Operations Manager

Black Cultural Archives; London Borough of Lambeth; Hybrid; GBP 34,000 - 43,000; Part time

Job summary

Black Cultural Archives (BCA) is seeking an interim Operations Manager to join the CEO and fortify operational foundations during a period of growth. You will lead with practical, hands-on improvements across governance, compliance, facilities, systems and HR.

The role is hybrid (3 days at Brixton offices) and focuses on delivering robust processes, risk management and efficient operations to support BCA’s mission and community engagement.

Qualifications

• Extensive operations management experience in charity/public sectors.
• Strong GDPR and risk/compliance knowledge.
• Experience with health and safety and building compliance.
• HR processes management experience.
• Excellent project management and organisational skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead GDPR compliance review and data management improvements.
• Develop and implement clear policies, procedures, and controls.
• Embed regulatory compliance across the organisation.

Skills

Operations management

Project management

Compliance & risk

HR processes

GDPR knowledge

Contractor oversight

Independent working

Job description

Operations Manager

Black Cultural Archives (BCA)

Hybrid, with 3 days per week at BCA’s offices in Brixton

£24.72 PAYE, plus £2.98 holiday pay per hour (£45,000 FTE)

Temporary, 2-3 months

21-35 hours per week (full-time or part-time considered)

Charity People are seeking an experienced and highly practical Interim Operations Manager to work alongside the CEO and help strengthen the operational foundations of the charity through a period of growth and development.

Black Cultural Archives is the home of Black British History. Founded in 1981, BCA exists to collect, preserve and celebrate the histories of people of African and Caribbean descent in the UK, inspiring and strengthening individuals, communities, and society. BCA is a nationally significant charity, archive, heritage centre and community space, welcoming thousands of visitors, researchers, and community members each year through exhibitions, learning programmes, events, and its unique collections

This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who enjoys bringing order, structure and effective processes to organisations undergoing change.

The CEO is currently managing a broad range of operational responsibilities, and we are looking for an experienced Operations professional who can quickly assess priorities, identify risks, and implement practical solutions across governance, compliance, facilities, systems, and HR.

Reporting to the CEO, you will lead with recommendations for improvements, ensuring the charity has robust systems, processes, and controls in place to support its important mission and future growth.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead a review of GDPR compliance, data management practices, and organisational systems
• Develop and implement clear policies, procedures, and controls
• Create practical frameworks to ensure regulatory compliance is embedded across the organisation
• Improve document management, information governance and organisational record keeping
• Review current health and safety arrangements across the building
• Ensure all statutory compliance requirements are met and appropriately documented
• Act as the lead coordinator for facilities management and building related projects
• Oversee maintenance schedules and contractor relationships
• Review current organisational systems and identify opportunities for consolidation and improvement
• Improve access to information and operational knowledge management
• Support recruitment activity where required
• Support organisational planning and prioritisation
• Contribute to a positive, collaborative, and inclusive working culture

You will bring:

• Significant experience in operations management within the charity, heritage, cultural, education or public sectors
• Strong knowledge of GDPR, organisational compliance and risk management
• Experience overseeing health and safety and building compliance
• Knowledge of facilities management and contractor oversight
• Experience managing HR processes
• Excellent project management and organisational skills
• Confidence working independently and managing multiple priorities
• A collaborative, solution-focused and pragmatic approach

Experience supporting small to medium-sized charities through periods of organisational improvement would be particularly valuable for this temporary position.

Black Cultural Archives is committed to building a team that reflects the communities whose histories and experiences they preserve and celebrate. We particularly welcome applications from black candidates and candidates of African and Caribbean heritage, who are currently underrepresented within the heritage sector’s leadership roles. The appointment will be made following a fair and inclusive recruitment process. BCA is an equal opportunities employers who welcomes applications form all groups.

A basic DBS will be required once in this role.

Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.