Operations Manager

National Secular Society

Hours
22.5 hours per week

About the Organisation

National Secular Society is a membership-based organisation campaigning for a freer, fairer, more tolerant society. Founded in 1866, we've led the charge for separating religion and state, safeguarding freedom of belief, and promoting a truly inclusive, fair society for all. We promote secularism as a vital principle that upholds individual freedoms, protects human rights, and fosters a fair and open society, in which people of all religions and none can live together as equal citizens.

About the role

We are looking for an organised, capable and approachable person to join our team as Operations Manager. This vital and varied role supports the smooth running of the National Secular Society. You will manage membership administration and office operations, while also supporting our governance, finance, data protection, events, publications, and legacy work.

Working closely with the Chief Executive, colleagues, Council of Management, and external suppliers and advisers, you will manage the day-to-day detail while spotting problems, improving processes, and ensuring important things get done. We are looking for someone highly organised, dependable, and comfortable taking ownership of their work. You will be someone who notices what needs doing and gets on with it, while knowing when to ask for advice or escalate an issue.

You will need to be able to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines and maintain a high level of accuracy. You will also be dealing with members, colleagues, volunteers, suppliers and professional advisers, so good communication and a helpful, professional approach are essential.

This vital and varied role supports the smooth running of the National Secular Society. You will manage membership administration and office operations, while also supporting our governance, finance, data protection, events, publications, and legacy work.

Working closely with the Chief Executive, colleagues, Council of Management, and external suppliers and advisers, you will manage the day-to-day detail while spotting problems, improving processes, and ensuring important things get done.

Responsibilities

Membership:

• Oversee the administration of the membership database, subscriptions and renewals, working with the campaigns team to support membership retention and growth.
• Maintain accurate and secure membership records and provide data for communications and reporting.
• Manage incoming email and telephone enquiries, ensuring they are dealt with promptly and professionally and, where necessary, directed to the appropriate colleagues.

Operations:

• Ensure the NSS office is safe, secure, well supplied and running effectively.
• Manage relationships with our landlord, contractors, suppliers and external IT providers.
• Review, develop and keep up to date the Society's operational policies and procedures, and coordinate practical health and safety, office security, equipment and IT administration.
• Maintain well-organised administrative records and shared systems.
• Provide administrative support to the CEO as required

Governance:

• Support the NSS board and committees by acting as clerk to council, organising meetings, papers, minutes and actions.
• Coordinate the administration of the AGM and Members' Day.
• Maintain the governance calendar and support statutory and other governance requirements.

Finance and Data:

• Liaise with our outsourced finance provider and ensure financial information is accurate and provided on time.
• Support the CEO and Treasurer with financial administration.
• Act as the internal point of contact for data protection and information management, working with external specialists where needed.
• Help ensure that personal information is handled securely and in line with NSS policies and legal requirements.

Legacies, Events and Publications:

• Manage the administration of legacies and routine correspondence with executors, solicitors and other professional contacts.
• Support legacy and fundraising activity.
• Lead and assist in organising NSS events and provide practical support for member and staff meetings.
• Coordinate the production and distribution of key NSS publications.

Skills, Competencies, Experience & Attributes

Requirements:

• Experience of working in an administrative, operational, membership, governance or similar role.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage a varied workload.
• Excellent attention to detail and confidence working with records and data.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience of maintaining databases or information-management systems.
• Experience of organising meetings, events or other activities involving multiple people and deadlines.
• Good IT skills and confidence in learning new systems.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information appropriately.
• A practical, solutions-focused approach to problems.
• Ability to work independently while also being a supportive member of a small team.

Advantage & Experience:

• CiviCRM or another membership/customer relationship management system.
• Supporting a board, committee or similar governing body.
• Data protection and information governance.
• Office or facilities management.
• Working with outsourced finance or other professional service providers.
• Charities/non-profit, membership organisations or campaigning organisations.
• Legacies or fundraising administration.

Compensation & Benefits

• 25 days paid annual leave plus public holidays, both pro rata.
• Contributory pension scheme – matched up to 5% of salary, rising to 8% after five years' service
• Six-month probationary period

Conditions of employment

• Please note that you must be entitled to work in the UK. We will not sponsor visa applications.

Working locations

• Hybrid model, working in the London office and remotely

How to apply

• If you're interested in this role, please get in touch. Please send us:
  • an up-to-date CV,
  • a supporting statement addressing the requirements of the role and why you want to work for us (maximum two sides). Send to [email protected]
• Feel free to email the above address if you'd like to arrange an informal call to discuss this vacancy (include your phone number!)

Policies

The National Secular Society values diversity and inclusion and the benefits this brings. We aim to always appoint the most suitable candidate and welcome applications from people from all different backgrounds.

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