ROLE TITLE: Operations Manager
LOCATION: Somerset House, London / Flexible
SALARY: £40,000 pro rated to 4 days per week, rising to £72,000 in Year 3 (subject to finance)
REPORTING TO: the CEO
Purpose
The Operations Manager will play a leading role in implementing Woodland Savers’ purpose and mission by overseeing all our projects, systems, and processes. Working directly with the CEO, partners and advisors, you will lead on delivering our national operational strategy, and ensuring that we make effective use of a range of resources to support the successful launch and growth of our first community land companies.
Goals and Responsibilities
• Develop and oversee an overarching operations strategy which draws together Woodland Savers’ activities and products
• Support the integration of ‘lock-step’ revenue and social / environmental impact metrics
• Streamline internal, back-office and outsourced operational systems and processes
• Be a valuable partner, and support communications and reports between all stakeholders: the leadership team, board, advisors, partners, and the public
• Represent the company in a range of forums and events
• Develop, own and oversee delivery of effective community engagements and public convenings
Activities
• Manage operational and project delivery
• Support WSL communications to build the value of the model and the brand
• Design an effective and appropriate community engagement programme and set of resources and materials
• Deliver WSL’s programme of 1 major annual event, working closely with internal colleagues and external partners
• Lead on project revenue goal delivery and startup support for the partner community land enterprises
• Contribute to the emerging digital strategy
• Manage and optimise our operational tech stack (project management, CRM, website, etc.)
• Contribute to fundraising activities
• Coordinate the monitoring, evaluation and reporting of our impact, with external partners
Key Skills / Attributes
• Interest and familiarity with sustainable finance, impact investing, natural capital, ecology, and community
• Relevant professional operations experience, including managing operations for a high profile organisation
• Desire to strive for excellence, playing a leading role in a high-performing team working across multiple geographies in a fast-paced environment
• Ideas generator with the ability to see the big picture and also focus on the detail; able to move easily between strategic thinking and the practicalities of operational delivery
• Able to deliver high quality outputs with a blended team of employees and external suppliers
• Ability to liaise and negotiate conversations with a wide range of stakeholders including community leadership, crowd and institutional investors, ecological partners, research institutions and policy makers
• Natural communicator including excellent written English
• Experience of working in small, entrepreneurial organisations; team player with a flexible approach
Working Conditions
Hours
You'll usually work a standard full-time week, four days per week, rising to five with the growth of our project portfolio. The hours may vary with some evening, weekend, or bank holiday working needed from time to time.
Travel
You may occasionally be required to travel between various partner organisations, conferences, or to national or regional events. A driving licence would be advantageous though not essential.
Environment
Work will normally be at the London office (Somerset House). However, you'll be free to work from anywhere, with occasional team meetings, strategy days, activities and events in and beyond London. You will also have the opportunity to spend time visiting communities, woodlands, and other wild natural landscapes across the UK.
UK employment status
Full-time.
Benefits
You will be registered on the company pay roll, and your employment taxes paid. You will receive a company pension, proportionate to your days worked. Membership of Somerset House offers discounts and free tickets to many of the cultural and social events regularly taking place in majestic spaces across the building. You will have the opportunity to accompany and represent the team at a range of events in London and nationally during the year.
How to Apply
To apply for the role, please submit your CV together with a supporting statement (of no more than 1000 words) to: hello@woodlandsavers.org. Early application is advised.
Please ensure that you have included a telephone number, as well as any dates when you will not be available for interview. Thank you.
Applications close 20 October
Zoom Interviews 21-24 October
In-person Interviews 31 October / 1 November
