Head of Central Operations

We are looking for an accomplished leader of operational functions and teams with experience of working collaboratively across a dispersed organisation to lead various programmes of change across our office and workplace estate around the UK. The role is also responsible for the day-to-day operation of our UKHQ (The Lodge, Bedfordshire), along with our UK Fleet and Logistics (Bedford) functions. What's the role about? This role provides a unique opportunity to contribute to the ongoing development and change of the RSPB's workplace estate and ways of working post-Covid, with an increasingly dispersed workforce. The role sits in the RSPB's workplace, facilities & logistics team working across the organisation and with the direct team. You will lead a programme of change across our offices and workplaces with experience delivering projects collaboratively across dispersed organisations and direct operational management. You will also take the lead in the day-to-day operational delivery of facilities management and maintenance at our UKHQ (The Lodge, Bedfordshire), and have responsibility for Fleet and Logistics functions. You will have a track record in operations management, delivering change and improvements, be highly proficient at collaborative working with others, be able to influence and work with senior leaders, and be able to build and maintain positive and constructive relationships with individuals and remote teams outside of their direct management control and champion teamwork and leadership at all levels. You will also have demonstrable experience of programmatic working in operations, estate management and workplace change management. You will have responsibility for the FM and maintenance functions at our UKHQ (Sandy, Beds), our logistics function (Bedford) and our UK-wide fleet, all supported by functional leads and dedicated project management resource to support the UK wide change programme. Key Result Areas:

• Leading and coordinating the implementation of a programme of workplace change across the RSPB
• Delivery of continued improvement, rationalisation, and efficiencies across all functions
• Managing and leading the FM and Maintenance functions at UKHQ, Fleet and Logistics, delivering day-to-day operations to ensure the ongoing provision of safe, legally compliant and fit-for-purpose functions
• Develop collaborative and highly effective internal relationships with key stakeholders to ensure that the workplace change and improvement programme's aims are delivered
• Contribute to preparing papers and reports for the RSPB's governance, and oversee timely reporting of section business metrics in order to enable oversight of section and programmes
• Accountable for the provision of expertise of the section, develop the skills and capabilities of self and the section towards high performance
• Manage annual budget performance, forecasting future budgets and meeting budget targets
• Fostering an inclusive team culture focussed on continually self-improvement, skills development and learning
  
  Demonstrable experience of delivering operational and workplace change programmes
• Ability to positively influence change and demonstrate credibility both internally and externally
• Sound knowledge and demonstrable experience of operations, estate and energy management, delivering improvements, maintaining compliance, and leading estate development projects
• Demonstrable experience of programme and project management principles and application (including reporting)
• A strong commitment to, and an understanding of, how equality, diversity and inclusion enables an organisation to be successful
• Leadership and people management skills; able to develop team members for high performance
• Ability to make pragmatic, reasoned and practical decisions/recommendations/alternative solutions based upon sound analysis and reason
• Ability to understand and interpret technical reports, design briefs and works contracts particularly related to building and infrastructure projects
Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:
• Experience of working with, managing, and incorporating volunteers as part of the team
• IWFM or equivalent qualifications
  
  This role is based at RSPB UKHQ in Sandy, Bedfordshire, and the successful candidate will spend a minimum of 2 days per week on-site there, and 1 day on-site at our Logistics site in Bedford. The remainder of the post holder's time can be conducted remotely.
As part of this application process you will be asked to provide a copy of your CV and complete a full application including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience requested. We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature's side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application. The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract., About RSPB The RSPB is a charity, founded in 1889 and run by a Council of volunteers. Passionate about nature, dedicated to saving it. Since we started on our mission in 1889, the threats to nature have continued to grow, but we've grown to meet them too. We're now the largest nature conservation charity in the country, consistently delivering successful conservation, forging powerful new partnerships with other organisations and inspiring others to stand up and give nature the home it deserves. The RSPB is a charity, founded in 1889 and run by a Council of volunteers. Passionate about nature, dedicated to saving it. Since we started on our mission in 1889, the threats to nature have continued to grow, but we've grown to meet them too. We're now the largest nature conservation charity in the country, consistently delivering successful conservation, forging powerful new partnerships with other organisations and inspiring others to stand up and give nature the home it deserves. more