Operations Director

Engineering Development Trust (EDT) are a nationwide educational charity set up over 35 years ago engaging young people through STE(A)M (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) focused experience days, projects and placements. We help young people develop the STEM skills, knowledge and experience they need to take control of their futures and change the world around them. Our Industrial Cadets accredited programmes and awards provide opportunities through education to employment, aiming to give students aged 9-21 across the UK access to an Industrial Cadets programme, which provides them with the opportunity to develop critical skills for a career in STEM. We have now created a new vacancy as Operations Director – flexible, hybrid working with some expectation to be based from one of our offices in Southampton, Welwyn Garden City, Plymouth, Birmingham, Manchester or Glasgow.

The Operations Director will lead and develop EDT's operational effectiveness UK wide across all our programmes, with a focus on achieving consistency of approach, application of best practice and high standards of efficiency and quality. The post holder will lead and implement best practice for HR, Finance, Policies, supplier management, Quality Assurance and Digital initiatives and provide leadership to ensure that our Volunteer Management and Learning & Development are high quality, effective and consistent. This role will actively support and develop a positive professional culture that reflects our charity values, and that our staff and volunteers are well-supported to ensure the best for our beneficiaries. The Operations Director will report in to the CEO and Board of Trustees on operational performance and strategy.

The successful candidate will have prior experience working in a similar operations or corporate services role, having successfully developed operational effectiveness previously. You will have excellent people skills with experience of leading, motivating, mentoring and coaching immediate reports to improve performance. You will also have strong strategic and project management skills. This role is open to candidates from any background or sector however experience from within the not for profit sector would be advantageous. It is not a requirement to be finance qualified however you will be able to demonstrate experience overseeing budgets.

EDT have partnered with Prospectus to recruit for this vacancy. To apply please submit your CV and a Supporting Statement (2 pages) to Prospectus. The Supporting Statement should outline your motivation for joining EDT and why you feel this role would be a good fit for you. In addition please give some examples to demonstrate your experience in relation to the Person Specification in the Job Description. Following your application, you may be contacted by Prospectus for an informal discussion or for further information to assist with the recruitment process. If you have any further questions about the role prior to applying please contact Steven Fraser from Prospectus.

Please note: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with interviews also held ongoing, therefore we encourage you to apply ASAP.

As a specialist Recruitment Practice Prospectus are committed to building inclusive and diverse organisations, and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Prospectus invest in your journey as a candidate and are committed to supporting you in your application.