Advertised from 29 July 2025

Role

Community One Stop Shop (COSS) is a well-established charity in the Broomhouse South West area of Edinburgh. We pride ourselves on being a responsive, welcoming space for all members of the community. For over two decades, we have been a trusted, compassionate presence in the community, offering essential and inclusive support to individuals and families facing financial hardship, social isolation, and a wide range of life challenges.

Our mission is to empower and uplift people by providing practical assistance, guidance, and a sense of belonging. We strive to ensure that no one in our community goes without the necessities or the opportunity to improve their circumstances.

Our core services include:

• Advice & Advocacy – Helping individuals navigate benefits, housing, and other systems through confidential, expert support.  
• Employability Support – Assisting people in building skills, confidence, and pathways into training or employment.  
• Foodbank – Offering emergency food parcels on a non-referral basis.  
• Soup Kitchen – Providing hot, hearty meals and surplus items for those in need.  
• Baby Bank – Supplying essentials such as nappies, formula, clothing, and baby equipment to new and expectant parents in crisis.  
• Outreach for Homeless Individuals – Reaching out to those experiencing homelessness with compassion, supplies, and practical help.  
• Seasonal Programmes – Running Summer and Christmas initiatives, including holiday clubs, toy drives, and community celebrations that bring joy and relief to families during high-pressure times.

…and much more, depending on the evolving needs of our community.

At COSS, we pride ourselves on being a responsive, inclusive, and non-judgmental organisation. Our doors are open to everyone, regardless of background or circumstance. We listen, we act, and we stand alongside people during their most difficult times — always with respect, empathy, and a commitment to dignity for all.

Together with our volunteers, partners, and supporters, we are building a stronger, more resilient community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Role Summary

As Operations Manager, you will take ownership of the daily operational activities to maintain a high standard of service delivery. You will work closely with different teams to ensure that resources are allocated effectively, health and safety standards are rigorously upheld, and that the environment remains welcoming and inclusive for all who access our support.

You will also be responsible for working with the staff and volunteers that plan, organise, and execute a variety of events and seasonal programmes, such as our summer initiatives and festive celebrations. These events play a crucial role in fostering community spirit and providing additional support during key times of the year.

This is a hands-on, people-focused role that requires excellent organisational and leadership skills. You will be expected to motivate and lead by example which includes hands-on approach to work. The role does involve lifting and moving stock etc so a degree of physicality is required. Your ability to problem-solve, manage competing priorities, and adapt quickly to changing circumstances will be essential.

Above all, this position demands a deep commitment to community-led support and a passion for making a tangible difference in people’s lives. You will be a key part of a compassionate organisation that values dignity, respect, and inclusivity, working every day to improve the wellbeing and resilience of the individuals and families we serve.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Management

• Lead the daily coordination of all services across the charity, ensuring consistent delivery and smooth running.
• Act as Duty Manager during working hours, with responsibility for incident response, safeguarding, and team support.
• Monitor site safety, cleanliness, supplies, and logistics.
• Ensure compliance with health & safety and other statutory regulations.

Team Leadership

• Support front-line staff and support/co-supervise volunteers.
• Facilitate daily check-ins and weekly briefings with service leads in conjunction with CEO.
• Foster a positive, inclusive working environment aligned with the charity’s values.

Service Support

• Support delivery of all core services, stepping in to assist where needed (e.g. foodbank, pantry, outreach).
• Liaise with staff to identify service gaps, operational challenges, or improvements.
• Assist with rota planning, staff coverage, and volunteer allocation.

Event Management

• Lead on the delivery of seasonal events and community programmes (e.g. summer activities, Christmas distribution).
• Coordinate logistics, bookings, equipment, and volunteers for events.
• Work with external partners and funders to support event delivery.

Monitoring & Admin

• Maintain operational records, rotas, and incident logs.
• Assist the CEO with reporting data and preparing materials for funders and trustees.
• Support evaluation and impact tracking.

Person Specification

Essential

• Strong operational knowledge with experience overseeing daily service delivery in a busy, multi-service environment.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, with the ability to respond quickly and effectively to unexpected challenges.
• Hands-on, proactive attitude – willing to step in and support frontline delivery when needed.
• Confident handling of challenging clients and difficult situations, with calmness, empathy, and professionalism.
• Experience supervising or managing staff and/or volunteers.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Competence with Microsoft Office, particularly Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Understanding of poverty, food insecurity, and the issues faced by disadvantaged individuals and families.
• Knowledge of third sector 
• Full drivers license due to assisting with our outreach services
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a small team.
• Be able to manage the physical lifting and moving of stock when required.

Desirable

• Experience delivering or coordinating community events or seasonal programmes.
• Knowledge of local services and referral pathways in Edinburgh.
• First Aid, Food Hygiene, Health & Safety, or Safeguarding training (or willingness to obtain).
• Experience maintaining basic service monitoring systems or databases.

Working Environment

• Based at our busy community premises in Broomhouse.
• Regular face-to-face interaction with service users.
• Occasional flexibility required for events or evening/weekend cover.

Annual leave, sick pay, parental leave are provided in accordance with UK employment law.

Application notes

Closing date: Friday 15th August 2025

Interview date: Tuesday 26th August 2025

Please send your CV and a cover letter explaining your suitability for the role to: carol@coss-broomhouse.org.uk

We encourage applications from all backgrounds and communities and are committed to equal opportunities.