The Director of Operations (charity) is a new executive role focused on strengthening YMCA BG’s operational leadership and strategic delivery. This is a vital role for ensuring we are meeting our goals as a charity and serving our communities in the best possible way we can.

Who We Are

YMCA Brunel Group is a locally governed charity, part of the global YMCA movement, operating in Bath, Bristol, Wiltshire, East and South Somerset. We are committed to building supportive, inclusive, and energising communities where everyone can thrive.

Our impact includes

• Housing over 700 individuals annually, providing support for those facing homelessness, low income, or other barriers to independence.
• Health & Wellbeing Centre in Bath, featuring a state-of-the-art gym and fitness classes.
• Two commercial hostels in Bath and Bristol, supporting our mission through social enterprise.
• Twelve youth clubs, including dedicated spaces for young carers, giving young people a chance to connect, learn, and grow.
• Eight Ofsted-registered nurseries, nurturing the development of hundreds of children and preparing them for their educational journeys.

About the Role

Initially supporting the Thrive 16+ project in Somerset, the role will expand to oversee all charitable departments, ensuring high standards and alignment with the charity’s mission. Working with the CEO and as part of the Executive Team, it will drive growth, performance, and impact across services. The role will sit in the Executive team and report directly into the CEO but also accountable to our Board of Trustees in line with the vision, mission, values and strategy of YMCA Brunel Group.

Responsibilities

Corporate and Strategic

• To work co-operatively with the CEO and other colleagues on the Executive and Senior Leadership Teams to ensure the setting and achievement of relevant strategic objectives for the YMCA across the services within this role.
• Attend Board meetings as requested by trustees and ensure that trustees are aware of developments within the sector and any strategic options they should consider, impact report and the setting and monitoring of KPI’s.
• Become the Ofsted Nominated Individual and represent our YMCA at a strategic level in relation to the Thrive 16+ Commissioned Service with Somerset Council
• Contribute to the development, monitoring and reporting of the strategic plan, providing clear measurements of impact and benefits of all activities undertaken and ensuring the continued reflection and updating of our strategic actions against the overall plan.
• Contribute actively to the evaluation and development of new projects, service proposals and activities, ensuring that the resource implications and all risk factors are fully assessed.
• Lead and support on areas of new work as directed by the Board and CEO, ensuring the directorate is to sustain growth.
• Develop constructive relationships with relevant teams within relevant local authorities and other partner organisations.
• Maintain and develop effective relationships with all key stakeholders and supporters, ensuring YMCA BG is presented in an appropriate and professional manner.
• Represent YMCA BG at meetings locally, regionally and nationally as appropriate, acting at all times as an ambassador for our YMCA and work.
• Demonstrate a commitment to the Association’s policy on promoting equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of the role.

Operations Leadership and Management

• To oversee the operational service delivery (Housing, Children’s Work, Youth & Community and Facilities & Compliance), by effectively line managing and supporting the Head of each operational area – through regular supervision, annual review, feedback and chairing relevant operational meetings.
• Ensure that the Association’s vision, mission and values are understood by all staff, volunteers and applicants and is embedded into policies and the operational practices of YMCA BG.
• Ensure that all areas of revenue income and expenditure relating to operational delivery within this role are effectively managed and controlled, that all areas are properly resourced in accordance with financial controls and agreed budgets.
• To take overall responsibility for the management and structure of operational areas within this role to maximise effectiveness and ensure the services and activities continue to meet service customer needs.
• Ensure accurate and appropriate reporting of statistical information on operational performance to the relevant statutory bodies, committees and Board as required.
• Oversee and support the Safeguarding function for the Operational areas within this role to ensure that the standards of service delivery meet Safeguarding and Ofsted regulations in order to fulfil the Association’s statutory responsibilities.
• Ensure all major operational risks are identified and regularly reviewed, systems and procedures are in place within our services and ensure there is adequate provisions in place to mitigate these risks.
• Work closely with Marketing and Fundraising ensuring that all operational areas feed in regular new stories and case studies, with suitable permissions in place, to use by the department as part of their awareness building and fundraising strategies.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level of equivalent professional qualification or significant level of experience and membership of an appropriate professional body
• Strong working knowledge & experience of the supported housing market, housing association including the regulatory requirements of the Regulator for Social Housing, and the requirements of Ofsted in relation to housing 16- and 17-year-olds.
• Knowledge of early years, Ofsted in relation to nursery / preschool settings and knowledge of youth and community work.
• Detailed knowledge of Corporate Health & Safety, Safeguarding, Equality and Diversity, Environmental Sustainability agendas, statutory responsibilities and management good practices.
• Senior management level experience in social housing and / or a charitable setting with significant experience in directing operational services.
• Experience in leading successful teams, inspiring and motivating staff to deliver to high standards and managing change.
• Experience of monitoring and managing organisational performance through KPI’s, in line with regulatory requirements.
• Experience of managing a range of stakeholder relationships across the statutory and voluntary sector, building strong and enduring relationships with a wide range of partners.
• Experience of working constructively with trustees / elected members in a committee structure.
• Experience of setting and monitoring budgets, performance and outcomes and being able to make necessary changes as required.
• Experience of working in teams of external professionals on business development projects.

Equality and Diversity

We are committed to equality not only in the workplace but in the communities within which we operate. To that end we are an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications regardless of sex, gender, race, age, belief in any religion and none, gender identity, ethnic origin, class, sexuality, nationality, disability, responsibility for dependants, being HIV positive or living with AIDS and any other matter that causes an individual to be treated with discrimination.

We have policies and procedures in place to protect our staff and service users from discrimination. We work hard to challenge discrimination in society and promote equality within our charity and social enterprise.

Benefits of working for YMCA Brunel Group

YMCA Brunel Group is an inclusive organisation and the post requires a shared commitment to equality and diversity.

• Enhanced annual leave and sickness pay allowance
• Paid compassionate and emergency dependant leave
• 25 days holiday+ public bank holidays
• Access to an employee discount portal with Reward Gateway
• Access to an Employee Assistance programme with Health Assured
• Cycle to work
• 20% discount off the cost of our childcare settings in Wiltshire
• All staff get a fully inclusive membership on our health and wellbeing centre in Bath for the heavily discounted price of £15/ month
• A corporate discount for our staff at Fusion Lifestyle who have gyms in the Mendip and South Somerset area at £38 rather than £48/month
• Access to online gym classes for free