Operations Manager

We're looking for someone to anchor our trellis and provide practical, operational and logistical support to our ministries so that they can keep taking the name of Jesus forward energetically and faithfully. Could you be that person?

Responsibilities

The context of the appointment is a desire to honour the principle of Acts 6:1-7, that some of the leaders of the church community should be set apart for the ministry of the word and prayer. In this context, the primary purpose of the role is to take responsibility for the implementation of the vision of the leadership and the administration of a number of areas of the church's activities in such a way as to administer resources wisely and make us more effective in our aims of evangelism, discipleship, training and functioning as a healthy community. The exact responsibilities will vary according to the individual we appoint and the changing requirements of the church. But initially we envisage the following: 1. Maintaining communications – internal and external, digital and traditional – of vision, information and advertising as required. 2. Overseeing the church office functions (including paper and digital production, publicity, Sunday and event planning, diary co-ordination etc.). This will involve dealing with contractors and suppliers and taking an executive lead: a mixture of co-ordinating (and facilitating) the work of others and hands-on work. 3. Playing a part in the ongoing recruitment, management and motivation of volunteers for service in a number of areas of church life. 4. Managing the practical functions of the Ministry Training Scheme, including overseeing recruitment of Ministry Trainees (in conjunction with the pastors), directing the practical aspects of their work and ensuring they are properly resourced for their work. 5. Ensuring the church's compliance with legal requirements (including health and safety, child protection, food hygiene, GDPR, record-keeping etc.) 6. Managing the church premises (in conjunction with the Buildings Manager) stewarding the resource for the benefit of those ministries of the church which make use of it and providing a welcoming and safe environment; also undertake required liaison with other venues for church use. 7. Be primary point of contact with Southampton City Council in connection with the operation of the on-site community library, liaising with members of the library management team as needed and facilitating this service 8. Supporting the staff team and eldership (including attending staff and eldership meetings) by advising on good practice, assisting with planning, taking a lead in implementing decisions and involvement with strategic developments 9. Generally understanding and applying best practice across the various operations of the church through liaising with other churches and ministries and contextualising good models and principles 10. Supporting and contributing to the operations of the church finance team as required In addition to the above, all staff are expected to operate as active members of the church, modelling discipleship and contributing to the life and witness of the church.

Required skills

• General good leadership skills and understanding of the workings of an active evangelical church • Proven ability to recruit and motivate others, to listen and encourage, to facilitate willing service, to build and resource teams • A confident strategic thinker and initiative-taker, with ability to analyse complex and issues and find a range of solutions • Specific qualities and abilities in the areas of patience and flexibility; planning, organising and decision-making; good judgment; quick-learning and adapting and appropriate confidentiality • A proven track record of management and administration, with significant experience in at least two of the following: (a) premises management, (b) production management, (c) project management, (d) writing and communications, (e) strategic organisation management, (f) financial or accounting practice, (g) logistical support or (h) a staff role within a church or Christian organisation • Good knowledge of IT and communications solutions appropriate for a local church context • Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to communicate with people of all ages and backgrounds with clarity, warmth and compassion • A servant-heart 'can-do' attitude, including willingness to pitch in regularly with mundane tasks to get the job done Please note that all applicants MUST already possess right to work in the UK.

Other

• A commitment to the authority and teachings of the Christian Bible (there is a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) that the post-holder is a practising Christian. Schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010 applies.) • A determination to live consistently as a Christian disciple, including honesty, integrity and general godliness You'll be operating as part of a team of enthusiastic, united, largely young-ish group of brothers and sisters in Christ who work hard, support each other, pitch in happily where needed, and seek to spur each other on to energetic, creative and faithful ministry. You'll need to work well in this context. • A commitment to the beliefs and vision of the church (in particular complete agreement with the Statement of Faith and substantial agreement with the church's Doctrinal Distinctives) • An ability to understand and encourage others, work as a team and communicate well • Willingness to play a full and active role in the life of the church