A rare opportunity has arisen to join the Registration Service as a senior member of our team. We are seeking a highly organised and detail-oriented Operations Manager who shares our passion for delivering a top performing and customer focussed service. At some point in their life, everyone will meet a Registrar, whether it’s to register a baby, a death, get married, form a civil partnership or be made British. Our work is therefore very rewarding, and the Operations Manager is key to making it the best possible experience for everyone, whatever the circumstances.

About the role

Reading Registration Service registers around 5,000 births, 2,500 deaths and conducts around 400 ceremonies every year. We work closely with, and are governed by, the General Register Office, part of HM Passport Office, to deliver the service from the Civic Centre, Reading Town Hall and the Crematorium and Cemetery Office at Henley Road.

You will oversee the efficient operation of the Registration Service alongside leading and developing a team of deputy registrars whilst ensuring that there is sufficient cover of suitably trained staff to deliver our range of services

You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.

Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:

Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do

Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential

Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way

Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed

About you

The successful candidate will be an experienced line manager or looking for the next step in your registration career. Attention to detail is vital in this role but so is being able to take a step back and see the bigger picture. It’s also a busy role where you will need to manage competing priorities and make good decisions that meet statutory requirements.

There is always a person at the end of our processes so you will need to be able to deliver sensitive information in an appropriate and sensitive manner. You will be proactive and curious about how and why things are done, implementing efficiencies and budget savings where needed.

If you don’t have registration experience you will receive training to enable you to register all life events, as well as participate in the out of hours rota. This responsibility is spread across the team on a standby basis and equates to around six weekends per year.

Our offer

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 33 days after 10 years’ service, with the option to buy additional leave
• A wide range of flexible working opportunities
• Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
• On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
• Season Ticket Loan - to help with the cost of your rail/ bus journey, to & from work
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax

For more information on this position please contact Bobby Bailey, Registration Service Manager at Bobby.Bailey@Reading.gov.uk

Closing Date: Wednesday 19th March 2025

Interview Date: To be confirmed

Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.