About You:
· You are a professional and enthusiastic HR and Operations practitioner with experience spanning people management and day-to-day organisational operations.
· You have a strong track record of developing, motivating, and supporting both staff and volunteers.
· You have the ability to manage a wide range of operations – including health and safety, policy compliance, quality, governance, contracts, and contractor oversight – to support service delivery across the Centre’s diverse functions.
·You are experienced in building and maintaining effective organisational systems.
·You demonstrate outstanding communication skills, attention to detail, and discretion, and you excel at managing a varied workload with competing priorities and tight deadlines.
· You are highly organised and thrive in dynamic environments where flexibility, initiative, and sound judgement are essential.
· You are committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive culture; You are proactive and comfortable working independently, while also able to build strong, collaborative relationships across all levels of the organisation.
Key Responsibilities and accountabilities:
· Be directly responsible for ensuring the effective and efficient day-to-day functioning of the centre including the management of the Brazelton Centre UK premises and IT, where applicable.
· Understand the legal and reporting obligations of the Brazelton Centre UK as a registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) and be responsible for ensuring the Centre meets these obligations including for example filing of annual accounts.
· Work with the Board of Trustees, Director, fundraising colleagues and partner organisations to increase voluntary income to the Centre to fund and trial innovative new services and research opportunities in line with our strategy
·Ensure HR policies are reviewed and updated to ensure compliance with employment laws, regulations and best practice. Develop new policies that are fit for purpose, legally compliant, and embedded within the team.
·Update, maintain and develop employee handbook, HR templates, processes, and systems to support the delivery of an effective HR function.
·Manage HR systems ensuring all records are maintained accurately and comply with GDPR.
·Day to day line management of a number of the Brazelton Centre staff including the development of objectives, work plans and monitoring ongoing performance, the management of annual leave and sickness and absence monitoring.
·Oversee the entire employee lifecycle - from induction to exit - while implementing talent retention strategies, performance management systems, and succession planning.
·Oversee organisational volunteer management, ensuring compliance with policies and alignment with strategic objectives
·Manage grievances and disciplinary actions in accordance with policy.
·Lead on delivery of annual training plan and annual appraisal process.
·Oversee day-to-day office management to ensure a warm, inclusive, and safe working environment.
·Ensure health and safety, compliance, and quality standards are consistently upheld across all HR and operational practices, fostering a safe, legally sound, and high-performing work environment
Support the planning and further development of the Brazelton Centre UK, working to continually extend the reach of our existing NBO and NBAS courses.
·Work with the Director and Board of Trustees, to develop and implement the Brazelton Centre UK’s long-term strategy, and be responsible for the development and delivery of the supporting business plan.
In line with our strategy, where relevant, support the Director to seek new projects, research and funding opportunities related to the aims of the Centre
Promote the activities of the Brazelton Centre UK in enabling the highest standards of service delivery
As required support the Director with engaging with the appropriate resources and media to promote and develop services offered by the Brazelton Centre UK.
General
This job description describes the major responsibilities and accountabilities associated with the post of Operational Manager. It is not intended to be exhaustive and it should not be assumed that other duties of a similar level/nature appropriate to the role of Operational Manager are excluded simply because they are not itemised. Similarly, it should be recognised that the duties of the post may alter due to changes in legislation or policy or the business needs of the charity. Where such changes occur, training may be given where reasonable to enable the post-holder to undertake the new or varied work.
The Operational Manager is a key advocate for The Brazelton Centre and is expected to display the highest levels of personal and professional integrity at all times and to always act in a way which reflects positively on the organisation.
Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK and be able to provide evidence of this.
Candidates should also submit the names and contact details of at least two referees, one of whom must be their most recent employer. (We can include an optional third reference if preferred.)
The start date will be agreed upon with the successful candidate, but we are aiming for a start date of 1 March 2026.
Closing date for Application submission is 12th December 2025 and Interview date will be in person in Cambridge on the 15th January 2026.
For more information about the post and informal discussions, please contact Inge Nickell, Director of the Brazelton Centre UK.