Head of Operations

Responsible to : Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Responsible for : Client facing teams including domestic and sexual abuse support workers, helpline, counselling, safe accommodation and children’s teams. (Direct Reports: 6)

This post is open to women only  under the Equality Act 2010 pursuant to Schedule 9, Part 1.  We value diversity and are committed to ensuring that our organisation is an inclusive place to work. We encourage applications from women from all backgrounds and communities and actively welcome applicants from Black, Asian, or other ethnic minority backgrounds and women with a disability.

About Pathway Project

We are a domestic and sexual abuse service based in Lichfield & Tamworth, Staffordshire. We offer a range of support services and run two refuges in confidential locations. We have been operating for over 30 years helping adults and children overcome domestic abuse, and to build a future where they live in safety and are free from fear. Since our founder, Kathy Coe MBE, created Pathway Project, we have helped over 25,000 people, with 5,814 hours of support provided in the last year. We offer a wide range of services, including adult and children outreach and community support, mental health, wellbeing and financial advice. We support the relatives of those who have experienced domestic and sexual violence and offer specialist counselling, advocacy and care to all who need us. We believe in working as a cohesive team and are service user led. Our helpline is access to all and is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Why work for us?

Pathway Project is an inspiring  place to be, we are a charity with big ambitions and huge energy. We are currently evolving a bold new strategy and a passion  for excellence in service delivery. Supported by a driven and energetic board of trustees the new Chief Executive is leading Pathway Project through their ambitious plans. It’s a really fantastic time to join our amazing charity as we move into the next phase of our exciting journey.We are a flexible and supportive employer, committed to the personal and professional development and wellbeing of our employees. We welcome applications from women with lived experience of domestic abuse and from minority  or under-represented groups.

We offer the following benefits:

• 25 days paid leave plus statutory holidays (pro rata)
• A competitive pension scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme delivered by Health Assured which offers incredible support to staff and their families

We value our colleagues and are constantly reviewing our policies and practice, looking for ways in which we can better demonstrate this. We also recognise the potential impact of working in this field and provide clinical supervision to all of our employees, whatever their role.

JOB SUMMARY

Taking overall responsibility for the delivery of a compliant and effective operation, she will provide direct line management for the Pathway Project domestic and sexual violence support, outreach and helpline teams. She will be responsible for the delivery of high quality support within the safe accommodation sites and excellent quality of service within Pathway Projects counselling provision. She will have a focus on excellence and understand the drive for continual improvement and increased performance. She will collaborate with colleagues to drive the development and maintenance of networking and fundraising links within the local community. She will support the CEO in her leadership and development of the organisation. She will be expected to demonstrate the Charity’s values by working positively as part of a team, delivering vital high-quality services to service users, and creating a working culture where all are valued and encouraged.

DUTIES OF POST

1. STRATEGY, PLANNING AND CONTROL

a. To contribute to the setting of long-term Objectives, along with the CEO & Board.

b. To implement and deliver the strategic plan for the operation, adhering to regulatory and financial controls.

c. To ensure the Charity is operated to best practice standards, adhering to regulatory and financial controls. Highlighting to the CEO risk which could cause harm to the ongoing operation of the Charity.

d. Ensure Pathway Project remains responsive to the needs of its service users, staff and trustees and can demonstrate the value of the services provided and the impact of its work.

e. Be an expert on matters relating to Domestic Abuse, and best practice in supporting end users.

2. FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

a. To be accountable for the delivery of the operation, within defined financial criteria, including business plan & cash flow targets.

b. Support the CEO in providing oversight on the wider financial performance of the Charity.

c. To understand the income generation strategy and collaborate to develop it as required.

d. To support the CEO in the sourcing of funding opportunities and complete any required applications and any required data returns as per funding guidelines.

3. GOVERNANCE

a. To work with the CEO to lead and manage the Charity in accordance with the articles of association and in line with the obligations of the Charity Commission.

b. To support in the development of a best practice operating infrastructure, to allow the Trustee Board to fulfil its statutory responsibilities and exercise effective control.

c. To maintain up to date policies and procedures.

d. To provide support and guidance to the CEO in all aspects of the running of the charity.

e. To ensure accurate record keeping and data security

4. LEADERSHIP

a. To provide role model leadership to the Pathway Project, embodying the charity’s values and behaviours.

b. To ensure robust recruitment and training processes are in place.

c. To provide continuous development to, and performance management of the team, ensuring the highest standards are delivered.

d. To monitor and manage the quality of service delivery.

e. To work with the team, CEO and Board to provide a safe, and motivating work environment.

f. To provide line management to all staff who deliver client facing services including domestic and sexual abuse teams, safe accommodation team, counselling team and children’s services.

g. To recommend improvements in the management structure of the teams, including consideration of the overall delivery to budget.

h. To ensure all HR records and practices are maintained, utilising the support of external HR resource where required.

i. To ensure monthly supervisions are completed including assessment of case management on OnTrack.

j. To work with Head of enabling services to ensure volunteer contribution to the client based services is maximised.

5. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

a. To support Pathway Project in the maintenance and development of community links and fundraising opportunities.

b. To link into the Head of enabling services around income generation and the development of a Community Fundraising Group supported by volunteers.

c. To support Pathway Project CEO, managers and Community Engagement Worker with driving Pathway Projects social media agenda in order to build community support.

d. To be Pathway Projects front facing liaison for community fundraising and support.

e. To attend meetings, as and when appropriate. including out of normal office hours if necessary

6. GENERAL MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION

a. To arrange outreach team/staff meetings which positively support the team.

b. To attend management meetings, and where required, Board or Sub Board meetings.

c. To take part in the equitable recruitment of new staff, to deploy existing staff effectively and to motivate and manage the activity of staff ensuring that they effectively contribute to the achievements of Pathway goals and to their own personal development .

d. To participate in the on-call management rota for accommodation support when covering for staff absence or sickness.

e. To help support the continued use and development of OnTrack case management and database system throughout Pathway Project.

f. To ensure the Pathway maintains strong links with local agencies and helps support the domestic abuse agenda through sharing of data and attendance at meetings.

g. To deputise for the CEO where required, alongside other management.

h. To lead on operational projects for the organisation as the main point of contact and oversee work that needs completing, e.g. maintenance of building, service contracts alongside the Finance Manager.

7. OTHER DUTIES

a. To participate and contribute as a senior member of staff towards the development of the Pathway Project.

b. To attend and participate in all relevant meetings, including feeding back to management and trustee meetings and the AGM.

c. To represent Pathway Project and the work it does with external agencies, including written reports and presentations.

d. Carrying out any other task that may be required from time to time in the interests of the effective administration and development of the project, including participating in training and delivering presentations.

e. Ensure that all responsibilities are undertaken in an effective, ethical, and appropriate manner, meeting the standards of Pathway Project.

f. Maintain effective networks with all principal supporters and stakeholders. To actively seek opportunities to expand and promote the role of Pathway within the local community.

g. Undertake any other duties that may reasonably be required from time to time.

Person Specification

Essential

• Demonstrable experience of working in the domestic abuse charity sector and expert knowledge of the domestic abuse sector 
• Experience in managing teams at a high level with strong team building and leadership skills 
• An understanding of compliance and continual service improvement to ensure quality assurance and service improvements 
• Experience of or a good understanding of Funders, reporting structures and the expectations placed on charities by funders 
• Excellent written skills, with experience of writing reports, guidance or briefings specifically for Trustees or Director boards. 
• Excellent administrative, organisational and time management skills, with demonstrable experience working in a fast-paced environment with competing deadlines. 
• Experience of working in an environment with confidential data 
• The ability to lead teams to demonstrate excellent customer service delivery for all stakeholders, clients and partners. 
• Understanding and experience of partnership working in a multi-agency, multi-disciplinary setting. 
• Ability to use your initiative and judgment in dealing with colleagues, partner agencies or trustees without direct supervision 
• An understanding that in small charities we often “roll up our sleeves” and support other areas to reach a team objective.
• An understanding of and a commitment to equal opportunities in employment and in-service delivery.