Head of Operations

New Wine; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

New Wine Trust in London, United Kingdom, seeks a Head of Operations to lead the organisation's operational function, ensuring staff, systems, governance and infrastructure align with our mission. This role reports to the Director of Operations and covers safeguarding, governance, and continuous improvement across operations.

The position is 0.8 FTE but described as full-time 35 hours per week, with hybrid working and some travel for annual events and major conferences.

Qualifications

• Leadership and people-management experience desirable.
• Strong governance and compliance awareness.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day Operations, ensuring delivery across all operational activities.
• Oversee HR processes, safeguarding, governance, and organisational systems.
• Develop and implement operational strategies and budgets; support board and executive teams.

Job description

New Wine Trust London, England, United Kingdom

42,000

45,000

Description of Job

Job Title: Head of Operations

Reporting to: Director of Operations

Hours: 0.8 - Full Time (35 hours)

Contract: Permanent

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The Head of Operations leads New Wine's operational function, ensuring the organisation has the people, systems, governance and operational infrastructure needed to fulfil its vision of seeing local churches changing nations.

Reporting to the Director of Operations, the Head of Operations is responsible for the day-to-day leadership of Operations, overseeing people processes, safeguarding, governance, compliance, organisational systems and operational planning. The role ensures that operational excellence underpins every aspect of New Wine's ministry.

Working closely with leaders across the organisation, the Head of Operations develops effective systems, manages organisational risk, and leads continual improvement across operational processes while creating an environment in which staff and volunteers can flourish.

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Roles and Responsibilities

1. Operational Leadership

• Lead the day-to-day Operations function, ensuring effective delivery across all operational activities.
• Implement the operational strategy established by the Director of Operations.
• Lead and develop the Operations Assistant, providing clear priorities, support and regular supervision.
• Ensure operational priorities are delivered efficiently across the organisation.
• Deputise for the Director of Operations on operational matters where appropriate.
• Lead continuous improvement across operational systems, processes and ways of working.

2. People Operations

• Lead New Wine's people operations, ensuring excellent staff experience throughout the employee lifecycle.
• Manage recruitment processes, safer recruitment, onboarding and offboarding.
• Prepare contracts, secondments, role profiles and employment documentation.
• Support managers with HR processes, performance management and employee relations.
• Coordinate staff wellbeing initiatives and contribute to a healthy organisational culture.
• Oversee HR systems and employee records, ensuring accuracy and compliance.

3. Safeguarding

• Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for the organisation.
• Lead the operational response to safeguarding concerns, ensuring appropriate triage, recording and escalation.
• Maintain safeguarding records and reporting systems.
• Deliver safeguarding training and support across the organisation.
• Support the Safeguarding Subcommittee and contribute to the ongoing development of safeguarding policies and procedures.
• Promote a culture of safeguarding, accountability and best practice throughout New Wine.

4. Governance and Compliance

• Lead the operational delivery of New Wine's governance framework.
• Prepare Board and Committee agendas and governance papers.
• Ensure governance records, registers and statutory documentation are maintained.
• Lead the review and implementation of organisational policies.
• Oversee compliance with GDPR, Health & Safety and internal operational procedures.
• Coordinate organisational insurance renewals and day-to-day broker relationships.
• Monitor compliance activities and ensure organisational records remain current.

5. Operational Systems and Infrastructure

• Oversee New Wine's operational systems and office infrastructure.
• Manage relationships with office, IT and operational suppliers.
• Lead the development of operational processes that improve organisational effectiveness.
• Oversee workplace technology, software licences and operational resources.
• Manage operational budgets delegated by the Director of Operations.
• Ensure operational systems support organisational growth and efficiency.

6. Board and Executive Support

• Lead the operational support provided to the Board of Trustees and Board Subcommittees.
• Work closely with the Director of Operations to coordinate governance processes and annual governance cycles.
• Oversee Board administration, ensuring high-quality papers, minutes and action tracking.
• Coordinate organisational planning meetings and maintain operational action plans.
• Manage internal operational communications where appropriate.

7. Events and Organisational Operations

• Lead operational planning for New Wine's major events, including the Summer Festival, Leadership Conference and staff gatherings.
• Support the Site Command Team by coordinating operational planning, documentation and reporting processes.
• Coordinate OneTeam events and internal staff gatherings.
• Work closely with the Head of Events to ensure operational systems effectively support event delivery.

8. Financial and Contract Management

• Monitor the Operations budget and delegated expenditure.
• Manage office, IT and operational supplier contracts.
• Oversee procurement processes for operational services.
• Support the Director of Operations with financial planning relating to operational services.

9. Organisational Culture

• Foster a collaborative, servant-hearted and solutions-focused culture within the Operations Team.
• Model New Wine's values and contribute positively to the wider staff community.
• Participate fully in staff prayer days, team days and organisational gatherings.
• Encourage continuous learning, operational excellence and innovation.

The above list of job deliverables is open and partial, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

0.8 - Full time (35 hours a week), including weekly (Tuesday) in-person team meetings in London. The rhythm is as follows: All-staff meetings on 1st and 3rd week of the month, and individual Operational team days on the 2nd and 4th week of the month. The nature of this role means that some travel and working away from home will be required, as agreed in advance. Specifically, the Head of Operations must be available for the annual leadership conference and the New Wine summer festival.

Places of Work

This role is eligible for hybrid and flexible working, with a minimum of 1 day in the London office a week

Supervision

The post holder will receive regular supervision from the Director of Operations.

This post is subject to an occupational requirement that the holder be a practising Christian under Part 1 of Schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010.

This job description is intended to summarise the primary responsibilities and qualifications for this position. The job description is not intended to include all duties an individual in this position might be asked to perform or all capabilities that may be required now or in the future. New Wine reserves the right to revise the duties outlined in this job description at its discretion.

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New Wine is a Christian charity based in London operating all over England actively working with local churches to change nations.