Chief operations officer jobs
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.
Driving Mobility seeks an inspiring, strategic leader to guide its UK network and champion independence for people with restricted mobility.
Applications close at 9 a.m. Monday 12th January.
Driving Mobility is the national charity that coordinates a UK-wide network of driving and mobility assessment centres, supported by the Department for Transport. Together, these centres help thousands of people every year – including disabled, older and newly injured individuals – to drive safely, access suitable vehicles and maintain their independence.
We are now seeking an exceptional Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead the Charity into its next phase of growth and influence. This is a pivotal moment for Driving Mobility as it strengthens its national voice, expands digital and outreach services, and deepens collaboration across government, health and the voluntary sector.
The ideal candidate will be a strategic and inspirational leader, capable of balancing operational oversight with external advocacy.
You will bring experience of partnership working at a senior level, strong financial and organisational acumen, and a genuine commitment to improving mobility and inclusion for all.
If you are motivated by purpose, partnership and impact, this is a rare opportunity to shape the future of accessible transport and independent mobility across the UK.
Please click 'Redirect to recruiter’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the job description and register your interest to apply.
Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Monday 12th January.
We are seeking a Deputy Chief Executive Officer to support the current Chief Executive Officer and strengthen the senior leadership of our charity. Working closely with the Chief Executive Officer, Managers and Trustees, you will play a key role in driving our long term strategic goals and ensuring our values remain at the heart of everything we do.
Are you...
- A passionate, dedicated leader?
- Committed to our ethos, values and mission?
- Skilled in mentoring, supporting and empowering others?
- Looking for a leadership role within the charity sector?
- Ready to take on a new and rewarding challenge?
You will provide strong effective leadership to service managers and operational teams, ensuring decisions are made responsibly within available financial and organisational resources. This role is central to maintaining high quality services and supporting the continued success and sustainability of Health for All.
The ideal candidate will bring...
- Significant senior level management experience
- Proven people management experience
- A collaborative, adaptable and inclusive leadership style
- Excellent communication and relationship building skills
- The ability to develop partnerships that enhance our work and impact
There is scope for this role to evolve over time into the Chief Executive position, offering an exciting development opportunity for the right candidate.
The main purpose of the role:
- To act as a Deputy to the Chief Executive Officer
- To lead the operational management team, mentor, support and empower managers to achieve objectives.
- To play a key role as a member of the senior leadership team.
- To identify and inspire process improvements, collaborating with team members to implement good practice.
- To develop and represent the charity in building strategic relationships.
Hours and contract period:
Full time, 35 hours per week, normally Monday to Friday but flexibility is required given the seniority of the post. There may be some need to work outside normal office hours and may include some weekend work. This post is offered on a permanent contract with a 6 month probationary period. This post will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service
check and satisfactory references.
Location:
Based at Tenants Hall Enterprise Centre in Middleton, Leeds, the role involves regular travel to other Health for All centres and locations. It is desirable that the successful applicant is a car driver with access to a suitable vehicle. Mileage and travel costs will be reimbursed through expenses. Candidates must be eligible to work in the UK.
Benefits:
- 31 Days annual leave plus bank holidays
- 5% Employers Pension Contribution
- Free Parking at Health for All centres
- Mindful Employer Plus employee assistance programme
Reports to:
Chief Executive Officer.
Responsible for:
Operational Service Managers (6 Managers)
Application closing date: Friday 19th December 2025
First Interviews: Early January 2026
To apply please download the application pack from our website and complete an application form, please note we do not accept CV's.
We are proud to be supporting the leading independent grant making foundation in the west Midlands and Warwickshire, in their search for a Chief Operating Officer.
They nurture philanthropy, connecting people who care with incredible causes that matter. They help unlock the resources to tackle local issues, and support people and communities to thrive across the region.
They are recruiting for a new position, a Chief Operating Officer, to support the CEO, having overall accountability for the organisation’s operations. The COO will play a pivotal role in implementing their strategy, aimed at improving operational efficiency and diversifying income streams.
Chief Operating Officer
£60,000-£65,000 + benefits
Hybrid working, 2 days in the office in Coventry
The COO will ensure that ways of working are as effective as possible, enabling the team to meet their ambitions and modernise their internal operations and governance, freeing up capacity for the CEO to build strong relationships with donors and partners working with communities.
Key responsibilities include:
- Play a central role as a member of the executive team in the overall leadership, strategic direction and governance of the Foundation.
- Work with the whole team to implement the organisational strategy and business plan.
- Lead on the development of the grant making strategy, ensuring processes are efficient, compliant and deliver an outstanding experience for applicants and donors.
- Oversee the day-to-day operational management of the Foundation, ensuring systems, policies and processes are appropriate and effective.
- Oversee fundholder relationships, demonstrating value and impact whilst overseeing performance against programme delivery commitments.
- Oversee research, insight and impact inputs and ensure effective horizon scanning for emerging trends and technologies.
- Oversee HR and marketing strategies to strengthen the culture and visibility.
As COO, you will have a strong commitment to the mission and values of the foundation, with a passion for making a difference to the lives of people in the West Midlands and Warwickshire. You will need Senior management experience within a nonprofit, charitable or comparable grant-making organisation, evidenced by successful strategic planning and execution.
How to Apply
To apply for the role, please upload your CV together with a supporting statement (of no more than 1000 words) onto the Prospectus website via the link below.
Please ensure that you have included a telephone number, as well as any dates when you will not be available or might have difficulty with the recruitment timetable.
If you wish to apply using an alternative format, please contact Prospectus.
If you would like to have an informal conversation about the role, please contact our retained partners.
At Prospectus we believe passionately that a truly inclusive workplace leads to increased social impact. We are committed to supporting our clients build more inclusive teams. To understand how we are performing, we ask that you kindly complete the brief equal opportunities questionnaire when you submit your application via our website. Please be assured that your responses are kept confidential, separate from your candidate record, are not part of any application you make, and that the consultants never see individual responses to the questionnaire.
Recruitment Timetable
Deadline for applications: Sunday 8th Feb (midnight)
Interviews with Prospectus: 24th Feb – 2nd March
First stage interviews with the foundation: 17th and 19th March
Second stage with the foundation: 24th March
Liverpool Arab Arts Festival (LAAF) is the UK’s leading celebration of Arab arts and cultures. We are a small team that delivers huge impact - rooted in Liverpool’s communities yet connected to artists and audiences across the world. Our work is grounded in representation, collaboration, and exchange, bringing Arab creativity and perspectives to the heart of the UK’s cultural landscape.
As Chief Executive Officer, you will lead this unique organisation through a pivotal period of transition and renewal. Working closely with the Board, staff team, freelance workers, artists, communities and partners, you will provide strategic, financial, artistic and cultural leadership - ensuring that LAAF continues to thrive in an increasingly complex political, social, and financial climate. This is a deeply rewarding role that calls for someone who is rigorous, transparent, and community-minded; someone who understands both the practical challenges of running an arts organisation and a live festival, year-round events and engagement projects, and the responsibility of representing communities whose stories matter.
The ideal candidate will be ready to immerse themselves in the relationships and networks that keep LAAF alive, and to lead with creativity, care, and conviction.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Chief Executive Officer - FoodCycle
Location: Vauxhall, London (flexible working; regular travel to Projects and for meeting with key stakeholders required)
Salary: circa £75,000
Contract: Permanent, full-time (35–37.5 hours per week)
Are you ready to lead FoodCycle through a period of consolidation and sustainable growth, protecting its volunteer-led, guest-centred model while building reliable income streams and scaling proven pilots?
About FoodCycle
FoodCycle is a national charity running volunteer-powered community dining projects that combine rescued surplus food, spare kitchen space and local volunteers to deliver free, hot, sociable three-course meals. Our work sits at the intersection of food-waste reduction, food-poverty relief and loneliness prevention. Nationally scaled but locally delivered, FoodCycle has grown rapidly, enjoys strong volunteer goodwill and is developing promising trading and schools pilots to strengthen sustainability.
As our next CEO you will:
• Shape strategy & impact - co-create and implement a clear 3–5 year strategy and a focused 12-month operational plan with measurable milestones.
• Stabilise leadership & culture - provide visible, warm and practical leadership across Projects; develop the senior team and protect volunteer trust.
• Secure financial sustainability - own the income strategy, diversify revenue across trusts, individual giving, corporate partnerships and trading, and present credible cashflow plans to the board.
• Build commercial & trading capacity - drive Manor House and other trading pilots towards viable, repeatable income models.
• Safeguard quality & risk - ensure robust safeguarding, food-safety and operational thresholds for opening new Projects.
• Raise profile & partnerships - act as FoodCycle’s principal ambassador to corporates, funders, local authorities and policy audiences.
Who you are
• A senior leader with experience stabilising and growing people-facing, delivery-focused organisations.
• Proven at generating income from multiple streams, with commercial fluency to develop simple trading models and convert corporate engagement into lasting partnerships.
• Financially literate - comfortable owning budgets, forecasting and discussing risk with trustees.
• Excellent at people and change management - able to build and motivate small national teams and large volunteer cohorts.
• Data-driven, curious and pragmatic - tests pilots, embeds what works and sets clear go/no-go criteria for scale.
• Values-driven and visible - passionate about food justice, guest dignity and volunteer leadership.
• Right to work in the UK and satisfactory DBS checks required.
Why FoodCycle?
• Lead a nationally recognised, volunteer-led movement tackling food waste, food poverty and social isolation.
• Play a pivotal role growing promising trading and schools pilots to create sustainable income.
• Work with an engaged Chair and committed board, and a small, passionate national team.
• Be part of a friendly, non-hierarchical culture where leaders are visible in Projects.
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 at 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 19th 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.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Location: Hybrid – London office and home
Contract: Permanent, full time
Reporting to: Chief Executive
Working pattern: Four-day week
About Spinal Research
Every two hours, someone in the UK becomes paralysed. Globally, more than 15 million people live with paralysis. At Spinal Research, our vision is a world where paralysis can be cured. We fund groundbreaking research to deliver life-changing treatments for people with spinal cord injuries. By backing the brightest minds and fostering innovation, we are driving progress towards what could be the medical breakthrough of the 21st century: curing paralysis. We will not stop until that future is achieved.
The Role
We are seeking a dynamic and strategic leader to join our Senior Leadership Team as Head of Strategy and Operations. This pivotal role ensures Spinal Research is efficient, resilient, and future-focused. You will work closely with the Chief Executive, board, and senior colleagues to deliver organisational strategy, oversee operations, finance, HR, and systems, and help position the charity for growth and impact.
You will bring people, processes, and data together to maximise effectiveness, empower teams, strengthen cross-department collaboration, and champion innovation—including the use of AI and technology—to help us deliver our mission.
Key Responsibilities
- Shape and deliver organisational strategy, project development, and workforce planning as part of the Senior Leadership Team.
- Act as a key point of contact for the board on operational matters.
- Build alignment between research, fundraising, community engagement, and operations.
- Oversee day-to-day operations, ensuring efficient and consistent processes across teams.
- Lead on HR, recruitment, staff wellbeing, safeguarding, health & safety, and cyber security.
- Ensure robust financial management, reporting, and compliance.
- Develop and implement policies, systems, and processes to support organisational resilience.
- Act as Data Protection Officer, ensuring compliance with data protection laws and championing data-driven decision-making.
- Lead change management initiatives and explore AI tools and technologies to enhance efficiency.
- Line-manage staff and partners in operations, finance, HR, and data.
- Promote internal career progression, training, and succession planning.
- Be a visible advocate for Spinal Research’s mission and support new initiatives, partnerships, and fundraising activities.
The Kind of Person We’re Looking For
We’re seeking a strategic, collaborative, and innovative leader who thrives in a mission-driven environment. The ideal candidate will be passionate about making a difference, with a proven ability to drive organisational effectiveness and lead teams through change.
Experience and Skills
- Senior Leadership: Significant experience in a senior operational, strategy, or general management role, ideally within the charity, health, research, or not-for-profit sectors.
- Strategic Thinking: Demonstrated ability to shape and deliver organisational strategy, manage complex projects, and align cross-functional teams.
- Operational Excellence: Strong track record overseeing day-to-day operations, including HR, finance, compliance, and systems development.
- Change Management: Experience leading change initiatives, with the ability to engage and support teams through transitions.
- Data and Technology: Comfortable championing data-driven decision-making and integrating new technologies (such as AI tools and platforms like Salesforce) to enhance organisational performance.
- People Leadership: Skilled at empowering, developing, and line-managing diverse teams and partners, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
- Communication: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, able to build relationships with internal and external stakeholders, and act as a credible advocate for the organisation’s mission.
- Values-Driven: Committed to upholding Spinal Research’s values of commitment, integrity, collaboration, and innovation in all aspects of work.
Personal Attributes
- Proactive, resilient, and adaptable, with a growth mindset.
- Highly organised, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities.
- Passionate about making a positive impact for people affected by spinal cord injury.
Working Arrangements
- Hybrid role split between home and our London Bridge office.
- Spinal Research is a four-day week employer
- Part of a supportive, values-driven team (commitment, integrity, collaboration, innovation).
- Occasional evening or weekend work may be required to support organisational priorities.
Ready to help us deliver life-changing impact?
Apply now to join Spinal Research and play a key role in our mission to cure paralysis.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Chief Executive Officer
Salary: £49, 282 - £54,495 per annum
Location: Gorse Hill Studios, Trafford, Manchester (Some remote working will be considered)
Contract Type: Full time, permanent
About Gorse Hill Studios
Gorse Hill Studios is a dynamic and ambitious youth and community arts charity. At the heart of our organisation is a belief that all young people deserve to feel valued, supported and inspired. We work with young people to build confidence, creativity and community connections, ensuring they have the opportunities and encouragement they need to thrive.
We believe that creativity can transform lives, and we are committed to placing young people at the centre of everything we do. Their voices, ideas and experiences help shape our programmes, partnerships and strategic direction.
We are entering an exciting phase of growth and development. Our team currently includes 20 core staff and a wider network of volunteers and creative practitioners, delivering a diverse portfolio of youth arts sessions, community engagement projects, creative wellbeing initiatives and partnership-led activity with local schools and organisations. The CEO will play a pivotal role in leading this portfolio, strengthening our impact, championing youth voice and ensuring young people continue to shape our future direction as we move into the next chapter of our development.
About the Role
As CEO, you will provide strategic, compassionate and visionary leadership, ensuring Gorse Hill Studios delivers its mission to empower and inspire young people. Reporting to the Board of Trustees, you will hold overall responsibility for the organisation’s performance, culture, operations and long-term sustainability. This role calls for someone who demonstrates strong strategic insight with the ability to influence and inspire others, using emotional intelligence and collaborative leadership to build positive internal and external relationships.
A fundamental part of this role is your commitment to embedding young people’s voice in decision making. You will champion their perspectives, ensuring programme development, strategy and organisational culture reflect the needs and aspirations of the young people we serve.
You will also be an ambassador for the charity, building trusted relationships with young people, partners, funders and the wider community. This role requires a leader who is values led, resilient and passionate about supporting young people through the arts and creative engagement.
Roles and Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership and Governance
- Lead on the development and delivery of the charity’s long-term strategy, with young people meaningfully involved
- Ensure compliance with all statutory, regulatory and governance requirements, including Charity Commission expectations and safeguarding duties
- Provide clear, timely reporting to the Board
- Support the Board to operate effectively
Financial Management and Income Generation
- Oversee budgeting, financial planning and responsible management of all funds
- Lead a diverse income generation strategy
- Identify sustainable opportunities for organisational growth
Operational Management and Programme Delivery
- Oversee day to day operations and ensure systems are effective
- Ensure programmes are high quality, inclusive and reflective of young people’s needs and feedback
- Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead, or ensure robust safeguarding practices across the organisation
People Leadership and Culture
- Inspire, support and lead a dedicated staff and volunteer team
- Champion a positive, inclusive and collaborative working culture
- Oversee recruitment, wellbeing and performance management
External Relations and Advocacy
- Act as the primary spokesperson and ambassador for Gorse Hill Studios
- Build strong relationships with partners, funders and stakeholders
- Advocate for and with young people locally and nationally
- Represent the charity confidently at events and in the media
Skills and Experience
Essential:
- Senior leadership experience in the charity, youth, arts or wider non-profit sector
- Strong financial management skills
- Proven success in fundraising or income generation
- Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement
- Knowledge of safeguarding practices in youth settings
- Experience leading teams and developing positive organisational cultures
- Strategic leadership experience
Desirable
- Experience in the youth arts or creative community sector
- Understanding of the Trafford community landscape
Values and Commitment
We are committed to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from individuals who share these values and are passionate about empowering young people.
An enhanced DBS check will be required.
Application Details
To apply, please submit your CV and covering letter.
Closing date: 19 January
Interview date: 23 January at Gorse Hill Studios
Interviews will include a stakeholder panel and a formal interview.
REF-225 658
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
The Family Treatment Service (TFTS) is a respected, CQC-registered, not-for-profit mental health clinic based in Wimbledon Village. We provide compassionate, evidence-based care for individuals, couples, and families, with specialist services, and a growing multidisciplinary team.
As we enter an exciting new phase of growth, we are seeking a Managing Director to take over day-to-day leadership from our founding team. This is a rare opportunity to guide a well-established and values-driven service through transition—maintaining our clinical integrity while strengthening operational systems and ensuring long-term sustainability.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the organisation through a structured transition period, working closely with the founders to preserve TFTS’s ethos and high standards of care.
- Oversee all business and operational functions, including HR, finance, governance, and compliance.
- Ensure full CQC and regulatory compliance, with strong governance and risk management.
- Develop and deliver a strategic plan for sustainable growth, innovation, and service development.
- Foster a positive, inclusive culture—supporting staff wellbeing, communication, and professional development.
About You
- Proven senior leadership experience in a CQC-registered healthcare, charity, or not-for-profit setting.
- Strong commercial and operational management skills with financial oversight experience.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills—able to lead with empathy during change.
- Strategic thinker with a track record of implementing operational improvements.
- (Desirable) Experience in mental health or family-centred services and leading organisational transformation.
As part of the recruitment process candidates will be required to deliver a 20-minute online presentation with an opportunity for questions from the panel.
The title is: “How would you approach the first months in this role?”
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Director of Operations
LEF
Reporting to Chief Executive
London/Hybrid 2 days per week in the office, ideally Tuesdays and Thursdays (off Tottenham Court Road, WC1E 7EB)
6-month FTC
Salary £70,000 - £95,000 depending on experience (pro rata for part time)
Full time, 35 hours per week (part time considered) with flexible working
Excellent benefits including 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata for part time and for FTC) pension, private healthcare, employee assistance programme
Are you a strategic and values-led leader with significant senior experience leading core support functions, including HR, IT, organisational infrastructure, and contract and supplier management, and available for an interim contract starting in January?
Charity People are delighted to be supporting LEF, an independent foundation supporting communities across the UK to use the law to create a more just and equal society, to recruit an Interim Director of Operations.
LEF was established as the Legal Education Foundation in 2012. Over the years, the organisation has grown into providing broad support for organisations in relation to law and social justice, and, in 2025, they became LEF with a focus on the potential of the law to strengthen the power of communities to create a more just and equal society.
LEF is entering a bold new strategic phase, following a transformative rebrand and renewed focus on the power of communities to use and shape the law to achieve social justice. With financial assets exceeding £280 million, LEF is uniquely positioned to build bridges between the law and communities facing injustice, to tackle the root causes of inequality.
The Director of Operations is a member of the Senior Management Team. The overall purpose of the role is to work with colleagues across the organisation to develop and oversee effective and efficient administrative, IT, finance and operational policies, systems and services to support delivery of the foundation's strategy, while ensuring that these policies, systems and support services uphold the foundation's culture and values.
The Director of Operations also plays a key role in shaping and sustaining an inclusive, collaborative and values-driven organisational culture, ensuring that systems, processes and ways of working promote staff wellbeing, equity and learning across the organisation.
Key responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership: Provide organisational leadership across core operational functions and contribute to SMT and Board decision-making to ensure effective, compliant and future-focused operations.
- Human Resources: Oversee HR strategy, policies and processes to create an inclusive, supportive and high-performing workplace.
- Digital, IT, Facilities & Infrastructure: Ensure robust, secure and efficient digital, IT, facilities and infrastructure systems that enable staff to work effectively across all locations.
- Finance: Lead and support the finance function to maintain strong financial planning, control, compliance and investment oversight.
- Governance: Maintain effective governance structures, ensure regulatory compliance and provide clear, timely information to the Board and committees.
Who we're looking for:
We're seeking a strategic and values-led leader with
- Senior experience leading core support functions, including HR, IT, organisational infrastructure, and contract and supplier management.
- Strong strategic and operational leadership skills, with the ability to translate organisational strategy into effective systems, processes and delivery.
- Experience overseeing organisational risk, compliance, data protection and safeguarding frameworks, or the ability to develop these confidently.
- Proven ability to engage constructively and authoritatively with the Board of Trustees and its committees, providing clear information, insight and challenge.
- Excellent organisational, planning and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-moving environment.
- Experience leading and developing staff teams, demonstrating excellent interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence and a collaborative, empowering leadership style.
- Deep understanding and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, with experience building diverse teams and fostering inclusive, trust-based cultures.
- Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with sound financial literacy and the ability to interpret and communicate data and organisational information.
- Excellent communication skills, including the ability to write and speak clearly, persuasively and with authority.
- Eligible to work in the UK.
- Commitment to the Foundation's vision, mission and values, and to working in ways that advance social justice.
Senior experience in the foundation or wider voluntary sector, ideally with insight into the needs of social justice organisations and voluntary sector infrastructure is desirable.
LEF is based near Goodge Street tube station (WC1E 7EB). You will need to be willing to attend the office at least twice a week, as well as be able to attend meetings and events across London. This is an interim role for 6 months. LEF will be recruiting for the permanent position early next year and the successful candidate will be open to apply. Candidates will need full right to work in the UK, and the role is subject to satisfactory references. The ideal start date for the candidate will be mid/late-January so you will need to be immediately available or able to start in January.
How to apply
The application process is CV and answers to three questions to form your Supporting Statement. For more information and for the full Job Pack, please share your CV via the link below. The closing date is 9am on Thursday 18 December. Interviews will take place on Thursday 15 and Friday 16 January.
Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.
Bring your drive and passion to lead CPRE London towards its vision of a greener city and manage its strategic direction and delivery. This is a rare, part time opportunity to lead an organisation at the cutting edge of policy regarding green spaces and the environment, housing and planning. You will manage a small but motivated team of staff and dedicated volunteers. We are looking for candidates with the confidence to pitch for new funding and prioritise projects, coupled with a track record of liaison work across the environmental space ideally drawing on a background in planning.
CPRE London is a leading environmental charity in the capital, an independent charity and the London regional branch (1 of 42) of the national CPRE organisation, ‘The Countryside Charity’.
The focus of our campaigning is to make London a well-planned, greener, climate-resilient and nature rich city, which benefits everyone.
Skills in leadership, oversight of income and expenditure, communication, negotiation, and project management are needed to run our operations. In addition to leading CPRE London you will also work closely with a supportive board of trustees.
Currently at the exciting stage of developing the London Tree Ring project, additionally we are involved in many more initiatives such as Healthy Streets Scorecard and GoParksLondon and supporting local campaigns to protect our precious green spaces from development.
Further details available on our website: Get Involved: Jobs and Volunteering Tab.
Our Vision is that by 2030 London has become a well-planned, climate resilient, nature rich city.



The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
OPERATIONS MANAGER
We are seeking an enthusiastic, compassionate person, with good attention to detail and a track record of supporting and motivating staff and a desire to make a difference to the homeless and vulnerably housed.
About The Bridge Homelessness To Hope
We began in 2008 with a mission to help people who are homeless in Leicester by providing them with hot food, drinks and most importantly, companionship and we have evolved from there to the service we provide today.
Our staff team and volunteers derive from many backgrounds and religions, all with one common goal: to help those who are on the street move from despair to hope.
We are an outreach to the homeless and to those who just have nowhere to go and no-one to turn to. Through our Hub we support those who are hardest to reach by seeking to:
· Overcome the barriers to engagement encountered with more traditional service models.
· Be a place where guests (never service users or clients) can feel secure, trustful and not feel judged.
· Run services that are supplied by people who understand their challenges and are empathetic to them.
Our services are designed to support our guests in making long-term, sustainable improvements to their lives.
Our vision is for everyone to have a place they can call home and hope for the future, with an aim to support the most isolated and marginalised people that often have no one else to turn to.
We do this by offering a safe place to support people in crisis, helping people make long-term, sustainable improvements to their lives, and by developing accessible mental health services.
Hours: Full-time - 37.5 hours per week - Monday to Friday (occasional Saturdays where operational needs dictate).
Purpose of the Role
Reporting directly to the CEO, the Operations Manager ensures the effective day-to-day running of The Bridge Homelessness To Hope’s services — including Drop-In Hub and supported accommodation — maintaining safe, high-quality delivery and ensuring that staff and volunteers are supported to provide compassionate and effective support for people experiencing homelessness.
Key Responsibilities
1. Leadership and Management
· Work with the CEO to ensure The Bridge Homelessness To Hope’s mission and values are lived out in practice.
· Translate strategic plans into operational work plans with clear targets and outcomes.
· Provide visible leadership within the Hub and accommodation projects, modelling best practice.
· Deputise for the CEO as required.
· Ensure systems and culture of effective internal communications, including team meetings, and day-to-day communications protocols.
2. Housing and Hub Operations
· Oversee housing operations, including maintenance, furnishing, and equipment.
· Ensure compliance with housing regulations, leases, and health and safety
· Manage contractors and cleaners for accommodation and Hub facilities.
· Oversee resident induction, behaviour issues, crises, and breaches of licence.
· Oversee housing records and inspection reports.
· Ensure accurate and timely housing benefit claims, payments, and record keeping.
· Liaise with property owners and coordinate day-to-day housing management tasks.
· Oversee Hub operations, ensuring high standards of delivery and effective support for guests.
3. People Management
· Line manage staff team, ensuring clear supervision and accountability.
· Recruit new staff, including advertising, short-listing, interviewing.
· Conduct regular one-to-ones and appraisals with all staff.
· Oversee staff induction, development, and wellbeing.
· Ensure appropriate training for regulatory and practice updates.
· Manage performance issues, grievances, and disciplinaries in line with policy.
4. Service Delivery and Impact
· Ensure safe, effective, and compassionate service delivery across all operational areas.
· Maintain systems for effective data capture, monitoring, and reporting.
· Support evaluation, reporting, and improvement processes.
· Contribute to safeguarding oversight and incident management.
· Lead on-site crisis response and staff support during incidents.
5. Financial and Administrative Responsibilities
· Oversee day-to-day housing income and expenditure.
· Ensure operational efficiency through effective systems and processes.
· Support administrative and compliance processes across the charity.
6. Risk Management and Compliance
· Maintain and regularly review the organisational risk register.
· Manage operational risks, including safeguarding, health & safety, and reputational issues.
· Ensure all incidents and concerns are recorded and followed up appropriately.
7. External Relations
· Liaise with local authorities, housing benefit officers, and partner agencies.
· Represent The Bridge Homelessness to Hope at relevant operational meetings and networks.
· Ensure accurate signposting and referrals for service users.
Other
· Other trouble-shooting, providing cover, general advice etc.
What You Need
Essential:
- Proven experience in operations or office management.
- Strong organisational skills.
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
- IT literacy including Microsoft 365 and database systems.
- Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
Desirable:
- Experience in the charity sector.
- Understanding/awareness of trauma-informed working.
- Knowledge of charity governance and compliance.
- Understanding of CRM systems and data protection.
- Full UK Driving Licence
Benefits
Succession Plan
Flexible working hours (where possible)
25 days annual leave + 8 statutory Bank Holidays
Contributory Pension Scheme
Free parking
Free lunch and snacks
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
About the opportunity
Action Tutoring is the largest tutoring charity in the country. At the heart of our work is closing the attainment gap for pupils facing disadvantage in the UK by harnessing the power of tutoring. We are seeking an inspiring and strategic Interim Chief Executive Officer (maternity cover) to lead our growing charity, ensuring the charity continues to achieve benchmark-beating results for the pupils we support. In 2025-26, our work will reach 7,000 pupils supported by more than 80 staff and 2,500 volunteer tutors. This role would suit someone with experience of interim senior leadership roles, wanting to make a difference in an area with proven impact on outcomes for children and young people.
Closing date: Wednesday, 17th December 2025
Interviews: Between 8th and 16th January 2026
Start date: Ideally, Monday, 23rd March 2026
Contract and hours: Fixed-term, 9 to 12-month maternity cover. We are open to discussions regarding the working pattern, and welcome applications for 0.8 FTE up to 1 FTE. A full working week is 37.5 hours. We offer flexible working hours. The core working hours are 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Applications from candidates seeking a secondment are welcome.
Location: Hybrid working with 2 or 3 days per week, in London, dependent on meetings and occasionally with short notice. Our London office address is: Fivefields, 8-10 Grosvenor Gardens, Victoria, SW1W 0DH
Duties and Responsibilities
The Interim CEO (maternity cover) is responsible for maintaining the high performance of the charity, overseeing the delivery of key strategic goals in line with our mission and aims. During the period of this appointment, you will lead the organisation through its annual school sales process (Spring 26), ensure the successful delivery of a key strategic project testing AI in our delivery model (Summer and Autumn 26) and set the organisation up for success in a new academic year (Autumn 26).
Vision, Strategy and Delivery
- Working with the Board to implement the vision and mission of the charity.
- Responsible for implementing the agreed strategy.
People and Cultural Leadership
- Overall people and cultural leadership, empowering the team the maintain the positive working culture with behaviours that align closely to the charity’s values.
- Ensuring operational excellence is maintained across the organisation.
Advocacy
- Representing Action Tutoring externally to a range of stakeholders, including school leaders, policymakers, the media and funders, to raise the profile of Action Tutoring and awareness of the cause.
- Sustain constructive working relationships with other education charities, sharing good practice and working collaboratively to improve educational outcomes.
Finance and Fundraising
- Overseeing financial management of the charity supported by the Director of Finance & Operations.
- Lead fundraising alongside the Head of Philanthropy to ensure fundraising targets set by the Board are met.
Line Management
- Direct line management of the Senior Leadership Team (3 Directors), the Head of Impact & Quality and the Head of Philanthropy, covering the five departments of the organisati
A full list of duties and responsibilities can be found in the job description attached to the BreatheHR advert.
Person specification
Qualifications criteria:
- The right to work in the UK.
We are looking for some of the following attributes, though you might be more experienced in some areas than others:
- Proven track record as a CEO in a not-for-profit organisation, experience as an Interim CEO is desirable but not essential. The ability to get up to speed quickly will be vital.
- Experience of working within a delivery-based organisation and an understanding of how to ensure quality, efficiency, and impact in that context.
- Commercial mindset, with proven success in fundraising and/or sales targets to meet set targets and secure income for ongoing operations.
- Experience overseeing pilots of new delivery modes, applying a theory of change approach to learning.
- Experience in developing and executing strategic plans and complex projects to achieve organisational vision and mission.
- Strong communication skills, with experience representing organisations externally to various stakeholders (e.g., school leaders, partners, funders).
- Understanding of the education sector, and the needs and drivers of stakeholders across the education space.
- Ability to diagnose and dissect complex problems and encourage scalable solutions to novel issues.
- Experience in empowering senior leaders and the wider organisations to meet ambitious targets.
- Ability to foster a positive working culture, aligned with Action Tutoring’s values.
- Strong financial management skills.
- Knowledge of governance structures and experience in working closely with a board of trustees, including managing strategic risk.
- Comfortable with data and committed to driving impact across the organisation.
You will be likely be more successful in this role if you have the following personal attributes:
- Passion for addressing educational disadvantage and closing the attainment gap.
- Collaborative mindset and the ability to build strong, constructive relationships with other organisations and charities, fostering collaboration and sharing of best practices.
- High ethical standards and personal integrity, with a commitment to transparency and accountability in leadership.
- Resilient and adaptable with the ability to thrive in an evolving and challenging external environment, and to adjust to shifts in the education landscape.
- Strong commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive working environment.
Award-winning national education charity working towards a world in which no child’s life chances are limited by their socio-economic background.
We’re looking for an organised and person centred leader who can join our leadership team to support the quality, growth and sustainability of Stomping Grounds North East CIO.
The Deputy CEO will support the CEO by planning, overseeing, monitoring, reporting and taking appropriate action to deliver the service, business and financial strategies ofStomping Grounds North East CIO, with a focus on developing people, business and safeguarding and ensuring management capability across the organisation. It is key that the successful candidate can work at least some of the school holidays.
Reports to: CEO
Hours of work :35 hours per week (1 FTE)
Remuneration: TBD
Main responsibilities
-
To ensure projects and delivery adheres to the Company’s vision, mission and values.
-
To oversee the development and implementation of new projects and sessions to meet the Company’s aims and objectives. Specifically, to ensure that:
-
Appropriate risk assessments are undertaken and documented in line with Stomping Grounds Risk Assessment procedure
-
Appropriate communications to and involvement of communities, parents and schools are delivered effectively
-
High quality Forest School provision is delivered, in line with the Stomping Grounds NE vision
-
-
To proactively manage the financial performance of projects and the business overall, including overseeing the planning and delivery of fundraising and donations
-
To oversee, monitor and report on all aspects of business governance including health and safety, safeguarding and employee wellbeing.
-
To work with line managers to develop their managerial capabilities and performance, with a focus on team development. As part of this, to ensure that:
-
Regular meetings of the team leaders are organised to share information on business performance, plans and issues and to create action plans as appropriate
-
Appropriate observations are conducted, documented and shared
-
PDRs are completed in line with company policy
-
To ensure training is up to date and relevant
-
To ensure that company policies are up to date and relevant and are reviewed as required
-
-
To be proactive and maintain requirements for governing bodies, associations and memberships
-
To develop and support the implementation of effective evaluation and impact monitoring processes, including annual reporting of the impact of Stomping Grounds work.
-
To attend meetings of the Board of Trustees and report progress against the business plan
-
To carry out other duties compatible with the role purpose as reasonably required or as directed by the CEO.
Person Specification
Essential
-
Proven exceptional leadership skills
-
Experience of leading and developing a diverse staff team
-
Excellent communication skills
-
Excellent organisational skills
-
Extensive project management experience
-
Excellent understanding of neurodivergence
-
Excellent business management skills
-
Flexibility to work during school holidays
-
Ability to travel to our multi region sites including but not restricted to: Prudhoe, Haltwhistle, Chopwell, Leadgate, Benwell and Gateshead Riverside Park
-
Commitment to Stomping Grounds Mission and Values
Desirable
-
Experience with Ofsted
-
Experience of working in the charity sector
-
Experience of working with children and young people, particularly those with neurodivergence and/or who are not currently thriving in mainstream schools
-
Experience as a Designated Safeguarding Lead
-
Experience of leading teams through change and growth
We abide by Safer Recruitment guidelines and therefore we only accept application forms.
https://www.stomping-grounds.org/about-us/mission-and-values
Are you a commercially minded, senior leader with strong experience in operations, company management, partnership building and income generation?
VDT is seeking an experienced Head of Operations and Business Development to spearhead the implementation of our ambitious new Commercial Strategy, driving growth and expanding income streams.
This is a crucial, high-impact role for someone who thrives on operational excellence, has excellent management skills and a passion for strategy implementation. It is ideal for someone with strong experience in partnership building, negotiating contracts, lead generation and organisational development.
Working closely with the Chief Executive / Artistic Director, the role works collaboratively across the small staff team to deliver the company’s Business Plan, Funding Agreement, Mission and Values. You will identify opportunities, generate new leads and manage the company’s wide range of production, participation and continued professional development programmes. You will grow a new customer base for our online training and E-learning and develop income from within arts academic and social enterprise settings. You will track progress and ensure the company is run in line with best practice.
You might not have worked in the arts or creative industries before. If you have experience as a Business Manager, Operations Director, Executive Director or Senior Producer within or outside of the cultural / charity sector, then you’ll have the core skills we are looking for.
Closing date for applications: Midday Tuesday 6 January 2026
Interview Date: Thursday 15 January 2026 (possible second interview 23 January 2026).
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.