Retail & Operations Manager

About Smart Works 

Smart Works is a dynamic, high profile and fast-growing UK charity that dresses and coaches unemployed women for success at their job interview. We empower each woman by giving her the clothes and the confidence she needs to succeed. After visiting Smart Works, 69% of clients secure a job within a month, gaining financial independence and transforming their lives.   

More information about who we are can be found on our website.

About the role  

Smart Works is volunteer-powered and exists to empower all women who need help getting into work. As such, a fantastic opportunity has arisen for a dynamic and focused individual to take on the pivotal role of being the Head of Smart Works Greater Manchester. Reporting to the Chair of the Trustee Board, the role is responsible for the management and operations of our two locations, in Stockport and in Manchester city. 

In practice, this involves managing a small staff team to ensure they are thriving in their roles, who in turn orchestrate all activities of our volunteers. It also includes representing our charity to a range of stakeholders across the region, contributing to our ambitious clients targets and unlocking vital funds to deliver the Three-Year Plan. The Head of Smart Works Greater Manchester must build strong working relationships with the staff team and identify opportunities for continuous improvement across our functional areas. 

We are seeking a proactive self-starter, with experience of line management and producing operational reports. Good attention to detail, managing multiple priorities to tight deadlines and outstanding interpersonal skills are essential. 

It is an exciting time to join Smart Works Greater Manchester as we are in a significant growth phase, aiming to double the number of unemployed women per year we support to 10,000 by 2025. 

Smart Works Greater Manchester is a fast-paced, collaborative environment with a dynamic team and ambitious local plans. It is also fun and rewarding, with opportunities to attend fundraising events and pop-up sales, liaise with corporate partners and attend Group launches in London such as the annual Unemployment Index. 

Whilst the successful individual will be supported by the Chair and Board of Trustees, and Smart Works staff based in other regions, they will be expected to work autonomously and confidently in carrying out their duties most of the time. There may be occasional evening and weekend work as the successful candidate will be part of the wider centre team, supporting with fundraising, networking and key events as required. 

If you’re passionate about supporting women, are flexible, have excellent organisation and prioritisation skills and can liaise with a range of stakeholders, then this is an ideal opportunity for you.

Duties and responsibilities  

• Managing a staff team across two centres, ensuring all team members are thriving in their roles and maintaining continued skills development. 
• Supporting each staff member with project deliverables and identifying continuous improvement opportunities for our ways of working. 
• Oversee the smooth-running of both centres, ensuring all client and service delivery activity targets are on-track and all protocols such as safeguarding are adhered to. 
• Working with the Fundraising and Partnerships Manager on targeted campaigns and corporate partnerships, providing guidance and support on the annual fundraising target c. £350k. 
• Manage the day-to-day costs of the budget, contributing to timely process reconciliation with the Board Treasurer and Group Finance Team. 
• Delivering financial activities to target, maintaining an up-to-date database with relevant income tracking and pipeline information to facilitate regular financial reporting to the Board of Trustees.
• Supporting the team to raise awareness of our charity and increase our supporter community through social media campaigns and in-person events throughout the year. 

Personal Specification 

Essential Criteria

• Outstanding interpersonal and team management / leadership skills. 
• Target-driven, with excellent organisation and time management skills to meet deadlines and monthly / quarterly KPIs. 
• A strong networker, with relationship management experience across varying levels of seniority and sectors who can deliver presentations to large audiences. 
• Experience of balancing changing priorities and responding to delivery needs. 
• Creative and pro-active approach to problem-solving, with an entrepreneurial attitude towards fundraising strategy. 
• Ability to work with autonomy and willingness to work as part of a dynamic team. 
• Good working knowledge and experience using Microsoft Office, Excel, Word, CRM systems/databases. 

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of generating income from a variety of sources including fundraising events/campaigns, Trusts, Foundations and the Community, corporate sponsorship.
• An understanding of the employment and skills landscape in Greater Manchester. 
• Experience of working collaboratively and with volunteer teams and or in the voluntary or not-for-profit sector. 
• Financially aware, able to interpret basic financial accounts for reporting purposes. 
• Willing and a flexible attitude when required to work at third party locations across Greater Manchester. 

How to Apply  

Please visit our website or click "Apply Now" to find out more information - we can't wait to hear from you.