Westway Trust is seeking a dedicated Head of Operations with a minimum of 5 years’ senior leadership or operational management experience in a multi-disciplinary organisation, ideally within a community, charitable, social enterprise or values-led setting.

In this newly created role, you will act as a key advisor, reporting directly into the CEO, and will have responsibility of key areas of the Trust’s operational functions, ensuring the smooth and effective running and delivery of services. You will directly manage the leads of HR, Learning, Communications & Marketing, and Community Engagement, supporting them to deliver high-quality work and develop professionally.

If you are a values-led operational leader who is committed to community transformation and organisational excellence, and thrives on steering strategic decisions, this role is for you! 

Key responsibilities of the role include but not limited to:

  • Oversight and line management of the HR, Learning, Communications & Marketing, and Community Engagement functions of the Trust.
  • Oversight of key projects essential to the delivery of the Horizon (strategic) Plan 2025-2028 as agreed with the CEO.
  • Be a key part of the Executive Team, chaired by the CEO.
  • Maintain an overview of all projects and programmes of activity, outputs and outcomes within the role and ensure reports are written and submitted on time.
  • Provide day-to-day operational leadership across teams, driving high performance, alignment with values, and maintaining individual, personal & team wellbeing.
  • Develop and implement planning processes and performance management tools to ensure effective delivery of goals.
  • Develop, drive and maintain the data gathering and analysis for the Westway Trust, that enables the Social Impact Framework and to play a key role in the organisation’s progress towards creating a strong narrative in respect of achievement. 
  • Attend People Committee Meetings and the Board as requested, and contribute to the preparation of meeting papers as necessary in line with agenda requirements. 
  • Provide upward reporting and insight to the CEO including written briefings, performance dashboards, and recommendations.
  • Attend internal and external meetings, including those that require representing the Trust publicly, in line with agreed strategies and perspectives.
  • Monitor, update and ensure compliance with organisational policies and legal requirements (e.g. safeguarding, employment, health & safety, data protection) to build a positive work culture.
  • Champion collaboration and integration across departments, ensuring consistent implementation of work priorities that align with community needs and objectives.
  • Support a values-based culture that centres equity, sustainability, openness, courage, and integrity.
  • Contribute to organisational development and support the process of communicating and managing change effectively at the Trust in line with agreed policies and frameworks.

Essential Experience, Skills and Attributes:

  • Minimum 5 years’ senior leadership or operational management experience in a multi-disciplinary organisation, ideally within a community, charitable, social enterprise or values-led setting.
  • Proven ability to lead, guide and motivate diverse teams and to support the professional growth of those who report to you as a line manager.
  • Demonstrable experience of good practice approaches to conflict resolution, working in collaboration with others and encouraging honesty, transparency and open ways of working across teams that benefit the organisation’s effectiveness and efficiency.
  • Excellent planning, organisation and performance management skills.
  • Excellent writing and reporting skills, including the ability to summarise complex data and issues for decision-makers.
  • Experience in researching, developing and managing departmental budgets.
  • Ability to analyse information, and formulate practical and reasoned operational plans that can be easily understood and monitored.
  • Strong interpersonal and emotional intelligence skills – able to offer both moral and professional support to teams.
  • Experience of supporting organisational change, transition, or transformation programmes.
  • Experience of embedding inclusive and equitable practices across teams.
  • Demonstrable alignment with the Trust’s values and commitment to anti-racism and community power.

      Desirable Experience, Skills and Attributes:

      • Previous experience overseeing HR or education/community programmes is highly desirable.
      • Familiarity with communications/marketing functions is a plus but not essential.
      • Degree-level education together with a recognised professional qualification in any of the fields this role covers - or equivalent lived/professional experience – is highly desirable.

      To view the full job description click on 'job description' under 'Key Info' on the left hand side.

      Benefits of working with us:

      • Great location in the heart of Portobello, North Kensington
      • Generous holiday entitlement of 25 days per year + statutory bank holidays
      • Sick pay scheme
      • Investor in People (IiP) employer
      • Free gym membership at health club one minute walk from the office
      • Pension scheme
      • Life Assurance
      • Season ticket / bicycle loan
      • Free eye test voucher

      If you would like assistance on filling out the questions on the application form, please send an email to HR@westway.org or give us a call on 020 8962 5720 and ask for HR.

      The application deadline is  Sunday 13 July when applications will be reviewed and shortlisted for interview.  However, we reserve the right to close the application early.  An early application is strongly recommended.