Head of Operations

Ecruit; London; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading community organization seeks a Head of Operations to oversee HR, Learning, Communications & Marketing, and Community Engagement functions. The ideal candidate has over 5 years of senior management experience, a strong alignment with the Trust’s values, and a commitment to community transformation. This role involves strategic decision-making, team management, and fostering a values-led culture. The position offers a competitive salary, benefits, and the opportunity to contribute to impactful community-oriented projects.

Benefits

Generous holiday entitlement of 25 days per year + statutory bank holidays

Sick pay scheme

Free gym membership

Pension scheme

Life Assurance

Season ticket / bicycle loan

Free eye test voucher

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years’ senior leadership or operational management experience.
• Experience in community or values-led settings preferred.
• Strong planning, writing, and reporting skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage HR, Learning, Marketing, and Community functions.
• Oversee key projects aligned with the Horizon Plan 2025-2028.
• Drive data collection to support the Social Impact Framework.

Skills

Leadership

Conflict resolution

Performance management

Team motivation

Interpersonal skills

Education

Recognised professional qualification

Job description

Head of Operations - £75,000-£80,000 per annum depending on experience - North Kensington, W10

The role

Westway Trust is seeking a dedicated Head of Operations with a minimum of 5 years’ senior leadership or operational management experience in a multi-disciplinary organisation, ideally within a community, charitable, social enterprise or values-led setting.

In this newly created role, you will act as a key advisor, reporting directly into the CEO, and will have responsibility of key areas of the Trust’s operational functions, ensuring the smooth and effective running and delivery of services. You will directly manage the leads of HR, Learning, Communications & Marketing, and Community Engagement, supporting them to deliver high-quality work and develop professionally.

If you are a values-led operational leader who is committed to community transformation and organisational excellence, and thrives on steering strategic decisions, this role is for you!

Key responsibilities of the role include but not limited to:

• Manage HR, Learning, Communications & Marketing, and Community Engagement functions.
• Oversee key projects aligned with the Horizon Plan 2025-2028 in collaboration with the CEO.
• Be an active member of the Executive Team, chaired by the CEO.
• Monitor all projects, ensuring timely reporting of outputs and outcomes.
• Provide operational leadership, promoting performance, values alignment, and team wellbeing.
• Develop planning and performance management tools for effective goal delivery.
• Drive data collection and analysis to support the Social Impact Framework and the Trust’s narrative.
• Report to the CEO with briefings, performance dashboards, and recommendations.
• Represent the Trust at internal and external meetings in line with strategies.
• Ensure compliance with policies and legal requirements (e.g., safeguarding, health & safety).
• Foster collaboration and integration across departments to meet community needs.
• Champion a values-based culture centred on equity, sustainability, openness, and integrity.
• Support organisational development and manage change effectively within the Trust.

Essential Experience, Skills and Attributes:

• At least 5 years’ senior leadership or operational management experience, preferably in a community or values-led setting.
• Proven ability to lead and motivate diverse teams, supporting their professional development.
• Experience in conflict resolution, fostering collaboration, honesty, and transparency for organisational effectiveness.
• Strong planning, organisation, and performance management skills.
• Excellent writing and reporting, with the ability to summarise complex issues for decision-makers.
• Budget management experience, including research and development of departmental budgets.
• Ability to analyse information and create clear, actionable operational plans.
• Strong interpersonal and emotional intelligence skills, providing moral and professional support to teams.
• Experience supporting organisational change, transition, or transformation.
• Proven ability to embed inclusive and equitable practices across teams.
• Strong alignment with the Trust’s values, commitment to anti-racism and community power.

Desirable Experience, Skills and Attributes:

• Previous experience overseeing HR or education/community programmes is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with communications/marketing functions is a plus but not essential.
• Degree-level education together with a recognised professional qualification in any of the fields this role covers - or equivalent lived/professional experience – is highly desirable.

Benefits of working with us:

• Great location in the heart of Portobello, North Kensington
• Generous holiday entitlement of 25 days per year + statutory bank holidays
• Sick pay scheme
• Investor in People (IiP) employer
• Free gym membership at health club one minute walk from the office
• Pension scheme
• Life Assurance
• Season ticket / bicycle loan
• Free eye test voucher.