Operational Manager Cemeteries & Crematorium

Overview

In this role you lead Havering’s Bereavement Services across four cemeteries and a crematorium, ensuring compassionate, compliant, and high-quality service. You’ll manage multi-site operations, oversee budgets and capital projects, and drive continuous improvement with a focus on customer-centred delivery. As part of the Bereavement Services Management Team, you’ll develop staff, stakeholder relationships and ensure safety and standards. This is a meaningful opportunity to shape a key public service during residents’ most difficult times.

Pay / Benefits

• Local Government Pension Scheme
• flexible working arrangements
• opportunities for professional development
• supportive and ambitious service
• commitment to wellbeing and inclusion
• vehicle suitable for business use

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and develop operational teams to deliver excellent customer service and high performance
• Oversee burial and cremation operations ensuring compliance with legislation and professional standards
• Manage grounds maintenance across ~75 acres of cemetery and crematorium land
• Control revenue and capital budgets and monitor financial performance
• Plan and deliver service improvements and capital projects
• Oversee cremation, filtration plant and cemetery assets
• Develop and review policies, procedures and operational standards
• Foster relationships with funeral directors, faith groups, stakeholders, contractors and community organisations
• Ensure health and safety, environmental and memorial safety compliance
• Handle customer feedback and complaints professionally
• Deputise for the Assistant Director when required

Key requirements

• Proven experience leading operational teams and managing budgets, contracts and resources
• Track record of delivering service improvements and operational excellence
• Experience in business planning, performance management and project delivery
• Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills
• Experience developing partnerships with public, private and voluntary sectors
• Ability to manage complex, sensitive situations with professionalism and empathy
• Strong leadership with coaching and development abilities

• resilience
• empathy
• strong communication
• budget management
• project delivery
• policy development

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