Office manager jobs

SUNDAY TIMES BEST PLACE TO WORK 2024 AND 2025

MAIN PURPOSE OF JOB: To provide excellent managerial support to the Community Service Support department and lead by example by showing the ability to communicate interpersonal skills, problem solve, decision making and time management. To help ensure that the team carry out accurate and timely follow ups with all new and ongoing cases. To build rapport with our clients in a warm and friendly manner and have empathy with our client’s needs. To quickly identify any problems and ensure each conversation is handled in a compassionate manner.

A good telephone manner is essential, together with excellent literacy and IT skills, coupled with the ability to work to tight deadlines, often under pressure. This is a sensitive role which requires an individual with the ability to handle confidential information and correspondence

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

I) Responsible for managing and motivating the Community Service Support team to include delegation of tasks.

II) To control and expedite escalation cases as well as manage relationships with owners and their families.

III) To communicate effectively with team members, provide feedback and support as well as addressing any issues or concerns and where necessary make a referral to the Head of Department.

IV) To monitor performance and capability of the team as individuals and also as part of a team, carry out 1:1 meetings and suitable and productive Performance Management meetings annually. You will also be responsible for any staff welfare or disciplinary procedures that arise, within the team.

V) Deporting and analysis of data.

VI) To oversee applications and interviews for any new team members VII) To consider training needs as and when required to help develop employees skill set and ability to perform their roll as effectively as possible.

VIII) To help answer all incoming calls and general queries relating to community service support for our clients.

IX) Throughout the course of your work to ensure you record your responses on each individual case on our database.

 X) Ensure responses to both incoming and outgoing department letters are updated on each case, to ensure a prompt reply and timely referral where necessary.

XI) Throughout the course of your work, to identify when on the phone, possible good stories to enable us to approach and persuade all individuals involved to submit an article for the newsletter.

XII) To handle telephone inquiries and relay messages where appropriate.

XIII) To demonstrate a proactive, positive and flexible attitude to all our clients.

XIV) To have flexibility to work additional hours for holiday and sickness cover when directed.

XV) To liaise with all other staff of the Trust in a flexible manner.

XVI) At all times to ensure and maintain a compassionate, professional and efficient public image for the Trust.

Together with such additional general duties as the Employer shall reasonably require, having regard to the needs of the Employer’s business as a Charitable Trust

ABOUT THE ROLE

Variety is looking for an experienced Facilities and Office Manager who is proactive and highly organised to oversee the smooth day-to-day running of Variety’s offices in Camden. This role blends operations, facilities management, and people-first thinking, ensuring the workspace is safe, efficient, and enjoyable for everyone. Variety House is owned by the charity and has three floors which house our busy charity team and one floor is occupied by a tenant. The role requires management of the building, office management, tenants and includes assisting the CEO as required.

ABOUT VARIETY

There are 1.8m children living with disabilities in the UK with 600,000 children living in poverty. Variety exists to improve their lives. We believe every child has a right to live their best life and reach their full potential, whoever they are. We fund and deliver life-changing programmes that enhance their quality of life and give children and young people across the UK a better future.

Over the past 75 years we have supported over one million children by funding almost 6,000 Sunshine Coaches, almost the same number of wheelchairs, and giving thousands of grants to individual children, schools, youth clubs and other organisations for specialist equipment.

In addition, each year thousands of children take part in day trips, special events and educational activities as part of our Variety Great Days Out programme and every single day we are improving more young lives. We do it with practical, tangible help, that makes a real and immediate difference.

 KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Facilities Management:

• Oversee management of Variety House in Camden including building maintenance, safety procedures, office operations and infrastructure
• Liaise with tenants and external contractors to ensure facilities are well-maintained
• Monitor and manage office budgets related to supplies, utilities, and maintenance
• Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations including managing risk assessments and fire safety
• Lead sustainability initiatives within the office (e.g. recycling, energy-saving practices)
• Ensuring health and safety compliance for staff including being the designated fire marshal (training to be provided)
• Ensure competitive quotes for office services and building maintenance, making recommendations based on quality, reliability, and value
• Negotiate contracts to optimise costs without compromising standards, identifying areas for cost savings and facilities improvements

 Office Management:

• Maintain a professional and welcoming environment for staff, tenants and visitors
• Manage office vendors including maintenance, cleaning, and security
• Manage office supplies inventory, supporting staff to ensure when items run low that orders are placed
• Manage kitchen supplies and maintenance for all staff
• Support onboarding and offboarding processes from a facilities perspective, managing keys and security
• Handle incoming mail and deliveries and ensure efficient distribution across the building
• First point of contact for calls, visitors, and office enquiries

Governance:

• Assistance the CEO during busy periods with diary management and in-office meetings
• Support the CEO with organisation of Trustee meetings and administrative assistance, such as minute taking as required.

Administrative:

• Maintain records of office leases, utilities, and insurance policies
• Manage access control systems and office security
• Create and maintain facilities manuals, process documentation, and onboarding guides

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

Essential:

• Experience with the charity or Not-for-profit sector
• Proven experience as Facilities and Office Manager, or similar role.
• Strong organisational and multitasking skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Problem-solving attitude with a high attention to detail.
• Familiarity with office software (e.g. MS Office, Teams)
• Knowledge of health and safety standards and regulations.
• Knowledge of safeguarding is desirable but not essential

Benefits 

• Enhanced Pension (7% contribution from Variety with 2% employee contribution).
• 25 days annual leave, in addition, after one year's continuous service, there will be an extra 2 days annual holiday for every complete year of service, up to a maximum of five days' extra holiday (pro rata for part time staff)
• 3 additional days between Christmas and New Years given as discretionary leave
• Membership to a health and well-being cash plan scheme
• Life Assurance scheme of 4 x salary
• Company Sick Pay

FURTHER INFORMATION

·Variety, the Children’s Charity, is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults.

·Proof of eligibility to work in the UK is required.

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit your CV with a covering letter explaining:

1. Why you would like to join Variety and

2. How you would make a great candidate for this role, highlighting experience and knowledge in all areas of the role.

Applications will close on at midnight on Sunday 3rd May 2026 with interviews taking place week commencing 11th May. Please let us know if you have any accessibility requirements or need any adjustments for the interview

EQUALITY DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

Inclusion is one of our key values and it is our ambition to recruit great people from diverse communities.

We welcome and encourage applications from suitably qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment/identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy/maternity and or marriage/civil partnership status, race, religion or belief.

Please let us know if you have any access requirements which we might need to consider in relation to the selection process.