Business Operations Manager

Location: Tockington

Business & Operations Manager Space4

Autism Macclesfield, Office-Based Full-time, permanent £38,000 - £42,000 DOE

About us Space4

Autism has been a lifeline for autistic individuals and their families across Cheshire East since 2005. What started as a parent-founded, volunteer-run charity has grown into an organisation delivering over 4,000 activities a year - social clubs for children and young people, parent and carer support, services for autistic adults, an autism-friendly community café, a charity shop offering work experience for autistic adults, training and workshops, and space for private hire.

Everything we do is guided by one simple promise: we listen, we help, we care. Now, as we grow, we need someone who can help us grow well - a Business & Operations Manager who will work hand-in-hand with our CEO to keep the organisation running smoothly, sustainably, and with the same care we bring to every family we support.

The opportunity This is a hands-on senior leadership role for a pragmatic, confident operator who's just as comfortable in a budget spreadsheet as they are supporting a team, and who genuinely wants their work to change lives. You'll be a trusted partner to the CEO, taking ownership of the day-to-day so that strategy turns into action - across business planning, finance, funding, people, operations, and governance.

You'll report directly to the CEO and line manage the whole Space4

Autism team, giving you real influence over how the charity runs and grows. What you'll be doing Business planning & strategy: help shape, implement, and monitor our business plan, turn strategic goals into clear action plans, and keep leadership priorities, projects, and timelines on track. You'll attend Trustee Board meetings and bring your insight, challenges, and ideas to the table. Budgets & finance: support budget planning, monitoring, and reporting, and keep a close eye on spend so we stay financially sustainable, working alongside our finance team and external accountants.

Funding & income: help drive our funding strategy and income diversification, track grant requirements and deadlines, and coordinate funding applications and stakeholder communications. Operations: own the smooth running of the organisation day to day: improving systems and processes, spotting operational risks before they become problems, and supporting governance and compliance. People Management & Leadership: line manage the whole team, lead on recruitment, and support onboarding, performance, and development, building a working culture that's positive, collaborative, and accountable.

Policy & governance: develop and maintain our policies and procedures, keeping us compliant with legislation and best practice, and supporting our wider governance and compliance reporting. What we're looking for Strong business management and operational leadership experience Proven financial and budget management capability Experience managing people, teams, and organisational processes Sound knowledge of governance and compliance, including regulatory frameworks, safeguarding, and best practice Somebody who is able to occasionally attend off-site fundraisers and other events outside of core working hours A track record of supporting organisational growth scaling services, managing change, building capacity A confident, pragmatic decision maker with sharp problem-solving skills Excellent organisational skills and the ability to juggle competing priorities A hands-on style that works both strategically and operationally Strong communication and stakeholder management skills It would also be great if you have Experience building strategic relationships and partnerships A background in the charity, healthcare, or NHS sectors…