joined-up service
• Support out-of-hours work when needed, including bringing people who have died into our care
• Build a team culture of pride, accountability and continuous improvement

Skills

Team leadership

Operations planning

Regulatory compliance

Health & safety knowledge

Clear communication

Driving licence

Out-of-hours flexibility

Job description

Position: Funeral Operations Manager (known internally as Care Centre Lead)

Location: Walthamstow Care Centre, East London

Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Salary: £45,000 per annum

We're looking for an experienced operations leader to manage our Walthamstow Care Centre as Funeral Operations Manager.

Our Care Centre is where we look after people who have died, from the moment they come into our care until the day of their funeral. The team there supports around 900 funerals a year for our funeral homes across North and East London, and we're looking for a calm, organised leader who cares deeply about getting every detail right.

Why This Role Matters

When someone dies, their family trusts us to look after the person they love. The care we give in our Care Centre is a big part of keeping that trust. Your leadership will make sure every person in our care is treated with dignity and respect, and that every funeral happens exactly as the family planned it.

The Role

You'll be responsible for the smooth running of the Care Centre. You'll lead a team of funeral operatives, embalmers and supervisors, plan schedules, vehicles and resources so every funeral runs on time, and keep the site safe, compliant and well organised. You'll work closely with our funeral directors and the teams who arrange funerals with families, and you'll be the senior person on site day to day.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the day-to-day running of the Care Centre, setting the standard for how we care for people who have died
• Manage, coach and develop a team of funeral operatives, embalmers and supervisors
• Make sure everyone in our care is looked after with dignity and respect, and that every funeral runs on time and as the family wished
• Plan staff rotas, vehicles and resources across multiple funeral homes so we always have the right people in the right place
• Keep the site safe, compliant and efficient, meeting regulatory, health & safety and company standards
• Carry out regular audits and quality checks, and act quickly on what they show
• Look after the site's budget, equipment and supplies so the team always has what it needs
• Work closely with our funeral directors and arranging teams so families get a joined-up service
• Support out-of-hours work when needed, including bringing people who have died into our care
• Build a team culture of pride, accountability and continuous improvement

About You

We're looking for someone who:

• Has proven experience leading teams in a busy operational, logistics or service-led environment. Experience in the funeral sector is welcome but not essential, as full training is provided
• Is confident planning people, vehicles and resources, and stays calm when things get busy
• Is comfortable working with people who have died, and understands why caring for them with dignity matters so much
• Has solid knowledge of regulatory compliance and health & safety
• Is a clear, honest communicator who can work well across different sites and teams
• Holds a Full UK Driving Licence (essential)
• Is happy to work flexibly, including out-of-hours support when needed

What We Offer

• Time to recharge - 25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, giving you valuable time to rest, recharge and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
• Planning for your future - 4% matched pension to help you build long-term financial security.
• Everyday savings and perks - Access to MyStaffShop, our employee rewards platform, offering savings across high street and online retailers, alongside eyecare support, flu jab reimbursement and lifestyle discounts.
• Support when you need it - Access to a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme, occupational health services and confidential counselling.
• Learn and grow with us - Ongoing training and development, including internal learning pathways and apprenticeship opportunities.
• Making work easier - Free on-site parking available at most of our locations.

We couldn't provide this essential service without our people. If you want to lead a team that takes real pride in caring for people who have died and the families who love them, we'd love to hear from you.

Why Dignity Funeral Directors

Dignity Funeral Directors helps families say goodbye to the people they love with simplicity, dignity, kindness and exceptional care. Every day, our funeral teams support families through some of life's hardest moments. As part of Life Services Group, Dignity Funeral Directors brings our three EVP pillars to life: meaningful work, being there when families need us most; grow with us, through training, support and career-building; and shape the future, by making funeral care more connected, modern and human.

Dignity Funeral Directors is part of Life Services Group; the group bringing together Dignity Funeral Directors, CMG, Simplicity Cremations, Dignity Legal Services and Farewill. Together, we can support families across more of the end-of-life journey, while each brand keeps the name, identity and community connection people already know. For Dignity Funeral Directors, that means more investment in better training, stronger local support and better tools for our funeral teams, so colleagues can grow with us and do their best work for families.

You'll be part of a close-knit team who look out for each other, take real pride in their work and play a direct part in shaping a better experience for families in your community. No two days are the same, and the work you do is noticed and valued.

If you want meaningful work, the chance to grow with us and a role where you can help shape the future of funeral care, find your Life's work.

FCA Statement

Please note that this role is subject to meeting regulatory requirements. As an FCA-regulated organisation, we are committed to adopting the highest standards and we do this by employing individuals with the appropriate skills, experience and integrity to protect both the company and our clients. If you are considered for a role, you will be providing your permission for us to conduct the relevant checks and assessments that will be carried out during the recruitment and onboarding process. The nature of the checks will depend on whether the role is subject to the Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SMCR).

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

Our Vision is to connect with our clients, colleagues, company and communities based on our principles whilst celebrating our differences.

We aim to empower leaders and colleagues to seek out and understand new voices and perspectives; to be vocal about inequity and exclusion, and to take decisive, informed and bold action to promote inclusion and belonging.

Any unsolicited submissions from agencies will be accepted as a direct application from the candidate and no fees will be payable.

We reserve the right depending on application numbers to close or extend the closing dates for positions; we would therefore recommend an early application.