Progress Together is seeking a Head of Operations to develop and oversee operational activities. They will ensure that our ‘start up’ not-for-profit creates and implements good strategies and systems that effectively support our small team of staff and secondees, and ensures robust Governance procedures and financial controls.
As Head of Operations, you’ll be a member of Progress Together’s senior management team working closely with the Chief Executive Officer. You will build an in-depth knowledge of the organisation’s processes and people, implementing clear systems and well-designed processes across business operations, procurement, finance, governance, HR and organisational culture.
As the organisation scales up, we are seeking a Head of Operations to bring strong expertise to developing and overseeing operations.
Salary: £50k-£60k pro rata depending on experience.
Permanent Contract
Reporting to – Chief Executive Officer
Direct reports – None
Working hours – Three days per week.
Location: Remote with meeting room space available in London or Bristol for team collaboration.
About Progress Together
Financial Services has the highest class pay gap of all sectors. Evidence shows that employees from non-professional backgrounds progress 25% slower than peers, with no link to job performance. Employer’s social mobility efforts have largely focused on outreach and access at junior levels, with little attention to progression and retention. This is despite evidence showing that 89% of senior managers are from professional backgrounds, compared to 47% at junior levels and 52% of UK CEOs economy wide. Employees report they are wasting energy conforming to dominant cultures, impacting productivity.
To level the playing field, we need to create a financial services sector in the United Kingdom in which everyone working in it, from all socio-economic backgrounds, are both enabled and have equal opportunity to achieve their full potential. Therefore, building on the work of a Government commissioned Taskforce, which ran until November 2022, we have created an important new membership body, Progress Together, which was formally launched on 20th May 2022 by the Lord Mayor of London and the City Minister.
Our measure of success will be greater socio-economic diversity at senior levels across our membership (UK financial services companies). Leading to better business outcomes; increased productivity, greater innovation, improved decision making through diversity of thought, better consumer outcomes, and being a sector where talented people choose to work.
Key Responsibilities
- Be responsible for the efficacy and efficiency of the organisation’s operational processes and controls and take steps to improve them where needed.
- Report to the Board on operations, governance operating model, risk, finance and implement any required amendments. Undertake company secretarial duties.
- Oversee and improve financial processes including budgeting and cash flow monitoring in collaboration with the external bookkeeper.
- Improve and develop financial systems, ensuring transparency, accuracy and availability of information. Including regular reporting for Founding Partners (corporate sponsors) and the Board.
- Develop and control all operational budgets to ensure that the organisation has all the resources required to meet its objectives while maintaining financial stability.
- Lead, in collaboration with the Marketing and Programme Manager, the development of a Customer Relationship Manager system capable of tracking members and other stakeholders.
- Lead and implement the staff induction and appraisal process. Support staff to assess performance, identify training needs and set targets. Ensure the team have the required access to training and mentors.
- Lead, in collaboration with the CEO, effective recruitment processes including requests for secondees, to ensure the organisation appoints the right staff and has succession plans in place.
- Maintain, review and refine Progress Together’s operational policies (HR, Finances, Procurement) in dialogue with the CEO and staff, ensuring they are consulted on and approved by the board.
- Lead Progress Together’s approach to remote / hybrid working including securing new office space if needed and overseeing appropriate insurances. Regularly assess the effectiveness of the chosen operational model and make changes as necessary, in consultation with the CEO and Board.
- Manage and commission external contractors / suppliers including pro bono lawyers, bookkeeper, Data Protection Officer, CRM supplier. Develop and agree contracts and Statement of Works, and monitor ongoing performance.
- Support and collaborate with the team across various programmes and events where necessary.
- Contribute to the overall direction of Progress Together, proposing ideas in relation to funding opportunities and programme design.
Personal Specification
- Five years plus as a Head of Operations or equivalent role overseeing finance, governance, and operations.
- Empathetic and collaborative interpersonal skills.
- Strong experience in HR including recruitment and appraisal processes.
- Outstanding attention to detail with ability to create robust management processes.
- Ability to identify complex problems and proactively take steps to address them.
- Good operational knowledge of accounting software.
- Strong fluency in governance and corporate reporting requirements.
- Outstanding written communication skills.
- Experience preparing and presenting multi-year company-wide budgets.
- Strong verbal communication skills.
- Ability to use initiative and work independently.
- Experience of managing and supporting junior staff.
- Strong experience of MS Office (inc Excel) and CRM systems.
- Knowledge of or interest in social mobility or diversity and inclusion.
Applications
Please send a CV and covering letter of no more than two sides of A4, explaining your background and interest in the position. Your covering letter should describe the skills you would bring to Progress Together how your experience meets the job description; and why you are interested in the work of Progress Together.
Please send your application to Sophie Hulm, CEO of Progress Together at Sophie@ProgressTogether.co.uk with the subject line “Head of Operations Application”.
Questions about the role should be directed to Sophie Hulm on the address above.
The deadline is 9am Tuesday 10th January.
What’s in it for you?
- Flexible and remote working.
- Pension Scheme
- 25 days annual leave pro rata
- An opportunity and a voice to be part of a founding membership body that will shape the Financial Services industry in the UK by diversifying both the pool of talent and senior leaders in the UK.
TO APPLY: Please send your CV to sophie@progresstogether.co.uk
