Chief Operating Officer

North Herts and Stevenage CVS

Role Purpose
As the Chief Operating Officer (COO), you will play a pivotal role in managing and optimising our operations while working closely with the CEO to support the charity’s strategic direction. Your primary focus will be on leading and developing our dedicated team, ensuring that staff have the tools, training, and support they need to excel in their roles. By fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional growth, you will enable our team to deliver projects that meet and exceed expectations. Your leadership will be crucial in scaling our impact, expanding our reach, and further solidifying our reputation within the Voluntary, Community, Faith, and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector. If you are passionate about social impact, team
development, and driving meaningful change, this role offers a unique opportunity to be part of something truly transformative.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategy and management:
• Work directly with the CEO, Board of Trustees, and Senior Leadership Team to develop the organisation’s principles and strategy as it grows.
• Act as a strategic thought partner to the CEO, with a focus on maximising NH&SCVS’s impact while ensuring growth targets are met and sufficient monitoring, assessment and evaluation strategies are implemented.
• Work with the CEO and SLT to identify funding priorities and develop compelling cases for support in line with the charity’s priorities including new project areas, partnerships, and funding sources.
• Represent the charity at external events, conferences, and meetings, advocating for our mission and expanding our network.
• Line-manage, develop and empower a team of full-time and part-time staff.
• Deputise for the CEO, as needed.

Operations, Administration and IT:
• Develop, direct and oversee all operational activities of the charity with a focus on designing systems and processes to enable growth. This includes leading on the implementation of processes, protocols and policies to help optimise the organisation’s day-to-day operations as well as overseeing our approach to data protection, health and safety and risk management.
• Oversee all aspects of office and admin management, including day-to-day office systems for security, maintenance and housekeeping.

Financial strategy and risk management:
• Work closely with the CEO and Finance Manager to manage the charity’s budget and financial resources.
• Support with financial monitoring, forecasting and budgeting to ensure the charity’s sustainability and accountability.
• Identify and implement cost-saving initiatives without compromising the quality of projects and services.
• Identify and manage operational risks, ensuring appropriate mitigation strategies are in place.
• Develop and maintain contingency plans to ensure the charity’s resilience in the face of challenges or disruptions.

Human Resources and Team Culture
• Develop and oversee our HR Support function to ensure there are appropriate HR processes and procedures in place and that these are reviewed accordingly.
• Support the implementation of effective measures in recruiting, developing, managing and supervising staff.
• Work with the Head of Community Services and Wellbeing to ensure effective and positive team communications and lead the development and implementation of our people and DEI strategy.
• Formulate and oversee the delivery of an annual learning & development plan, managing the budget and ensuring it offers a broad range of blended learning and development opportunities.
• Build effective evaluation tools to assess the impact of learning investments ensuring that evaluations are measuring the wider business impact and quality of learning
• Lead a culture of continuous efforts to improve efficiency and effectiveness while supporting and motivating staff to achieve organisational objectives.
• Ensure the organisation continues its positive, inclusive culture.

Governance and Compliance
• Coordinate the production of Board and Subcommittee papers, ensure that governance processes are effective, and maintain a watching brief on governance and legal requirements.
• Participate in Board meetings and sub-committee meetings as required.
• Set up, implement and manage policies, processes and procedures to ensure compliance with charity law and efficient operational outputs.

Training

To undertake training as part of Continuous Professional Development, to ensure compliance and capability.

General Requirements
• Be responsibility for own health and safety at work and for the health and safety of colleagues and visitors.
• Demonstrate the organisations values; Trusted, Responsive, Caring, Creative, through your working practices.
• The job is a blended role – home based and hub based, with travel to NHCVS hub and other locations for meetings and training, as agreed.
• No overtime may be claimed on this post, but TOIL may be claimed (in line with the organisation’s TOIL procedure).
• Undertake from time to time such other tasks as may be required in connection with the post.
• Be willing to take annual leave at times which fit with the requirements of the role.
Annual leave of more than 2 working days to be taken consecutively, must be booked 6 weeks in advance with the line manager.
N.B. This job description forms part of the Contract of Employment for the person currently holding this post. This job description reflects the position at this present time and is subject to possible change in the future. As a general term of employment, the organisation may make any necessary changes in job content or may require the post holder to undertake other duties, at any location in the organisation’s service, if such changes are appropriate to
the employee’s role.

Person Specification

Skills & Competencies:

Leadership & People Management:

• Exceptional leadership skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate teams and individuals to perform at their best.
• Strong experience in managing change and supporting staff and volunteers through periods of organisational growth or transition.
• Ability to work collaboratively, building and maintaining strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Organisational & Project Management:

• Outstanding organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent attention to detail, ensuring that tasks are completed to a high standard while keeping sight of broader strategic objectives.
• Ability to implement and maintain robust systems and processes that support smooth operational functioning.

Strategic Thinking & Problem Solving:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to think strategically and act proactively in response to challenges and opportunities.
• Experience in identifying areas for improvement and implementing innovative solutions to drive continuous development and operational efficiency.

Communication & Stakeholder Engagement:

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to effectively convey information to a variety of audiences.
• Ability to represent the organisation confidently and professionally in meetings, public forums, and partnership engagements.

Personal Attributes:
• Passionate about the voluntary and community sector, with a deep commitment to improving lives and strengthening communities.
• A collaborative team player who is approachable, supportive, and inclusive.
• Proactive and adaptable, with a positive approach to change and challenges.
• Empathy and understanding of the diverse communities served by North Herts and Stevenage CVS, with a strong commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
• A results-driven individual with a focus on delivering high-quality outcomes and driving the charity’s mission forward.