About the role:

The Head of Operations is an exciting, new role within LUC. We are seeking a highly skilled and strategic Head of Operations to oversee our daily business activities and drive operational efficiency. As the Head of Operations, you will be responsible for ensuring operational excellence across all departments. You will be ensuring that our internal systems, processes and teams deliver operational excellence and enable our business in the short and long term. You will keep up to date with changing standards and legislation across the areas within your responsibility, while also managing the operations team and reporting to senior management on issues and progress.

This is a highly visible role in the company with the Head of Operations being the ‘Go To’ person for a wide range of issues; and representing operations with the business and through our corporate governance.

The main areas of responsibility for this role include (either directly or through operations team members):

Operational Excellence

• Working with the Managing Director to set the long-term approach to operational excellence
• Formulating the processes and procedures that enable the business model

Operational Structuring and Operating Model

• Acting as owner of the organisational design principles and producing and maintaining the operating model, enabling continuous improvement

Property

• Managing the portfolio of offices and all related support services, contracts and facilities
• Preparing necessary proposals for SLT approval e.g. decisions on new leases, break clauses and rent reviews, as well as any connected investment decisions
• Coordinating office moves, refurbishments and works, especially with the local office senior team and ICT
• Identifying new locations as required, managing leases, negotiating with landlords, agents and third parties

Health & Safety

• Leading compliance and accreditation on a range of H&S systems and standards including ISO 45001
• Ensuring LUC meets H&S obligations, legislation and high standards of Health, Safety and Wellbeing
• Identifying and monitoring H&S risk, risk assessment and risk management systems
• Carrying out reporting on H&S matters internally and externally as required

Quality Management

• Leading compliance and accreditation with ISO 9001 quality standards
• Developing systems to align activities with quality standards and support continuous improvement
• Ensuring QM is appropriately reflected in Project Management systems, processes and guidance
• Ensuring QM is appropriately embedded in project systems e.g. Nest/CMAP

Environmental Management

• Leading compliance and accreditation with ISO 14001 environmental management standards
• Developing and implementing policies and procedures to achieve our environmental objectives
• Supporting Board project to highlight impact of our work

Administrative and Bid support

• Coordinating the services of the administrative teams covering all aspects of office, bid and project support
• Evolving these functions to support the changing needs of the business
• Identifying and developing relevant tools, systems and structures to support the business

GDPR

• Leading compliance with GDPR legislation and standards
• Liaising with Information Commissioner
• Liaising with all parts of the business to understand data use, storage and obligations
• Advising on GDPR implications of internal and external projects or systems

The role includes the opportunity to share and participate actively in the management and ownership of the business through the Employee Ownership Trust, which places full ownership of the company with the employees.

The role can be based in any of LUC’s offices. We work in a hybrid model with people being in the office a minimum of two days per week. There will also be travel required to visit sites, client offices and other office locations.

A full-time role is based on 37.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday). However, LUC has a strong track record in flexible working, and we have been recognised for our flexible working culture, so we are happy to discuss a range of flexible working options for this role including part time hours (minimum 25 hours per week) if desired.

Salary: £58,000-£70,000 FTE, depending on experience (plus London allowance of £4,000 if applicable)

This is a great time to be joining LUC. Since its creation nearly 60 years ago, LUC has been driven by the belief that planning has a critical role to play in shaping the world around us for the better. This work has never been more critical or urgent.

Experience and qualifications

This role requires a highly organised person who is able to track a wide range of issues simultaneously and build strong relationships and credibility across the organisation. The role will primarily focus on cycles of activity relating to long term strategy and business planning, compliance, audit and risk management. However, from time to time there will also be unpredictable and urgent demands for action, input or advice on matters relating to the areas of responsibility so flexibility to adapt to ever evolving needs is critical.

Essential

• Experience of leading directly at least some of the areas of responsibility listed above, combined with general management experience.
• Responsibility for a budget on a programme or functional level.
• Leading and managing a team
• Experience with delivery of major projects or implementation of new systems.
• Optimisation of systems through positive attitude to change and the proficient use of technology.

Desirable

• Experience of working within a professional services firm. This could be within our built environment sector or more generally such as law, accountancy, etc.
• Demonstrable awareness and experience of utilising technology as an enabler within the business.
• Experience of coordinating or delivering training to support take-up and embed new systems or tools across the company.
• This role does not require a specific educational or professional qualification, but professional experience in areas such as efficiency, project management and strategic operations would be looked on favourably.

Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK.

Please apply by uploading your CV and covering letter via the above link.

LUC is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and we actively encourage applications from under-represented groups. We value the differences, needs and contributions a diverse workforce represents, and we strive to embed equality, diversity and inclusion in all our people related activities.

About LUC:

LUC is an award-winning environmental consultancy that aims to make a difference. With nearly 60 years of experience, we want to make an impact: delivering better futures for nature, people, and places.

Our holistic services support clients in tackling complex land use problems on projects at every scale. Our expert teams collaborate across disciplines to create cities, towns and landscapes for a more sustainable future.

We are employee-owned, which means we invest in our people and operate with kindness. Our creative, forward-thinking professionals are passionate about addressing the climate and biodiversity crises.

We’re leading the way in driving lasting and positive change.

Our Mission is to deliver better futures for nature, people and places.

Just like our founders, we’re dedicated to leaving this world in a better place. And we believe we have the power to create a positive legacy through all our projects. We do this by guiding our clients, as well as influencing national and local policy.

Of course, we recognise that change is inevitable. But we also recognise that cities, towns and landscapes of the future must work to help nature recover and to create a fairer society for all. We are committed to creating beautiful, inclusive places that support the health and wellbeing of the people and environments impacted by such inevitable change.

Our Values are what make us.

They reflect our heritage, express the attitudes of our people, and capture what our clients tell us we’re like to work with. Our values are timeless, informing the actions of every generation of LUC.

They guide our big thinking as much as our daily working lives – from the projects we pursue, to how we manage people, to how we resolve conflicting interests.

• We act with professionalism and integrity
• We have the courage and openness to lead
• We collaborate to achieve shared goals
• We act with passion, insight and creativity