Business Operations Manager Business Operations

ADVANCE NORTHUMBERLAND

About Us  

Advance Northumberland is a diverse property investment & development business, delivering opportunities to improve prosperity, tackle inequalities and drive economic growth in support of Northumberland County Council.

Whether its support for new and developing businesses, the remediation of challenging brownfield sites, building of large-scale manufacturing units, delivering new purpose-built offices, delivery of major town centre redevelopments, including complex retail developments, leisure facilities or the delivery of high-quality market sale and affordable housing it can all be found in this unique regeneration company.

We work collaboratively with stakeholders and partners, delivering positive physical and economic development.  Focusing on the needs and aspirations of the county, addressing economic, housing and infrastructure challenges whilst capitalising on Northumberland’s significant assets and opportunities. We deliver a comprehensive regeneration capability to improve the County’s economic prosperity, regenerate communities, improve liveability and create a more connected and aspirational County.

In doing so, we will support a broader county-wide assets-based approach to promote economic growth and an improved quality of life for its communities. Building on the opportunities emerging from North of the Tyne and Borderlands initiatives to enhance its regeneration impact, taking its lead from Northumberland County Council, and working in collaboration with key partners.

Our Business Operations team supports the business with a wide variety of support from arranging meetings and travel to ordering stationery and office supplies. This is a new role in the team, with a key task of providing PA support to our Executive Leadership team and managing two administrators. The aim of the role is to provide support to our colleagues to deliver for the business.

OUR VALUES

• Dedication – passionate and tenacious about delivering for Northumberland.
• Honesty – working to the highest standards of integrity and accountability.
• Collaboration – deliver in partnership with Northumberland County Council and organisations across the public and private sectors.

THE BENEFITS OF WORKING FOR US

We care about our colleagues and their wellbeing and have been nationally recognised for this. Apart from the competitive salary, we also have fantastic benefits. We focus on our colleague’s health, wealth, and lifestyle. We like to think our benefits package is one of the best around!

Salary – £31,000 - £40,000.

Annual leave - Start with 26 days, increasing to 31 days with service. Of course, you’ll have public holidays too!

Pension - Generous employer contributions of 8%. You pay 2%, although you can choose to pay more if you want.

Financial Benefits - Enjoy the security of free life assurance, an employee referral scheme (earning £1,000 per recruited referral), and our Cash plan App with discounts and cashback at top retailers. Free on-site parking at all locations.

Wellbeing & Lifestyle Services - Access our colleague assistance programme with 24/7 support, GP services, mental health support and, dental and optical plus a range of other health therapies. We also have a cycle to work scheme and home electronics schemes, both of which are salary exchange, so you pay less National Insurance.

Private Health care – option to join scheme on completion of probationary period.

Motoring Benefits - Take advantage of exclusive employee vehicle-leasing schemes, through NHS Fleet.

THE ROLE

This is a new / additional role to manage cross functional administrative support services to Business Transformation and wider Executive and Corporate Services team, supporting all aspects of operational business performance.

To apply:

Please send your CV and a letter of application saying why you want to work for us and what you’d bring to the role, together the completed application form included in this pack. Please send these to: workforus@advancenorthumberland.co.uk

For an informal discussion, please contact: Deborah Evans on 07807 494501

Closing date for applications – 4^th June 2025 at 10.00am

Interviews will be held on the 11^th June 2025

We may close this role early if we receive sufficient applications.

If you wish to withdraw your consent for us to process your application,

please email us at: workforus@advancenorthumberland.co.uk

No agencies please

Job Description and Person Specification 

Job title: Business Operations Manager 

Reports to: Head of Business Transformation

Team members: Corporate Services Administrator/s

Location: Wansbeck Workspace and other locations as part of role.

Role Purpose: 

To manage cross functional administrative support services to Business Transformation and wider Executive and Corporate Services Team to support all aspects of operational business performance.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage administrative support services for the Executive Leadership Team and wider Corporate Services functions, including Business Transformation, Business Operations, Marketing, and Health and Safety.
• To manage the efficient running of Head Office, including line management of the Corporate Services administration team.
• Support the Head of Business Transformation implement and manage the Customer Feedback Policy.
• Complete all statutory obligations relating to data governance and fulfil the administrator function for Freedom of Information Requests, Subject Access Requests, and Data Security.
• Provide support to the Internal Audit Process, to update all recommendations, maintain the shared performance tracker, produce performance reports and liaise with Internal Audit team as directed.
• Provide support to colleagues on procurement projects and maintain the Company Contract Register.
• Conduct desktop research to support the Continuous Improvement Manager and Head of Business Transformation.
• To support the Advance Northumberland Project Framework as required by the Director of Projects, to include the scheduling of Project Gateways, collation and dissemination of reports and other meeting papers and updating the central Company tracker and SharePoint site as directed.
• Maintain high quality, accurate records to ensure business performance data is available in a timely manner and in accordance with stakeholder requirements.
• General administration and working proactively to support effective provision and delivery of Corporate Services.

Generic Requirements for all colleagues 

• Contribute to the creation of a positive culture in line with Advance Northumberland values
• Show commitment to equality and diversity in the workplace and ensure this is reflected in all activities
• Ensure a safe and sustainable working environment is promoted across the business
• Contribute to the financial performance of the business, in line with role responsibilities
• Undertake other reasonable duties as requested

Personal Specification

Essential Criteria

You must have:

• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite and use of IT, including databases.
• Experience of generating performance reports.
• Experience of managing multiple tasks and projects.
• Experience of working with and dealing with a broad range of Stakeholders.
• Discretion and working in confidence.
• Excellent planning and organisational skills.

It would be good but not essential if you also have:

• Experience of managing people.
• Experience of meeting governance.
• Experience of generating committee and Board papers.
• Full UK driving licence.