Operations Manager at Somewhere Else

Role Purpose

The Operations Manager will play a key role in ensuring the effective day-to-day running of the charity, overseeing internal systems, operations and administration, finance, grants, and HR, & compliance, and governance support, as well as monitoring grants and donor reporting. The role will also support the development of an effective referral system. This is a hands-on role for a highly organised, proactive individual who thrives in a small team environment.

Key Responsibilities

Operations & Administration

• Manage and improve internal systems and processes to support effective service delivery.
• Oversee office management, IT systems, and facilities (including, if appropriate, remote working arrangements).
• Ensure effective record-keeping, data protection, and confidentiality practices.
• Lead on the development and implementation of a referral system.
• Support the Trustees and Clinical Director with activities related to the reconstruction and extension of premises if approved.

Finance, Grants & HR

• Provide support to the responsible Trustees Support in the areas of
  • Financial management, including budget monitoring, payroll coordination, and working with financial consultants and the independent examiner.
  • Administration of grants, including monitoring expenditure against budgets, maintaining accurate records, and ensuring compliance with funder requirements.
  • Preparation of timely financial and narrative reports for donors, funders, and partners.
  • Development of funding applications with accurate costings and operational input.
  • Administration related to trainee and affiliated therapist, volunteers and staff, including recruitment, contracts, inductions, and staff wellbeing initiatives.
  • Maintenance of up-to-date policies and procedures in line with financial and employment law/regulation and best practice.

Governance & Compliance

• Support the Board of Trustees and Clinical Director, as appropriate, with
  • Meeting preparation, minutes, and compliance reporting.
  • Ensuring regulatory requirements are met (Charity Commission, GDPR, confidentiality, health & safety, safeguarding).
  • The development and implementation of risk management processes across the organisation.

Leadership & Team Support

• Work closely with Clinical Director to deliver strategic priorities and organisational growth.
• Support the responsible Trustees to respond to issues, concerns and/or complaints from beneficiaries, volunteers, consultants, affiliated and trainee therapists, and/or staff.

Person Specification

Essential

• Strong organisational and project management skills.
• Experience in operations, administration, or charity management.
• Some knowledge of:
  • Grant management and donor reporting.
  • HR and financial administration.
  • Governance and compliance within a charity or similar organisation.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to work sensitively across cultures.
• Commitment to the values of mental health support, refugee rights, and social justice.

Desirable

• Experience working in the refugee and asylum, or mental health sectors.
• Experience supporting senior leader and/or leadership team.
• Ability to work sensitively across cultures and hierarchies.

What We Offer

• A supportive and inclusive working environment.
• The opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of refugees and asylum seekers.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• Pension scheme.
• Statutory entitlements, including paid annual leave and sick pay.

Applications, comprising a covering letter and curriculum vitae, must be submitted by email to enquiries@somewhereelse.org.uk by 5 October 2025.

Requests for further information may also be submitted to enquiries@somewhereelse.org.uk.