Senior Operations Manager (Employment Services Community)

Location: Margate, Kent / Vauxhall, London

Salary: GBP53,000 per annum

Senior Operational Manager (Community), Employment Services Directorate.

We are Forward, the social enterprise that empowers people to break the cycle of crime or addiction to move forward with their lives. For more than 25 years we have been working with people to build positive and productive lives, whatever their past. We believe that anyone is capable of lasting change. Our services have supported thousands of people to make positive changes and build productive lives with a job, family, friends and a sense of community.

Our growing Employment Services Directorate, which is Matrix Standard accredited, Ofsted rated Good and ERSA Finalist delivers employability, CIAG, vocational training including Adult Skills and Multiply, IPS Employment and enterprise and social enterprise services.

What you will be doing

Working for the Head of Employability and Skills, responsible for a portfolio of Community based Employment Services (Adult Skills, Multiply, Restart, IPS Employment), the Senior Operations Manager, Employment Services has responsibility for the provision of leadership, strategic direction, and accountability for Operations Managers/Team Leaders and management teams to achieve the highest levels of performance to meet and exceed the Directorate's quality standards, resulting in unmatched levels of support being provided to the learners and participants we support.

Directly managing the Operations Managers and their delivery teams, and responsible and accountable for the full range of operational performance, payment by results, quality, compliance and financial targets across their contract portfolio.

The Senior Operations Manager will work collaboratively with other managers, and staff across the organisation to develop opportunities to enhance the charity s mission and manage the performance of existing services.

What we are looking for

We are looking for an energetic, enthusiastic, go getting and very practical individual who is committed to providing high quality services. This must in accordance with the Matrix Standards, DWP requirements, ESFA/Devolved agency funding rules as well as the Ofsted Education Inspection Framework. We want people who genuinely care about the people they are supporting and not just going through the motions or ticking a box. We want someone who is able to motivate, inspire and challenge their teams, and to give them the autonomy to do their jobs effectively without micro management.

What we offer

• Training and development opportunities
• Flexible working
• Simply Health Cashback Scheme (Optional)
• Season Ticket Loan Scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Crisis Loan Scheme
• Electric Car Scheme
• 3 x Wellbeing Days (pro rata'd for part time employees)
• Access to Blue Light Card
• 25 days (rising to 30 with length of service) Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays
• Contributory Pension Scheme Employer matched contributions of up to 6% in the first two years service and up to 9% thereafter
• Death in Service Payment (2x annual salary)
• Critical Illness Insurance (subject to qualifying criteria)

Person specification

Essential:

• Educated to at least degree level in a relevant discipline, or with equivalent related experience.
• Desirable
• A professional qualification in a related discipline
• As the profession is constantly evolving, you will be expected to continuously update your learning and knowledge throughout your career.

Experience:

Essential

• Experience at a senior level (ideally gained in welfare to work, employment related services, adult skills) with the ability to think ahead, set clear direction and formulate realistic strategic objectives
• Experience of managing both community services across a wide geographical spread- particularly London and East Kent/Essex
• Experience of leading Services subject to DWP/ESFA audits
• Financial planning and 6 figure budget management with ability to analyse, present and articulate financial models
• Experience of managing and developing a team to achieve excellence and meeting targets
• Experience of influencing a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.

Desirable

• Experience of working within a non-profit, values-led organisation and a demonstrable record of delivery in such an environment, and of delivering services in that area with a track record of success.

To Apply

If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for the Forward Trust, please click apply to be redirected to their website to complete your application.

Please note, we reserve the right to close this role early