Director of Operation

Job description

Job title: Director of Operations 
Hiring organisation: Brimhams Active
Salary: From £50,000 to 60,000 per annum, plus relocation allowance 
Location: Harrogate (HG1), North Yorkshire. Flexible hybrid home and office working arrangements, with visibility required throughout our facilities

Employment type: Executive Director
Service area: Operations
Post accountable to: Managing Director Brimhams Active
Post directly responsible for employees (number of workers): Direct supervision: 4 and indirect supervision: 124
Benefits: As well as the opportunity to join our fantastic team there are other benefits, including flexible and agile working, leisure facility discounts and the option to join the Local Government Pension Scheme. Find out more about the benefits on offer here.

Start date: 23 November 2021
Closing date: 3 January 2022

Main purpose

Leadership, management, co-ordination and development of facility operations and asset management at all venues operated by the company.

Key contacts

Internal: Brimhams Active Board of Directors, Managing Director, senior managers, and Harrogate Borough Council elected members.
External: Contractors / suppliers, relevant local, regional and national agencies, service users, media and funding organisations.

Main accountabilities

The accountabilities of the post include, but are not limited to:

• leadership of asset management and development
• leadership and management of facility operations and services
• health and safety and compliance
• quality management systems and quality assurance standards
• capital development planning and stakeholder liaison
• financial and performance management of facility operations

Standard accountability statements

Health and safety

The post holder must comply with the companies health and safety policy and to take such steps as are reasonably practicable for your own health and safety and that of your colleagues at work and those affected by your work. The post holder must comply with your safety responsibilities and must cooperate with management in all respects for the full implementation of the companies health and safety policy. The post holder’s safety responsibilities are shown on the safety responsibility statement for the post.

Equality and diversity

The post holder must adhere to all policies and procedures relating to equality and diversity in the workplace and provision of services.

Learning and personal development

The post holder has a personal responsibility for his or her own learning and development, and will maintain up to date records of achievement and attendance as required. The post holder must undertake the learning and training identified in the job skills matrix, and other relevant training that is identified and agreed with the Managing Director.

Safeguarding policy and procedures

The post holder will adhere to all the company's safeguarding policy and procedures.

Job activities

Main duties and responsibilities relating to accountabilities identified above.

• deputise for Managing Director shaping plans and priorities as a member of the Board of Directors and Senior Management Team and provide input to a range of organisational projects and initiatives
• lead the Sport and Leisure Operations Management Team setting strategic objectives, work programmes and determining priorities
• provide strategic advice to the Board of Directors and Managing Director in all matters relating to leadership, management, coordination and development of operations at all facilities operated by the company
• identify new business opportunities and alternative delivery models, developing and implementing plans as appropriate and embedding a culture of efficiency and effectiveness within the service
• develop and deliver facility investment strategies working with Harrogate Borough Council to ensure facilities are maintained and fully resourced, and improved / extended
• develop proposals to deliver service improvements, prepare and present reports / presentations to the Board of Directors and Senior Management Team
• have responsibility for facility operations and asset management at all venues operated by the company as follows, The Hydro, Knaresborough Swimming Pool, Nidderdale Leisure Centre, Ripon Spa Baths, Ripon Leisure Centre, the Turkish Baths and Health Spa, Little Explorers Nursery, Fairfax Wellbeing & Community Hub, Knaresborough Community Centre and Jennyfield Styan Community Centre
• provide leadership and oversight to all aspects of employee recruitment, training, development, performance and rostering, inputting as required in complex disciplinary, grievance and welfare issues
• design, deliver and evaluate services and monitor performance to ensure compliance with legislative requirements, industry standards, corporate objectives and customer expectations
• ensure the highest possible standards of customer service are achieved dealing with complex enquiries and complaints across a diverse range of issues, identifying risks that impact on business continuity and direct any action that is needed to respond to unforeseen incidents
• identify and oversee the adoption of technology to support facility operations, including specification and development of IT software
• lead budget responsibility for all facility operations, oversee financial management, budget planning, monitoring and reporting activity
• set operational performance and financial targets, monitor achievement against key indicators and take corrective action where necessary
• prepare management reports and present data utilising the company performance management system

Person specification

Essential criteria - vital requirements for the post holder

Relevant experience:

• successfully managing and developing efficient and effective leisure facilities and services, including aspects of health and safety, compliance and quality assurance
• successfully managing budgets and relatively significant resources
• production and delivery of strategic plans and the writing of reports
• successful implementation of policies, systems and processes and performance management systems that deliver organisational goals
• of developing people and teams, and building / maintaining effective working relationships at all organisational levels
• of developing strong performance cultures and contributing to transformational change within an organisation
• working across organisational boundaries, in partnership, to deliver corporate projects and objectives
• developing stakeholder relationships and activities within a leisure facilities and service environment

Qualifications / training:

• educated to degree level or equivalent, or professional qualifications related to the responsibilities of the post
• able to demonstrate significant senior management experience in an environment related to the responsibilities of the post
• evidence of continuing professional and personal development

Special knowledge:

• operating efficient and effective facilities and services involving approaches that optimise income growth and cost reduction
• professional theory, practice and procedures, and contemporary issues in relation to this post
• current laws, regulations, policies, procedures, trends and developments relevant to this post
• the relationship between costs, quality, customer care, social value and organisational performance
• contract management and commissioning of services, and developing strong and constructive stakeholder, partner and client relationships

Disposition / attitude:

• highly motivated, energetic, dynamic and driven to achieve challenging objectives
• a team member, capable of establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with stakeholders, partners, clients, Elected Members, senior managers, colleagues and staff
• enthusiastic, innovative and able to work on own initiative with minimal direction and to tight deadlines
• ability to work autonomously but also collaboratively as part of a team internally and externally
• strong interpersonal, communication and presentation skills
• the ability to quickly establish credibility and respect through behaviours demonstrating high integrity and confidentiality
• resilient with the ability to persuade and influence others

Practical / intellectual:

• visionary, with the ability to think and develop strategically
• ability to balance multiple tasks and prioritise work accordingly
• ability to produce work of a high standard with appropriate attention to detail
• experience of developing and delivering training
• excellent written and verbal communication skills
• ability to listen, analyse and resolve complex issues
• research, analytical and investigatory skills

Additional requirements:

• work in accordance with the company’s values and behaviours
• flexible in your working pattern to fulfil commitments, sometimes outside of the working day

Desirable criteria - additional requirements relevant to the post

• an appreciation of commercial approaches to operational leisure management and CRM within a public sector backdrop

Contact us

For an informal confidential discussion about this opportunity, please contact either Penny Keatings on 07811 411462 / Penny.Keatings@northyorks.gov.uk or Leanne Auton on 07815 028548 / Leanne.Auton@northyorks.gov.uk from our recruitment partners - The Resourcing Solution.