Operations and Development Manager

Responsible to: Centre Manager
Core Hours: 28 hours per week. Occasional weekend or evening work may be necessary.
Position Type: Fixed term, until 30th June 2027.
Annual Leave: 25 days plus bank holidays, per annum/pro rata
Pension: Government NEST scheme, 3% employer / 5% employee contribution
Location: Based at The Environment Centre, Pier Street, Swansea, SA1 1RY

The Environment Centre is celebrating its 30th anniversary as a hub for environmental and community action in Swansea. We’re home to a range of projects and initiatives that support individuals and communities to take meaningful environmental and climate action—and we’re looking for someone to help lead us into our next chapter.

We’re seeking a dedicated and experienced individual to join our senior team and support the sustainable development of our charity. This is a key leadership role, responsible for the successful delivery of our core services and activities, strengthening our volunteer provision, overseeing fundraising, and supporting the well-being and development of our staff.

Key responsibilities will include managing day-to-day operations at our Centre on Pier Street, leading on volunteer coordination and maintaining our Investing in Volunteers Standard, overseeing fundraising activities and monitoring our impact, leading our HR functions and staff development and engaging with beneficiaries and the wider community. You’ll be the public face of the Centre, a first point of contact and fount of all knowledge for Environment Centre activity.

We’re looking for someone who has experience running a service or venue for a community based or third sector organisation, is confident managing staff and volunteers, understands the policies and processes needed to support a thriving team, has a track record in fundraising through campaigns, service improvements, or growing donations/membership, is a strong communicator and community engager and is passionate about sustainability and helping others lead environmentally conscious lives

You’ll be joining a friendly, committed team working to make a real difference in Swansea and beyond. If you’re ready to help shape a greener future, we’d love to hear from you.

Roles and Responsibilities

As Operations and Development Manager, you will be expected to: 

• Oversee day-to-day operations within The Environment Centre building for our core services, including establishing and maintaining administrative, service delivery and monitoring systems 
•  Oversee building management including health and safety, data protection, liaising with contractors and the Volunteer Maintenance Team as well as arranging for basic building maintenance 
• Identify and address operational development needs, implement new policies and processes, which focus on efficiency, building revenue generation (through our Green Shop and Café, offices, meeting spaces, events and activities) and organisational reach 
• Lead the organisations Human Resources function for the staff team, and implement our HR policies and processes, with support of the Senior Management Team 
• Monitor relevant budgets relating to building income and expenditure and handle day-to-day finances associated with building services, with support from the Finance Manager 
• Maintain our Investing in Volunteers standard and systems for volunteer engagement, recruitment, training, retention and support 
• As part of the senior management team, be actively involved in ensuring the Centre’s day-to-day operations are delivered in line with policy, resource efficiency, strategic objectives and associated outcomes. Attend meetings of the Centre’s Finance, Personnel & Property Group (FPPG) and Board as required
• Continue to develop and enhance the Centre’s approach to Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning, with support from the Centre Manager 
• Lead our fundraising operations, including developing and directing the implementation of fundraising methods, and overseeing fundraising data and analytics. Working closely with the Senior Management Team 
• Be the Line Manager for the Administration Officer 
• Deputise when required for the Centre Manager 
• Carry out such other duties as may be reasonably required by the Centre Manager or the Board of Trustees.

This is an important senior officer role responsible to the Centre Manager and working closely with the Finance Manager and Engagement & Outreach Manager. You’ll line manage a member of staff as well as having responsibility for a wonderful team of committed volunteers without whom many of our services wouldn’t be able to run. You’ll be an anchor and key point of contact for the wider staff team to facilitate collaborative working, development and support.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA 

• Leadership experience in a service delivery or community project role 
• Effective staff management and team management skills, including working with volunteers. 
• Knowledge of funding and fundraising methods and experience in delivering successful outcomes 
• Awareness of legislation and best practice relating to governance, health & safety and HR. 
•  Strong organisational skills, adept at juggling multiple needs and varying priorities 
• Ability to work with others as part of a busy team, and have an adaptable, flexible and enthusiastic approach to changing circumstances 
• Approachable and engaging with a positive attitude towards inspiring change making at a community level

DESIRABLE CRITERIA 

• Experience of working within the volunteer sector or in community engagement 
• Professional HR and/or Health and Safety experience or training 
• Background in environmental management or community action 
• Enthusiasm and an ability to inspire and influence others 
• Use of Microsoft Office, with experience of SharePoint and Teams, Word, Excel spreadsheets and Outlook. 
• Ability to communicate through the medium of Welsh