Job: Operations Manager

Join Our Mission to Give Children the Best Possible Start in Life!

Home-Start Trafford, Salford, Wigan (HSTSW) is a passionate, community-driven charity dedicated to supporting local families through challenging times. Every year, we provide emotional and practical support to over 250 families, helping to reduce stress, prevent crisis, and build stronger, happier homes.

We’re looking for a full-time Operations Manager who brings energy, expertise, and a genuine commitment to making a positive impact. In this pivotal role, you’ll lead a dedicated team and oversee the management of our incredible volunteer army, ensuring they feel supported, motivated, and empowered to deliver life-changing support to families.

If you have exceptional organisational and communication skills, the ability to prioritise effectively, and proven experience in line management, we’d love to hear from you.

The post holder will be responsible for the operational management of the organisation, including line management of 10 x staff. They will ensure the effective delivery of high quality, impactful support to families and volunteers to fulfil the requirements of the organisation’s strategic plan and funding contracts.

 Key areas and main tasks of the job

1. People Management

• Line management of 10 staff: regular supervision, audits, annual appraisals linked to objectives/Strategic plan.
• Manage employment issues (disciplinary, grievance, capability) in partnership with CEO/Trustees.
• Plan and manage staff resources (sickness, leave, maternity).
• Recruitment, induction, probation, and any contract endings.
• Encourage positive team morale and PRIDE values (Professional, Resilient, Inclusive, Dedicated, Empowering)

2. Volunteer Management

• Develop and implement annual volunteer recruitment and retention plan.
• Ensure adequate volunteer numbers, training, and selection.
• Maintain quality and support delivery of volunteer preparation training courses when needed.

3. Service Delivery & Operations

• Oversee referral management: screening and allocation.
• Ensure effective systems and processes (referral pathways, volunteer safe recruitment/management)
• Maintain record keeping/case management systems per guidelines and support the developments of Dynamics/Early Help Module.
• Ensure office space is clean, tidy, and safe.

4. Safeguarding & Compliance

• Act as Strategic Lead for Safeguarding; attend weekly ROCA meetings.
• Prepare and complete GDPR, Safeguarding, and Health & Safety audits.
• Ensure compliance with policies, procedures, and legislation (Health & Safety, Equal Opportunities).
• Lead HSUK Quality Assurance reviews and self-assessments.
• Oversee safe recruitment processes, DBS checks and recruitment of ex-offenders per policy.

5. Training & Development

• Ensure staff, volunteer, and trustee training is up to date.
• Lead new staff induction and ongoing development.

6. Governance & Reporting

• Report to CEO/Trustees on scheme and staff performance.
• Attend Trustee meetings when requested; provide assurance and recommendations.
• Oversee case study requirements and staff attendance rota for Trustee meetings.
• Support with data cleansing to enable accurate regular reporting to funders
• Follow Home-Start Code of Conduct

7. Finance & Strategic Planning

• Support with the monitoring of budgets for project delivery and training costs.
• Collaborate with CEO/Trustees on strategic management, development, and funding applications.

8. Promotion & Representation

• Promote scheme profile, ethos, and practice.