Director of Operations

Director of Operations at Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire

About Us

We are the strategic lead for sport and physical activity across Herefordshire and Worcestershire. An independent charity committed to improving the lives of people across the two counties through the power of physical activity and sport.

We pride ourselves in being part of a forward thinking, national network of Active Partnerships (42 across England).

We have a strong understanding of the needs and issues in our area, with a focus being on inactive people and under\-represented groups.

As a Sport England funded system partner, we interpret and localise national government strategies, Sport England's Uniting the Movement framework, and county public health, local authority, ICB strategies and national sporting governing bodies, turning policy into meaningful local action.

Find out more by watching this short animation video https://youtu.be/uruLHygC5Lo

CEO Introduction

Dear Candidate

Thank you for taking the time to find out more about this role.

Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire exists to make it easier for everyone across our two counties to be active. That means focusing our energy on the people and places where the barriers are greatest — children and young people from lower\-income households, older adults, people living with long term health conditions, and communities where inactivity is highest.

We do not do this work on our own. We work alongside local authorities, the NHS, Integrated Care Board, Public Health, voluntary organisations and community networks to create the conditions where more people can move more, more often. We also work with national partners especially Sport England aligning closely to the Uniting the Movement Strategy.

This is an exciting moment for Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire. We are shortly launching a new organisational strategy, building on the strong foundations we have already laid and sets a clear direction for the years ahead. The relationships we have built across Herefordshire and Worcestershire, with statutory partners, the voluntary and community sector and local providers, give us a genuinely strong platform to work from.

To get there, we need the right people around us. We are a small, motivated and supportive team who care about the work and about each other. We invest in our people, we learn together and we try to make Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire a great place to work.

We are keen to attract people with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences — both from outside the organisation and by developing the talent we already have.

If you are looking for a role where you can make a difference and improve people’s lives, where you will be part of a team that genuinely supports one another, and where you can help shape an organisation at an important point in its journey — this could be the right opportunity for you.

We look forward to hearing from you. Yours sincerely

Steve Brewster

Chief Executive Officer

Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire

Our Vision

Our organisational vision is: “Everyone Active for Life”

Our Mission

With our know how, we can get the communities we serve moving and active, improving health and wellbeing, transforming lives and creating lasting change.

Our Values

We are finalising our 2026 – 2029 organisational strategy, as part of this we are reviewing our organisational values.

Our existing values are:

• Inclusive \- We are committed to transparency and equality. We champion diversity.


• Energy \- We are a vibrant organisation that makes sport and physical activity happen, with a hardworking and enthusiastic approach.


• Quality \- We are dedicated to delivering to high standards and are motivated to achieve the best results with the greatest impact.


• Teamwork \- We work with integrity and in unity, complementing one another to establish and realise shared goals.


• Respect \- We consider, understand and value other's opinions and circumstances.

Post: Director of Operations Salary: £42500 – £50000

Contract: Full\-time, initially fixed term until 31 March 2027, with a strong likelihood of extension subject to continuation of external funding.

Reporting to: CEO

Office Location: Based out of the University of Worcester, Hines Building, Henwick Grove, Worcester, WR2 6AJ. There is an expectation to be present in the identified priority communities.

Agile working policy in place subject to the needs of the business.

About the Role

This is a senior leadership role that will oversee the smooth running of Sports Partnership Herefordshire and Worcestershire (trading as Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire – Active HW) an independent charity with a vision of everyone active for life.

You are responsible for ensuring the organisation runs safely and effectively to support individuals and teams fulfil their functions and roles.

As a member of the senior leadership team, you will need to be a good communicator with the team, board members, key stakeholders and funders.

There are three key elements of the role:

· Running the organisation safely and effectively

· Leading the organisation as part of the senior team

· Leading and developing a team of three strategic leads.

Why Work For Us

You will be part of committed, purpose\-driven team working at Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire. Motivated by being part of a wider movement committed to making a difference to people’s lives through moving more, physical activity and sport.

Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire is committed to being diverse and inclusive, demonstrated through pro\-actively delivering our Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan.

Through our People Plan, we are committed to being a great place to work – attracting diverse people whilst retaining a skilled workforce in an environment where people can thrive and grow.

As well as the opportunity to develop your skills in a rewarding and challenging role, we offer:

• Agile Working \- Combination of working from home and office\-based work e.g. Mon – Weds in office, Thurs\-Fri at home


• Annual leave – 25 days, plus 2 discretionary days for Birthday and extra day at Christmas, 8 bank holidays


• Opportunities for staff CPD training, individual or team, coaching, external conferences and meetings, internal staff briefings and monthly staff meetings


• Family and people friendly policies and procedures Two team staff celebration days


• Enhanced pension (5% employer contribution) \- Staff are enrolled into the pension scheme after 3 months


• Enhanced sick pay


• Enhance maternity pay


• Free parking – A paid annual permit for University of Worcester campus car parks


• Provision of hot drinks in the office


• Health \& wellbeing initiatives, including:

2\. Weekly paid half an hour wellbeing sessions

3\. Access to Occupational health

4\. Access to Mental Health First Aiders

5\. University of Worcester Fitness gym (Riverside Fitness) membership discount

You Will:

Overall responsibility for the smooth, safe and effective operation of Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

Work closely with the Office Manager and HR consultants to ensure governance, HR and compliance functions are well managed and current.

Lead on organisational health and safety — making sure everything the organisation does meets and exceeds its legal obligations.

Oversee compliance with the Code for Sports Governance, ensuring we not only meet but where possible exceed the requirements of our primary funders as the organisation grows and develops.

This includes overseeing our Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) and People Plan.

Support the work of the Board's Governance Sub Group, providing advice, information and assurance as needed.

Play a full and active role in our small senior leadership team (alongside the CEO and Deputy CEO), sharing responsibility for shaping the strategic direction of the organisatsion.

Help ensure the whole organisation stays focused on our vision, mission and strategy and that day\- to\-day work connects clearly to our longer\-term goals.

Contribute to long\-term organisational planning, including future\-proofing the organisation for a changing landscape.

Oversee the organisation’s reporting to the wider team, board, key stakeholders, partners and funders — ensuring it is clear, accurate and delivered on time.

Coordinate organisational planning by bringing together individual team annual strategy implementation plans into an organisation annual implementation plan.

Manage allocated budgets responsibly.

Provide leadership to three strategic leads covering workforce, marketing and communications, and sport welfare, so that the front\-facing teams (Children and Young People, and Healthy and Active Communities) have the internal support they need to reduce inactivity and tackle inequalities across Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

Personal Specification: Essential

Personal statements will be assessed against the criteria outlined below:

Equity and Inclusion

Has considerable experience and is confident in modelling inclusive behaviours, respecting cultural differences and championing lived experiences.

Communication

Has communication experience and is confident in communicating with

clarity and credibility to diverse audiences.

Delivery and adaptability

Has experience of managing competing priorities, follows up on commitments and actions with an ability to be agile in response to

emerging opportunities.

Initiative and Adaptability

Has experience and is confident in working in ambiguous, changing environments and is able to balance priorities and take decisive action.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning

Embed and maintain consistent evaluation approaches across all work to generate learning, demonstrate impact.

Access to Transport

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