OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
Job Description and Person Specification
The Dr Hadwen Trust for Humane Research is the UK's leading medical research charity that funds and
promotes exclusively non-animal research techniques to replace animal experiments. Our vital work benefits
humans with the development of more relevant and reliable science whilst also benefiting laboratory animals.
More information can be found at www.drhadwentrust.org
Job description
Job title: Operations Director
Hours: Full-time. Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.30pm.
Reports to: CEO
Location: Dr Hadwen Trust's head office, Hitchin, Hertfordshire (travel: Hitchin station is 30 minutes from
King’s Cross main line station). This is not a home-working position.
Benefits: 25 days of holiday per year; matched pension contribution (maximum 5% of salary) after three
years' service.
The position's primary responsibility is ensuring organisational and operational effectiveness by providing
leadership for the organisation's management and its general business administration functions including
HR, IT, financial, Health and Safety.
Working with the CEO, the position also contributes to the development and implementation of organisational
strategies, policies and practices. This position also interacts with the board of Trustees.
Responsibilities by Function
Organisational Effectiveness
 Improve and maintain the operational systems, processes and policies in support of the
organisation's mission, including management reporting, information flow, project management,
business process and organisational planning.
 Optimise and maintain effectiveness and efficiency through improvements to the HR, IT, Health and
Safety and Finance functions as well as coordination and communication between functions.
 Set and monitor the maintenance of high standards of record keeping (including internal and external
correspondence) in all areas of operations that enable the organisation to substantiate its statements
and dealings with external parties (including communications made by email) and apply sanctions as
required to achieve this important aspect of organisational effectiveness.
 Assist the CEO in the management of the organisation's operational effectiveness generally,
including the pursuit of Organisational Goals as outlined in the Organisational Plan.
 In liaison with the CEO, drive initiatives in the management of the organisation that contribute to
long-term operational excellence.
 Provide project management expertise and guidance for project leaders in the Dr Hadwen Trust's
staff.
 Provide internal consulting services on matters related to business structure and growth for the CEO
and Trustees.
 Provide internal consulting services and guidance to other staff with management responsibilities for
the efficient discharge of their duties in accordance with the organisation's operational requirements
and standards and on matters related to business structure and growth for the CEO and Trustees.
 In liaison with the CEO, to create and maintain an effective framework for internal communications
(including meetings) to achieve effective operational cohesion and excellence.
Organisational Leadership
 Contribute to short- and long-term organisational planning in liaison with the CEO and Trustees.
Financial Management
 Develop and manage annual budget: direct annual budgeting and planning for the organisation in
liaison with the CEO and Trustees.
 Oversee monthly and quarterly assessments and forecasts of the organisation's financial
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performance against budget, financial and operational goals. Oversee short and long-term financial
reporting.
Develop long-range forecasts and maintain long-range financial plans, in liaison with the CEO and
Trustees.
Monitor and control departmental expenditure within agreed budgets.
Monitor all accounting systems to ensure that they are effective and fit for purpose and develop and
improve as necessary.
In liaison with the Finance Officer, manage and have sign-off responsibility for generating year-end
reports and fulfilling all official financial requirements (e.g. to Charity Commission and Inland
Revenue requirements), including preparation of annual accounts and their successful audit, in
respect of the Dr Hadwen Trust and its subsidiaries.
Risk Management
 Serve as primary liaison to legal counsel in addressing legal issues e.g. copyright, governing
instruments, partnerships, licensing, intellectual property, etc.
 Oversee organisational insurance policies.
Manage and develop direct reporting staff
Person specification
Qualifications and proven workplace experience
 A wholehearted commitment to ethos and aims of the organisation.
 Knowledge and experience in organisational effectiveness and operations management
implementing best practices.
 Proven project management skills.
 Has previously demonstrated leadership and vision in managing staff groups and major projects or
initiatives.
 Excellent interpersonal skills and a collaborative management style.
 Excellent communication skills both verbal and written.
 Excellent people manager, open to direction and collaborative work style and commitment to get the
job done.
 Ability to challenge and debate issues of importance to the organisation.
 Strong background and work experience in Finance including at least 3 years' experience in
Financial Management.
 Budget development and oversight experience.
 Knowledge of official reporting and compliance implications of non-profit organisation.
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A demonstrated commitment to high professional ethical standards.
Excels at operating in a fast pace.
Ability to look at situations from several points of view.
Persuasive with details and facts.
Ability to delegate responsibilities effectively.
 Excellent computer skills and proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, Powerpoint, Outlook.
 Ideally, a first degree in business or charity management, or in the areas of financial or human
resources.