Regional Operations Lead North and East

About us

Our purpose is simple: to save lives at sea. 24 hours a day, every day, RNLI lifesavers are ready to launch to the rescue.

We’re looking for a Regional Operations Lead to join our Regional Leadership Team based in the North and East of England. The Regional Operations Lead supports the RNLI through providing regional leadership, management and guidance to inspire and motivate a team of dedicated professionals to ensure the region provides its core lifesaving operations in line with RNLI values, policies and procedures.

Some of the benefits

Salary £49,492 - £58,226 (dependent on experience)
Flexible working
26 days’ annual leave plus Bank Holidays
Outstanding pension scheme (contributions of up to 16% of basic salary)
Life assurance
Health and dental cashplan option

Your role

As a Regional Operations Lead, you will be tasked with focus on the following areas:

Operational Leadership:Ensure safe, efficient, and effective delivery of RNLI lifesaving operations in the region, adhering to policies, standards, and legislation.
Team Management & Development:Recruit, manage, and develop high-performing operational managers; provide leadership, mentoring, and pastoral support.
Risk & Compliance:Maintain strategic regional plans and risk registers; ensure compliance with internal/external standards and manage risk collaboratively.
Stakeholder & Partnership Engagement:Act as the lead regional contact with Search and Rescue and civil agencies; coordinate multi-agency responses and partnerships.
Support & Representation:Participate in on-call duties, respond to major incidents, and act as an RNLI spokesperson and ambassador when required.

About you

You’ll be motivated and flexible leader who can coach teams, handle difficult conversations, and make decisions within a compliance framework. They proactively seek continuous improvement, embrace innovation, and work independently while supporting colleagues collaboratively. Willingness to travel, work flexible hours, and balance planning with adaptability is essential to meet volunteer and operational needs.

To be considered as the Regional Operations Lead you will need:

Proven track record of managing in a managerial fast-paced operational environment.
Demonstrable track record in driving operational improvement against targets and measuring compliance.
Management of teams (both in person / remotely).
Current, valid driving licence.

Other organisations may call this role Head of Operations.

So, if you want to see how this role supports our organisation’s aim to reduce drowning, this could be the role for you. Please apply via the button shown.

This post requires a valid driving licence.

Safeguarding

The RNLI is committed to safeguarding; protecting a person’s health, wellbeing, and human rights, enabling them to live free from harm, abuse, and neglect. We expect all employees and volunteers to share this commitment and have a zero-tolerance approach. The suitability of all prospective employees and volunteers will be assessed during the recruitment process in line with this commitment. This will include relevant criminal record checks being carried out dependent on the eligibility of the role. (England & Wales; DBS check, Scotland; Disclosure Scotland PVG, Northern Ireland; Access NI, Republic of Ireland; Garda Vetting; International, International Child Protection Certificate process).

Diversity at the RNLI

Our staff and volunteers have been saving lives at sea without prejudice for 200 years. We respect and value diversity of background, skills and perspectives within our teams, and consider it essential to help us deliver a world-class lifesaving service. We are an inclusive organisation and welcome applications from everyone. In addition to having the skills needed for the role, we also look for applicants who share our commitment to living our RNLI values (trustworthy, courageous, selfless, and dependable), and helping us work towards Our Vision: To save Every One.