Chief operating officer jobs in Lambeth, greater london

We are looking for an enthusiastic and experienced administrator who will enhance the smooth running of Green Alliance through working across our HR, office and IT support functions. We need someone who is efficient and resourceful with a calm, friendly and flexible approach.

You will have excellent interpersonal skills, able to build positive relationships with people at every level, and experience of working in a busy office environment. You will be highly organised and able to solve problems by using your own initiative. You will help to build an effective and positive working culture as part of our busy operations team.

This a part-time role for three days a week, with regular attendance in our office, and some flexibility as to when the hours are worked. 

As EA to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), this role has a primary focus in providing comprehensive administrative support to the COO, in collaboration with the wider Directors’ office team and the COO’s direct reports.

They will be responsible for delivery of smart and strategic diary management for the COO and handling administrative tasks on the COO’s behalf. This role will provide varying levels of support for the Finance & Audit Committee, NT Food & Drink Board, Enterprises Board, and the Financial Planning Group. This will be done in close collaboration with the key contacts (internal and external), including, where appropriate, acting as central point for preparation of related papers, meeting scheduling; comprehensive minute-taking may also be required.

A key organisational focus over the next year will be delivery of substantive capital and improvement works. The EA will play a central and strategic role in the organisation and oversight of the related administrative complexities.

In addition to having primary responsibility to the COO, this role will provide administrative support to the Legal team, including invoice and expenses management, and diary co-ordination where required.

The successful candidate will have the following: 

• Considerable experience in an EA / PA or senior-level equivalent administrative capacity within an Executive environment (business or charity sector)
• Exceptional administrative and organisational skills, with a focus on complex and strategic diary management
• Excellent communication (in all mediums), interpersonal, and organisational skills, including building and maintaining key relationships in a senior space
• Proven experience in safeguarding sensitive and confidential information accordingly, with a core understanding of prioritisation
• Experience in formal minuting and report drafting

If that sounds like you, this may be the role for you!

The closing date for the receipt of a completed application is Thursday 23rd July 2026 at 12 noon.

Lead the operations, governance and compliance that enable Solving Kids' Cancer UK to deliver its mission and impact for children and families affected by neuroblastoma. Reporting to the Chief Executive, you will play a critical role in ensuring the charity operates effectively, compliantly and sustainably.

This broad and varied leadership role spans governance, risk, HR, IT, data protection and organisational operations, supporting delivery of the charity's strategy through robust systems, policies and processes. Acting as Company Secretary, you will work closely with the CEO and Board of Trustees, providing advice on governance, regulatory requirements and best practice. As a member of the Leadership Team, you will oversee key operational functions, lead cross-organisational projects and deputise for the CEO where required.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for a strategic, highly organised and values-driven leader with strong experience in charity operations, governance and compliance. You will have a track record of ensuring organisations are well run, compliant and effectively managed, with the ability to oversee multiple operational areas and support strong governance and decision-making at Board level.

You will be comfortable working across a broad remit, including governance, risk, HR, IT and data protection, and confident providing clear, practical advice to senior leaders and trustees.

Person specification

Key requirements include:

• Significant senior-level experience in operations, governance or compliance within a charity or similar environment. 
• Strong understanding of charity governance and regulation, with experience supporting boards and senior leadership. 
• Experience overseeing organisational functions such as HR, IT, data protection or risk. 
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and lead cross-organisational work effectively. 
• Strong judgement, integrity and the ability to handle sensitive matters with discretion. 

See our Recruitment Pack for the full role description and specification and for information about Solving Kids' Cancer UK. 

This is an opportunity to make a significant contribution at the heart of a small, ambitious charity where strong operations are a vital enabler of impact for children and families.

Location: Home-based, within easy reach of London, with regular travel to the London office and occasional UK-wide travel.

First-stage interview: Thursday 6 August 

Second-stage interview: Thursday 13 August

Our vision has three aims - that people Encounter God, Equip the church for ministry and mission, and Evangelise London and beyond

These three E’s depend on someone who Enables them - turning vision into the people, systems and momentum that bring them to life.

We are looking for someone to take the Vicar’s vision for the church and make it happen - anticipating what’s needed, proposing how to get there, and driving the work through to completion.

They’ll lead our operations so that every ministry can flourish and grow - running towards problems, owning them, and coming back with solutions.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Strength and Learning Through Horses (SLTH) is a London-based charity transforming the lives of vulnerable young people through equine-assisted therapy and education services. 

As Chief Executive, you will lead the organisation into its next chapter. Reporting to the Board, you will bring operational leadership, drive organisational development, grow and diversify income, oversee site development, strengthen governance, and oversee financial performance, planning and sustainability. You will also act as ambassador, building partnerships and profile.

Essentials:

• Significant senior leadership experience (CEO, Deputy CEO, COO or equivalent) in the charity, education, health, youth or social care sectors
• Strong background in operational excellence, strategy, governance and organisational development
• Experience representing an organisation externally and leading diverse teams
• Demonstrable financial stewardship, working knowledge of day-to-day HR policies and processes, and an understanding of safeguarding responsibilities

Benefits:

• Flexible working 
• Opportunity to lead a high-impact, specialist charity 

This role will suit a senior leader with a track record in growth, income generation and team leadership, who is bold, ambitious and passionate about improving the lives of vulnerable young people. Are you ready to scale impact while protecting what makes a charity special?

Please see the candidate pack for full details. For an informal and confidential discussion about the role, please contact: Katherine Anderson-Scott, Executive Director of Charisma Charity Recruitment.

Location: Greengates Stables, Mays Lane, Barnet, EN5 2AQ / hybrid - 3 days a week on-site

Closing date: Thursday 6th August 2026
Charisma vetting interviews will be completed on a rolling basis. 
Please note: the SLTH interview process with be 3 stages, with the final 1 or 2 candidates invited back for an on-site visit, which will involve the whole staff team and young people/professionals/parents and carers.

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law.

About Working Well Trust 

Working Well Trust is a mental health and employment charity in London. All of our projects share the aim of improving the lives of people with mental health support needs, learning disabilities and/or complex issues through training and employment. 

We are recruiting an IPS Operations Manager to support the delivery and development of our IPS services across London. The postholder will manage two IPS service sites from the following areas: Tower Hamlets, Newham, Barking and Dagenham, and Enfield. The final allocation of sites will be discussed with the successful candidate and agreed based on service needs, experience and working arrangements. 

What you’ll be doing 

If you were working with us, you would provide operational leadership across two of our IPS services. These sites will be agreed with you based on service needs, your experience and working arrangements.

You would support Team Leads and frontline teams to deliver high-quality IPS services that are client-led, evidence-based and aligned with contractual outcomes. You would help ensure services run smoothly day to day, while also supporting service development, quality improvement and strong performance.

You would:

• Provide leadership oversight across two IPS service sites, supporting Team Leads with operational delivery, planning and problem solving.
• Ensure services meet contractual outcomes, delivery timeframes and quality standards.
• Support Team Leads to manage performance, caseloads, attendance, safeguarding, risk and service delivery.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with NHS partners, funders, community organisations and other key stakeholders.
• Lead on IPS fidelity across the services, supporting teams to deliver high-fidelity IPS and develop quality improvement plans.
• Use data, audits, client feedback and service reviews to identify what is working well and where improvements are needed.
• Complete contract monitoring requirements, represent WWT at contract performance meetings and attend quarterly service review meetings with IPS Grow.
• Work with NHS colleagues to support integration, clinical co-location, steering groups, data flow and appropriate escalation of clinical risks or safeguarding concerns.
• Support staff wellbeing by ensuring regular wellbeing check-ins and welfare conversations are embedded in supervision and one-to-one meetings.
• Work with HR and Team Leads to recruit, onboard, train and retain Team Leads, Employment Specialists and support staff.
• Support budget holders and work with the Finance Manager to ensure budgets are managed effectively.
• Work with other Operations Managers, the Operations Director and Head Office colleagues to develop consistent systems, improve services and support wider organisational priorities.

You would also provide direct supervision to project leads and help build a positive learning culture where staff feel supported, clear about expectations and able to develop their skills.

What you’ll need 

We are looking for someone with strong operational leadership experience and a good understanding of IPS, employment support or mental health services.

You will need to bring:

• Experience of IPS or equivalent team leadership.
• Experience of managing teams, performance and service delivery.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage a complex and demanding workload.
• Experience of monitoring, contract reporting and using data to support service planning.
• The ability to build positive relationships with funders, NHS partners, community organisations, clients and staff.
• Confidence supporting Team Leads with performance, quality, safeguarding, risk, wellbeing and day-to-day operational issues.
• Good writing skills and the ability to communicate clearly with a range of audiences.
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel and online systems.
• A strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Knowledge of legislation relevant to employment, including the Equality Act.
• The ability to work across boroughs and provide leadership in more than one service location.
• Tact, diplomacy, discretion and the ability to build rapport with different people.
• A proactive, collaborative and flexible approach, including willingness to work occasional evenings when needed.

It would also be helpful if you have experience of:

• Managing multiple teams across boroughs.
• IPS Grow systems and fidelity reviews.
• Mental health services.
• Quality standards or accreditation.
• Project and service development.
• Budget management.
• Working with GP practices, NHS teams or other health and community partners.
• A postgraduate degree.

What we offer 

• 30 days annual leave plus public holidays (FTE) 

• Paid company closed days at the end of the year (FTE) 

• Flexible, paid Wellbeing Hour every fortnight (FTE) 

• 6% employer pension contribution 

Working Well Trust is an equal opportunities employer and Confident about Disabilities. 

What’s next 

Before you apply, please note the following: 

• We actively recruit and carefully review all applications. Due to rapid service expansion, we have onboarded 20 external hires in the last six months. 

• To ensure we can best support the people and communities we serve, we progress applications only where candidates provide meaningful answers to the screening questions. 

• Career development is real here: in the past year, 10 colleagues have progressed internally into Senior roles, Project Lead, Team Lead, and Operations Manager positions. We value ambition and celebrate progression. 

• If you require any reasonable adjustments at the interview stage, for example due to a disability, learning difficulty or health condition, please let us know in advance so that we can make appropriate arrangements.

If you are ready to help us build a service that supports people into meaningful work, click Apply to submit your CV and answer the screening questions. Telephone and final interviews will be confirmed. 

Start your application today and take the next step in a rewarding career. 

Please note, we may close this advert early if we receive a high number of applications, so we encourage early applications.

Location: Remote

Salary: £29,000 - £32,000 pro rata depending on experience (£17,400 - £19,200)

Hours of work: 3 days (21 hours) per week

Contract type: Fixed, 12-month Maternity Cover

Why work for Kids Matter?

• Generous annual leave – 25 days (plus bank holidays) per year pro rata, with time off between Christmas and New Year's additional to this allowance.
• Remote working contribution – receive £26/month pro rata towards the costs of working from home and/or using a co-working space.
• Access to coaching sessions, training opportunities and our Employee Assistance Programme (a confidential support service for staff).
• Flexible working across weekdays to suit your schedule.

About us

Kids Matter is one of the UK’s fastest growing children’s charities. Our vision is to see every child in need raised in a strong family. Our mission is to reduce the impact of poverty on children through community-based parenting programmes.

Research shows that group-based early intervention parenting groups are the most effective way to support children in need. We train peer facilitators in local churches - the largest voluntary body in the country - to run our affordable, accessible and highly effective parenting programmes, written by Clinical Psychologists. They come alongside parents and carers, building long-lasting community in addition to encouraging confidence and learning positive parenting skills.

We value difference and diversity, and we want our workplace to be built on shared values of equality and mutual trust, with team members representing the wide range of backgrounds and experiences that exist within the UK. We therefore actively encourage applications from people of diverse backgrounds and varied experiences, particularly those who are African, Afro-Caribbean, Asian or part of other minority ethnic communities, who have lived experience of the impact of low-income/low-support circumstances, and who are living with a disability or identify as being neurodivergent.

About the role

The Executive Assistant to the CEO role involves:

• Coordinating and maintaining the CEO's diary including organising all appointments, meetings and travel arrangements.
• Identifying, anticipating and preparing CEO information requirements for meetings, appointments and presentations, following up on internal and external requests for information.
• Managing all administration processes relating to the SLT.
• Supporting the CEO and the Fundraising Team with major donor management, including keeping contacts and actions updated, researching prospective donors, communicating with existing donors, coordinating thank you cards and gifts, and tracking secured donations.

About you

Do you have strong attention to detail and accuracy? Can you use initiative and be proactive? Are you a Christian with an active faith in Jesus? Do you have a passion for Kids Matter’s vision of seeing every child in need raised in a strong family?

Then we would love to hear from you!

How to apply

You can apply for the Executive Assistant to the CEO (maternity cover) position by clicking ‘Apply via Website’ and completing a copy of our online application form.

The deadline for applications is Tuesday 28th July. All successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified by email.

We also ask for all applicants to submit an Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form, which will be sent to you to complete following the submission of your application. This form will be used for anonymous analysis to ensure our overall recruitment procedures are fair and transparent. It will never be viewed or used as part of the selection process. It is optional to submit this form.

If you would like any application/interview support or you need any reasonable adjustments throughout the application process, or if you would like an informal phone call to ask questions or discuss the role, please contact Katie Washington (HR & Systems Manager).

Please see the job pack for more details on the role and application process.

Founded in 1985, our client is a UK-based, faith-driven international humanitarian and development organisation. The organisation works to serve communities affected by conflict, disasters, poverty, and inequality, providing both life-saving assistance and longer-term support to help build resilience and self-sufficiency. Delivering programmes across emergency response, sustainable livelihoods, health, education, and dignified housing, it operates through a global network of country offices, partners, and affiliates.

Our client is currently executing a phased organisational transformation designed to secure its long-term future and maximise its global impact. Guided by its core values of dignity, compassion, service, justice, and excellence, the organisation is strengthening its financial foundations and sharpening its organisational focus to respond effectively to a fast-changing global landscape.

Our client is seeking a Chief Executive Officer who combines values-driven leadership with strategic depth to lead the organisation forward with clarity, purpose, and conviction. The successful candidate will act as its chief ambassador, forging powerful strategic partnerships across government, institutional, and private sectors while promoting the impact of its work.

Key priorities for the incoming CEO include embedding the organisation's recent transformation and securing long-term financial sustainability. You will refine and execute its long-term strategy, strengthening diversified income streams and forging powerful strategic partnerships. Crucially, you will be tasked with building and empowering a high-performing, values-led culture, cultivating a highly collaborative relationship with the Board of Trustees to drive robust governance and organisational impact.

Chief Executive Officer
Salary: Competitive salary, commensurate with experience
Location: London, with hybrid working

About you

We are seeking a leader who brings fresh thinking, is willing to challenge convention where needed, and possesses:

• Significant executive leadership experience driving complex organisational transformation and strategic change, ideally with exposure within the NGO, humanitarian, or international development sectors, though commercial leaders with highly transferable skills are actively encouraged to apply.

• Demonstrable success in securing financial sustainability, diversifying income streams, and driving innovative revenue generation or funding opportunities.

• Extensive experience acting as a senior ambassador, building powerful strategic partnerships with institutional donors, media, corporate partners, and other key external stakeholders.

• A strong grasp of robust governance, risk, and regulatory requirements, with the strategic agility to adapt quickly within a complex international operating environment.

• An understanding of faith-based values and principles relating to charity and social justice.

• Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills to direct, unite, and inspire multidisciplinary teams through periods of change.

How to Apply

For further information, to access the appointment brief, and for how to apply for this opportunity, please click on the 'appointment brief' button located at the bottom of the advert on the Prospectus website.

If you have any queries or wish to have an informal discussion about the opportunity, please contact our retained advisor via email with a copy of your CV.

Recruitment Timeline

Deadline for applications:
9th August

First interviews with Prospectus:
w/c 17th and w/c 24th August

First-stage interviews with the organisation (online):
w/c 7th September

Second-stage interviews with the organisation (in person):
w/c 14th September

Salary: £60,000 (full time equivalent)

Hours: Full or part-time working, we are open to flexible working arrangements and applications from candidates seeking 30+ hours per week. Salary will be calculated on a pro rata basis for part time hours.

Location: The role is home-based, with regular travel across the South East, alongside occasional national travel.

Job Type: 12 months fixed term contract (Subject to the organisation's future strategic priorities and financial position, there may be the opportunity for the role to become permanent)

Chiltern Music Therapy is seeking an Interim Chief Executive Officer for a 12-month appointment to lead an ambitious programme of organisational transformation and sustainable growth. Working closely with our Board and team, you will strengthen our financial sustainability, develop new opportunities for growth and leave the organisation well positioned for its next permanent Chief Executive. 

Hello, we’re Chiltern.

We are a social enterprise providing music therapy, community music services and training across England. Each year, we support more than 2,000 children, young people and adults across health, education, social care and community settings.

For many years, we have been exploring and developing a more self-managing and distributed approach to organisational life — one rooted in trust, autonomy, shared responsibility and reflective practice. This has helped us build a highly engaged and thoughtful team, alongside services that make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

We are entering an exciting period of change, with a clear ambition to strengthen our commercial sustainability, increase our reach, grow our income and ensure our operating model is fit for the future. This interim appointment is a key part of that journey, bringing focused leadership to help us deliver meaningful organisational change while remaining true to our collaborative culture and values. 

About the role

This is a delivery-focused interim leadership role with a clear mandate to accelerate organisational transformation and sustainable growth over the next 12 months. 

The role combines strategic leadership of the organisation with hands-on responsibility for strengthening financial sustainability, business development, organisational alignment and ensuring the organisation is well positioned for long-term success.

We are looking for a CEO who is excited by creating opportunities. Someone who enjoys building relationships, spotting potential and turning ideas into sustainable partnerships that increase both our impact and our income. A central part of this role is generating new business for Chiltern by developing strategic partnerships, securing larger-scale opportunities and helping us grow in ways that remain true to our values and culture. 

The role requires someone who can comfortably hold both the bigger picture and the operational reality — someone who enjoys being connected to the organisation, understanding how things are working in practice and helping create the conditions for people and services to thrive.

We are looking for a leader who is relational, commercially aware and emotionally intelligent; someone who can navigate complexity with clarity and steadiness, and who is comfortable working within a collaborative and distributed leadership culture rather than a traditional hierarchy.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for someone who can operate effectively in a self-organising, values-led, evolving system.

We are interested in hearing from people with senior leadership experience within complex, people-focused organisations.

You may come from health, education, social care, the charity sector, social enterprise, or another relevant service environment. What matters most is your ability to step into organisations during periods of change and quickly build trust, momentum, and clarity.

The successful candidate will leave a lasting legacy by strengthening the organisation's sustainability, capability, and readiness for its next phase of development. 

You'll work within a collaborative and, values-led organisation, but you'll also be expected to provide clear direction, make confident decisions, prioritise effectively, and deliver measurable progress over a 12-month period. 

You will likely bring:

• Experience leading organisational transformation or significant change

• A track record of driving sustainable growth and income generation

• Strong commercial and financial leadership

• Ability to quickly build credibility with Boards, staff and external partners

• Experience delivering measurable organisational improvement

• Excellent relationship-building and influencing skills

• Confidence making decisions in complex environments

Experience of self-managing, employee-owned or distributed leadership environments would be welcomed, although this is not essential.

We’ve outlined the essential and desirable experience, knowledge and attributes for this role in the full candidate pack.

We know that strong candidates do not always meet every requirement. If this role resonates with you, we would encourage you to consider applying.

Recruitment process

We aim to make our recruitment process thoughtful, proportionate and human. You will be asked to complete an application form, answering some questions to demonstrate your skills and how you meet the requirements of the role.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview/ strategic leadership conversation with Board members and will be asked to deliver a presentation.

The application deadline is Sunday 26th July at midnight, with interviews/strategic leadership conversations taking place at Irwin Mitchell, London, EC4Y 0AY on Wednesday 12th August.

A full candidate pack is available here, including further information about the role and our organisational approach. 

How to apply

Please complete the application form on our website and email a summary of your relevant experience (maximum 2 pages, traditional CV optional).

Get in touch

If you have any questions about the role, would like to discuss accessibility or reasonable adjustments, please contact us.

Lead a pioneering organisation transforming refugee lives through employment

Chief Executive

Salary: £95k–£99k (including London Weighting)

Location: London | Regular travel to Birmingham, Manchester and other parts of the UK; minimum 60% office-based, with a greater office presence expected initially.

This mission-driven charity supports refugees to build new lives through meaningful employment. Since 2015, it has helped thousands of individuals gain skills, confidence and access to work—unlocking financial independence, purpose and long-term opportunity.

With over 500,000 refugees now living in the UK and facing significant barriers to employment, the need for high-quality, targeted support has never been greater. The organisation works with individuals, employers and partners to create pathways into sustainable employment while driving systemic change across the sector.

We are now seeking an exceptional Chief Executive to lead the organisation into its next phase of impact.

This is a rare opportunity to lead a nationally recognised charity at a pivotal moment. With responsibility for strategy, operations, partnerships and fundraising, the CEO will work closely with the Board of Trustees and Senior Leadership Team to scale impact, deepen employer and funder relationships, and ensure the organisation continues to deliver high-quality, life-changing support.

As the public face of the charity, you will play a critical role in building influence, championing the power of employment to transform lives, and strengthening partnerships across business, philanthropy, government and civil society.

We are interested in hearing from leaders who bring:

• Significant experience as a Chief Executive, or as a senior leader within a large social impact organisation.
• Experience developing and implementing organisational strategy, including vision-setting and leading associated change management.
• Significant experience developing strategic partnerships with corporate funders and partner organisations to drive income growth and create employment opportunities for beneficiaries.
• The ability to motivate and inspire staff and volunteers at all levels to maximise their contribution to the organisation's mission.
• Outstanding communication skills, with the credibility to influence senior stakeholders and represent the organisation externally.
• A deep commitment to equity, inclusion and embedding lived experience in decision-making and organisational culture.
• Experience operating within charity governance frameworks and working effectively with Boards.

This is an opportunity to lead a talented and committed team, work alongside an ambitious Board, and make a profound difference to the lives of refugees across the UK.

To find out more about the role and how to apply, please view the appointment brief on Prospectus website.

Recruitment Timetable

Closing date: 9th August
Interviews with Prospectus: Week commencing 24th August
Interviews with Breaking Barriers: 11th September

If you love keeping things running smoothly and creating a space where everyone feels at home, this role is for you. As our Office and Services Coordinator, you’ll be the friendly first point of contact for children, young people, families, staff, tenants, and visitors. You’ll bring warmth, professionalism, and great organisation to the front desk and the everyday life of our buildings.

You’ll take charge of room hire bookings, ensuring every customer has a seamless experience. You’ll keep our spaces stocked, safe, and functioning beautifully by managing supplies, equipment, maintenance oversight, and health & safety compliance. You’ll handle queries, calls, and correspondence with confidence and care.

This is a role for someone proactive, organised, and people‑focused — someone who enjoys being at the centre of a busy, community‑driven environment. Your work helps create a welcoming, efficient space where everyone feels supported and valued.

If you’re ready to make a real impact in a vibrant community hub, we’d love to hear from you.

Reports to: Chief Operating Officer 

Contract: Full-time 
Location: Remote, with at least one all staff in-person meet up annually in the UK 
Salary: £70,000 - £90,000 per annum 
Benefits: 40 days holiday + 2 activism days + 1 duvet day 

Why this role matters 

At HOST, we believe that anyone, anywhere, should be able to drive transformative climate and social action - without being held back by operational barriers, financial risk or hostile environments. We host the world’s changemakers so they can focus on delivering the impact only they can create. 

The Finance Director plays a critical role in ensuring HOST’s financial management is robust, compliant, transparent and scalable across both our internal operations and our project hosting services. This role brings financial leadership to the organisation, supporting strong decision-making, reliable reporting, effective controls and continuous improvement across our finance function. 

The role sits within HOST’s senior leadership and works closely with colleagues across the Delivery, Partnerships, Legal and Engagement circles, as well as the Board, to ensure we can deliver high-quality support to partners while managing risk and using resources well. 

The role in a nutshell 

The Finance Director leads the Finance Team and is responsible for HOST’s financial management, ensuring strong compliance with policies, procedures and regulatory requirements.

The Finance Director is part of the HOST Leadership Team and would have line management responsibility for three Finance Managers within the Finance team. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Oversee HOST’s financial management, ensuring compliance with policies, procedures and relevant regulatory requirements. 

• Develop and monitor budgets for both HOST operations and hosted projects. 

• Provide regular financial reporting to the Leadership Team and Board. 

• Lead efforts to improve financial systems, controls and workflows. 

• Ensure robust financial oversight of hosted projects and HOST’s internal systems. 

• Contribute as an integral member of the Leadership Team, bringing financial insight to strategic and operational decision-making. 

• Manage cashflow strategy, including multi-currency considerations. 

• Oversee delivery of monthly management accounts. 

• Develop and report on profitability across HOST’s range of services and offerings. 

• Support HOST’s strategic direction by working with the Leadership Team on KPIs and organisational dashboards. 

• Ensure effective, timely and efficient delivery of the following by the finance function: 

• Records of income and expenditure, including grants, donations, receivables, consultancy receipts and invoices. 

• Transparent and accurate financial data in finance systems and other interconnected databases. 

• Regular weekly reconciliation of transactions, including oversight of bills to pay, bank statements and payment service providers for HOST. 

• Month-end reporting, including management reports and accounts such as income and expenditure statements, balance sheets, cash flow statements and KPIs. 

• Restricted donor financial reports, ensuring alignment with accounting records and donor compliance requirements. 

• Payroll services for HOST and hosted projects. 

• Accounting reports for new services. 

• VAT preparation and submission. 

• Records of income and expenditure are maintained: grants, donations, receivables, and consultancy receipts, invoices 

• Transparent and accurate financial data in Xero and other interconnected databases 

• Regular weekly reconciliation of transactions in Xero, including oversight of bills to pay, bank statements, and payment service providers for HOST 

• Month-end reporting process by preparing management reports and accounts, such as income/expenditure statements, balance sheets, cash flow statements, and KPIs 

• Restricted donor financial reports, ensuring alignment with accounting records and donor compliance 

• Payroll service for HOST and hosted projects 

• Accounting reports for new services 

• Managing VAT preparation and submission 

Knowledge and Experience 

• Proven experience as an SME finance leader 

• Qualified accountant: ACA, ACCA or CIMA. 

• Experience implementing financial controls and processes. 

• Multi-currency cashflow and treasury management experience. 

• Experience setting budgets and forecasts. 

• Internal audit experience. 

• Ability to work under pressure and deliver projects to tight deadlines. 

• Minimum 5 years’ people management experience. 

• Excellent knowledge of cloud-based working. 

• Knowledge and experience using Sage or other similar accounting systems 

• Knowledge and experience of other relevant software applications, such as Excel, Teams, ClickUp etc. 

• ESG or sustainable finance experience. 

• Software implementation experience. 

Key Competencies 

• Strategic thinking 

• Strong verbal and written communication skills 

• Attention to detail 

• Planning and organising 

• Time management 

• Interpersonal skills 

• Initiative 

• Confidentiality

• Reliability 

• Leadership of staff

Essential Abilities 

• Ability to confidently discuss financial narratives with senior leaders and Board members. 

• Ability to prioritise and organise own workload and time to meet priorities and deadlines. 

• Ability to identify problems and develop practical solutions to work-related issues. 

• Able to communicate confidently and effectively with a wide range of people, including handling queries in a tactful and confidential manner. 

• Strong stakeholder management skills and ability to business partner effectively with non-finance colleagues. 

• Good organisation and administrative skills. 

• Able to work effectively as part of a team. 

• Ability to undertake a range of financial functions. 

What success in this role looks like 

• Finance systems, reporting and controls are robust, reliable and audit ready. 

• Leadership Team and Board decisions are informed by clear, timely and useful financial insight. 

• Hosted partners receive accurate, consistent and responsive financial support. 

• The finance function continues to improve workflows, systems and reporting as HOST grows. 

At HOST, we believe change starts with people who care. 

If you’re passionate about building strong financial systems that help changemakers thrive - and want to play a key leadership role in supporting climate and social change around the world - we’d love to hear from you. 

Contract: Full-time, permanent
Hours: Full-time
Reports to: Chair; Board of Directors 
Location: Hackney
Salary: £50,000-60,000 depending on experience.
Pension: HSoF participates in the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST) pension scheme and contributes 3%.
Benefits: 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, free onsite lunches .
Probation period: Six months.

About Hackney School of Food

Hackney School of Food is an award-winning food education hub based in the grounds of Mandeville Primary School in Clapton, East London. Through our teaching kitchen and educational garden, we help children, families and communities build the skills, confidence and knowledge to grow, cook and eat good food.

Each year, we welcome more than 10,000 visits to our kitchen and garden, delivering curriculum programmes for schools alongside community cooking courses, gardening projects, holiday clubs, corporate volunteering and public events. Since becoming a Community Interest Company (CIC) in 2023, we have expanded our facilities, strengthened our governance and built a strong reputation as a leader in food education.

We're now looking for an exceptional Managing Director to build on these strong foundations and lead Hackney School of Food through its next phase of growth and impact.

About the role

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Managing Director (MD) will provide both strategic and operational leadership, ensuring the organisation delivers its mission while remaining financially resilient, well-governed and responsive to the needs of the communities it serves.

The Managing Director is responsible for all aspects of the organisation, including strategy, income generation, finance, governance, partnerships, programme delivery and people leadership. Working closely with a small, committed team and an engaged Board, they will build on strong foundations to grow Hackney School of Food's impact, reach and long-term sustainability.

This is a varied, hands-on leadership role for someone who enjoys balancing big-picture thinking with practical delivery. One day you may be developing a new partnership, meeting a prospective funder or working with the Board on future strategy; the next you could be supporting the team, welcoming visitors to the garden or solving day-to-day operational challenges.

Key priorities

In your first 12 months you will:

• Build on Hackney School of Food's strong foundations to deliver the next phase of our strategy and growth.

• Increase and diversify income through fundraising, partnerships and commercial opportunities to strengthen long-term sustainability.

• Lead, support and develop a small, ambitious team, fostering a positive and inclusive culture where people can thrive.

• Strengthen relationships with funders, partners and local businesses, helping Hackney School of Food deepen its impact.

• Work closely with the Board to embed strong governance, organisational systems and long-term planning for the future.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership 

• Provide overall leadership and strategic direction for Hackney School of Food, ensuring delivery of its mission, vision and long-term objectives. 

• Lead the development and implementation of Hackney School of Food's annual business plan and organisational priorities.

• Work with the Board to evolve organisational strategy, identify opportunities, manage risks and support sustainable growth.

• Monitor, report on and respond to organisational performance against agreed objectives and impact measures. 

• Champion Hackney School of Food externally, strengthening its profile and influence.
   

Financial sustainability and income generation 

• Oversee organisational budgeting, financial planning, forecasting and cashflow management, working closely with the Treasurer and accountant.

• Lead income generation across the organisation, including trusts and foundations, corporate partnerships, sponsorship and earned income.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with funders, sponsors and strategic partners.

• Ensure all funding commitments are met, including grant reporting, monitoring and evaluation requirements.

• Identify new opportunities to diversify income and strengthen long-term financial sustainability.

Partnerships & External Relations

• Act as the main point of contact for HSoF’s key partners, LEAP Federation and Chefs in Schools to ensure the partnerships are effective and positive.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with other key stakeholders, including local authorities, funders and sponsors.

• Represent Hackney School of Food at meetings, events, and public forums.

• Champion the value of food education and contribute to wider local and national conversations. 

• Ensure programmes remain responsive to community needs through ongoing engagement and consultation. 

Governance and public benefit 

• Ensure the organisation operates in line with its CIC objectives and delivers clear public benefit. 

• Support the Board of Directors to fulfil its governance responsibilities through high-quality reporting, planning and decision-making.

• Prepare Board papers, reports and agendas, ensuring timely and accurate information is available to support effective governance.

• Oversee and report on organisational performance to the Board of Directors quarterly.

• Act as the primary link between the Board and the operational team.

• Maintain effective governance, delegated authority and accountability frameworks. 

• Support the Board in meeting all statutory and regulatory obligations relating to the CIC.

People, Culture and safeguarding

• Provide leadership to a small core team (currently c.4 employees), directly managing staff and fostering a positive, inclusive culture. 

• Provide oversight and support for a wider network of approx. 15 freelance contractors to ensure consistently high-quality delivery.

• Lead recruitment, induction, performance management and professional development in line with safer recruitment and equality principles. 

• Ensure effective organisational structures, clear roles, and performance accountability.

• Oversee HR processes including appraisals, performance management, and professional development.

• Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead, embedding safeguarding throughout the organisation maintaining compliance with all relevant requirements. 

• Develop organisational systems, policies and practices that support an inclusive, high-performing workplace.

Risk Management & Compliance

• Maintain and regularly review the organisational Risk Register and report key risks and mitigations to the Board.

• Oversee organisational policies, procedures and continuous improvement, ensuring policies and legal requirements are up to date, clearly communicated and embedded across the organisation. 

• Ensure compliance with employment law, health and safety, safeguarding, GDPR and other relevant legislation. 

Personal specification

Essential experience 

• Senior leadership experience with responsibility for organisational performance and accountability. 

• Experience securing income through fundraising, partnerships and/or commercial activity.

• Experience of financial leadership, including budget setting, forecasting and cashflow oversight.

• Experience working closely with a Board, Trustees or governing body to translate strategic vision into operational delivery. 

• Experience building and managing successful partnerships with funders, businesses and community stakeholders. 

• Experience in managing and motivating a team, creating a positive and inclusive workplace culture. 

• Experience of governance, compliance and organisational risk management.

• Experience of safeguarding within an education, youth or community context.

• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise competing demands, make sound decisions and remain resilient in a resource-constrained environment.

Essential skills and attributes

• Passion for Hackney School of Food's mission and the role of food education in improving health, wellbeing and community connection. 

• Strategic thinker who is equally comfortable with hands-on operational leadership. 

• Entrepreneurial, resourceful and committed to building long-term financial sustainability and identifying growth opportunities.

• Ability to lead a team through change with sensitivity, clarity and kindness.

• Strong communicator with excellent relationship-building skills. 

• Confident decision-maker with a high level of personal accountability. 

• Committed to equity, inclusion and community-led practice.

Desirable 

• Experience working within a Community Interest Company (CIC), social enterprise or charity.

• Knowledge of Hackney, its communities and local stakeholder landscape.

• Experience of working in food education, community food, gardening, environmental education or a related field.

• Experience reviewing and managing contracts, service agreements or other legal documentation.

An inclusive workplace

We know that diverse teams make stronger organisations and are committed to building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to fair and inclusive recruitment and will consider all qualified applicants regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

We particularly encourage applications from people who are under-represented in our sector and in leadership roles, including people from the global majority and those whose lived experience brings valuable perspectives from the communities we serve. We also welcome applications from people who live in Hackney or East London.

How to apply

The deadline to apply is Monday 20 July at 9am. Please apply by filling out this application form.

You'll find the link to the application form on our Recruitment Pack which provides more information. 

Stage 1: A one-hour online interview with the Senior Team and Board (24 July) 

Stage 2: On-site interview at Hackney School of Food (30 July), including a short presentation. 

We may also invite the preferred candidate to an informal meeting with the wider team and Board before making a final appointment. 

The successful applicant will need to pass an enhanced DBS check and provide two suitable references. 

We may close the application window earlier if we are inundated with applications, so please don't wait to apply.

If you have any questions about the role or your suitability, please feel free to get in touch with us. You will find a Recruitment pack and email address to contact via our website.

The Organisation

Our client is a well-established charitable organisation with annual income of approximately £10 million. Financially strong and well governed, the organisation has a long-standing track record of delivering positive impact, supported by a collaborative culture and a commitment to high-quality stewardship. This is an excellent opportunity to join a purpose-led organisation where finance plays a key role in supporting strategic decision-making, operational effectiveness and long-term sustainability.

The Job

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Finance Manager will lead the day-to-day finance function and play a key role in supporting strategic decision-making across the organisation. You will be responsible for all core financial activities, including:

• Production of monthly and quarterly management accounts
• Budgeting, forecasting and financial analysis
• Cash flow management and treasuy oversight
• Preparation for year-end and audit
• Charity SORP and statutory compliance
• Oversight of grant-related financial reporting
• Management and development of a Finance Officer
• Liaison with external providers including payroll, pensions, banking, investment managers and auditors

This is an excellent opportunity for a qualified accountant looking for a broad role that combines hands-on financial management with business partnering and process improvement.

The Person

We are seeking a fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with strong technical accounting skills and experience producing high-quality management information.You will bring:

• Experience within the charity, not-for-profit, education or wider purpose-led sectors
• Strong management accounting, budgeting and forecasting experience
• Knowledge of Charity SORP and charity reporting requirements
• The ability to communicate financial information clearly to non-finance stakeholders
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail
• A proactive, collaborative and solutions-focused approach

Previous experience of Sage 50 would be advantageous but is not essential.

What's in it for You?

Salary: Up to £70,000In addition, the organisation offers:

• 14% employer pension contribution
• Private medical insurance
• 25 days annual leave plus additional Christmas closure days
• Hybrid working - weighted towards office
• A supportive and collaborative working environment
• The opportunity to make a tangible impact through a respected grant-making organisation
• A broad and visible finance leadership role with exposure to senior stakeholders and trustees

Please apply now to be considered!

Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found at hays.co.uk