Head of Operations

About the role

In this key leadership role, you will ensure the smooth running of Demos’ operations, governance, and administration, taking responsibility for the general functioning of the organisation and helping to build a thriving and inclusive organisational culture. This is an exciting opportunity to get to know the organisation and its work deeply so that you can ensure we have the systems in place to run effectively, as well as making sure the day to day administration is maintained to a high standard. You will oversee HR processes, and ensure that there are systems and policies in place to create a healthy flow of information across the organisation. 

Responsibilities 

• Ensuring the smooth running of the organisation by leading on operational processes and administration, including managing our office space and creating a welcoming workplace.

• Designing and implementing the systems we need to run the organisation effectively, including drafting, reviewing and rolling out policies as necessary

• Managing our annual governance cycle, including being the point of liaison between Demos’ Board of Trustees and Leadership Team, working closely with the Chair and Chief Executive to ensure legal compliance and prepare all Board meetings, papers and reports, including taking appropriate minutes

• Managing HR systems across the organisation for the team of 20 staff; ensuring all HR processes and policies are fit for purpose, up to date and adhere to law, and are understood and implemented across the organisation, including appraisals

• Managing recruitment processes for all staff, inducting new starters and off-boarding leavers

• Playing a leading role in building and maintaining a healthy organisational culture, working with all staff across the organisation

• Ensuring that IT hardware and systems are managed effectively and maintained, including that staff have the training and support needed. 

• Taking a ‘bird’s eye view’ of the systems and processes across the organisation, to ensure healthy and efficient working across the organisation

• Lead on Health and Safety Compliance 

• Undertake other duties as may be reasonably required. 

The team

You will be working at the heart of Demos, alongside a Finance director and finance manager, engaging with every part of the organisation - from trustees to junior researchers. You will report to the Director of Participatory Programmes. 

About you

The types of experience and skills we are looking for include the below. We welcome a range of applications which include at least some of these attributes.

Experience: 

• Managing operations in a comparable charity or business, with both strategic and day-to-day operations responsibilities

• Strategic planning to ensure an organisation’s operations run smoothly

• Developing HR processes and policies, and taking the lead in implementing these across an organisation

• Building a thriving and inclusive working culture and and making improvements for staff wellbeing

• Handling personnel challenges with compassion and robustness.

Skills:

• Strong organisational skills, including the ability to think about, plan ahead for and execute policies, systems, tech, and governance cycles 

• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work across the organisation and bring people with you in the process of updating systems or building a thriving work culture 

• Excellent written communication, for example in writing policies or minute taking

• Reliable and methodical, with strong attention to detail

• Confidence working with senior stakeholders, including Trustee boards or similar, and the ability to tailor communication styles to suit different audiences

• Good level of numeracy with a track record of efficiently and effectively managing budgets

• Flexibility and ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, and keep multiple projects and objectives on track

• Excellent ability to build effective working relationships

• Strong IT literacy including experience with G-Suite

• Leadership skills and management experience

Demos is committed to equality and valuing diversity within our organisation. We recognise, celebrate and promote the positive contributions that are made by diverse groups: engaging with and promoting the voices of people whose voices may not otherwise be heard is core to our work and we believe that this should be reflected in our team. We strongly encourage applications from people from minority ethnic communities, people with disabilities, or others with lived experience of disadvantage. We have flexible working policies, and would be happy to discuss flexible working requirements with any candidates.

What we offer

• Salary £47,320-£61,880, depending on experience 

• Location: Demos offices, London SW1. There is an expectation that this role is predominantly office-based (at least 4 days per week) as managing the office and creating a welcoming workplace is key to this role. We are happy to discuss more details about the flexibility of this role with candidates. 

• Hours: 37.5 hours per week 

• Holidays: 30 days plus statutory holidays

• Pension: 6%

• A forward-thinking, welcoming and collaborative team

• The chance to learn and grow personally and professionally

At Demos we centre staff wellbeing as a key priority; we will make every effort to ensure staff feel happy, healthy and valued as part of our integral team.

About us

Demos is a highly respected cross-party think tank with a unique approach to making policy to solve our long term problems. Building on nearly 30 years of creativity, ideas and impact, Demos is working to shape a more collaborative democracy, in which power is devolved, citizens participate in policy making, and together as a nation we find answers to the challenges of our century.

Selection Process

Closing date for applications: 22nd March

We will interview shortlisted candidates in person on 3rd April. We may hold second interviews on 9th April if needed. 

Questions?

If you have any further questions or want to talk through whether this role is right for you, please feel free to reach out to us and we would be happy to answer any queries. Contact Miriam Levin, Director of Participatory Programmes: miriam.levin@demos.co.uk

We look forward to hearing from you!