Head of Operations

Manchester Digital is a leading, not for profit, membership body based in Manchester, dedicated to fostering growth and collaboration within the regional digital and technology ecosystem. With a focus on supporting innovation and economic progress, we offer a platform for digital and tech employers to connect, learn, collaborate, and prosper.

Our team is predominantly split across three core areas - Memberships, Talent and Skills, and Programmes and Events.

This is a senior leadership role charged with the delivery of Manchester Digital’s strategic objectives as defined by the Managing Director and the board. 

This role is integral to the success of Manchester Digital and you will play a key part in developing the profile and membership of Manchester Digital and the overall success of the sector.  You will have responsibility for delivering the membership and marketing strategy, based on insight and intelligence that we gather from our members. 

Your ability to be able to turn insights and strategy into projects and initiatives that are highly valued by our membership will be instrumental as will your experience in managing people, systems, processes and finances. 

Who would be a good fit for this role? 

Ideally you will: 

• Possess significant experience and a genuine interest in the digital and technology sector. We are seeking a passionate individual who is deeply engaged with the latest trends, innovations, and developments within the industry with a particular focus on talent development.
  
  

• Come from a very strong people management / leadership background with significant experience in leading and motivating teams to achieve operational goals, resolve conflicts, and foster a positive work culture. 
  
  

• Be able to develop senior level relationships and represent Manchester Digital's interests with businesses and public sector stakeholders including members, suppliers, and other industry organisations within the region.  
  
  

• Be commercially minded and comfortable with revenue based targets and be able to translate these into achievable goals and targets for smaller teams within a multi-faceted business operation.
  
  

• Have strong financial management skills and be familiar with budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis to effectively manage operational budgets, control expenses, and maximise our ability to return a surplus and reinvest in our mission.  Any experience of using Xero would be highly desirable.
  
  

• Have experience of managing multiple projects and initiatives, coordinating cross-functional teams and delivering projects on time and within budget.
  
  

• Be very comfortable with managing competing priorities whilst being able to identify and mitigate operational risks and implement robust processes and controls to safeguard Manchester Digital’s interests and reputation.

What will be your responsibilities? 

Reporting to the Managing Director, your key responsibilities will be focussed on

People Management

• Resource and People Management with experience of human resources including staff management, hiring, termination, and disciplinary actions.

• Mentor and motivate a small busy team and support them to define their priorities and meet objectives and targets.

• Setting clear performance expectations and goals for team members, and conducting regular performance evaluations to assess progress and provide constructive feedback.

• Addressing any performance issues or development needs promptly and effectively.

• Collating and analysing productivity data to optimise staffing and production capacity in order to deliver on strategy.  

Financial Management 

• Budget setting, monitoring and management at both project and organisation level. 

• Being able to interpret and use our actual and forecasted P&L & Balance Sheet for planning.

• Maintaining and managing monthly forecasts and providing monthly reports to the Managing Director on membership growth and events revenue.

• Translating financial forecasts/KPIs into operational targets and plans.

• Ensuring our operations meet the financial goals and objectives of the organisation.

Operational Management

• Ensuring our delivery plan achieves against all of our strategic objectives as set by our Managing Director and Board. 

• Ensuring that operational activities, events and projects are appropriately appraised, remain on time and within budget.

• Review and improve processes and procedures to enable the business to scale more efficiently.

• Oversee Manchester Digital’s technology infrastructure, including software systems and hardware.

Commercial Strategy

• Working with the Managing Director and the board to develop an ambitious membership strategy and set team goals and objectives to align with this.

• Work with the Head of Talent and Skills to ensure that we are maximising the benefit of our talent and skills activity across the membership.

• Spot opportunities and gaps in the market where Manchester Digital can develop new products and services.

• Driving revenue and ensuring that the team meets ambitious commercial targets whilst ensuring we deliver value for money for membership and continuously appraise ROI on the use of member funds

• Ensure activity between the events, marketing and membership team is connected and cohesive and that we are optimising the strengths of the team.

What is on offer? 

The role offers a competitive salary (£60,000 - £70,000 DOE) plus:

• 25 days holiday per year

• Quarterly team activities 

• Workplace pension

• Hybrid/flexible working

• Target led bonus

Our team currently work Monday to Friday, 9am - 5:30pm and Friday 9am - 5pm, but there may be an occasional need to support or represent Manchester Digital at early morning or evening events. 

Our flexible working policy incorporates two fixed days working from our Manchester office (Tuesday and Thursday) with the flexibility to be able to work remotely on the other 3 days.

How to apply? 

Please email your CV and a covering letter to careers@manchesterdigital.com 

The Manchester Digital application process will consist of 3 stages:

• Stage 1: An initial review of your application against our role criteria. In addition to sending us your CV, we kindly ask you to send us a motivation letter telling us what excites you about this position - we will not consider applications where our full application process has not been followed.




• Stage 2: A competency based interview with our Managing Director and outgoing Head of Operations 




• Stage 3: A final stage interview/chat with a member of our Board of Directors