Operations Manager

Operation Manager opportunity at Alford House

We are recruiting a versatile and commercially- oriented Operations Manager to manage the facilities, develop our rental income and provide timely and accurate financial and administrative management support.

Working model: Reporting to the Senior Youth Worker and working 18 hours, typically over 2.5 days per week (flexible working pattern can be agreed), this is a hands-on role covers (but is not limited to) the following;

• Managing the buildings and their facilities, with external contractors where appropriate
• Sustaining existing and securing new sources of income from space rentals/other commercial opportunities
• Supporting fundraising/grant income applications
• Financial and budget planning, monitoring and reporting, with the support of a part- time bookkeeper
• IT, administration and facilities management policies, processes and systems
• Ensuring the building and its facilities comply with relevant regulation and legislation and that all polices are up to date, communicated and applied to provide a safe and secure environment

Crucial to our success will be the Operations Manager’s support for and identification with our mission and values along with the ability to work collaboratively with the Senior Youth Worker and his team in their work with young people in Lambeth.

Who are Alford House?

Founded in 1884, Alford House Youth Club remains a pivotal 21st century community anchor in Lambeth, providing a safe, trusted environment where long-term, relational youth work can help young people develop socially, emotionally, physically, and creatively.

Alford House’s activity programme is open to young people aged 8 to 21 years old offering a variety of sports, games, creative and recreational activities in a safe and secure environment that is managed by our dedicated team of staff and volunteers.

It is a place where young people are known, valued, and supported over time — not as problems to be fixed, but as people with potential. We also offer a range of additional support, information, advice, and guidance to support young people to achieve their potential in education and help to prevent exclusion.

An ambitious £3m refurbishment of our historic buildings, and home since 1950, was completed recently to give the youth work team all that they need to serve the young people of the area into and beyond the second half of 2020s.

This has enhanced an already exceptional range of flexible venue spaces which we let during the daytime to theatre companies and businesses. This commercial activity contributes crucial income to support our work with young people.

What you’ll bring to Alford House

• Experience of income generation (lettings, grants etc)
• Experience of managing buildings/facilities including responsibility for maintenance, contractors, Health and Safety and regulatory compliance
• Experience with and good understanding of financial management, including budget monitoring, management and year end accounts and working with external accountants, bookkeepers and payroll.
• Experience with QuickBooks, Xero or similar.
• A proactive, hands on and practical working style, able to work independently in resource-limited settings
• Reliability and thoroughness, able to identify problems early and escalate appropriately
• Excellent interpersonal skills, collaborative, able to build effective working relationships with a wide range of people (trustees, staff, contractors and lettings clients)
• The ability to prioritise effectively and manage multiple workstreams simultaneously
• IT literacy, skilled with MS office and able to assess and implement new systems
• Demonstrable commitment to, effective safeguarding of children and young people, equality of opportunity and to creating an inclusive work environment

What Alford House can offer you

• Salary £25,000 (Full time equivalent £50,000)
• 18 hours per week worked over 2.5 days
• 15 days leave (Full time equivalent 30 days) plus statutory holidays
• Employer contribution of 5% into Alford House pension scheme

Please make sure you read our Candidate Information Pack before applying. It contains important details about the role and our organisation.

Don’t think you quite meet all the specifications? Please don’t count yourself out. We’d still love to learn more about your interest in joining Alford House!

If you would like a call to discuss the role in more detail, please email Bryan at Eastside People to arrange a conversation. Having a call of this kind will not influence the success or otherwise of your application.

We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential. If you have a disability or require reasonable adjustments during the application or interview process, please contact us so we can support you appropriately.

What’s next – how do I apply for the Operations Manager role?

Eastside People is supporting Alford House in the recruitment of this role. Please apply by submitting your CV and a cover letter both in Word doc format.

Please use the cover letter (max 2 pages) as an opportunity to add to the information you have shared in your CV and ensure that you cover:

• Your interest in the Operations Manager role and, Alford House
• Having read the information pack, the relevant experience and skills you would bring to this role (paid work, study, community/voluntary work etc)

You are welcome to send your cover letter in writing, or as a video or audio clip, alongside your CV.

The closing date for applications is Thurs 30th April 2026. Shortlisting interviews will take place shortly after by Teams and shortlisted candidates will have an interview with Alford House on week commencing 4th May 2026.

Alford House believes in being inclusive and giving everyone an equal chance to succeed. Applications are welcome from all regardless of age, sex, gender identity, disability, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, race, sexual orientation, transgender status or social economic background