UNITED KINGDOM AND NORTHERN AREA
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Job Description
Job Band
E
Reporting to
Employees reporting to
role
Financial
Responsibilities
Director United Kingdom and Northern Area
Eleven Regional Supervisors
Delegated Financial Authority as directed and authorised by the Director United Kingdom
and Northern Area.
Manage project budgets as appropriate.
Purpose of Job
To implement policies designed to raise the standard of maintenance of 310,000
commemorations in over 13,000 locations throughout the UK, Republic of Ireland,
Scandinavia, Iceland and the Faroe Islands. In addition and as part of this remit, to
support, manage and co-ordinate the activities of all Regional Supervisors in the UK and
Northern Area.
Key responsibilities and accountabilities
General
 To critically, constructively and positively analyse and challenge existing structures and practices. To improve
operational systems, processes and policies and put in place improvements in support of the Area’s
objectives. To highlight best practice and ensure consistency of approach across the regions.

To oversee the work of eleven Regional Supervisors, ensuring effective planning and providing guidance,
advice and training. To deploy resources effectively and to maintain close contact with those working in the
Regions and to discuss, plan and resolve on-going issues with the Regional Teams. To ensure that Area’s
programmes are carried out on time, effectively and efficiently.

To maintain a high profile within the Area, to represent the Area’s needs and interests at Management,
Group and Community meetings and with a range of external stakeholders.

To initiate contact and proactively engage with Government agencies, voluntary and other organisations to
improve the condition of scattered graves and poorly maintained sites.

To oversee the efficient functioning of the Inspection Database and CRM in the recording of all Area burials.

To monitor and help structure regional inspections and headstone cleaning cycles.

To raise the profile of the Commission through engagement with the communications team.

To act as the liaison point with Foreign War Grave organisations.

To coordinate all legal matters affecting war graves and memorials in the UK Area.

To deal with Cemetery and Church Authorities on complex and national-level issues.

To recruit, develop and appraise department staff including implementation of HR policies as required.

To offer and develop innovative ideas on training solutions and ensure consistency of approach.
Team Performance (where applicable)
 To set the performance standards required of staff, identify staff development needs and ensure that staff
members receive the training and coaching required.
Project Responsibilities (where applicable)
 To undertake projects as directed by the Director UK and Northern Area and ensure that all Projects are
completed on time and within budget.
Financial & Risk Management
 Delegated Financial Authority as directed and authorised by the Director United Kingdom and Northern Area.
 To manage project budgets as appropriate.
Date of Preparation
Feb 2015
1
UK OM
Other Accountabilities
 Travel throughout the Area is a part of the role and the post holder must be able travel to the Regions staying
away from home during the week as required.

To undertake other duties which may reasonably be regarded as within the nature of the role.
Key contacts and relationships
 Director - United Kingdom and Northern Area
 Management Team - UK and Northern Area and their teams
 Head Office and other Area Management Teams as required
 Legal Department
 Regional Supervisors and their Teams
 External Stakeholders including government officials and members of the public
 Foreign War Grave Organisations
Knowledge & qualifications/experience required
 Degree, BTEC National Diploma or NVQ Level 3/4 or equivalent experience in a Management or Operations
Management environment
 Extensive knowledge and experience in Leadership, Teamwork and People Management
 Excellent planning and resource management skills
 Multitasking skills and a lateral approach to problem solving is essential
 Experience of managing contractors, suppliers and third party stakeholders and dealing with customer
related issues preferred
 Previous experience of a Logistics and Distribution environment is an advantage but not essential
 Experience of translating business intent into operational level policy and action plans
 Project management skills with experience of managing and delivering cross departmental projects
 Good level of computer literacy using Microsoft packages – Word, Excel, Project, Outlook (email)
 A willingness to undertake continual professional development
 A full manual driving licence
Competencies & Key Skills (functional/technical)
 Communicates clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing on a wide range of issues internally and
externally in potentially sensitive situations.
 Influences senior managers and others involved in the strategic level decision making process.
 Accepts accountability for personal and team success and focuses on priority goals.
 Is not easily side tracked and is able to demonstrate drive, creative thinking, innovation and initiative.
 Applies appropriate planning techniques to deliver policy, plans, projects and complex work programmes, on
time and within budget, breaking down more complex tasks into activities and milestones.
 Continuously seeks ways to improve service delivery and work problems.
 Encourages compliance with planning and resource management procedures and processes.
 Leads teams by setting the direction and agenda, communicates to staff and monitors performance.
Date of Preparation
Feb 2015
2
UK OM