Operations Manager

Role Description

York Cares, Careers and Placements – University of York

Do you want to make York a better place to live and work? Do you believe in the power of volunteering to change lives – and communities – for the better?

York Cares is a unique employer-led charity that brings together some of the city’s leading organisations to create tangible, positive change through employee volunteering. Hosted by the University of York, we’ve been making a difference for over 20 years. From helping young people discover new opportunities, to transforming community spaces, York Cares is about harnessing skills, passion and teamwork to give something back to our community.

We are now looking for an Operations Manager to lead our small, dedicated team and help us grow our impact even further. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with energy, creativity and strong leadership skills who wants to make a lasting difference in York.

As our Operations Manager, you’ll be at the heart of everything York Cares does. No two days will be the same – you might be leading a community project, meeting with senior business leaders, supporting your team to deliver an innovative volunteering programme, or promoting York Cares at a city-wide event.

In this role, you will:

• Lead and inspire the York Cares team, supporting them to achieve their best.
  
  

• Build and nurture strong relationships with local employers, community groups and stakeholders.
  
  

• Represent York Cares locally and nationally, championing the benefits of employee volunteering.
  
  

• Work with our Board to shape future strategy, secure new projects, and make sure our work continues to thrive.
  
  

• Promote and celebrate volunteering, ensuring it is visible and valued across the city.
  
  

• Keep York Cares at the forefront of community engagement and corporate social responsibility.
  
  

Above all, you’ll ensure York Cares continues to deliver life-changing volunteering experiences for individuals and lasting benefits for the city we call home.

Skills, Experience & Qualifications Needed

We’re looking for someone who combines strong leadership with a genuine passion for people and communities. To succeed, you will bring:

• A Level 3 qualification (A-level or equivalent) or equivalent professional experience.
  
  

• Experience of working with employers, ideally in the private sector.
  
  

• A clear understanding of how to connect businesses, communities and public sector organisations for shared benefit.
  
  

• The ability to lead and motivate a small team, encouraging creativity and collaboration.
  
  

• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with confidence in working with everyone from business leaders to community volunteers.
  
  

• Enthusiasm, flexibility and a commitment to making things happen – even if that sometimes means working outside of the usual 9–5.
  
  

• A strong belief in the value of volunteering, with an understanding of its role in community development and corporate social responsibility.
  
  

• Good organisational and analytical skills, with the ability to use data, digital tools and insight to improve how we work.

We also want someone who is inclusive, supportive and forward-thinking – a leader who cares as much about people as they do about results. The expected start date is 1 December 2025.

Interview date: To be Confirmed (21 or 28 October 2025)

For informal enquiries: please contact Holly Hennell on holly.hennell@york.ac.uk

Condition of employment

This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. Consequently, all applicants will be asked to declare both unspent and spent convictions on their application form.

Appointment of the successful candidate will be conditional on a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

The University strives to be diverse and inclusive  – a place where we can ALL be ourselves.

We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University. 

We offer family friendly, flexible working arrangements, with forums and inclusive facilities to support our staff. #EqualityatYork