Head of finance jobs for the Environment sector

Head of Operations

Bristol Avon Rivers Trust (BART)

Bristol, Bristol City (Hybrid)

50,000

Full-time

Permanent

Education ∙ Environment

Actively Interviewing

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Job description

About Bristol Avon Rivers Trust

Bristol Avon Rivers Trust is an independent environmental charity dedicated to restoring and protecting the rivers of the Bristol Avon catchment for people and wildlife.

We work across urban and rural landscapes to deliver practical river restoration, natural flood management, climate resilience, biodiversity recovery and community engagement projects at a catchment scale. Our work ranges from removing barriers to fish migration and restoring river habitat, through to supporting regenerative farming, creating wetlands and woodlands, and engaging communities in citizen science and environmental action.

As the Trust continues to grow in scale, ambition and complexity, we are seeking an experienced and highly organised Head of Operations to help strengthen our organisational systems, support our team and enable the effective delivery of our strategic vision.

Location
Hybrid working – with regular attendance across BART offices, project sites and meetings within the Bristol Avon catchment.

Reports to
Chief Executive Officer

Hours
Full-time (37.5 hours per week)
Flexible working arrangements considered.

Purpose of the Role

The Head of Operations will play a central leadership role within Bristol Avon Rivers Trust, ensuring the organisation operates safely, effectively, efficiently and sustainably as it continues to grow.

This is a strategic and hands-on operational role overseeing organisational systems, support governance, HR, compliance, health & safety, programme management support and internal operations.

Working closely with the CEO and Senior Leadership Team, the postholder will help manage the organisations systems and culture needed to support high-quality delivery across a growing environmental charity.

The role will suit someone who thrives in dynamic organisations, enjoys problem solving and optimising systems, understanding and making sense of complexity, and is motivated by supporting teams to deliver meaningful impact and achieving the organisations goals.

Key Responsibilities

Organisational Leadership & Operations

Lead and oversee day-to-day organisational operations across the Trust
Develop and improve internal systems, processes and operational procedures
Support organisational planning and delivery against BART’s strategic objectives
Work closely with the CEO and senior managers to support organisational growth and resilience
Contribute to organisational decision-making and leadership culture

People & HR Management

Oversee HR systems, policies and procedures
Support recruitment, onboarding and staff development processes
Help foster a positive, inclusive and high-performing workplace culture
Support managers with operational people-management matters
Coordinate staff wellbeing and professional development initiatives

Governance & Compliance

Ensure compliance with charity, company and employment regulations
Support the CEO with governance processes, trustee reporting and organisational policies
Oversee organisational risk management systems
Ensure appropriate insurance, contracts and compliance frameworks are in place
Lead on operational health & safety systems and organisational compliance

Organisational Systems

Support organisational budgeting and financial monitoring alongside the finance and Senior Leadership team
Oversee operational procurement and contract management systems
Support implementation and optimisation of organisational systems, including Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and IT systems including cyber security
Improve internal reporting and programme coordination systems

Programme & Delivery Support

Support operational coordination across BART programmes and projects
Help ensure teams are appropriately resourced and supported
Improve organisational project management systems and workflows
Support efficient collaboration across delivery teams
Contribute to organisational development opportunities and partnerships

Person Specification

Essential Experience & Skills

Significant experience in operational management, organisational leadership or business management
Experience developing and improving organisational systems and processes
Strong understanding of governance, compliance and organisational risk management
Experience supporting HR and people-management processes
Excellent organisational and project management skills
Strong interpersonal and communication skills
Ability to work strategically while also being comfortable with operational detail
Experience managing competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
Proficient in Microsoft Office and organisational software systems

Desirable Experience

Experience working within the environmental, charity or public sector
Knowledge of charity governance and funding environments
Experience supporting organisational growth and change management
Familiarity with CRM systems and operational databases
Understanding of health & safety systems within field-based organisations

Who We’re Looking For

We are looking for someone who:

Is highly organised, proactive and solutions-focused
Enjoys enabling others to succeed
Can balance strategic thinking with practical delivery
Is calm and adaptable in a growing organisation
Has strong emotional intelligence and leadership skills
Wants to help a small organisation grow and deliver its goal of restoring rivers, landscapes and communities

Why Join BART?

This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the future of one of the UK’s growing rivers trusts at a pivotal stage in its development.

You’ll join a passionate and ambitious team delivering meaningful environmental change across the Bristol Avon catchment, while helping build the organisational foundations needed for long-term impact.

Benefits

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays and Christmas close
Flexible and hybrid working
9% Employer pension contribution
Professional development and training opportunities
Employee wellbeing support
Opportunity to shape a growing organisation with real environmental impact

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Bristol Avon Rivers Trust is committed to building an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone feels valued, respected and supported.

We actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and communities, particularly those underrepresented within the environmental sector.

Organisation

Bristol Avon Rivers Trust (BART) View profile

Registered Charity

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Refreshed on: 08 June 2026

Closing date: 19 June 2026 at 23:30

Job ref: HOO2026

Tags: Operations, Conservation, Health and Safety, Procurement, Recruitment, Risk Management, Safeguarding, Sustainability

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Funded Projects Manager

The Woodland Trust

England, United Kingdom (Hybrid)

£42,764.5 per year

Full-time

Contract (12-month fixed term contract)

Environment

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Job description

The Woodland Trust is looking for two Funded Project Managers to lead the successful delivery and completion of our funded projects.

The Role:
• Provide leadership to Project Officers, ensuring all funded projects are delivered and completed to a high standard.
• Manage the Funded Projects team to maintain consistent, robust project standards across all activity.
• Support the development of strong funding bids, realistic budgets and informed organisational decision-making.
• Maximise grant opportunities, identify risks early and safeguard the Trust’s financial and reputational interests.
• Maintain excellent relationships and effective negotiations with funders, regulators and contributors.
• Champion continuous improvement in reporting processes across the Trust and for external funders.
• Monitor resources, highlight risks and ensure compliance with statutory obligations, VAT, procurement rules and best-practice project management.
• Produce high-quality management information, support forecasting and contribute to fund accounting and full cost recovery modelling.
• This is a hybrid position with a mix of home working, and from our head office in Grantham, Lincolnshire. Head office attendance would be required no more than once a month on average. Occasional travel to other offices and remote locations may also be required.
• These roles are to be offered on a 12-month fixed term contract.

The Candidate:
• Brings proven experience in supporting, mentoring and developing individuals and teams.
• Skilled at building strong, productive relationships across internal teams and external partners.
• Able to navigate complex financial challenges, including funder restrictions and avoidance of double funding.
• Capable of interpreting, challenging and explaining financial principles to non-experts with clarity and influence.
• Understands the financial implications of projects and how they flow through organisational accounts.
• Makes sound decisions based on budgets, policies, funder guidelines and project management frameworks.
• Brings knowledge of conservation and/or relevant finance or project management qualifications (desirable).
• The successful candidate will be required to undertake a Basic Background Check, as part of our pre-employment screening.

Benefits and Wellbeing:
Joining our team means you’ll be a big part of tackling environmental and climate issues. We take good care of our staff, offering support and training opportunities. We also offer:
• Enhanced Employer Pension
• Life Assurance
• Flexible & Hybrid Working Options
• Generous Annual Leave - 25 Days Plus Bank Holidays (pro rata’d for part-time)
• Buy and Sell Holiday Scheme
• Enhanced Parental Pay
• Employee Assistance Programme

About Us:
The Woodland Trust is the UK’s largest woodland conservation charity. We want to see a world where trees and woods thrive for people and nature. The Trust engages and inspires people to make their difference tackling the nature and climate crisis helping protect, restore and create our vital woods and trees.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion:
To achieve our vision of a world where woods and trees thrive for people and nature, we need to better reflect society and the communities we work in. All people, no matter their background, identity, ability, or circumstance, should benefit from trees.
People of colour and disabled people are currently under-represented across the environment and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we particularly encourage you to apply.
Please contact us to discuss any additional support or adjustments you may need to complete your application.

Application Advice:
For fairness we keep our candidates’ personal details hidden from the hiring managers, and we do not ask for your CV at application.
Make sure that you answer the Application Questions to show your relevant skills and passion for the role. Even if you don't meet every requirement of the role, we would encourage you to apply.

Acceptable Use - Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We understand that candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their job applications-for example, to help structure or edit written responses. We welcome the use of AI in this way, particularly where it helps improve accessibility, such as for neurodivergent applicants. However, we ask that any information submitted reflects your own experience, skills and understanding. During interviews, candidates are expected to respond independently without the use of AI tools.

Apply Now:
If you're ready to make a difference and grow with us, send in your application today. We might close the job opening early if we get a lot of applications, so it's a good idea to apply soon. If we do close the advert early, and you have an application in process, we will email you prior to closing to give you time to complete.

1st stage interviews are to be held via MS Teams on June 23rd & 24th, with 2nd stages on July 8th.

Organisation