Assistant operations director jobs in Central london, greater london

Location: MSSC NSC, 200B Lambeth Road, London, SE1 7JY (Hybrid Working)

Contract: Full time, permanent

Salary: £40,000 to £42,000 gross per annum, depending on experience

Closing Date: 8 February 2026

Assessment Day: 16 February 2026

Are you looking for a new opportunity supporting volunteers to give their best?

The Marine Society & Sea Cadets (MSSC) is a vibrant and growing charity delivering life changing nautical adventure for young people through the Sea Cadets to give them the best possible head start in life. We also provide personal and professional development opportunities for seafarers with the Marine Society. Working with our staff, cadets, and volunteers, we have built a vision and five-year strategy to take us forward and further improve the astounding contribution already made through our work to the lives of thousands of young people and seafarers, while fully supporting our volunteers who are vital to our success.

About the role

We are currently looking for a Volunteer Support Manager to join our innovative Young People, Volunteer and Business Support Directorate. You will manage the Volunteer Support Team and develop and maintain efficient volunteering systems used by our volunteers. This is a key role focussed on supporting the charity’s volunteering strategy and championing best practice in volunteering.

This is an exciting time to join the Sea Cadets with the opportunity to make a real difference to the way volunteers are supported and recognised. The Volunteer Support Manager will be responsible for the effective and efficient administration of the volunteer processes via Microsoft Forms and Power Automate, as well as reviewing existing and implementing new systems to make them as effective and as volunteer friendly as possible.

Responsibilities

• To maintain, review and update volunteering systems, processes and approaches ensuring that they are efficient, up-to-date and as volunteer friendly as possible
• To line manage and support the Volunteer Support Team based at the MSSC Support Centre to ensure the delivery of effective and timely support to the volunteers
• To functionally manage and support the Area Volunteer Support Team based across the 6 Area Offices to deliver effective and consistent support to the volunteers
• To work with the Head of Volunteering to review MSSC volunteering policies, monitoring their appropriateness and effectiveness, making recommendations for changes as necessary
• To work with Volunteer Support Officers to develop systems and processes for managing the volunteer support workload and monitoring delivery standards
• To develop guidance and associated resources for the support of volunteers
• To manage the Volunteer Support elements of the Training and Admin website ensuring that the information is relevant, accurate and up to date

Requirements

• Experience of managing and motivating a large team
• Experience of managing, reviewing and refining complex administrative processes
• Experience of running effective CRM systems including the use of Microsoft Forms and Power Automate or similar products
• Experience developing processes which are targeted at both internal and external audiences
• Experience of delivering a first-class service to clients or customers
• An understanding of the voluntary and community sector, ideally within the youth field

Desirable

• Experience of managing or supervising a team based remotely
• Experience of being a volunteer
• Experience of managing an onboarding process with the understanding of the importance of safer recruitment
• Experience of empowering a team to deliver a first class customer service
• Experience of leading projects manging change with various stakeholders
• Experience of working with volunteers and the knowledge of how to ensure they are supported

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave per annum, increasing with length of service
• Hybrid working for many roles
• Volunteering Leave
• Life assurance (4x salary)
• Private medical insurance
• Generous pension (employer contribution up to 10%)
• Cycle to work scheme
• Access to the Marine Society Digital Library
• Wellbeing portal and EAP with 121 counselling
• Employee development: We are investing in our employees' development and have an annual calendar of learning and development opportunities, designed to support employees to develop into their roles and stretch them to achieve their full potential.

Additional Information

MSSC positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates from all backgrounds. Equity, diversity, and inclusion really matters to us, so we can best serve our beneficiaries from every community. We work to ensure a fair and consistent recruitment process and aim to be a charity where diversity of experience, identity and skills are valued and welcomed. MSSC is an equal opportunities employer.

We recognise our responsibilities to safeguard and protect the young people and vulnerable adults with whom we work. We do all we can to promote their health, safety and wellbeing, and we expect our staff to share this commitment and work in line with safeguarding policy, the MSSC’s values and ethos of inclusivity. We adhere to safer recruitment practices and therefore employment is subject to detailed pre-employment checks for successful candidates, including references and criminal disclosure checks and the completion of a disclosure questionnaire. 

All successful applicants are required to attend safeguarding training and undergo pre-employment checks including a criminal record check.

Purpose of the job

This role is responsible for the design of UK Youth’s support to young people, youth organisations and youth workers. This could include structured youth work programmes, funding and grants+ programmes, professional development programmes, and campaigns.

You will lead and oversee end-to-end design processes, ensuring that UK Youth develops fully packaged offers that respond to the evidence base and people’s needs, drive forward our strategy and achieve incredible impact. You will work across UK Youth teams, with external design partners, and meaningfully involving young people and the professionals who support them in the design process.

You will be experienced in developing high quality funding propositions (proactively and in response to new business opportunities). You will be confident in taking a human-centred design approach to tackle some of the youth sector’s knottiest problems.  You will design solutions to important problems, ensuring that they are feasible, equitable, impactful and scalable.

In 2026, our priority topics for youth work programmes and network development are: mental health and wellbeing, employability, social cohesion and community safety.

 As a leader, you will work closely with research, evaluation, policy, service delivery, network development, and fundraising teams. You will help to improve the skills and confidence of colleagues across UK Youth to apply design methods in their own work and collaborate effectively with the Design team.

Why work at UK Youth?

UK Youth wants all young people to be equipped to thrive and empowered to contribute at every stage of their lives. Youth work can be life changing (and even life saving.) In 2026, we will be launching our new strategy, positioning UK Youth to unlock youth work so that every young person in the UK can benefit. We work with others to ensure that the youth sector is strengthened and that provision is youth-led, evidence-informed, and delivers high-quality outcomes.

 UK Youth plays a unique role in addressing the lack of investment in the youth sector, the lack of cross-sector understanding in how youth work makes a difference, and the limited opportunities to embed effective solutions. These factors lead to mass inequality of access to youth services for young people. Come and be part of this change in a driven and supportive team that puts evidence at the heart of our work.

Role Responsibilities

• Designing Solutions

• Developing new business and funding propositions

• Embedding Human Centred Design

• Building a strong external network to support the Design team’s work

• Operations

Experience we're after

• Significant experience of leading and overseeing the development of new business propositions and proposals to time-limited funding opportunities

• Significant experience of designing interventions (digital and/or physical) for young people and/or those who support them 

• Experience using human-centred-design methods and mindsets; managing projects across the end-to-end design process

• Proven track record of inspiring and motivating diverse teams and improving collaborative ways of working across teams and departments

• Experience of developing high quality programme content and curricula for young people, youth workers and/or outdoor learning instructors (desirable)

• Experience of commissioning and managing external design freelancers and consultants (desirable)

• Experience of designing and/or delivering professional development programmes (desirable)

What we can offer you

We offer a competitive range of benefits, good work/life balance, excellent learning and development opportunities and vibrant organisational culture:

• Flexible/Agile Working

• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata for part time employees)

• Funded training provided in; Safeguarding, GDPR, Information and Cyber Security & Equality & Diversity

• Other training available in support of your personal and professional development

• Pension scheme (currently UK Youth match employee contributions up to 5%)

• Membership of our life insurance scheme which would pay-out up to 4 times your salary

• Employee Assistance Programme to support employees both professionally and personally

• 20% discount off bookings at Avon Tyrrell, our New Forest Outdoor Centre, including camping, lodges and outdoor activities.

• IT equipment provided for the duration of contract

• CycleScheme and TechScheme

How to apply

If you would like to be considered for this fantastic opportunity, please complete an application via our completely anonymised recruitment system provided by Applied which looks to create a fair and unbiased application process for all. Scroll to the top of the page and start your application.

Closing date: Sunday 4th January 2026 at 23:59pm

Provisional Interview Dates: 12th and 13th January 2026

As this role involves working in a regulated environment with young people, any offer will be conditional to satisfactory background checks, which include criminal record check and employment reference.

Chief Executive Officer – The Abbey Centre
Location: The Abbey Centre, Westminster, London (site-based role, flexible working available)
Salary: £90,000 – £95,000 per annum
Contract: Permanent (Full-time, 37.5 hours/week; regular evening attendance for events as required)

Could you lead a much-loved community hub through its next chapter of stability, growth and civic impact?

About The Abbey Centre

Our charity has served the community of south Westminster since 1948 and has occupied The Abbey Centre building, a converted Victorian public bath house a stone’s throw from Westminster Abbey, since 1991. We are a site-based community hub and social enterprise, combining community services, training and outreach with venue hire, an on-site café and catering to generate income that supports our charitable work.

We work across employability, health and wellbeing, volunteering and practical support for vulnerable residents; the Centre welcomes people of all ages and backgrounds, and sees over 1,000 visits each week. Our strong partnerships with Westminster City Council, statutory bodies and corporate donors underpin commissioned activity and solidify our position as a trusted local delivery partner.

This is an opportunity for a visionary but hands-on leader to preserve the Centre’s warm, inclusive culture and outstanding reputation while further professionalising systems, developing our income, and shaping a multi-year strategy that secures the building and grows impact.

As our next Chief Executive Officer, you will:

• Strategy & Impact: lead a collaborative listening phase and then develop and deliver a 3–5 year strategy and rolling business plan that defines the Centre’s core offer and impact targets.

• Governance & Finance: own the annual budget and medium-term financial modelling, deliver full-cost recovery across activity lines and present timely, accurate management information to trustees.

• Operational Leadership: ensure continuity of community services, venue trading and café operations and strengthen operational systems including safeguarding, H&S and business continuity.

• Income Generation: drive commercial performance of venue hire, events and catering, professionalise fundraising (major donors, legacies, corporate partnerships) and lead bids for multi-year statutory contracts.

• Community & Partnerships: sustain and deepen strategic relationships with Westminster City Council, commissioners, local partners and corporate supporters to secure commissioned work and philanthropic income.

• Estate Stewardship: manage day-to-day stewardship of the Centre’s significant ageing building, overseeing maintenance, lease/compliance obligations and contractor relationships.

• People & Culture: build a cohesive senior team, embed clear role accountabilities, performance management and development, and protect the Centre’s welcoming culture while managing change.

• Brand & Profile: act as a visible ambassador locally and with funders to raise the Centre’s profile and champion its social value.

Who you are:

• A seasoned senior leader with proven experience in a small/medium charity, community organisation or social enterprise that combines front-line delivery with significant premises/estate responsibility.

• Demonstrable track record of leading strategic development and delivering organisational growth while balancing hands-on operational leadership.

• Strong commercial and earned-income expertise, with experience of running successful commercial – ideally site-based - operations.

• Confident in winning and managing statutory contracts and multi-year grant programmes; credible with local authorities, commissioners and corporate partners.

• Financially literate with direct budget and cash-flow accountability and experience of full-cost recovery modelling.

• A collaborative, visible and warm ambassador who builds trust quickly, communicates clearly and can present concise management information to trustees.

Why The Abbey Centre?

• A powerful mission: deliver practical services, companionship and opportunity for south Westminster residents in a civic, high-impact setting.

• A prominent, historic central Westminster location and a cherished community building offering scope for strategic estate planning and growth.

• A warm, loyal staff team and an engaged board navigating a positive leadership transition.

• A social enterprise model where successful trading directly funds frontline services and creates a platform for entrepreneurial leadership.

• The opportunity to shape a multi-year strategy that secures the long-term future of the charity and grows its impact in the community.

For full details of the role including how to apply, please download the full appointment brief. For an informal and confidential conversation about this position, please contact Jenny Hills at Harris Hill via the apply button with times to speak and (optional but appreciated) a CV or professional profile which will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Closing date for applications: 9am, Monday 12th January 2026

As leading charity recruitment specialists and a certified B Corp, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics.

The Management Accountant is responsible for ensuring that the staff and Trustees are supplied with timely, accurate and relevant financial information. This includes budgets for the Museum, trading subsidiary, individual departments and capital and revenue projects as necessary, as well as quarterly management accounts, cash flow and forecast, with additional analyses and reports as necessary.

This is a demanding post requiring attention to detail, the ability to take an overview and to make progress with several tasks in parallel. It is also an exceptional opportunity to work in a small and friendly environment at a busy and challenging time. The ideal candidate will have some understanding of the museum sector and an interest in the work of a high-profile National Museum.

The Finance team is headed by the Finance Director and in addition to the Management Accountant there is a Finance Manager and Finance Assistant.  The Museum employs around 80 members of staff (48 FTE).

Key responsibilities:

· Preparation of management reports, accurate quarterly forecasts and assistance with preparation of the year-end financial statements.

· Preparation of information for regular and ad hoc returns to DCMS and other external bodies.

· Ensure compliance with donor restrictions, public and charitable sector regulations and guidelines.

· Analysis of Museum-wide income and expenditure streams to monitor and improve efficiency and profitability.

· Provide and review financial information for funding applications.

· Key to the successful execution of these duties would be an understanding of financial information in relationship to the activities of the Museum and to explain these clearly to the Senior Management Team and Trustees.

· To provide the Board of Directors of the trading subsidiary, Soane Museum Enterprises, with relevant financial and management accounting information and to attend the quarterly meetings as required.

· With the Finance Director, ensure compliance with the Treasury publication ‘Managing Public Money’, Financial Reporting Manual (FReM), the Framework Document issued by DCMS, Cabinet Office control of Civil Service Pensions and the Statement of Recommended Practice on Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP FRS 102).

· As part of the finance team, work with the auditors of the Museum and SME and the internal auditor.

· To work with the Finance Director liaising with DCMS on financial and other matters and developing a good working relationship. This includes completion of annual and other reports including the Museum’s submissions for the periodic Spending Reviews.

· To maintain financial and internal control systems, mindful of the requirements of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee, internal audit and the NAO. 

· To provide papers in a timely manner for meetings of the Trustees and their Finance, Audit and Risk Committee and to attend meetings, as required.

· To contribute financial expertise to Museum-wide projects and initiatives.

· Work one day a quarter on the weekend rota to support front of house staff (for which TOIL is given). 

Person Specification

· Educated to degree level or equivalent experience with an accountancy qualification ACA/CIMA.

· Good technical knowledge of relevant Accounting Standards.

(Knowledge of government accounting would also be desirable.)

· Experience ideally within the charity/not-for-profit sector or an understanding of compiling charity SORP and company accounts.

· A broad understanding of VAT requirements (including partial exemption methods) and other taxation issues such as the operation of Gift Aid in the charity sector and corporation tax within trading subsidiaries.

· Excellent communication skills with a willingness to take a hands-on approach. The Museum has only a small staff covering a multitude of disciplines working closely together in a cooperative environment.

· An ability to prioritise workload and use initiative with problem solving skills and attention to detail.

-      Excellent IT skills, including advanced Excel, and a working knowledge of accounting systems, preferably with direct experience of Sage.

-     An interest in the museum sector.

Remuneration

This is a 3 days a week post at a salary of £23,735 pa, (£39,558 FTE)

16 days annual leave plus (pro-rata of 26.5 days) and pro-rata Bank and public holidays  

Museum staff can choose to join an excellent, defined benefits pension scheme, the Principal Civil Service Scheme Alpha. The Museum provides an annual season ticket loan.

We have Hybrid Working and this post-holder can work for 1 day a week at home, on the completion of the 6 month probationary period.

Our policy allowing flexible start and finish times means that staff can choose to start work between 8.00am and 10.00 am in the morning and finish correspondingly between 4.00pm and 6.00pm.

Our Annual Report can be found in the ‘Governance and Management’ section of our website.

Applications:

The deadline for applications is Wednesday 31 December 2025.

Interviews will be held in the Museum on Friday 16 January 2026.

Please apply by sending a covering letter describing how you meet the criteria for this post with your CV and the names and email addresses of two referees.

Salary: £37,000 – £41,000 per annum (depending on experience)
Location: Reigate, Surrey (with some hybrid working)
Contract: Full-time
Occupational Requirement: Female, practising Christian
Closing Date: 23rd December
Start Date: Early February (notice periods considered)

Do you have the vision, leadership and compassion to transform the futures of women experiencing homelessness?

Keychange is a Christian charity with over 100 years of experience supporting people facing vulnerability. Today, we provide specialist housing for women and young people experiencing homelessness, alongside residential care for older people across the South and South West of England.

We are now seeking an exceptional Women’s Homelessness Lead (Surrey) to shape and lead our specialist women’s homelessness service at Wayside Community in Reigate. This community is a 19 bed, 24-7 supported housing for women experiencing homelessness. This is a rare opportunity to combine frontline leadership, strategic development, and church and community partnership building in a role with real depth, influence and impact.

About the Role

• This is a leadership role with both operational and strategic responsibility. You will:
• Provide leadership and line management to the Deputy Manager, Senior Administrator and a skilled team of support workers
• Lead the delivery of trauma-informed, strengths-based, person-centred support
• Develop strong partnership networks across local authorities, charities, housing providers and churches
• Shape the future of Keychange’s women’s homelessness strategy across Surrey
• Represent Keychange externally and explore opportunities for future service growth

At the heart of this role is a deep commitment to co-production, dignity, recovery, community and belonging.

Who We’re Looking For

You will bring:

• Substantial experience supporting or managing services for vulnerable individuals
• A strong understanding of trauma, safeguarding, risk and recovery-based practice
• Proven ability to build partnerships and influence across multiple stakeholders
• Excellent communication and leadership skills
• Confidence engaging with churches and Christian networks across traditions
• A values-led approach aligned with Keychange’s Christian ethos

Desirable experience includes:

• Managing accommodation-based services
• Existing Church partnerships across Surrey

Occupational Requirements
This role is subject to legal Occupational Requirements under the Equality Act 2010. The postholder must both a woman and a practicing Christian. These requirements are essential due to the nature of the role, including spiritual support, trauma-informed care for women, and active church partnership development.

What We Offer

• Salary of £37,000 – £41,000
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Hybrid working (with 4 days regularly site or community based)
• Employee Assistance Program and Life Insurance
• Contributory Pension Scheme with matched employer contributions
• Ongoing personalised learning and professional development
• A supportive, faith-centered, values-driven culture

For more information about the opportunity and for details on how to contact us informally to discuss the role in greater detail before applying, please see the job pack attached to this advert.

How to Apply
Please submit a cover letter clearly addressing the essential and desirable criteria and an up-to-date CV focused on relevant experience.

Recruitment Timeline

• Application deadline: 23rd December 2025
• First stage interviews (remote): First week January 2025
• Final interviews (in person): Mid-January 2026
• Start date: Early February 2026

Community Fundraiser - London​

Are you ready to take on a new challenge with a leading charity making a real difference in brain tumour research? ​

Brain Tumour Research is seeking an experienced and motivated fundraiser to join our team. As a key part of our fundraising efforts in our high-performing East region, you will have the opportunity to drive income generation through a variety of initiatives, including challenge events, fundraising groups, and corporate partnerships such as charity of the year. You will also be responsible for driving initiatives to increase our profile and supporter base within London.​

Key Responsibilities: ​​​

• Generate income across a range of community fundraising initiatives and events, with the opportunity to lead on key projects 
• Steward supporters to help drive the charity’s fundraising activities and growth 
• ​Work with the fundraising team to develop and maintain strong relationships with fundraisers, donors, partners, and key stakeholders ​
• Contribute towards the growth and success of fundraising efforts, ensuring a sustainable income stream for the vital ongoing funding of brain tumour research ​​

Requirements: ​​

• At least one year of fundraising experience, with a proven track record in income generation 
• Strong experience in supporter stewardship  
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage and inspire supporters and partners alike ​
• Passion for Brain Tumour Research and its mission to fund research and ultimately find a cure 

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If you are looking for a fulfilling and impactful role and have the level of experience and skill we are looking for, we welcome your application.​​

​For this role, the successful candidate must live in the London area.​​

​We reserve the right to close the application window early and advise candidates to apply in good time to avoid disappointment.

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We are asking for a CV as the first step but applicants may be asked to provide a targeted covering letter as part of the selection process.  Interviews will be conducted during the application window as appropriate, and will consist of a first interview via MS Teams, progressing, if successful to a face to face second interview, held at our offices in Milton Keynes.

Closing Date: 04th January 2026

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We are looking for people who share our passion for finding a cure for brain tumours and who have the skills and experience to make a difference. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, cultures, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and ages. We believe that diversity enriches our organisation and helps us achieve our mission. We are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone can be themselves and contribute to our vision.

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