Bereavement Manager
London Borough of Hillingdon
About the role
Lead a Service That Matters
We are seeking an experienced and ambitious leader to take forward our Bereavement Services, managing our cemeteries, crematorium operations and associated customer services. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of a service that supports residents at some of the most important and sensitive moments in their lives whilst also driving innovation, commercial sustainability and service excellence.
As Bereavement Manager, you will provide strategic leadership across all aspects of the service, ensuring high standards of customer care, operational performance, financial management, compliance and workforce development. You will play a key role in modernising the service, developing long-term cemetery capacity plans, delivering digital transformation and identifying opportunities to enhance income generation and improve customer experience.
Reporting to the Head of Green and Waste Services, you will:- Lead and develop a multidisciplinary operational and administrative workforce.
- Manage the delivery of cemetery, crematorium and bereavement services.
- Oversee revenue and capital budgets of up to £8 million.
- Drive service improvement, digital transformation and commercial development initiatives.
- Manage strategic partnerships and contractual arrangements.
- Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, health and safety requirements and regulatory standards.
- Provide professional advice to senior officers, elected Members and external stakeholders.
- Lead responses to complex customer enquiries, complaints and service reviews.
About You
We are looking for a confident and motivated manager with a proven track record of leading complex operational services.
You will bring:
- Experience managing large-scale operational services and diverse teams.
- Strong financial management skills, including responsibility for significant budgets.
- Experience delivering service transformation, business planning and continuous improvement.
- Excellent stakeholder management and partnership-working skills.
- The ability to balance strategic thinking with operational delivery.
- Experience managing performance, risk, governance and compliance.
- Strong communication skills with the confidence to present to senior leadership, Members and external organisations.
- Degree-level education or equivalent experience, together with relevant professional knowledge or qualifications.
Experience within bereavement services, cemeteries, crematoria or a similar public-facing service environment would be advantageous, although applications are welcomed from candidates with transferable leadership experience from comparable sectors.
Why Join Us?
This is an opportunity to lead a valued and evolving service with significant scope for innovation and improvement. You will join a supportive leadership team and play a key role in shaping the future of bereavement services for our residents and communities.
Additional Information
The role requires flexibility to attend occasional evening meetings and events. A current UK driving licence and access to a vehicle are essential.
Apply Now
If you are an experienced leader who can combine commercial awareness, operational excellence and compassionate customer service, we would like to hear from you.
About us
- We value our employees and are committed to ensuring that they enjoy a fulfilling and rewarding career with us. We understand that a happy and motivated workforce is essential for the success of our organisation. That is why we offer a wide range of employee benefits to enhance your work-life balance, financial wellbeing, health, and professional development.Here’s a comprehensive overview of the fantastic benefits we provide:
- Flexible Working Hours – We recognise the importance of flexibility in managing your work and personal life.
- 36 Hour Week – Enjoy a standard 36-hour workweek for all full time staff.
- Generous Holiday Entitlement – increasing with length of service (for non-casual roles).
- Hillingdon Sports & Leisure – Stay active and healthy with discounts at council owned leisure centres and swimming pools across the borough.
- Salary Sacrifice Schemes – option to join schemes for cycle purchase, electric vehicle leasing and additional voluntary pension contributions (subject to scheme rules).
- Cycle to Work – Eco-friendly commuting with our cycle purchase scheme. We also provide bicycle parking, lockers, and showers at the Civic Centre.
- Local Government Pension Scheme – access to Local Government Pension Scheme and membership to the Credit Union.
- Perkbox Benefits – Access a variety of offers and discounts through our Perkbox Benefits.
- Mental Health Support and Counselling Services – Our mental health first aiders are trained to identify, understand, and help employees experiencing mental health issues. Access free 24-hour confidential advice and counselling as well as a legal advice service for you and your immediate family.
- Travel Support – Make your daily commute easier with our season ticket loans and free car parking.
- Trade Union Membership – The Council recognises UNISON, Unite, AEP and GMB and supports employees’ freedom of choice in relation to trade union membership.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement
At the London Borough of Hillingdon, we are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. This commitment means that all employees, job applicants and others who work for us will be treated fairly.
The aim is for our workforce to be representative of all sections of society and Hillingdon residents so we welcome applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds. We strive to ensure that our recruitment process is free from discrimination and bias, and we are dedicated to providing reasonable adjustments to applicants with disabilities.
Join us in building a workplace where everyone feels respected, able to give their best and be themselves at work, whilst contributing meaningfully to our organisation's success.
Recruitment Information
Hillingdon Council operates a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities that meet the essential criteria for the role and wish to be considered under this scheme. We believe in the option to choose, so candidates declaring a disability have the choice to opt in for consideration under this scheme, on a ‘per application’ basis.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Some posts are subject to The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2019 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
In addition to verifying Right to Work in the UK and a new starter health questionnaire, the post is subject to the following pre-employment screening:- 2 years of Referencing
Please note: Priority will be given to those at risk of redundancy within Hillingdon Council. Current employees who are part of the redeployment pool must meet the essential criteria for shortlisting to be prioritised.
It may be necessary due to a high volume of applications to close this role early. We therefore recommend you apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.