Operations Manager - External Relations

Focus of the Role

Due to continuous growth in the organisation, we are recruiting for an experienced an Operations Manager to work closely with and reporting to the Executive Director, External Affairs.  To assist in driving business plans and operations across the ER team. You will have a key role in the direction, delivery of plans and alignment across the ER teams within the Division.

The ER department consists of a number of established teams:  Fundraising, Partnerships and Communications.

The purpose of this newly created role is to establish and run the planning and operations for the ER department, a function which has a direct correlation to team performance and wellbeing. This role is a key management function to support delivery of an ambitious and growing ER department, with a focus on: a) team cohesion; b) planning and departmental performance monitoring; c) operational system building; d) contribution to development and support of leaders across ER.

Job Introduction

This is both a rewarding and positively challenging high profile post in the organisation due to the impact across the organisation and indirectly externally.  There is no direct staff management however there is the potential to grow a team in the future.

Key Responsibilities

Tasks will include but not are not limited to:

• Leading on initiative kick-offs and feasibility scoping
• Improving planning cycles and processes across ER, to create strong internal alignment within ER and with the wider organisation
• Improving and embedding OKRs processes and monitoring across ER
• Reviewing and recommending improvements to data/insights generation and utilisation in ER and across TBI as it relates to ER goals (influence and income)
• Establishing common leadership tools and standards, in collaboration with People Team
• Establishing departmental and team surveys and development support methods to improve performance and cohesion
• Deputising for ED, ER: e.g. creating presentations, reports etc for internal and external audiences

Person Specification

• Strong project planning skills required
• Previous experience of a similar role desired
• Strategic and can challenge the status-quo and develop plans for successful delivery of challenging objectives
• Impact focused, you will have a background of delivering operationally with a positive impact
• Proven experience of providing creative and innovative approaches in developing new initiatives/systems that contribute towards set goals
• With outstanding influencing skills and the proven ability to deliver absent of ‘command and control’ models, in a highly matrixed organisation
• A communicator and influencer, able to tenaciously pursue goals and is adept at managing up and beyond hierarchy
• The ability to operate in rapidly changing and growth business environment
• Experience in working with and preparing reports for C-level stakeholders and Boards
• Business case development experience
• Strong analytical and visual presentation skills, adept with tech enabled internal systems
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• A proven self-starter and is entrepreneurial in spirit
• Though a private sector background may be advantageous, we are open to other sector experience
• Bachelor’s or postgraduate degree or equivalent practical experience
• Keenly interested in the work of TBI and share in our mission and values

About The Institute

The Tony Blair Institute (TBI) is a mission-driven not for profit organisation. We exist to equip political leaders and governments to build open, inclusive and prosperous societies. We work hard, every day, to make a difference. When governments work well they are able to create economic and social change in a way that promotes fairness, social justice and opportunity. We work relentlessly to support leader and governments with the challenges they face. Giving them practical solutions and actionable insights, that once implemented, can be transformative for their people  

We do this within two connected divisions: 

 Government Advisory 

Our Government Advisory teams work directly with political leaders and governments around the world to implement reforms that improve the lives of their citizens. It works with a variety of partners and its outputs cover a range of disciplines and projects across countries in Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and South Asia.

 Policy Futures 

Our Policy Futures work encompasses three broad areas: 

• Renewing the Centre: developing a bold and innovative domestic policy programme to help renew the centre ground of British politics; 
• Tech and Public Policy: exploring the policy challenges and opportunities presented by the technological revolution; and 
• Extremism Policy Unit: creating solutions designed to tackle the threat of extremist ideologies in the UK and around the world. 

As an organisation, the core beliefs we all embrace are: 

• Open and Progressive: you’ll believe in the value of teamwork 
• Bold and Pragmatic: you’ll approach everything you do with integrity and authenticity 
• Optimistic Changemaker: you’ll be focused on results 

TBI believes embracing diversity and inclusion make us a better place to work.  It’s our goal to reflect everyone in society and we actively welcome applications from individuals and groups who are under-represented in the workplace. We celebrate difference be it ethnicity, religion, age, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation or disability. We will only ever assess you on your abilities and fit for a role. We’re happy to discuss any adjustments you need to ensure a level playing field during recruitment and, if you\'re successful, discuss any adjustments you might need to thrive in your role.