Operations Manager at Difference North East
Contract Type: Fixed term
Role Type: Employment
Hours: Part time
Application deadline:
Based: Flexible
Salary: £40,000 to 43,000 Pro Rata
Salary Type: Salary Scale
Role description: Manager
Overview
Contract: Starting at 3 days per week for 12 months with the possibility of extending for a further 12 months
Salary: SCP 30–32 (£40k–£43k FTE, (£20k–£21.5k actual)
Location: Flexible – home and office
About the Organisation
Difference North East is a disability rights charity covering the North East of England. Our objectives are to end discrimination, increase service access, and change perceptions of disability. We work on a policy level to achieve these objectives and actively campaign for disability rights. We are a small organisation, but we are growing.
Operations Manager – Role Responsibilities
The Operations Manager will be responsible for the effective day-to-day management of the organisation, with a strong emphasis on people management, accountability, and operational stability.
This role provides day-to-day operational leadership and a clear point of coordination within the organisation. The Operations Manager will address issues as they arise, set clear expectations, and ensure accountability across the team. This will help create a stable, well-managed and supportive working environment.
The position is a trial, starting as a 60% position (3 days a week) over 12 months, which if it works well, will be continued for an additional 12 months. The position is offered on the following scale: SCP 30–32 (£40k–£43k FTE, ~£20k–£21.5k actual)
People Management and HR
- Lead and oversee HR processes across the organisation
- Ensure policies and procedures are up to date, accessible, and consistently applied
- Line manage staff, providing regular supervision and structured support
- Conduct probation reviews, performance reviews, and ongoing performance management
- Address conduct and capability issues promptly and in line with policy
- Ensure reasonable adjustments are identified, implemented, and reviewed regularly
- Maintain accurate and confidential HR records
Operational Management
- Oversee the smooth running of day-to-day organisational operations
- Ensure clarity of roles, responsibilities, and expectations across the team
- Support coordination of work across projects
- Identify and address operational issues early to prevent escalation
- Introduce and maintain effective systems and processes
Organisational Support to the Director
- Act as the primary point of contact for staff on operational and HR matters
- Provide structured oversight and clear decision-making across the staff team
- Hold boundaries around roles, responsibilities, and expected standards of work
- Enable the Director to focus on strategic leadership, partnerships, and organisational development
- Work with Chair of Trustees to facilitate and support the chair in the operation of the organisation
- Undertake additional duties as required by the Director
Acting Up Responsibilities
- Act in a senior operational capacity when required, including covering for the Director during periods of leave
- Ensure continuity of organisational operations during these periods
Operations Manager: Person Specification
Essential Experience and Knowledge
- Significant experience of managing staff, including supervision, performance management and addressing conduct or capability issues
- Strong understanding of HR processes and employment practice
- Experience of working in a small organisation with competing priorities
- Experience of implementing or improving organisational systems and processes
- Experience of managing sensitive situations and maintaining confidentiality
- Working knowledge of financial systems (such as QuickBooks) and budget monitoring
Essential Skills and Abilities
- Ability to manage people in a clear, fair, and consistent way
- Confidence to address issues directly and take appropriate action
- Strong organisational skills and ability to prioritise across multiple workstreams
- Ability to maintain professional boundaries while supporting staff
- Strong communication skills, both written and verbal
- Ability to identify risks early and respond appropriately
- Ability to work independently and take initiative
Essential Values and Approach
- Commitment to equality, inclusion, and the social model of disability
- Lived experience of disability
- Ability to balance empathy with accountability
- Professional, calm, and measured approach
- Commitment to creating a respectful and supportive working environment
Desirable Experience and Knowledge
- Experience of working in the voluntary or community sector
- Understanding of disability rights and disabled people’s organisations
- Experience supporting remote or hybrid teams
- Knowledge of charity governance
Desirable Skills and Abilities
- Experience of supporting organisational change or development
- Experience of mediation or conflict resolution
- Ability to develop and implement new systems or processes
What We Can Offer You
You will be joining a small and passionate team of disability rights activists. We are committed to ensuring that work is accessible for our team and are open to new and experimental ways of making this work for you. You will work flexibly from day one and have control over your working hours. You will have access to a staff wellbeing plan with ongoing support from your line manager. We are a learning organisation; part of that is ensuring staff have opportunities to learn, grow, and develop professionally and personally.
Lived Experience
Difference is run by disabled people; our work is delivered by and for disabled people. We strongly encourage applications from deaf and disabled people who are underrepresented in the sector.
Further Information
If you have any questions about the role, contact Christopher Hartworth, Director at christopher@difference.org.uk Do not send applications to this email address.
How to Apply
To apply please send a two-page document outlining why you are interested in this role and how you meet the criteria alongside a brief (2 page max) CV. We also welcome applications in alternative formats, such as video and audio recording.
Please send your application to hello@differencenortheast.org.uk by no later than Thursday 30th April 2026 at midday
Closing Date: Thursday 30th April 2026 at midday
Interview Notification: Friday 8th May 2026
Interviews: TBC