Head of Operations Full Time

The Fore
Are you passionate about social change? Are you an exceptional project manager and a great communicator? Would you like to be part of a movement to open up access to funding and skills in the UK social sector? About The Fore The Fore improves the lives of people all over the UK by funding innovative small charities at the heart of our communities. And we offer more than just money; we also offer training, mentoring and ongoing support to their inspirational leaders. Our partner charities are empowered to grow, increase their reach and have real impact within their communities. We make change happen. We recognise that small local charities can deliver radical solutions to local problems, providing life-changing services, challenging attitudes and empowering communities from within. In the UK 96% of charities have a turnover of less than £500,000. Yet they receive only 10% of charitable funding. So we’ve taken away many of the barriers to funding that small charities face by: supporting core costs offering multi-year grants creating a robust, yet simple, application process using light-touch reporting Since 2017 we have offered £8m in grant funding and 11,000 hours of skills support to talented social leaders. Using a rigorous investment-style approach, we find the people testing tomorrow’s solutions to today’s challenges. The Fore is now recruiting a Head of Operations to join our forward-thinking, welcoming team and play a pivotal role in ambitious plans to lead change in the funding sector. We are looking for someone who will bring experience, initiative and first-rate project management skills. We actively encourage applications from a wide range of backgrounds and from all sections of the community. Founded in 2017, The Fore is a pioneering grant-maker providing strategic development funding and skills support to small charities and social enterprises across the UK. We have a mission to remove barriers to make sure anyone with talent and drive can get hold of the support they need to create social change. Across all our activities we endeavour to demonstrate new and exceptional standards of funding practice. We have secured recognition across the third sector and beyond for our charity-led, friendly, professional, supportive funding practices and our commitment to skills development, skills sharing, impact management and transparency. Our collaborative model is grounded in the principle that our society will be stronger when we are better connected and the private and non-profit sectors work together. Our grantees gain access to new networks and skills while our corporate partners are given the opportunity to introduce their staff to some of the best small social purpose organisations out there. The Fore has ambitious plans to expand its activities across the UK. The Head of Operations will be central in the design and realisation of these plans. Working closely with the Chief Executive, you will be responsible for managing our grant rounds, coordinating the Programme Team and pool of Strategic Applicant Consultants, and overseeing the Fore’s bespoke programme of skills and training support. During the three grant rounds that are run each year, multiple applications are taken which are then reviewed, advised and assessed by our Strategic Applicant Consultants (SACs). The SAC role is freelance, part-time and semi-voluntary. It offers senior professionals a chance to share the strategic skills they have developed during their careers with small charities. The Head of Operations will also be responsible for certain administrative functions of the organisation including overseeing our IT systems (Salesforce). You will support the Chief Executive with planning and putting in place all necessary mechanisms to scale up, and add new elements to, our tried and tested funding model as we continue to grow and evolve. There is no need for formal qualifications or previous experience in grant-making. The right individual will have at least ten years’ professional experience. They will be comfortable with engaging with people at all levels, highly organised, friendly, empathetic, humble, pro-active, motivated to create change and keen to learn. Our values: We are pioneering: We set out to do things differently, in new and better ways. We’re not afraid to take risks or make mistakes. We believe in the power of the good example. We maximise our impact: We are driven by excellence and efficiency in everything that we do, including measuring our impact. We seek to work with the best leaders and are thorough in finding them. We collaborate: We bring together people who know change is possible. We believe in connecting face-to-face and working together with people from any walk of life, across the political spectrum. We believe in conversation and collaboration. We are equitable: We are committed to breaking down barriers. We treat everyone with fairness, integrity, and respect. We are open to different viewpoints. We are committed to growing and learning together. We empower: We believe our charities are experts in their own fields, and we let them lead the way. We nurture and befriend our staff and collaborators, to create our own community. We are open and honest: We are transparent in how we operate. We offer prompt, sincere feedback. We aren’t afraid to be challenged or hold power to account. MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES The Head of Operations will work alongside other members of the Senior Management team and currently holds line management responsibilities for a team of two staff: a Programme and Communications Officer and a Programme Assistant. The role is also responsible for a team of 30-40 Strategic Applicant Consultants. As The Fore is growing, this team is likely to expand. The role includes extensive scope for developing initiatives and building partnerships complementary to The Fore’s mission. Key areas of day-to-day responsibility and management will include but not be limited to: Responsibility for all activities related to the distribution of grant-funding: Programme planning, management of assessment, due diligence and feedback Management of monitoring and evaluation process Oversight and development of grants management system (Salesforce) Working with Finance Director to ensure all appropriate finance procedures are in place for fund disbursement Oversight of data collection and analysis including Diversity, Equity and Inclusion data Development of resources for applicants and grantees Research, analysis and data gathering for impact reporting Recruitment, training and management of pool of Strategic Applicant Consultants Design, oversight and management of small charities training and events programme including peer-to-peer network for partner charities Coordination with the Income Generation department to maximise opportunities to engage supporters with our processes Oversight of management and delivery of pro-bono support to our partner charities with support of the Income Generation department Management and development of pro bono networks including planning and overseeing delivery of appropriate online and in-person events Supporting fundraising and communications activity by helping identify strong case studies Representing and presenting on The Fore publicly at internal and some external events Outreach and networking with sector partners, networks and umbrella groups Ensure that all operations are carried out in line with The Fore’s ethos and values We are a lean and nimble organisation and this is an exciting role in a growing start-up. Responsibilities are likely to change and develop as the organisation moves forwards. PROFILE OF IDEAL CANDIDATE Experience 10 years of professional experience in the business, public or third sector Significant experience of project or programme management Experience managing people – ideally both employed and voluntary Experience of high-quality relationship management with a range of stakeholders Significant experience of the social sector – knowledge of grassroots or community organisations is particularly desirable Experience designing systems and processes Track record of working in a fast-paced working environment and/or a growing organisation Skills Excellent project management skills Well-developed analytical skills Exceptional interpersonal, communication and presentation skills Working knowledge of CRM databases (Salesforce) Highly proficient in Microsoft Office Other attributes Enthusiastic about supporting small charities and social enterprises with an understanding of the challenges they face Demonstrable self-starter with excellent follow-through Enthusiasm for change and adaptable style Positive, solutions-oriented attitude with a drive for excellence Strong interest in learning and developing new skills, capacity to quickly learn new systems and software Collaborative and inclusive with a well-developed ability to work effectively in a team Sense of humility and sense of humour Highly organised with ability to meet deadlines and work well under pressure Scrupulous attention to detail and ability to multi-task Awareness of and sensitivity to cultural differences; values diversity and its importance for an organisation’s performance TERMS & CONDITIONS This role is offered as a full-time position on a salary of £45,000-£55,000 per annum depending on experience. For the right candidate there could be flexibility in working hours. This is a permanent contract and the probationary period is six months with a three month review. This role reports to the Chief Executive. The role is based at The Fore’s headquarters, Two Temple Place, London WC2R 3BD. The team is currently working from the office at least three days per week. Holiday: 20 days plus 4 days over Christmas, excluding Bank Holidays. Start May 2023. Deadline for applications: Monday 3rd April at 10am . click apply for full job details