Buglife
Director of Transformation
Location: Flexible within the UK
Salary: c£78,000
Contract: 2-year fixed term
Are you a bold, strategic leader ready to drive transformational change for one of the UK’s most impactful conservation charities?
Buglife is the only organisation in Europe dedicated to the conservation of all invertebrates. As they enter a pivotal phase of growth and innovation, Buglife is seeking a Director of Transformation to co-lead their organisation into a new era of impact, influence, and operational excellence.
About the Role
In a dual-leadership model alongside the Director of Conservation, you will define and deliver a Transformational Change Programme that amplifies Buglife’s mission: securing a thriving future for invertebrates as part of nature’s recovery.
You’ll lead strategic initiatives across systems, people, and processes, shaping a roadmap for sustainable growth and innovation. From organisational design to digital transformation, you’ll be the catalyst for change — building capability, cohesion, and resilience across Buglife.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead discovery and strategic direction, assessing internal operations and external opportunities.
- Develop and deliver a transformation roadmap with measurable impact.
- Inspire and manage cross-functional teams including Finance, HR, Communications, Fundraising and Engagement.
- Champion inclusive leadership, emotional intelligence, and organisational cohesion.
- Shape Buglife’s global growth strategy and explore new funding models.
- Overhaul systems and processes to create a more agile, integrated organisation.
What You’ll Bring
- Proven expertise in transformational leadership, business model innovation, and strategic planning.
- Experience engaging Boards and senior stakeholders with clarity and influence.
- Deep understanding of change management methodologies and programme delivery.
- Commercial acumen and entrepreneurial mindset.
- Strong emotional intelligence and collaborative leadership style.
Desirable: Experience in conservation, environmental or science-led sectors; familiarity with digital transformation and international experience or perspective on scaling impact globally.
Why Buglife?
Buglife is a passionate, science-led charity making a real difference for biodiversity. You’ll be joining at a time of exciting change, with the opportunity to shape the organisation’s future and scale its impact globally. Buglife offers a collaborative culture, flexible working, and a chance to lead with purpose.
Ready to lead transformational change for nature’s smallest heroes?
Apply now and help Buglife build a future where invertebrates thrive.
We are partnering with GatenbySanderson on this recruitment. For more information and how to apply, please click on the button below.
Closing date: 28 November 2025
GatenbySanderson Interviews: 8 – 12 December 2025
Buglife Interviews: 6 – 15 January 2026
Buglife is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We particularly welcome applications from underrepresented groups in the environmental sector, including people from global majority backgrounds, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ communities.
Registered Charity 
21 - 50
Thank you!
Head of Finance & Operations
We are looking for a Head of Finance & Operations to join our growing team in this flexible, remote working role (4 days per week).
This is an exciting opportunity to play a key leadership role within an organisation that is transforming environmental philanthropy across the UK.
Position: Head of Finance & Operations
Location: Remote (occasional travel to London and other UK locations)
Salary: £60,000 per annum, pro rata
Hours: 4 days a week (flexible working considered for the right candidate)
Contract: Permanent
Closing Date: 11:59pm on Sunday 23rd November 2025
The Role
As Head of Finance & Operations, you will play a pivotal role in leading EFN’s financial, operational, and HR functions, ensuring the organisation continues to thrive and deliver on its ambitious strategy.
Reporting to the Executive Director (ED), you will join the Leadership Team and work closely with the ED and Board of Trustees to ensure sound financial management, operational excellence, and a supportive, effective working culture.
You will:
- Lead on day-to-day financial management, including reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and audit processes
- Oversee governance, compliance, and risk management across all areas of operations
- Manage HR, IT, and systems to support our remote-working team
- Drive continuous improvement in policies, processes, and internal systems (including Salesforce and Xero)
- Provide strategic insight and deputise for the ED when required
- Support staff development and wellbeing, ensuring a positive and inclusive organisational culture
This is a new role reflecting EFN’s recent growth and commitment to strengthening its operational foundations for long-term impact.
About You
We are seeking an experienced and strategic finance and operations leader who thrives in a collaborative, mission-driven environment.
You will have:
- Professional accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or AAT)
- At least 7 years’ experience in financial and operational management within the charity sector
- Strong understanding of HR, IT, risk management, and governance in small teams
- Proven experience managing budgets, audits, and charity accounts (Xero experience ideal)
- Excellent project management and strategic planning skills
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to lead and mentor others
- A proactive, organised, and solutions-focused approach
Desirable:
- Knowledge of UK charity governance and reporting requirements
- Experience working with philanthropists, funders, or in the environmental sector
- Interest in climate and biodiversity issues
Benefits Include:
- 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, pro rata
- 7% employer pension contribution
- Flexible working arrangements
- Learning and development opportunities
- Home working allowance, laptop, and IT support
About the Organisation
The Environmental Funders Network (EFN) is a UK-based charity dedicated to transforming environmental philanthropy. We work to increase the scale and effectiveness of environmental giving by supporting funders, sharing insight and research, and fostering collaboration across the sector.
EFN is a remote-working organisation with a UK-wide network of over 1,000 funders and 1,800 fundraisers, all committed to creating a thriving planet for future generations.
If you are passionate about supporting environmental impact through strategic finance and operational leadership, we would love to hear from you.
PLEASE NOTE: This role is being advertised by NFP People on behalf of the organisation.
Thank you!
About Planet Patrol
Our vision is a world where all beings can enjoy our waterways, free from pollution. We are a global community dedicated to placing people-powered environmental data at the heart of decision-making. Through our unique anywhere, anytime, anybody approach to citizen science, we gather critical evidence of water and litter pollution to drive solutions that protect both environmental and human health. Our data and citizen science methods have been featured in academic journals (Stanton, et al., 2022) and media investigations (Channel 4 and ITV), enhancing public and scientific knowledge of litter pollution.
About the role
As Director, you will oversee daily operations, including forecasting and budgeting for the entire organisation (currently c£300K per annum). As such, you will lead on developing a sustainable funding stream for our mission-driven work, ensuring we maintain a 6-month runway at all times. You will build and maintain strong external relationships to help grow and develop the organisation. The Director will provide leadership to a small, remote team (4 x PAYE) and create a happy, sustainable and productive work environment. Most importantly, the Director will ensure objectives are being met - both personal and organisational - to deliver impactful, positive change for our waterways in the UK, and abroad.
About you
The successful candidate will be a strong leader who excels at strategic thinking, with the natural ability to analyse situations and relationships to maximise impact and return on investment. They will have experience in line management, fundraising and financial management. We are seeking candidates who have experience in senior management in a non-profit setting, ideally within the environmental sector but not essential. Critically, you must thrive in a start-up environment and have a can-do attitude to problem solving. You’ll be one of only a handful of employees and a team of excellent freelancers, so being a team player is a must! This is a great opportunity to really shape the organisation and our impact, so if you like having agency and being innovative, Planet Patrol would be a great fit.
Your top qualities as a leader
- Ambitious
- Collaborative
- Agile
- Resilient
- Resourceful
Key Responsibilities
Funding Development + Stakeholder Relationships (40%):
- Significant responsibility for successful contractual negotiations and maintaining a healthy new funding pipeline. Secure six-to-seven figure funding opportunities to provide a sustainable revenue stream for 3+ years.
- Strategic understanding and experience of competitive and fast changing charitable financial landscape.
- Build and maintain strong partnerships with funders and other voluntary sector organisations.
- Ensure we are suitably represented at appropriate meetings, events, conferences, management groups etc. and that issues that impact our work are raised appropriately.
Operational Leadership including Compliance + Budgetary Control (30%):
- Effective leadership driving business operations and strategic targets. Inspire teams to deliver high-quality programmes and foster a culture of creativity and innovation.
- Draw up and monitor budgets, with support from the Founder and Team Leaders, and ensure effective management and use of all resources. Ensure maximum operational efficiency and maintain a six-month runway at all times.
- Work collaboratively with the Founder and Team Leaders to build annual Business Plans and long term strategies for the organisation.
- Ensure compliance across product / project delivery, finance, human resources, IT, legal, health and safety, customer services and facilities management. Ensure that all data is collated and managed in line with data protection requirements.
- Maintain and develop effective human resource systems for the recruitment, management, support, training, and appraisal of staff and volunteers. Ensure systems are in place to monitor and evaluate the work.
Team + Performance Management (30%):
- Build high-performing, committed teams. This includes line managing, coaching, and supporting team members to create a positive, productive work environment.
- Oversee the team to deliver comprehensive planning and reporting.
- Set benchmarks, monitor performance, and develop a culture of continuous improvement.
- Proactively manage the performance of Team Leaders by carrying out inductions, regular accountability meetings, supervisions, and probation reviews, while also setting clear work and development objectives.
Person Specification
The role is for up to 30 hours a week over 4 days - for the right person we would consider fewer hours. If you think you could do the role but do not meet all of the specification points below, we would still like to hear from you.
Essential Experience and Ability
- Senior management experience working within a small charity or Community Interest Company (CIC).
- Track record of driving operational excellence, including organisational finances and resources.
- Experience of line management, team development and performance management.
- Experience of securing sustainable and diverse revenue streams; including multi-year, strategic deals worth six-and-seven figures.
- Proactive approach to risk management and maintaining compliance.
- Experience in a strategic role, including developing organisational strategy and/or developing and overseeing monitoring and evaluation frameworks.
- Experience of working with a range of stakeholders and managing stakeholder relationships.
- Ability to effectively prioritise, manage and oversee programmes of work across the organisation and lead through change.
- Ability to work under own initiative, delegate where appropriate, prioritise work and meet strict deadlines.
- Good general IT skills and appreciation of new platforms that can increase efficiency and effectiveness (Slack, Trello, Canva, Dext, Xero, HubSpot, SenseHR).
- Broad understanding of GDPR and other essential legislation and organisational policies, including use of AI.
- Passionate about the environment and the importance of citizen science.
- A commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion.
- Legal right to work in the UK without visa sponsorship.
What we offer
Planet Patrol values collaboration, innovation, and agility. That’s why we’re proud to be a 4-day week employer. We offer a flexible, remote working environment, paired with regular opportunities to connect as a team. We’re a vibrant, mission-driven non-profit that supports professional growth, alongside wellbeing. We offer a generous annual leave package, your birthdays off and encourage you to get out into nature whenever possible.
Application details
If you believe in the work we’re doing and think you could add something to it then we would love to hear from you.
Please submit your CV, LinkedIn profile and answers to the four questions listed on the application page. We are unable to process applications which are not complete.
Applications close midnight Sunday 23 November.
First stage interviews will be held virtually on Wednesday 26 November.
Second stage interviews will be held in person on Wednesday 3 December.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.