Location: Based at Loanhead Farm, West Calder. EH55 8LN
Work will take place across a variety of settings, throughout the WATIF Community Development Trust area
Reports to: Board of Trustees
Hours of employment: Full time.Flexible working hours with some evening and weekend working
Own transport is essential as there is no public transport nearby
Salary: £36,000 - £40,000.
Overview
The Operational Manager will be responsible for delivering the strategic direction of the Board ofTrustees for the Charity. The key priorities will be engagement with the WATIF community, cultivating strategic partnerships along with the development and delivery of a clear learning and development strategy.
The strategy must support future organisational growth and unlock revenue generation opportunities, including fund raising, partnerships and social enterprise models.
The Operational Manager will provide strong team leadership, operational excellence and community engagement through effective engagement of the WATIF staff team, ensuring the work remains locally rooted and sustainable.
The role requires strong leadership, excellent communication skills, skilled operational planning experience and an in-depth knowledge of grant funding together with knowledge and experience of the charity sector.
The role involves working closely with the Project Manager of Loanhead Farm and other staff in managing facilities, coordinating logistics for events, building relationships with funders and community organisations.
The area covers the villages of Woolfords, Auchengray, and Tarbrax - a trio of small, historically linked villages along with several small settlements in South Lanarkshire, nestled amidst the farms and forestry near the Pentland Hills and offering rural life with community hubs in the Villages, comprising a population of around 819 people.
Essential Experience and Skills
Proven senior leadership experience in a UK charity, community organisation, or social enterprise
Excellent communication, relationship-building and partnership skills
Deep understanding of community-led principles and grassroots engagement
Strong track record of designing and implementing organisational learning and development strategies
Demonstrated experience in successful fundraising, income generation or business development
Experience of leading teams through change, growth or capacity-building processes
Proven experience of engagement with adiverse and close-knit community in a rural area.
Desirable
Familiarity with social enterprise models and/or community business development
Experience in leading communications with community, partners and funding stakeholders
Experience of tech enabled learning initiatives. MS 365, Excel, Social Media, Xero
Values and Initiatives
Passionate about equity, community empowerment, and inclusive practice
Ability to inspire, motivate and mobilize teams and community
Passion for people development and social impact
Strong emotional intelligence and commitment to wellbeing
Confidence in working with diverse communities, including those experiencing disadvantage
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Organisational Growth
Lead the development and implementation, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, of a future focussed strategy that reflects community needs and organisational ambitions
Identify and pursue new opportunities for sustainable income generation, innovation and community impact
Represent the organisation with key stakeholders, partners, and media, representing its values and vision to build visibility and influence.
Learning and Development for Organisational and Revenue Generating Growth
Design and implement a charity wide learning and development strategy for future growth and sustainabilityfor the organisations portfolio of services and activities, ensuring team growth, capability and succession planning
Establish programs that upskill staff and support innovative service delivery and operational improvement and efficiency
Identify skills gaps and create internal pathways for staff, volunteers and community leaders to grow
Revenue Generation and Fundraising
Develop and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies, including community fundraising, major gifts, grants, corporate sponsorships and earned income opportunities
Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with donors, partners, foundations, sponsors and other funding bodies
Ensure effective operational systems, budget management, compliance and risk oversight
Explore and develop income-generating opportunities, including social enterprise and commissioned services
Team Management and Organisational Culture
Inspire, lead and support a skilled and passionate staff team, promoting wellbeing, development and inclusive practice
Foster a collaborative and innovative community driven and values based organisational culture
Ensure that all HR policies, recruitment, performance requirements are current and adhered to
Recruit, coordinate and manage volunteers to the organisation both at Loanhead and throughout the WATIF area
Governance and Compliance
Work closely with the Board of Trustees to ensure effective governance, reporting and strategic oversight
Ensure full compliance with all legal, regulatory and contractual obligations including Charity Commission guidance
Lead on safeguarding, health and safety, risk management, and organisational policy development
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