Funeral Operations Team Leader

Position: Funeral Operations Team Leader

Location: E & M Newsome Funeral Directors - covering the Rotherham, Barnsley & Pontefract areas.

Job Type: (Full-time, permanent)

Salary: £28,003.00 per annum (£14.05 per hour)

We’re looking for a compassionate and reliable individual to join our team at E & M Newsome Funeral Directors as a Funeral Operations Team Leader (FSO Level 3). This role offers the chance to support families at one of life’s most sensitive moments, playing a key part in delivering respectful, meaningful services that truly make a difference.

Why This Role Matters

At Dignity, we believe that every farewell should be handled with compassion, dignity, and care. Your role will ensure that families feel supported, respected, and reassured every step of the way.

The Role

You’ll support every stage of the funeral process — from preparing vehicles and venues to assisting with ceremonial duties and family interactions. This is a physically active, hands‑on role that requires empathy, reliability, and a calm, respectful presence. As a representative of both your local branch and the wider Dignity Group, you’ll help maintain our trusted presence in the community.

You’ll support your team through training and mentoring, stay up to date with all training requirements for the role and actively be the main point of contact for all Funeral Service Operatives within your branch and team. Conducting regular one‑to‑ones, team meetings and supporting the Funeral Director within your branch.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Care Centre Manager/Service Delivery Lead and lead with diary coordination
• Oversee the training and mentoring of Level 1 and Level 2 Funeral Service Operatives in your team
• Carry out one‑to‑ones with the Funeral Service Operatives within your team, ensuring consistency and all training and development needs are met
• Participate in an out‑of‑hours on‑call rota (including nights/weekends) to support families including, taking first calls and lead on inter‑cares
• Complete garage orders to support operational efficiency and lead back‑of‑house, including service delivery
• Support the Funeral Director in delivering a seamless service and ceremonial work
• Manage the rotas and staffing to ensure cost of funeral delivery is managed and overtime and casual staff usage is in line with the business requirements
• Prepare the deceased (washing, dressing, presentation) in accordance with family, religious, or cultural wishes

About You

We’re looking for someone who:

• Confident in overseeing team training, mentoring and conducting regular 1‑to‑1s
• Has experience within a Team Leader or shift management role
• Demonstrates empathy, professionalism, and composure under pressure
• Has a respectful, caring approach when supporting both colleagues and families
• Is physically capable of manual handling tasks, including lifting and carrying
• Is comfortable working in direct contact with the deceased in a variety of conditions
• Is reliable, flexible, and able to work outside standard hours when needed
• Takes pride in presenting themselves in a professional and dignified manner
• Holds a Full UK Driving Licence (essential)

No previous funeral experience is necessary, however experience within a management role is essential. Full training will be provided in line with Dignity’s training and induction programme.

What We Offer

• A fulfilling and meaningful role supporting families in your community
• Full training and personal development opportunities
• 30–33 days annual leave, inclusive of bank holidays
• Uniform and all necessary equipment provided
• Company pension and life assurance
• Access to an employee assistance programme for wellbeing support
• Annual company bonus

We wouldn’t be able to provide this essential service without the dedication of our people. If you’d like to join a compassionate team committed to delivering the highest standards of care — we’d love to hear from you.

What are the next steps?

To join us in this role, simply hit the 'apply' button to submit your application and a member of our Talent Acquisition Team will be in touch!

About Us

We are Dignity, one of the UK’s oldest and most trusted funeral providers, with over 200 years of history, 570 branches, and 46 crematoria. From launching the UK’s first funeral plan to helping shape modern regulation, we have led the way in supporting families with care, compassion, and professionalism.

Now we are building the UK’s leading end‑of‑life company. As part of the Dignity Group, we also operate Farewill, the country’s largest will writer and one of the UK’s top probate providers, giving families support not just at the funeral, but before and after as well.

Today we are over 4,000 people across the UK, all driven by the same goal: to care for families with compassion and make the UK a world leader in end‑of‑life care. Here to help, whenever you need.

FCA Statement

We’re regulated by the FCA, so some roles may be subject to background checks.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

We know that diverse teams make better decisions, build better products, and create a better place to work. Whoever you are, wherever you’re from, and whatever your life looks like, we’d love to hear from you. And if there’s anything you need to make the process more accessible, please let us know.

Any unsolicited submissions from agencies will be accepted as a direct application from the candidate and no fees will be payable.

We reserve the right depending on application numbers to close or extend the closing dates for positions; we would therefore recommend an early application.

***Internal reference - FSO Level 3***

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