Head of Operations for Youth Craft & Skills Program

Salary: £38,000 - £42,000

Location: Skillway Workshop in Godalming, Surrey

Contract: Permanent after probationary period

Hours: 40 hours per week, Term time (plus occasional events)

Skillway Overview:

Skillway (part of the Warehouse Christian Trust) is dedicated to supporting vulnerable young people by providing them with essential life skills through hands on training in metalwork, woodworking and crafts. The charity aims to develop both practical vocational skills and personal growth, fostering self confidence, resilience, and employability in a safe, supportive environment.

Job Purpose:

The Head of Operations at Skillway oversees all operational aspects of this arm of the charity, ensuring the successful delivery of all our educational programmes. This role requires strong leadership, strategic vision, and day to day management, including student recruitment and retention, staff oversight, fundraising, and partnership management. The ideal candidate will be passionate about social impact and committed to improving the lives of vulnerable young people.

Key Responsibilities: 1. Management and Delivery

• Oversee the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of training in woodwork, metalwork and other crafts.
• Ensure the training meets the educational and personal development needs of vulnerable young people.
• Monitor student progress, providing support to overcome barriers and ensuring high quality, impactful learning experiences.
• Develop new initiatives and adapt the existing training programmes to meet the evolving needs of students, schools and the community.
• Develop a long term strategy for the growth of Skillway.
• Set and model high standards for the staff team, volunteers and students.
• Site housekeeping and management of Skillway's woodland site.

2. Leadership and Staff Management

• Lead, motivate, and manage a team of staff and volunteers.
• Promote a positive and inclusive workplace culture, fostering professional development and ensuring that all staff members are supported.
• Manage recruitment, training, and performance of staff and volunteers.
• Ensure the health, safety, and well being of all participants and staff including responsibility for risk assessments.
• Develop and apply our safeguarding policy as Designated Safeguarding Lead.

3. Strategic Planning and Development

• With the Board of Trustees, develop and execute the charity's strategic goals.
• Develop and manage the charity's budget and resources to ensure financial sustainability and impact.
• Identify and pursue new opportunities for growth, including partnerships, new funding streams, and relationships with local schools, businesses and other community organisations.
• Maintain effective and safe digital organisation of key data.
• Support the other arm of our charity - The Camino Café - as and when required.

4. Fundraising and Financial Oversight

• Lead fundraising efforts to secure funding from diverse sources, including grants, donations, corporate sponsorships, and fundraising events.
• Oversee the preparation of funding applications and reports for donors and grant making bodies.
• Maintain financial oversight, ensuring effective use of resources, monitoring expenses and reporting financial performance to the Board using Quickbooks as the primary accounting and reporting tool.
• Improve branding and awareness of Skillway and its aims and purpose.

5. Stakeholder Engagement and Advocacy

• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including local authorities, schools, community