We are delighted to be advertising a key role at Borough Market, London’s historic food market. This is a fantastic opportunity to join a small but highly dynamic Senior Management team with responsibility for the safe, effective and consistent day-to-day operation of Borough Market.

The Head of Operations leads the Operations team to ensure the Market is well managed, welcoming, safe and operationally ready each day for traders, visitors, staff, contractors and the wider community.

This includes overseeing daily operational decision-making, ensuring strong team leadership and accountability, supporting excellent standards of customer service, and enforcing Market rules, trader regulations and operational standards in a fair and consistent way.

The postholder will be responsible for:

• bringing structure, clarity and confidence to the Operations team, ensuring managers, supervisors, cleaning teams, security teams and agency staff have the guidance, tools and support they need to perform effectively

• Oversee rota and agency staff relationships to ensure sufficient cover across the operations team at all times

• leading and embedding positive team transformation, improving ways of working, strengthening communication, and creating a progressive, supportive and accountable team culture

• Partner with the People team and oversee employee relations cases including but not limited to; absence, performance and conduct in line with Trust Policies and Procedures

• working closely with traders to resolve operational issues, escalating significant matters where needed, ensuring the day-to-day care, presentation and smooth running of the Market

• oversee agency relationships, operational contracts and tender processes relating to services such as cleaning, security, waste and other operational support services.

• Deliver all operational plans while ensuring all spend is kept within budget, including overseeing the tendering and contracting of key services

• work collaboratively across departments, including with the Facilities and Maintenance Manager, Property, People, Marketing and Communications, Trader Relations and Development teams, to ensure operational requirements are properly planned, communicated and delivered

• supporting the coordination of Market operations for events, activations and campaigns, ensuring these are delivered safely, professionally and in line with the Market’s values.

• departmental health and safety implementation, emergency response readiness, safe systems of work, operational resilience and continuous improvement across the Market.

• ensuring Borough Market’s brand, values and commitment to sustainability are represented through the day-to-day operation of the site.

As a member of the Senior Management Team, you are expected to:

• Contribute to the overall strategic direction of Borough Market, including responsibility for departmental budgets

• Lead or attend Trustee, Sub-committee, Staff and Trader meetings as and when necessary, including preparing and delivering any necessary documentation or presentations

• Attend local or national stakeholders meetings when necessary and effectively represent Borough Market to any outside body

• Undertake any other responsibilities and duties as and when needed, as reasonably requested by the Directors

• Manage and develop direct reports and foster an environment where all talent is nurtured

• Ensure all team members have personal development plans, career discussions, and robust succession plans

• Work closely with all other Heads of Department to ensure collaborative and productive working across teams at all times.

 The ideal candidate will have;

• Significant experience of leading in an operational environment (at least 8 years), with proven history of managing large teams

• Experience of leading and guiding teams through transformational change

• A demonstrable passion for and knowledge of quality food sector (desirable)

• Relevant Health & Safety qualifications (these can be attained once hired as needed)

• Sound working knowledge of the UK Health and Safety legislation and Food Hygiene Act

• Strong engagement skills, comfortable engaging with all levels of people, across all walks of life

• Strong planning and organisational skills, able to multi-task and juggle multiple projects according to changing priorities

• A self-starter, who is able to dictate and take responsibility for own workload

• Ability to work under pressure to tight deadlines, resilient and with a ‘can do’ attitude

• Well-developed commercial and financial acumen with the ability to contribute to the wider business of the Trust

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including personal and face to face contact

• Proficient in MS Office and experience of management systems

  This role is permanent and full time. Due to the operational nature, weekend and evening work will be required.