Director of Operations

Donegall Pass Community Enterprises

Location: Donegall Pass, Belfast

Salary: NJC scale PO4, SCP 35–38 (£46,142 – £49,282 per annum)

Hours: 35 hours per week

Contract: Fixed term until 31st March 2028 (subject to funding), with potential for extension

Closing date: 9.00am on Friday 5th December 2025

About Donegall Pass Community Enterprises

Charity Jobs NI is delighted to be exclusively supporting Donegall Pass Community Enterprises (DPCE) as they recruit a visionary and dynamic Director of Operations to lead the organisation through an exciting period of growth and transformation.

DPCE is at the heart of the Donegall Pass community, working to tackle deprivation, build cohesion and create new opportunities in an area historically impacted by tension and division. The organisation is now entering a pivotal phase with the development of the Donegall Pass Good Relations Hub – a landmark capital project under the Urban Villages Initiative, part of the NI Executive’s Together: Building a United Community (TBUC) Strategy.

Delivered in partnership with Belfast City Council and Clanmil Housing, the redevelopment of the former PSNI site on Donegall Pass will create a vibrant, shared space featuring housing, childcare, a community exhibition area, café and accommodation for a range of service providers. DPCE will lead the management and promotion of this new Good Relations Hub, ensuring it becomes a sustainable, welcoming space for community engagement and support.

This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced senior leader – whether your background is as a Director of Operations, Operations Director, Head of Operations, Programme Director or Director of Programmes and Operations – to play a central role in shaping a flagship community asset and its long-term impact.

The Role

Reporting to the Chairperson of the Board, the Director of Operations will provide strategic and operational leadership across all aspects of DPCE’s work.

You will:

Drive delivery of the Donegall Pass Good Relations Hub capital project, ensuring it is delivered on time, within budget and with strong community buy-in.
Lead the development and delivery of good relations activities and programmes that support the Hub’s vision and the wider TBUC agenda.
Grow and strengthen DPCE as an organisation, building robust financial, operational and governance foundations.
Work closely with the Board to translate strategic vision into clear business plans, operational plans and measurable outcomes.
Oversee day-to-day operations, staff management and contract delivery, ensuring high standards of performance and accountability.
Cultivate strong relationships with key stakeholders, including funders, policymakers, statutory partners, housing providers and community organisations.

This is a varied and influential role that combines strategic leadership, operational management, community engagement and income generation.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Governance

Lead the implementation of DPCE’s Strategic Plan and develop annual Operational Plans aligned to long-term goals.
Develop and deliver a proactive Communications Plan to raise DPCE’s profile, promote key projects and strengthen stakeholder engagement.
Support the Board to maintain strong governance, regulatory compliance and effective decision-making.
Draft, maintain and implement organisational policies and procedures that reflect best practice.
Oversee budget preparation, financial planning and reporting in collaboration with the Board.
Manage contracts, supervise staff and external facilitators, and ensure activities are aligned with strategic priorities.

Community Engagement and Capacity Building

Build trusted relationships across Donegall Pass and the South Urban Village area, promoting collaboration and shared ownership of the Good Relations Hub.
Promote good relations practice through the Hub and support inclusive, inter-agency initiatives.
Help coordinate responses to local good relations challenges, ensuring DPCE plays a constructive leadership role.
Explore and develop social enterprise models and alternative income streams to support sustainability.
Identify and pursue funding opportunities based on community needs and consultation.
Strengthen Board capacity through technical support, training and engagement with initiatives such as the Community Academy.
Support the Board to use digital tools, impact marketing and social media to promote DPCE’s work.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

Design and implement effective monitoring and evaluation frameworks to track progress against strategic targets and funder requirements.
Prepare reports, position papers and updates that clearly communicate impact, learning and strategic direction.
Maintain accurate financial records and manage invoicing in line with organisational and funder requirements.
Document progress in accordance with the monitoring plan outlined in the Letter of Offer, ensuring full accountability and transparency.

People Leadership and HR

Provide inspirational leadership to staff, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement.
Oversee recruitment, induction, performance management and staff development.
Ensure HR practices, policies and procedures are fair, robust and compliant with legal requirements.

About You

You will be an experienced senior leader with a strong track record in driving organisational growth, managing change and delivering impactful programmes, ideally within the community, voluntary or social enterprise sectors.

Essentially, you will bring:

A relevant third level qualification and at least 3 years’ experience in a senior management position, or at least 5 years’ senior management experience in a similar role.
Practical experience of transformation and change management.
Strong strategic leadership skills with the ability to inspire, empower and support teams through periods of growth and change.
Proven experience of strategic and financial planning, budget control and monitoring delivery against objectives.
Excellent organisational and project management skills, with the ability to juggle multiple priorities.
Experience of funding, income generation or developing and managing new income streams (including social enterprise models).
Excellent networking, advocacy and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to work confidently with funders, statutory agencies and community partners.
Knowledge and understanding of relevant policies, including the Together: Building a United Community (TBUC) Strategy and good relations frameworks.
Strong communication, facilitation and negotiation skills, and a person-centred approach grounded in community development principles.
Confidence in using digital tools and modern promotional methods (including social media) to promote organisational activities.
Flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends as required, and the ability to travel across the area (a full driving licence and access to a car, or equivalent mobility, is required).

Experience of capital development projects, delivering or managing good relations programmes, upscaling services and supporting organisational growth, plus knowledge of the local area, will all be distinct advantages.

What We Offer

In return, DPCE offers:

Salary on NJC scale PO4, SCP 35–38 (£46,142 – £49,282 per annum).
A fixed term contract until 31st March 2028 (subject to funding), with the potential for extension pending further funding.
25 days’ annual leave plus 12 statutory days.
Employer pension contribution.
A Flexible Working Policy to support work–life balance.
The opportunity to lead a landmark community initiative with long-term, positive impact on good relations and community cohesion.
A role where you can genuinely shape the future of a new Good Relations Hub and the organisation that will deliver it.

This role will be particularly attractive to experienced Directors of Operations, Operations Directors, Heads of Operations, Programme Directors or Directors of Programmes & Operations who are passionate about community transformation, good relations and social impact.

How to Apply

If you’re ready to play a leading role in shaping the Donegall Pass Good Relations Hub and driving positive change in the community, we’d love to hear from you.

The closing date for applications is 9.00am on Friday 5th December 2025. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and we reserve the right to close the vacancy early should a high volume of suitable applications be received, so early application is strongly encouraged.

Simply apply now with your CV to register your interest. A member of the Charity Jobs NI team will be in touch to discuss your application and guide you through the next steps of the process.

If you have any questions or would like further information about the role, you can contact the Charity Jobs NI team in complete confidence and we will be happy to help.

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