Permanent Head Of Development Jobs
Join us at Oak Tree Animals’ Charity as our new Head of Operations and make a meaningful difference to animal welfare across Cumbria, The Borders and the North East of England.
Applications close at: 9 a.m. Friday 26th April 2024.
Location: Carlisle, Cumbria
About Oak Tree Animals’ Charity
Oak Tree Animals’ Charity is based in Carlisle, Cumbria, and serves the North East, North West and the Borders, providing non-judgemental and compassionate care to animals and their owners.
The charity is dedicated to the improvement of animal welfare in the region, proactively supporting animals and encouraging people to prioritise animal welfare through our community programmes, advocacy and rehoming services.
We provide holistic support and care for animals and their owners to reach long-term solutions that avoid the need for rehoming but when that is unavoidable, Oak Tree provides a safe home for animals, rehabilitating and preparing them for the next stage in their lives.
The charity also prepares potential owners for life with a new companion and offers the help and support necessary for both animal and owner to live a long and happy life together.
Oak Tree does more besides this by working with communities, government services, local businesses and other charities to provide whatever help is necessary to allow animals, and their owners to live happy and healthy lives.
About the role
Oak Tree Animals’ Charity is looking for an experienced Head of Operations to lead the Charity’s corporate operations.
This new role will lead our Operations Directorate, maintaining and managing our physical environment and valued resources.
The Head of Operations will line manage our finance, facilities (including H&S), reception, HR and volunteer teams to ensure the promotion of a positive and supportive environment and experience for our animals, staff, volunteers and visitors.
The ideal candidate will play a pivotal role in overseeing the day-to-day operations of our organisation, ensuring efficiency, compliance, and the successful execution of programmes and initiatives.
This position requires a passion for making a positive impact, strong organisational skills, and the ability to lead and inspire a dedicated team.
We have a 4-bedroom house on-site, which could be available to the incoming Head of Operations with rent offset by a proportion of salary for those re-locating to the area. This is a pet-friendly property, with a private garden and allocated parking for two vehicles.
Who we are looking for
We are seeking candidates with broad business management / general management experience gained from either business or third sector organisations.
Ideally, you will have substantial financial acumen and/or experience in facilities management.
You will have a passion for animals as well as people, with a natural ability to build and develop relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders.
You will care deeply for the cause and have an understanding that people are essential to animal welfare.
Furthermore, our ideal candidate will be empathetic yet dynamic with the energy and enthusiasm to guide and lead the operations and volunteer teams, and to deputise for the CEO when required.
Please click 'Apply via website’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the job description and register your interest to apply.
Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Friday 26th April 2024.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary is a growing and cherished part of our community, dedicated to providing a safe haven for donkeys and educating the public on their care and welfare. Our vision extends beyond equine welfare to creating an environment where our team, volunteers, and visitors can feel welcomed and enriched.
Position Summary
We are in search of a Chief Operating Officer (COO) adept at turning strategic visions into operational realities. The COO will oversee daily operations throughout the sanctuary, ensuring excellence in health and safety practices, and fostering high team performance and growth. As a key partner to the CEO, this role demands a leader skilled in operational management and strategy implementation, preferably with experience in the third sector and a deep commitment to animal welfare.
Objectives of the role
1. Strategic implementation and operational leadership - working in close partnership with the CEO to integrate strategic objectives into the organisation's day-to-day operations. This will include focusing on enhancing process efficiency, ensuring operational excellence and maintaining budgetary control connected to operational issues.
2. Developing high performing teams – driving team excellence through targeted recruitment, comprehensive onboarding, ongoing professional development, and robust performance management strategies, ensuring team cohesion and high retention rates
3. Ensuring regulatory compliance and safety - maintaining rigorous adherence to all relevant charity and health & safety regulations, proactively ensuring a safe environment for staff, volunteers, visitors and our equines.
4. Fostering a supportive culture - creating a work environment where commitment to our sanctuary's values and alignment with our vision and mission inspire and unite our teams.
5. Acting as a deputy for the CEO - representing the charity and making decisions in the CEO’s absence, ensuring leadership continuity and organisational stability.
Responsibilities
Responsibilities include:
· Evaluating internal operations to identify and implement efficiency improvements
· Developing and implementing policies (in collaboration with the CEO and Trustees) that support the sanctuary's goals and ensure operational alignment.
· Overseeing daily operations across the estate, including visitor facilities, barn and paddock maintenance, and health and safety compliance, ensuring a safe environment for staff, volunteers, visitors and equines.
· Directly overseeing the performance of our teams in Visitor Experience, Volunteering, Estates and Facilities, ensuring these areas not only operate efficiently but also focus on creating exceptional experiences for visitors and volunteers. This includes working closely with HR to foster successful recruitment, professional development, and other HR initiatives to build and sustain high-performing teams.
· Ensuring the sanctuary is ready and welcoming for visitors each day, effectively monitored and managed throughout the day and securely closed at night
· Health and safety leadership - spearheading safety initiatives and training a skilled team in safety protocols, ensuring a secure and safe environment for staff, volunteers, visitors and over 130 donkeys and ponies. The COO will work closely with the Head of Facilities and Estates Supervisor to enforce health and safety policies, address safety issues, as well as ensuring readiness and responsiveness for critical incidents, including fire and medical emergencies.
· Serving as the deputy for the CEO, including leading the sanctuary in the CEO’s absence, making critical decisions, and managing external relationships.
The above role encompasses an understanding that the sanctuary operates seven days a week and requires a willingness to work weekends and evenings as needed to ensure continuous leadership and operational excellence.
Reporting structure
Reporting directly to the CEO, the COO will have the following direct reports: Head of Estates, Visitor Experience Manager, and Volunteer Manager.
Required skills and Experience
· A strong ethical commitment to animal welfare, demonstrated through previous work or personal advocacy, with the desire to make a positive impact in the community and beyond.
· A track record of managing operations effectively, demonstrating the ability to oversee day-to-day activities
· Proven experience in translating strategy into actionable plans
· Proven effectiveness in managing diverse teams and working with volunteers, highlighting the ability to engage and inspire a wide range of contributors towards common goals.
· Experience in budgeting, data analysis and using performance metrics to guide decisions.
· Flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and the agility to respond to unforeseen challenges, particularly in animal welfare contexts.
· A collaborative approach to working with key stakeholders, including the CEO, to ensure alignment with the organisation's goals.
Desirable:
· Experience within a non-profit organisation and familiarity with the regulatory environment specific to the charity sector, including health & safety standards and compliance.
Why Join Us
By joining the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary as COO, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping the future of donkey welfare, leveraging your expertise to make a lasting difference. You’ll lead a dedicated team, drive operational excellence, and contribute to a cause that’s both meaningful and rewarding.