Head of Operations Ref: HOO/05/2025 Closingdate:Tuesday20thMay2025at12noon (Interviews will be held on Tuesday 3rd June 2025) Job Title: Head of Operations Locations:182-188 Cambrai Street, Belfast, BT13 3JH Contract:Permanent ResponsibleTo:Chief Executive Officer Hours: 35(MondaytoThursday8.15am-4.30pm,Friday8.15am- 12.15pm) Salary: £54,292 to £61,034 per annum (Salary progression is subject to annual review in line with the public sector pay remit and incremental progression) Usel is seeking to appoint a permanent Head of Operations, offering a fantastic opportunityforaforward-thinking,people-centredleadertodriveoperationaldelivery across USELs commercial, manufacturing, recycling, and fulfilment work services.
Want to make an application Make sure your CV is up to date, then read the following job specs carefully before applying.
As an Executive Team member in a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB), the successful candidate will combine commercial acumen with a strong social ethos, ensuring performance, compliance, and impact align with USELs mission and values.
Job Description: 1.
To lead and optimise the performance of USELs operational and commercial functions including Manufacturing, Recycling, Business Development, ISO systems, and Health & Safety organisational wide ensuring they deliver high- quality outputs, drive income growth, and operate efficiently within statutory frameworks.
2.
To play a central role in shaping and delivering the organisations strategic and operational priorities as an active member of the Senior Management Team, contributing to long-term planning, decision-making, and cross-functional collaboration.
3.
To support the ongoing commercial and organisational development of USEL by advancing best practice in operational delivery, policy design, financial planning and control, business performance, quality assurance, and external stakeholder engagement ensuring alignment with the organisations social impact mission and corporate objectives.
Main Duties and Responsibilities: StrategicLeadership Lead the operational and commercial development of the organisation by contributingtothestrategic plan,driving income-generatingopportunities,and ensuring alignment with USELs social enterprise mission and strategic goals.
Championinnovationandcommercialthinkingacrossthebusiness,identifying new market opportunities and contributing to business model evolution.
Develop and maintain high-impact partnerships with public bodies, the private sector,andthirdsectororganisationstoenhanceUSELsmarketpresenceand generate commercial growth.
Actively shape cross-organisational strategic decision-making as part of the Senior Leadership Team, providing insight on operational performance, investment decisions, and income diversification.
Produce monthlyperformance reportsfortheCEO andBoard, witha focuson financial contribution, operational efficiency, and commercial KPIs.
Lead the development and submission of capital and revenue business cases in line with Better Business Case NI guidance to support strategic investment and business growth.
Commercial & Operational Delivery Develop and deliver commercially viable operating plans for manufacturing, recycling, and business development functions, ensuring each business unit achieves revenue targets, controls costs, and maintains high customer satisfaction.
Set and implement commercial pricing strategies, profitability models, and market assessments to guide operational decision-making.
Drive continuous improvement across all operational areas through data-led analysis,technologyadoption,andtheintroductionofleansystemstoincrease output and reduce waste.
Lead the design and implementation of operational policies and systems that ensure quality, compliance, and competitiveness across USELs services and products.
Oversee and deliver major operational and commercial projects, including equipment upgrades, facility expansion,andnew product or servicelaunches, ensuring robust business case justification and ROI tracking.
Foster a culture of innovation, encouraging teams to pilot new ideas and pursue efficiencies that support financial sustainability and social impact.
Governance & Financial Management Ensurealloperationaldepartmentsmeetorexceedtheirfinancialperformance targets, with clear accountability for income, cost control, and contribution margins.
Oversee financial and physical resource management across business units to maximise efficiency, return on investment, and value for money.
Ensurerobustfinancialcontrols, riskmanagement systems,andperformance monitoring are in place and consistently applied across all operations.
Maintain compliance with all relevant legislation, governance standards, and public procurement processes, embedding best practice across commercial operations.
MaintainandenhanceISOandotherqualitymanagementsystemsto support customer confidence, continuous improvement, and statutory compliance.
Leadership and People Development Provide inspirational and commercially focused leadership to operational and business development teams, creating a culture of accountability, innovation, and performance.
Lead performance managementprocessesand coach direct reports to deliver against stretching KPIs, financial targets, and growth objectives.
Act as the key link between operational and senior management layers, ensuring strategic alignment and effective implementation of business plans.
Promote an inclusive, performance-driven culture where staff are empowered to develop, innovate, and contribute to the commercial success and social mission of the organisation.
Essential Criteria: At least 2 years experience at senior management level within a complex, multi-functional organisation.
Candidates must also be able to demonstrate experience in at least three of the following areas: 1.
Managing a large operational team across multiple service lines, with clear accountability for performance, delivery, and outcomes.
2.
Leading or contributing significantly to the development and implementation of a corporate or divisional strategic plan aligned to wider organisational goals.
3.
Budget setting, financial control, and income delivery across operational units with a total budget in excess of £1 million, including tracking commercial performance and managing risk.
4.Leadingthedevelopmentandimplementationofpolicyframeworksthatsupport business growth, compliance, and operational excellence.
5.Driving operational efficiencies or transformation programmes that deliver measurable cost savings, quality improvements, or income generation.
6.
Managing or developing commercial partnerships, contracts, or services with measurable financial and social return.
7.
Proven experience in leading commercial growth or business development initiatives within a social enterprise, public sector, or private business context.
Have access to a form of transport which enables them to fulfil the full requirements of the post.
(if the effects of a disability preclude an individual from holding a driving licence, then they should indicate how they could meet the mobility requirements for the post) Desirable Criteria A recognised professional qualification in Recycling and Resource Management (e.g., WAMITAB / Operations Compliance Certification).
Understanding of governance, statutory reporting, and performance management within a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) or publicly funded organisation.