Crematorium & Cemeteries Operations Lead
| Posting date: | 10 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £42,060 to £46,968 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 20 February 2026 |
| Location: | Kingston Upon Thames, South West London |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Kingston Council |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 3961 |
Summary
About the Role and our Ideal Candidate
As Operations Lead, you will take day to day responsibility for the smooth and professional running of cemetery and crematorium services. In practice, this means you will:
Oversee daily burial and cremation operations, ensuring services are delivered safely, respectfully and in full compliance with legislation and regulatory standards
Provide visible operational leadership to the team, offering supervision, coaching and clear direction in a sensitive and emotionally demanding environment
Act as the first point of escalation for complex cases, working confidently with funeral directors, faith groups and partner agencies
Monitor service demand, workflow and performance, making practical decisions to maintain continuity and high standards
Contribute to service improvements, including digital transformation and modern working practices that support efficiency and resilience
This is a hands on leadership role within a regulated environment where attention to detail, professionalism and sound judgement are essential.
About You
We are looking for someone who brings both operational experience and steady leadership.
You will have:
A recognised crematorium technical qualification (BTEC Level 2 Award in Crematorium Technical Operations or equivalent)
At least two years experience in cemetery, crematorium or statutory funeral services
Experience supervising or leading a team in a bereavement or similarly sensitive operational environment
A sound working knowledge of burial and cremation legislation and relevant professional standards
The ability to work calmly under pressure, make balanced decisions and communicate confidently with a wide range of stakeholders
Desirable
It would be beneficial if you also have:
Experience contributing to service improvement or digital transformation initiatives
Familiarity with national assurance frameworks such as the Charter for the Bereaved or FBCA Code of Practice
We are looking for an Operations Lead who can help maintain high standards, promote professional confidence and contribute positively to the ongoing development of the service, strengthening operational consistency and supporting the team’s continued growth and training.
About Us
Kingston’s Registration, Nationality and Bereavement Services support residents at some of the most significant moments in their lives. The Cemetery and Crematorium service forms a vital part of this offer, delivering safe, dignified and professionally assured burial and cremation services to the borough and surrounding communities.
Our bereavement services operate within a highly regulated environment, with a strong focus on statutory compliance, professional standards and compassionate customer care. We work closely with funeral directors, faith groups, healthcare providers and partner organisations to ensure services are delivered with integrity, sensitivity and efficiency.
The team is experienced, committed and supportive, with a strong culture of collaboration and mutual respect. We are continuing to build capability, strengthen how we work and introduce digital improvements to make day to day working clearer and more effective across all service areas.
As Operations Lead, you will take day to day responsibility for the smooth and professional running of cemetery and crematorium services. In practice, this means you will:
Oversee daily burial and cremation operations, ensuring services are delivered safely, respectfully and in full compliance with legislation and regulatory standards
Provide visible operational leadership to the team, offering supervision, coaching and clear direction in a sensitive and emotionally demanding environment
Act as the first point of escalation for complex cases, working confidently with funeral directors, faith groups and partner agencies
Monitor service demand, workflow and performance, making practical decisions to maintain continuity and high standards
Contribute to service improvements, including digital transformation and modern working practices that support efficiency and resilience
This is a hands on leadership role within a regulated environment where attention to detail, professionalism and sound judgement are essential.
About You
We are looking for someone who brings both operational experience and steady leadership.
You will have:
A recognised crematorium technical qualification (BTEC Level 2 Award in Crematorium Technical Operations or equivalent)
At least two years experience in cemetery, crematorium or statutory funeral services
Experience supervising or leading a team in a bereavement or similarly sensitive operational environment
A sound working knowledge of burial and cremation legislation and relevant professional standards
The ability to work calmly under pressure, make balanced decisions and communicate confidently with a wide range of stakeholders
Desirable
It would be beneficial if you also have:
Experience contributing to service improvement or digital transformation initiatives
Familiarity with national assurance frameworks such as the Charter for the Bereaved or FBCA Code of Practice
We are looking for an Operations Lead who can help maintain high standards, promote professional confidence and contribute positively to the ongoing development of the service, strengthening operational consistency and supporting the team’s continued growth and training.
About Us
Kingston’s Registration, Nationality and Bereavement Services support residents at some of the most significant moments in their lives. The Cemetery and Crematorium service forms a vital part of this offer, delivering safe, dignified and professionally assured burial and cremation services to the borough and surrounding communities.
Our bereavement services operate within a highly regulated environment, with a strong focus on statutory compliance, professional standards and compassionate customer care. We work closely with funeral directors, faith groups, healthcare providers and partner organisations to ensure services are delivered with integrity, sensitivity and efficiency.
The team is experienced, committed and supportive, with a strong culture of collaboration and mutual respect. We are continuing to build capability, strengthen how we work and introduce digital improvements to make day to day working clearer and more effective across all service areas.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.