The Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind / Rotherham Sight & Sound Job Description: Operations Manager Hours: 37.5 hrs per week Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm, half hour lunch break. Some flexibility in terms of working hours may be considered. Salary: £35,000 Background Information: Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind (SRSB) provides a range of services and facilities to support people with sight loss in Sheffield, including a residential care home (Cairn Home). We also support people with sight loss and/or hearing loss in Rotherham. Our services in Rotherham are delivered under the name of Rotherham Sight & Sound (RSS). Our overarching aim is to promote people’s independence through advice and subsequent referral to other services, both our own and other agencies. General Information: Reporting to the CEO and working as part of a team of people dedicated to providing a high-quality Service for the visually impaired people of Sheffield and sensory impaired people of Rotherham. We are seeking a proactive and compassionate Operations Manager to oversee the smooth day-to-day running of our services across both centres. This pivotal role ensures that our frontline and standalone staff are supported, coordinated, empowered and motivated to deliver high-quality services to our clients. The Operations Manager will also act as the first point of contact for staff-related issues, providing initial HR guidance and support. Duties & Responsibilities: Staff Management & Leadership • Line manage a diverse team including: o Frontline service staff o Business Support Officer o Receptionist o Technology Trainer o Equipment Advisor o Research and Development Officer o Life Ahead Project Co-ordinator o Befriending Services Co-ordinator o Café Staff o Cleaning staff • Provide regular supervision, support, and performance reviews • Foster a positive, inclusive, and collaborative working culture • Ensure staff are trained, compliant, and aligned with organisational values HR Support • Act as the first point of contact for staff issues, concerns, and queries • Provide initial guidance on HR matters including absence, conduct, performance, and wellbeing • Support recruitment, onboarding, and induction processes • Maintain accurate staff records and support compliance with employment policies • Liaise with external HR advisors or senior leadership team on complex matters Operational Oversight • Ensure the effective day-to-day running of both centres • Coordinate cover, and service continuity across sites • Monitor service delivery standards and implement improvements • Liaise with the CEO and senior leadership team to align operations with strategic goals Facilities & Resource Management • Oversee the maintenance, cleanliness, and safety of both centres • Manage relationships with external contractors (eg.maintenance, stationery stock, external providers) • Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations Communication & Coordination • Act as a key point of contact between departments and centres • Support internal communications and ensure staff are informed and engaged • Represent the organisation in local networks and partnerships as required The list of specific duties and responsibilities is not exhaustive and a suitable candidate must be able to work flexibly assuming many different roles and responsibilities. Person Specification: Experience and Qualifications Essential/Desirable Proven experience in the charity or health and social care sector Strong people management and leadership skills Working knowledge of HR practices and employment policies Essential Essential Essential Excellent organisational and problem-solving abilities Essential Experience of producing written and electronic based reports Essential Ability to work across multiple sites and manage competing priorities Essential Commitment to own continuing professional development and attendance at further training Essential Skills/Attributes Essential/Desirable Adaptability, able to respond to a varied workload and different challenges Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in a structured way with a range of individuals and organisations, both verbally and in writing Essential Essential IT literate and competent in use of Microsoft Office software including Word, Excel and Outlook, or equivalent Essential Experience using CRM (database) software (this is Microsoft Dynamics) Ability to work on own initiative and liaise with colleagues as and when required Ability to prioritise and manage own workload Honest & trustworthy You should have, or be able to develop, a good understanding of the needs of people with a sensory impairment Due to the nature of our work, guide dogs and hearing support dogs will regularly be present. Hence, it is necessary that the successful applicant does not have any unmanageable allergies to dogs and does not object to them accompanying their owners Desirable Essential Essential Essential Essential Essential Qualities and Competencies Essential/Desirable Self-motivated Personal commitment to equal opportunities and anti- discriminatory practices Ability to motivate and support others A good sense of humour Conscientious and thorough in record keeping, data collection and data protection Essential Essential Essential Essential Essential Other Requirements Essential/Desirable Ability to travel for events such as training, forums etc Essential This post may require some very occasional UK travel and may include occasional overnight stays Essential Appointment is subject to an Enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references, including a reference from your current/most recent employer Essential All Staff are required to: Understand and comply with all relevant legislation and SRSB’s policies and procedures, including data protection, safeguarding and health & safety. Confidentiality of information relating to clients, volunteers and staff is of paramount importance. To bring to the attention of the CEO any serious problems or areas of concern. Work as part of a team for the benefit of our clients. Staff are expected to be conscientious, adaptable and flexible in their duties. Actively promote the work of SRSB/RSS as an independent charity for the provision of help, support and provision of services in various forms for the benefit of our clients. Undertake appropriate training as and when required, some of which will be Health & Safety related and some of which will be skills related. Benefits: Life Assurance: All staff are covered under a life assurance policy for twice their annual salary. However, please note that this is not a contractual obligation and whilst we have no intention of removing this benefit the Charity in its sole and absolute discretion reserves the right to discontinue, vary or amend the scheme (including the level of your cover) at any time on reasonable notice to you. Pension: You will be auto enrolled in SRSB’s staff pension scheme immediately subject to you meeting the relevant criteria in terms of age and earnings. If you are auto enrolled you will contribute 5% of your gross earnings (plus employer contribution 3%). If you wish to contribute over and above this percentage you may do so, but SRSB will not match this extra contribution. Holidays: Pro rata to full time equivalent of 23 days per annum plus 9 days statutory/customary holidays. Up to 3 days must be reserved for the Christmas/New Year shutdown. Additional holiday entitlement starts to accrue after 3 years’ service. Our holiday year is 1st January to 31st December, holiday entitlement accruing pro-rata throughout the year.