Operations & Partnerships Manager

Job Description

Operations & Partnerships Manager

n

Location: Leicester – site/office basedSalary: £38,000 to £40,000Contract: Permanent

n

Build a successful social enterprise that makes a real difference

n

We’re looking for a commercially-minded Operations & Partnerships Manager to help grow an established social enterprise that generates income while making a tangible difference to people and families facing hardship.

n

This is a genuinely varied role. You’ll combine business development, partnership management and operational leadership, working closely with the CEO to grow income, improve performance and develop the service.

n

The social enterprise supplies essential household goods including white goods, beds and other items through partnerships with housing associations, social landlords, local authorities, charities and other organisations.

n

The opportunity is to take something that is already established and help it grow – winning new partnerships, developing existing accounts, improving the way the operation works and ensuring commercial success translates into greater social impact.

n

What you'll be doing

n

You'll have responsibility for both growing the business and making sure the logistics runs brilliantly.

n

Business Development & Partnerships – around 50%

n

n

n
• Develop and manage a B2B sales pipeline, identifying and converting new opportunities.

n

• Build relationships with housing associations, social landlords, local authorities, charities and purpose-led businesses.

n

• Develop new income streams and partnership opportunities.

n

• Manage and grow existing customer and partner accounts.

n

• Lead conversations with prospective partners, understand their needs and develop commercially viable solutions.

n

• Represent the social enterprise at networking events, meetings and partnership forums.

n

• Work with colleagues to communicate the social and community value we create.

n

n

n

Operations & Service Delivery – around 35%

n

n

n
• Oversee day-to-day operations, logistics, stock and fulfilment.

n

• Manage procurement and supplier relationships.

n

• Ensure customers and partners receive an excellent, reliable service.

n

• Identify opportunities to improve processes, systems and efficiency.

n

• Monitor operational performance and put improvements into place.

n

• Maintain high standards of quality, compliance and health and safety.

n

n

n

People, Finance & Performance – around 15%

n

n

n
• Lead, support and develop staff and volunteers.

n

• Manage budgets and monitor income, costs and margins.

n

• Set and monitor commercial and operational performance measures.

n

• Provide clear reporting to the CEO and wider leadership team.

n

• Help create a positive, accountable and collaborative team culture.

n

n

n

Who we're looking for

n

We're looking for someone who is commercially confident, good with people and comfortable getting stuck into the detail of an operation.

n

You might currently be working in:

n

n

n
• a charity or social enterprise in partnerships, trading, fundraising or income generation

n

• a purpose-led business in business development or account management

n

• a commercial organisation managing customers, partnerships or service delivery

n

• an operations environment where you've also had responsibility for customers, suppliers or business growth

n

n

n

What matters most is that you can demonstrate:

n

n

n
• Experience of developing relationships and winning or growing business, partnerships or income.

n

• A track record of turning opportunities into sustainable income.

n

• Strong communication, influencing and relationship-building skills.

n

• Experience of managing people, teams or volunteers.

n

• The ability to understand commercial performance, budgets and margins.

n

• Experience of improving processes and operational performance.

n

• The confidence to work strategically while also being prepared to get involved in the day-to-day operation.

n

• A genuine interest in combining commercial success with social impact.

n

• A full driving licence and access to your own transport.

n

n

n

Why this role?

n

This isn't simply an operations management position.

n

You'll have the opportunity to help shape and grow the charity, with real responsibility for both commercial performance and social impact.

n

Working directly with the CEO, you'll have the freedom to develop new partnerships, identify new opportunities and improve how the organisation operates.

n

And the work you do has a direct purpose: the income and partnerships you help generate enable more people and families facing hardship to access essential household goods and practical support.

n

If you're an ambitious, relationship-focused manager who enjoys winning opportunities, developing partnerships and making things work better, we'd love to hear from you.

n

Other job titles you may have include:Commercial Manager, Business Development Manager, Partnerships Manager, Social Enterprise Manager, Trading Manager, Operations Manager, Sales & Partnerships Manager, Business Development & Operations Manager.

…