Head of Operations
Professional Membership Organisation
2 Days Farnborough, Hampshire, 3 Days Home
Basic Salary: £50,000 – £55,000 (depending on experience)
Benefits: 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays, office closure between Christmas and New Year, company pension.
Hours: Monday–Thursday 8:30am–5:00pm (1-hour lunch), Friday 8:30am–4:30pm (30-minute lunch).
Flexible working arrangements considered, including 4 days per week or compressed hours.
Permanent, Full Time
Closing Date - Friday 28 November 2025
Our client, a highly respected professional membership organisation in the professional services sector, is seeking a Head of Operations to provide leadership and coordination across all internal operations.
If you are a Head of Operations or Senior Operations Manager working in a similar professional services environment role for a estate agency, accountancy, law, insurance, financial services, consultancy, recruitment, compliance, property management, architecture, engineering, and membership organisations we would love to hear from you
The Role
This role reports directly to the Chief Executive and will manage a team of five. The successful candidate will be the central connector for the organisation — ensuring smooth delivery across IT, finance, marketing, compliance, and member services, with a strong focus on process management, people leadership, and operational excellence. The current postholder is retiring in early 2026, and this appointment will include a comprehensive handover period in February to ensure a smooth transition.
Key Responsibilities
* Oversee and direct all aspects of internal administration including IT, HR liaison, finance, marketing, learning & professional development, compliance, and technology.
* Manage, support, and guide the Centre team (five staff), ensuring activities are well planned, resources allocated effectively, and performance monitored through regular check‑ins and team meetings.
* Maintain and improve operational processes already in place — providing a safe pair of hands to ensure continuity and consistency.
* Lead special projects and make recommendations on the use of digital tools and AI to enhance efficiency and member value.
* Administer the Board, Membership Services Committee, and standing committees including ESG, IC, LPD, and QAS, as well as the AGM.
* Oversee the Group’s financial controls including budgeting, invoicing, and payments, ensuring adherence to approved budgets.
* Work with the CEO to implement and embed the organisation’s EOS framework across all areas.
* Manage third‑party providers such as IT, marketing, benchmarking, and HR, ensuring high‑quality service delivery and value for money.
* Ensure all membership Groups & Panels are properly resourced, with active participation and clear plans in place.
* Oversee and improve wider member services including events, conferences, and benchmarking to maximise engagement and satisfaction.
* Ensure compliance with organisational policies, health and safety, and data protection requirements.
* Uphold the organisation’s core values of collaboration, agility, respect, enterprise, and standards.
Knowledge and Experience
* Strong management experience with high levels of self‑awareness, empathy, and personal resilience.
* Proven experience in operational or administrative management within a professional, commercial, or membership environment.
* Broad understanding of technology platforms including CRM systems, SharePoint, and websites, with an appreciation of cybersecurity and data management.
* Excellent organisational skills, including event and meeting coordination.
* High attention to detail with the ability to foresee, identify, and resolve issues proactively.
* Experience managing people and processes, fostering collaboration, and promoting wellbeing across teams.
* Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to write clearly and concisely in plain English.
* Understanding of compliance, governance, and professional standards.
* Enthusiastic, mature, and professional with a “can‑do” attitude and the ability to engage confidently with members, staff, and external partners.
* Willingness to travel to UK events and conferences, including occasional overnight stays (e.g. annual conference in Belfast, 2026).
To apply
Please send your CV.
Additional Information
Due to the volume of applications, we are only able to contact successful applicants. If you have not heard from us within 10 working days, please assume your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.
Membership Bespoke is acting as a recruitment business in relation to this role. Membership Bespoke positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.
Membership Bespoke is the most experienced membership‑focused recruitment firm in the UK, with over 10 years’ experience delivering tailored permanent, temporary, interim, and executive recruitment solutions to Trade Associations, Regulatory Bodies, Professional Bodies, and Charities.
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