Director of operations jobs

Do you share our vision to end youth unemployment?

The King’s Trust is seeking an exceptional individual to become Director of Delivery for Wales.You should share our passion for supporting young people to realise their potential and increasing our reach and impact. 

You will lead a team of colleagues, delivery partners and volunteers to turn our strategy into action, ensuring that our programmes reach those who need our help the most, by building partnerships, upholding our commitment to inclusion and safeguarding and growing our income. You will also develop and implement plans to achieve our four strategy goals of Tackling Inequality, Building the Nation’s Workforce, Being a Bold Voice for Change and Making Every Pound Count.To do this, you’ll need to able to engage and motivate a dispersed team and collaborate effectively across the whole organisation. You’ll also need to have an understanding of the challenges facing young people.

You will be a member of the Trust’s Senior Leadership Team, working with colleagues across the UK and will lead on a number of cross organisational projects.You’ll need to be visible across Wales and the wider organisation, working in our centre in Cardiff at least three days a week, as well as travelling to other centres and partner meetings in Wales and the UK as required. 

Keychange is a Christian charity with a proud history of supporting people invulnerable situations for over a century. We believe that everyone has dignity and worth, and that people thrive best in communities where they are known, valued and supported. Across our care homes and housing communities, we seek to provide support that goes beyond compliance and is rooted in compassion, excellence and Christian values.

We are now seeking a Director of Operations to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our services and ensuring that our vision is lived out every day across the organisation.

The role

As Director of Operations, you will be a key member of the senior leadership team, working closely with the CEO and Board to translate strategy into high-quality, sustainable delivery with exciting future developments ahead.

You will provide strategic and operational leadership across 7 care homes and 3 housing communities in the south of England, leading and supporting a talented operations team to deliver safe, effective and person-centred services.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing visible leadership that embeds Keychange’s Christian vision, values and culture across all services
• Leading and overseeing multi-site operations, ensuring consistently high standards of care, safeguarding and support
• Holding accountability for regulatory compliance, quality assurance and service improvement
• Driving operational excellence, innovation and efficiency through effective systems and processes
• Ensuring services are financially sustainable, working closely with finance colleagues on budgets and resources
• Developing, coaching and inspiring senior managers and leaders to perform at their best

This is a senior role with real influence – both on the strategic direction of Keychange and on the lives of hundreds of people we support.

About you

We are looking for a values-led, strategic and credible leader who brings:

• Senior leadership experience within social care, housing, homelessness or a closely related sector
• A proven track record of leading multi-site services and managing senior operational leaders
• Strong experience of working within regulated environments and delivering high-quality, compliant services
• Sound financial and commercial awareness, with experience of managing budgets and resources  of a similar scale to Keychange (250 staff across 10 sites)
• A passion for developing people, culture and values-driven practice
• A personal commitment to the Christian faith and active agreement with the Keychange mission, vision and faith basis. (This is a genuine occupational requirement under the Equality Act 2010)

You will be someone who combines strategic thinking with practical delivery, and who leads with integrity, humility and purpose.

What we offer

This is a rare opportunity to take on a senior leadership role where your professional expertise and Christian faith can make a lasting and meaningful difference.

The role involves regular travel across our sites in the south of England with flexibility around base location.

Lead complex, high-impact services that support people to live well and help shape the future of social care in Southend.

Applications close: 9 a.m. Thursday 26th February 2026
Location: Southend-on-Sea and services-based

About Southend Care

Southend Care is a wholly owned local authority company delivering a broad range of adult social care services, including older people’s care homes, domiciliary care, supported living, mental health services and community-based provision.

Operating across multiple locations with a lean, committed leadership team, the organisation is known for its adaptability, responsiveness and ability to manage change in a challenging and fast-moving environment.

With a refreshed board, new non-executive directors and a renewed focus on culture, engagement and commercial resilience, Southend Care is looking ahead with confidence. We are also on a journey towards providing services for children and young people, so there has never been a better time to join us.

About the role

Southend Care is seeking an experienced, hands-on Director of Operations to play a pivotal role in leading and shaping high-quality social care services across the city. This is a rare opportunity to join a values-driven, commercially aware organisation at an exciting point in its evolution, helping to strengthen operational performance, embed a positive culture and support sustainable growth.

As Director of Operations, you will take overall responsibility for the operational leadership, quality, safeguarding and performance of services. Working closely with the Managing Director and Director of Corporate Services, you will provide visible, credible leadership to managers and frontline teams, ensuring services are safe, person-centred and financially sustainable.

You will play a central role in developing managers, strengthening consistency across services, improving engagement with stakeholders and service users and supporting opportunities for service development and growth.

This is a genuinely hands-on role in a small senior team, requiring someone who is comfortable rolling up their sleeves while also contributing strategically to the organisation’s future direction.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for an operationally strong, people-focused leader with senior experience across social care and a deep understanding of regulated services. You will bring credibility in areas such as safeguarding, quality improvement and service delivery, ideally in older people’s services, domiciliary care, mental health or supported living.

You will be comfortable working autonomously in a lean environment, visible and approachable in your leadership style and confident holding managers to account while building trust and rapport.

Commercial awareness, adaptability and a collaborative mindset are essential, as is a genuine commitment to service user and staff experience.

Above all, you will bring the energy, personality and practical leadership needed to thrive in a close-knit team and help Southend Care continue to evolve and succeed.

Please click 'Redirect to recruiter’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Thursday 26th February 2026.

Assistant Director of Operations
Salary: £72,000 per annum
Work Pattern: This is a permanent contract, working full time, Monday to Friday, 37.5 hours a week.
Location: Your base can be at any of the 6 mainland UK Discovery Sites: Arundel BN18, Llanelli SA14, London SW13, Martin Mere L40, Slimbridge GL2 or Washington NE38. The 7th site is Castle Espie.
For this role we can offer the opportunity for hybrid working. It is expected the role will need you to be present at each of your sites on a regular basis, at least once per month.

About The Role

WWT is the charity for wetlands.

This is a critical role in the recently restructured Operations Directorate at WWT. As Assistant Director, you will be directly responsible for the performance of our 7 Wetland Discovery sites. You will provide inspiring and professional leadership to your teams, whilst proactively collaborating cross organisation and externally.

Your focus will be on driving meaningful improvements at sites across our three ambitions of Restore, Inspire and Thrive, with emphasis on financial performance driven by visitor experiences. Reporting to the Director of Operations, you will directly manage two Heads of Operations, a Head of Retail and Head of Catering. You will indirectly lead more than 400 staff and volunteers across Living Collections, Reserve Management, Visitor Experience, Trading, Marketing, Facilities and Grounds.

You will work closely with Health & Safety and Sustainability leads to ensure good governance and compliance at sites and across the Operations Directorate.

You will have a background working in visitor attractions or a very similar sector, coupled with a passion for purpose-led organisations and a keen interest in the environment. You will be an inspiring leader with high levels of emotional intelligence and values & behaviours that align with WWT.

About You

To join as our Assistant Director of Operations, you will need to evidence:

• Experience in a senior position(s) held in the visitor attraction/events management sectors, directly accountable for site operations and visitor experience throughout the visitor journey.
• Strong skills in leading business planning, financial analysis, budget development and management, and delivery of significant capital projects across £multi-million business unit(s).
• Demonstrable ability to recruit, performance manage and motivate large (>100) diverse multi-disciplinary teams.
• The ability to develop, communicate and implement strategic change, turning organisational vision into improvements at scale.
• An inspirational and empathetic leadership style, able to role model an organisation’s values and behaviours, and to evidence strong emotional intelligence. Able to prioritise effectively, to collaborate, network and influence internally and externally at a senior level.
• A highly creative and inquisitive mindset, able to spot and exploit potential opportunities, keen to explore, test and learn as a means of driving continual improvement and excellence in the visitor experience.
• Experience of working collaboratively with insight, marketing and communications teams to deliver strong brand and marketing campaigns which drive footfall.

About Us

We’re WWT, and we’re on a mission to restore the super-powered ecosystems we call wetlands. There’s never been a more important moment for our work, and we’ve got some phenomenal people on the case.

Whether they’re taking a new visitor under their wing, or conducting ground-breaking research further afield, our team are second to none. And there’s nothing we love more than watching them soar.

Whatever you do here, you’ll be helping to restore wetlands and unlock their power. So, the only question left is, what role will you play?

Why you’ll love working at WWT

• Wake up every day knowing your work is helping to restore wetlands, and our world
• Be surrounded and inspired by our team of passionate, dedicated people
• 33 days annual leave (which goes up to 38 days after 5 years of service) – this includes bank holidays and you have flexibility to take those days whenever you want
• Free entry to all our wetland centres, including your family
• Free car parking and secure bike storage areas
• Colleague discount on shopping and memberships
• Cycle to work scheme
• Contributory pension scheme
• Life Assurance of three times your salary, for peace of mind for your loved ones
• Independent personal, workplace and financial advice from our Employee Assistance Programme

Closing Date: 23rd February 2026

N.B. We reserve the right to close the advert early if we receive a sufficient number of applications from candidates who meet the required skills and experience. We therefore encourage early applications.

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

WWT is an equal opportunities employer and all applications will be considered solely on merit.

No agencies please.

What makes us unique is that we also care deeply about ‘plugging the gap’ for families and young people who are struggling to find the mental health support they need as a result of financial, social or other disadvantage. For this reason, we are a not-for-profit organisation and offer grant and donation funded programmes when we can.

Youth Arts & Health Trust are a registered charity based in Exeter and East Devon who specialise in providing creative therapies and inclusivity-informed arts activities for children and young people aged 5 to 25.

We are in an exciting phase of our development, with new premises in Exeter, growing activities in East Devon, a dynamic team, a supportive and experienced Board of Trustees, and much shared passion to make a difference to children, young people and families.

We provide our services for children and young people via local authorities, organisations, schools and for families directly.

We are looking for someone with vision and passion who can lead and nurture our highly capable and ambitious team to build further upon our compassionate, inclusive and trauma-informed services for children, young people and families.

This is a 0.7 - 0.8 post (25-30 hours per week) with terms to be agreed with the successful candidate.  We are open to flexible working arrangements with the right individual, whether that’s flexitime or compressed hours, or some other agreed arrangement.   

It is expected that the post-holder will work within our premises for 1-2 days a week depending on service needs, and the remainder of hours worked from home, in the community at meetings or events or working on a hybrid basis.

Key tasks and responsibilities:

• To develop and deliver our strategy including a business plan and regular progression reports for the Board to ensure the charity is financially robust.
• To develop existing and new income streams to secure the future of the charity and enable us to meet our charitable objectives of benefitting children and young people experiencing mental health difficulties through arts therapies and arts activities.  This is likely to include grant fundraising, exploring procurement and commissioning routes, philanthropy, appropriate business sponsorship, training delivery and pathways for private purchasing of our service.
• To line manage, support, and collaborate with our Operations and Clinical Director who oversees our team of therapists and practitioners in ensuring all staff are adequately trained, registered, supervised and supported to provide an excellent service to our clients.
• To provide leadership for the charity both internally in regards to a positive and nurturing culture and externally in regard to reputation, partnerships and opportunities.
• To ensure all relevant policies are implemented effectively, developed and reviewed as required.
• To act as one of three Designated Safeguarding Officers and ensure policy is implemented effectively.
• To ensure the charity fulfils all its statutory obligations, working alongside the Board to achieve this.
• To ensure the charity has appropriate systems in place for the management and mitigation of risk.
• To ensure the charity meets its obligations under health and safety law.
• To lead on the development of innovative arts therapy programmes, in collaboration with our Operations and Clinical Director, our staff team and stakeholders.
• To ensure evaluation and impact data is collected and utilised for our learning and to provide evidence for the effectiveness of YAHT’s services.
• To act as an ambassador for the charity.
• If relevant, to carry a small caseload of children and young people to remain practising as an Arts Therapist or other registered mental health professional (if relevant, see desirable criteria).

Director of Finance and Operations

RESPONSIBLE FOR: Senior HR Executive (PT) and Database & Operations Officer (PT)

HOURS: Full-Time (9am-5pm, Monday-Friday)

JOB LOCATION: Hybrid - home and minimum 2 days in the office (Amersham, Buckinghamshire)

PENSION: 7% non-contributory

ANNUAL LEAVE: 28 days, plus bank holidays

OTHER BENEFITS: Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), Free Parking

Job Description

The Director of Finance and Operations (DFO) will play a crucial role in realising our ambitious plans as a charity. The postholder will be a member of our Senior Leadership Team (SLT), along with the CEO, Director of Development, Director of Programmes and Director of Fundraising and Communications. The DFO role is responsible for overseeing the financial health, operational effectiveness, and organisational infrastructure of the charity, ensures that the charity operates efficiently, ethically, and in compliance with all regulatory and fiduciary requirements. This role blends strategic financial leadership with hands-on operational management and is critical to enabling the charity to achieve its charitable programme as well as provide long-term sustainability.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Leadership & Management

• Provide strategic financial leadership, including long-range financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting.
• Develop and manage the organisation’s annual operating and capital budgets in collaboration with senior leadership.
• Manage the accounting functions, including payroll and pension, and month-end and year-end close.
• Prepare and present timely, accurate financial reports to the SLT, Finance and Investment Sub- Committee, and Board of Trustees.
• Monitor cash flow, reserves, and investments to ensure financial stability and liquidity.
• Ensure compliance with all financial regulations, funder requirements, and nonprofit accounting standards.
• Lead annual audits and coordinate with external auditors.
• Manage relationship with investment managers and their adherence to investment strategy.
• Support the Fundraising team in submitting income application, financial reporting, and compliance requirements.

Operations & Organisational Management

• Oversee day-to-day operations to ensure efficient systems, processes, and internal controls.
• Lead and continuously improve policies and procedures related to finance, operations, and administration.
• Manage organisational risk, insurance coverage, and compliance (e.g., legal, regulatory, and contractual obligations).
• Oversee facilities, technology, and vendor relationships, ensuring cost-effectiveness and reliability.
• Ensure strong data management, financial systems, and operational reporting tools are in place.

Human Resources & Administration

• Oversee HR operations, including payroll, benefits administration, employee policies, and compliance with employment laws.
• Partner with leadership on workforce planning, compensation strategy, and organisational design.
• Support performance management systems and contribute to a positive, inclusive organisational culture.
• Ensure onboarding, offboarding, and personnel record management processes are effective and compliant.

Leadership & Strategy

• As a key member of the senior leadership team, contributing to organisational strategy and decision-making.
• Advise the SLT and Board on financial and operational implications of strategic initiatives.
• Translate financial data into clear, actionable insights for non-financial stakeholders.
• Lead and mentor finance and operations staff, fostering professional development and accountability.

This job advert may close earlier than first advertised if enough suitable candidates are received.

Southall Community Alliance (SCA) is a charity that has been working in Southall for
over 30 years. We seek an enthusiastic and experienced Operations & Capacity
Building Manager to oversee the project work of our charity over the next two years.
We are looking for a candidate with excellent interpersonal skills, community
engagement and fundraising experience and the confidence to manage and deliver
projects that will extend our work and enhance local networks.
You will report to the SCA Director and be part of the growing SCA staff team.
Title: Operations & Capacity Building Manager
Salary: £36,000 per annum
Duration: Full time, two year fixed term contract, with the possibility of an
extension subject to review.
Location : Southall Town Hall, 1 High Street, Southall, UB1 3HA
Annual leave : 25 days

Job Description
1) Managing delivery of SCA’s funded projects and project related staff
2) Community outreach and engagement with a diverse range of residents and
stakeholders
3) Work with adults and young people to arrange training on community
campaigning, capacity building and equality issues
4) Promoting work on social media or website to share good practice and case
studies
5) Arranging arts and creative activities to engage young people
6) Prepare publicity to promote awareness of activities arranged in partnership
with statutory and community based partners
7) Preparing agendas, minutes and other relevant materials relating to SCA
projects
8) Supporting the recruitment and supervision of volunteers
9) Provide support for preparing monitoring, performance and evaluation reports
relating to project activities
2
10) Identify and apply for funding opportunities to sustain SCA projects and core
work
11) To ensure inclusion and diversity in all aspects of SCA’s operation and work
12) To report to the SCA Board of trustees and advisory boards, as required
13) To undertake other such duties as may be assigned by the SCA Director from
time to time

The Operations Director is a  senior leadership role at St Stephen’s, helping turn vision and strategy into effective day-to-day delivery. A highly relational role, combining strong operational leadership with collaboration, trust-building and a genuine care for people. The person we are looking for will lead across people, finance, systems, buildings and operations helping the church respond to the Holy Spirit and deliver our mission well.

Director of Finance and Operations
 Arts & Cultural Organisation
London / Hybrid
Salary: Competitive

A unique opportunity has arisen for an experienced and strategic Director of Finance and Operations to join a respected international arts and cultural organisation at a pivotal stage in its development. This is a senior leadership role, working closely with the executive team and board to strengthen operations, improve organisational effectiveness, and support the delivery of an ambitious programme of work.

The organisation operates from a central hub in central london and works with a wide network of partners, artists, funders and stakeholders. It is entering a period of growth and is seeking a commercially aware, operationally focused leader who can bring stability, structure and forward planning to the organisation.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the day-to-day operational management of the organisation across finance, facilities, HR, governance and administration

• Working closely with the executive leadership team to deliver organisational strategy and ensure operational alignment

• Oversight of the listed building and facilities team.

• Supporting budgeting, financial planning and resource allocation across programmes and functions

• Overseeing HR, organisational development and team structures

• Ensuring effective governance, risk management and compliance with relevant regulations

• Building strong relationships with funders, partners and external stakeholders

• Supporting the organisation through  with a focus on sustainability and long-term growth

The successful candidate will:

• Have significant senior leadership experience in operations, finance or general management

• Be qualified accountant

• Be comfortable working in a complex or multi-stakeholder environment

• Bring strong organisational, financial and strategic planning skills

• Have experience strengthening processes, systems and governance

• Be an effective relationship builder, with strong communication and influencing skills

• Be adaptable, hands-on and comfortable operating in evolving or ambiguous environments

This is an excellent opportunity for a senior leader who is motivated by purpose-led work and is excited by the challenge of shaping the operational future of a creative, international organisation.

This is a demanding role where you will support the Fundraising Director in effective management of the fundraising teams across our UK centres and the central expertise in Trusts, Major Gifts and Partnerships.

You will assist the Fundraising Director to plan and organise a broad range of fundraising activities; formulating and adjusting plans as required.  Additionally, the Fundraising Director will depend on you to lead or assist on specific projects.   
 

You will act as gatekeeper regarding access for fundraising teams to the Fundraising Director which will involve utilising strong understanding and sound judgement skills across a number of activities.

The Finance & Operations Manager is a senior leadership role responsible for the financial sustainability, compliance and operational effectiveness of the charity. The postholder will lead all aspects of financial management, including budgeting, forecasting, rent and service charge accounting, housing benefit income and statutory reporting.

Alongside this, the role has strategic responsibility for office and refuge operations, including facilities management, health and safety, and central administrative systems.

The Finance & Operations Manager will work closely with the Director, Senior Management Team and Board of Trustees, manage key external relationships, and line manage finance and operations staff.

Due to the nature of work and focus of LBWP, the organisation considers the candidate’s race and gender, to be an occupational requirement in accordance with Parag. 1, Schedule 9, of the Equality Act 2010. Therefore, this post is open only to Black and minoritised i.e. Global Majority, women.

About the role

Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) is responding to the largest emergency in our 40+ year history. Over the last two years support for our cause has seen significant growth in income as tens of thousands of supporters have joined MAP, including individuals, trusts, foundations and corporates. Our challenge now is to retain this interest and ensure we sustain income as we respond to the ongoing emergency and the longer-term health of Palestinians over the coming years. With an ambition to be a £50m organisation by 2028, the supporter operations and insights team will play a vital role in enabling over one million Palestinians to access improved healthcare annually by 2028.

We’re looking for a strategic and people‑focused leader to head up our Supporter Operations and Insights team. A newly expanded team, this senior role will ensure our supporters receive an outstanding experience, while overseeing supporter operations, supplier management, data quality and insights. You’ll work closely with Fundraising and Finance colleagues to ensure income is processed accurately; deliver insights that drive decision‑making; and ensure operations are compliant and effective.

Many of our systems and processes are on a journey to be made fit for purpose, including a new CRM (MS Dynamics) which is currently being implemented with the support of the Digital, Data and Technology team within the Chief Operating Officer’s team.

If you’re an experienced leader with a passion for supporter experience and a commitment to MAP’s mission and values, apply now. We will be reviewing applications as we receive them.

What is the role about?
This role leads the teams that look after our supporters behind the scenes and on the front line. You’ll make sure every supporter has a positive experience, that donations are handled accurately, and that we use data and insight to continuously improve how we work.

What will you be responsible for?
You’ll lead supporter care, operations and the performance and insights teams, manage key suppliers, work closely with Finance on income reconciliation, and turn data into insight that shapes fundraising decisions. You won’t manage the CRM system itself, but you’ll work closely with the CRM Technical lead and Head of Data and Insights to ensure supporter needs are met as we continue to embed a new CRM.

Who is this role for?
This role is ideal for an experienced leader, or manager who has the potential to step up, and is from a charity or customer‑focused organisation. You will enjoy improving supporter experience; strengthening operations; and using insight to drive results — all while contributing to MAP’s work dedicated to the health and dignity of Palestinians living under occupation and as refugees.

How to Apply

Please submit your CV and Supporting Statement (no longer than 2 sides of A4) before the deadline of 9:00 am GMT on 16th February 2026 on our career's page.

Interviews will take place: 1st stage on Microsoft Teams w/c 23rd February and 2nd stage in person w/c 2nd March 2026.

If you have any questions, or reasonable adjustment requests at any point in the application and recruitment process, please contact recruitment team. 

Equal opportunities

MAP aims to be an equal opportunities employer and we are determined to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, age, disability, religion, belief, sexual orientation, marital status, or race, or is disadvantaged by conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be justifiable.

Background checks

As an organisation MAP is committed to the welfare and protection of children and vulnerable adults. MAP will conduct appropriate background and references checks. Link in that safeguarding and ethical conduct.

Disclaimer
 
**MAP reserves the right to close this advert before the confirmed closing date when we are in receipt of sufficient applications.     
 **We would therefore advise interested applicants to apply as early as possible. Due to the high volume of applications, we receive, we are unable to respond to every application. If you have not heard from us within two weeks of the deadline, then you have not been successful in shortlisting

Location:  London 

Location type:Hybrid

Reporting to:  Director of People and Operations

Annual salary:  £50,000 to £55,000 GBP per annum, depending on experience

Contract type:  Permanent

Working hours:  Full-time, 35 hours a week

Candidate level: Manager

Closing date: Monday 23rd  February, 9:00 am CET

Background

Lumos Foundation works to realise every child’s right to a family by transforming care systems around the world. Our vision is a world in which all children grow up in safe and loving families within supported communities. Founded in 2005 by author J.K. Rowling, Lumos partners with governments, civil society, and young people with lived experience to transform care systems globally and advocate for family-based solutions that help children thrive.

We ensure that families receive the support they need to stay together or reunite, and that children grow up in family-based settings such as foster or kinship care, not institutions. Despite clear evidence of the harms of institutionalisation, more than 5 million children worldwide continue to live in institutions. And a much larger number of children are at risk of family breakdown and separation – those living in poverty, experiencing domestic violence and abuse, and living in countries affected by conflict. We are ambitious for children. In the next 10 years, Lumos will enable 500,000 children in care to return to family-based care and prevent 10 million children from experiencing family breakdown and separation – so that they can thrive in their own families. Working with local, national, and global partners, Lumos supports government-led transformation of childcare systems across Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America- driving systemic and sustainable change.

Lumos’ ambition for children is significant and will require the organisation and its partners to work in new ways, with a pace, drive, and urgency that this moment demands, and that children everywhere deserve. Lumos’ success will continue to be based not just on what we do, but on how we do it – our values. We embrace collaboration. We strive for excellence. We show respect. We always care. And we are passionate. We are Lumos.

Purpose of role

Lumos is entering an exciting period of strategic transformation to strengthen our operational foundations, refine our systems, and enhance our capacity to deliver on our mission to realise every child’s right to a family. The Senior Operations Manager plays a pivotal role in building the operational foundations and risk-aware culture needed for success both now and as the organisation prepares for the future.

As a delivery partner to the Director of People & Operations, the Senior Operations Manager leads the implementation of agreed operational priorities, strengthens country office and partner capability, and ensures that operational standards, policies, and practices are consistently embedded across existing and new geographies. The role provides independent oversight and assurance across operational risk, safety, security, and safeguarding, working closely with delivery teams while retaining the authority to challenge, escalate, and inform senior decision-making.

This is a senior, hands-on role for someone who thrives on systems thinking, coordination, and execution, and who is motivated by turning risk awareness, data, and lessons learned into practical organisational improvement that strengthens organisational resilience and impact.

Primary responsibilities

Operational leadership & delivery

• Act as a senior delivery partner to the Director of People & Operations, leading the implementation of agreed operational priorities.
• Coordinate cross-functional operational delivery across Operations, Safeguarding, and Security.
• Deputise for the Director of People & Operations in internal and external forums as appropriate, with delegated authority.

Global safety, security & incident management (focal point)

• Act as Lumos’ organisational focal point for safety, security, and travel risk, coordinating risk management frameworks, systems, and oversight across the organisation.
• Work closely with, and oversee the delivery of, Lumos’ global safety and security consultant(s), ensuring clear scope, quality outputs, and effective follow-through.
• Monitor safety and security incidents across the organisation, ensuring appropriate recording, escalation, follow-up, and learning.
• Coordinate incident response in line with agreed protocols, working closely with country teams and external security specialists.
• Lead lessons-learned processes following incidents and ensure recommendations are embedded into systems, guidance, and practice.
• Support the implementation and monitoring of safety and security standards across country offices and partners.

Safeguarding & PSEA (operational oversight)

• Provide operational oversight and coordination of safeguarding and PSEA frameworks, working closely with specialist safeguarding focal points, leads, and consultants while the recruitment and scoping of a Global Safeguarding Lead is planned across 2026.
• Monitor implementation of safeguarding and PSEA standards, policies, and training across country offices and partners.
• Support incident tracking, information management, and follow-up actions, ensuring confidentiality, proportionality, and appropriate escalation.
• Contribute to organisational learning and continuous improvement in safeguarding practice.

Risk management, contingency & assurance frameworks

• Lead the development, implementation, and refinement of operational risk management and risk assessment frameworks across Lumos.
• Ensure consistent approaches to risk identification, mitigation, escalation, and assurance across countries, partners, and programmes.
• Maintain and monitor operational risk registers, ensuring risks are actively reviewed and managed.
• Coordinate comprehensive contingency planning, crisis protocols, and organisational preparedness.
• Support due diligence and risk assessment processes for partners, vendors, programmes, and new geographies.

Programme, MEAL & risk integration

• Work closely with Programme and MEAL teams to embed operational risk, safety, security, and safeguarding considerations into programme design, delivery, and monitoring.
• Support the development of proportionate, decision-useful KPIs related to operational risk, duty of care, safety, security, and safeguarding.
• Strengthen alignment between operational risk management and programme assurance and learning processes.

Operational systems, policy tracking & insurance

• Lead the development and improvement of operational systems, trackers, workflow,s and dashboards to strengthen consistency, quality assurance, and organisational insight.
• Maintain and oversee policy trackers across Operations, Safeguarding, and Security, ensuring review cycles, ownership, and implementation are monitored.
• Develop operational reporting, audit, and monitoring mechanisms that complement existing MEAL, programme, and governance systems.
• Support audits and internal reviews by maintaining clear documentation and evidence.
• Ensure strong information management and data protection practices are embedded.
• Oversee coordination of Lumos’ global insurance arrangements (e.g., travel, medical, liability), including renewals, compliance tracking, and liaison with brokers and insurers, under the direction of the Director of People & Operations.

Country office & partner capability building

• Work closely with Country Directors, operational focal points, and partners to embed global operational, safeguarding, and safety/security frameworks locally.
• Support capacity building through guidance, tools, training coordination, and structured follow-up.
• Provide practical support and constructive challenge to strengthen compliance, confidence, and consistency.
• Balance global standards with appropriate local adaptation.

Performance insight, reporting & organisational learning

• Develop and maintain dashboards and reporting that provide visibility on operational risk, safety, security, safeguarding, and organisational readiness.
• Provide clear insight to the Director of People & Operations and Executive Team on trends, incidents, risks, and areas for improvement.
• Support organisational learning through analysis of data, incidents, audits, and reviews.

 Project management & continuous improvement

• Lead or coordinate project management for time-bound operational initiatives
• Identify capacity gaps, monitor progress, and escalate risks.
• Translate lessons learned into updated frameworks, tools, and guidance to support continuous improvement.

Profile

The postholder will:

• Build effective, trusted relationships across Lumos, using strong relational skills to influence, support, and challenge constructively without becoming adversarial.
• Steward a strong, proportionate and risk-aware culture, where operational, safety, security and safeguarding risks are understood, named and managed well.
• Strengthen operational systems and frameworks for monitoring, assurance, and learning across risk, safety, security, and safeguarding.
• Develop clear, decision-useful dashboards and reporting that improve visibility of risk, incidents, readiness, and organisational resilience.
• Build confidence and capability across country offices and partners through guidance, coaching, constructive challenge, and follow-up.
• Advise and guide senior leaders and teams with sound judgement, evidence, and insight, supporting timely and well-informed decision-making.
• Embed operational risk, safety, security, and safeguarding considerations into programme design, delivery, and monitoring, while retaining appropriate independence and assurance
• Translate data, incidents, and lessons learned into practical improvements that strengthen systems, readiness, and organisational impact.

Essential experience

• Demonstrable experience operating at a senior level within operations, risk, safeguarding, security, or organisational assurance functions
• Experience coordinating complex, cross-functional workstreams across multiple teams or locations
• Experience providing oversight, assurance, or quality control
• Experience incident response, escalation, and lessons-learned processes
• Experience building or strengthening systems, frameworks, or organisational infrastructure

Desirable experience

• Experience working within or alongside programme delivery teams.
• Experience in international, multi-country or partnership-based organisations.
• Experience overseeing consultants or specialist providers.

Personal characteristics

• Strong alignment with Lumos’ mission, values, and commitment to duty of care.
• Emotionally and relationally confident, able to build trust and rapport across diverse stakeholders.
• Able to influence, support, and challenge constructively.
• Calm, pragmatic, and thoughtful when dealing with risk, incidents, or sensitive issues.
• Sound judgement in identifying, naming, and escalating risk appropriately.
• Collaborative and credible working with senior leaders, country teams, and partners
• Comfortable operating with independence.
• Resilient and adaptable in evolving or ambiguous organisational contexts.
• Curious and committed to learning and continuous improvement.

Safeguarding statement

Lumos recognises that the rights of safety and security are aligned with its core mission for children, families, and communities. Effective and robust safeguarding sits at the heart of our mission and values, and accordingly, Lumos is committed to ensuring the safety and protection of children and adults at risk in all of its work. We expect all staff, associates, and volunteers to share this commitment. Lumos has a zero-tolerance approach towards all forms of abuse, bullying, harassment, and sexual exploitation. Lumos is a member of The Misconduct Disclosure Scheme and will carefully screen all applicants. Offers of employment are subject to checks and suitable references.

All staff and associates must:

• Carry out all duties with an awareness and understanding of Lumos safeguarding and PSEA requirements
• Ensure work complies with all safeguarding and PSEA policies and procedures
• Ensure that their behaviours and actions support the safeguarding of children, young people, and adults at risk as appropriate.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion statement

Lumos is wholly committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion and against all forms of discrimination.

We are committed to creating and sustaining a positive working environment that encourages, supports, and gives a voice to all, so that we can best support the children we serve.

We must ensure that all staff are equally valued, included, empowered, and respected across the organisation and in everything we do. Lumos is fundamentally built on diverse, multi-national and multicultural teams.

This is something we cherish as a key strength and an integral part of our identity. Our organisation values and celebrates the diversity, culture, and experience of each member of staff, provides equality of care, and support to everyone.

We pledge to listen carefully, to educate ourselves continually, to promote open dialogue, and to seek out and deal with discrimination and prejudice wherever it occurs in Lumos.

· The deadline for applications is Monday 23rd February, 9:00 am CET ·

Upsall International actively promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion. In recruiting candidates, we seek candidates with the proven skills required, irrespective of race, gender, religion or belief, age, disability, or sexual orientation.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone with excellent strategic, analytical and leadership skills to join Impetus as an Investment Director and support us in our mission to transform the lives of young people.

The Investment Director (ID) is a key member of the Investment Team, playing a leading role in identifying, assessing, and supporting portfolio partner charities and other non-profit organisations to deepen their impact and scale their outcomes. This role works closely with other Investment Directors and Investment Managers to deliver external facing support to portfolio partners as well as internal projects to support the development of the investment model and portfolio strategy.

Investment Directors use strategic thinking, analytical rigour, and senior relationship skills to support a portfolio of amazing organisations that, together, will help shift the life chances and outcomes of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in the UK.

About the Investment Team

The Investment Team is responsible for selecting portfolio partners, managing our charity investments and supporting our portfolio partners to improve and scale their impact.

The Investment Team also leads the Impetus Leadership Academy, a leadership development programme to support talent from ethnic minority backgrounds in the UK youth sector to progress into senior leadership roles.

The team is made up of 18 people, including former teachers, charity chief executives, charity impact leads, management consultants, social investment portfolio managers and impact consultants.  

The team is led by a Portfolio Director who sits on the Senior Management Team. The Portfolio Director has 5 direct reports: a Deputy Portfolio Director, three Sector Leads (who lead our work in School engagement, School attainment and Employment Sectors) and an Impact Lead. Sector Leads line manage 6 Investment Directors. Investment Directors line manage Investment Managers (currently 5). Investment Directors and Investment Managers tend to primarily focus on a sector but might have mixed portfolios, depending on need, experience and interest.

The Investment Team has a good track record of role progression. All four Leads and a number of our Investment Directors were promoted from within the team.

The team is passionate, rigorous, determined, creative and warm. We come from a range of backgrounds and bring a broad mix of perspectives.  We care deeply for our colleagues, our portfolio partners and the young people we serve.

About this role

We believe that all young people deserve to succeed in school and in work, whatever their background. As we enter a challenging time with rising inflation and a likely recession, our work feels more vital than ever before. We are pleased to be able to expand our team to support our growing portfolio of charity and non-profit partners, in order to reach and impact more lives. The role of Investment Director presents an exciting opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the charities we serve, the team itself and the whole of Impetus.  

Key responsibilities

Finding high potential charities and non-profit partners for our portfolio

• Identifying potential charitable organisations for investment 
• Leading in-depth due diligence process within the scope of a grant round, to assess and build partnership foundations with potential partners – covering leadership and governance, and their impact, scale, and partnership potential; 
• Modelling from first contact of origination, our approach to engaged and trust-based investment management support;
• Developing and presenting high quality investment propositions to our Investment Committee.

Managing partnerships with portfolio partners

• Managing relationships with partner Chairs and CEOs 
• Agreeing Service Funding Agreements, including appropriate annual investment milestones to allow for a clear assessment of re-investment potential at end of phase 
• Regularly monitoring and assessing partner progress / risks against milestones and making evidence-based recommendations on progression or exit to Leads, Portfolio Director and the Investment Committee
• Escalating key risks on performance, leadership and safeguarding 
• Conducting annual partnership review with Sector Leads and partner CEOs
• Working with Impetus Finance colleagues to ensure timely distribution of grant payments, in line with Service Funding Agreements. 

Supporting portfolio partners 

• Providing direct support to CEOs and senior colleagues on key strategic topics, using a mix of at least monthly one-to-one meetings and group facilitation to:
  • clarify theory of change,
  • define long term ambition,
  • develop growth strategy
  • achieve a step change in the delivery and performance management of outcomes,
  • strengthen leadership (individual and collective) and governance capabilities,
  • develop path to scale,
  • build financial resilience;
• Scoping and project managing pro bono capacity-building projects (in addition to providing direct management support). Ensure projects are delivered to a high standard and contribute to charity progression;
• Identifying engagement opportunities for our donors and supporters with portfolio partners that are aligned with the partner’s activities and do not distract or undermine their core work;
• Collaborating with the Impetus Philanthropy team to support the development of additional funding opportunities for portfolio partners, enhancing their ability to deliver impact at scale;
• Effectively leveraging the support of investment managers to advance the objectives developed for each portfolio partner that is managed by an Investment Director.

Support to Impetus

• Developing expertise about “what works” in the sector through cultivation and use of expert input and engagement as well as investigation into key research and evaluative literature;
• Contributing insights and learning from portfolio work to inform Impetus’ strategy, model and delivery;
• Contributing to internal priorities and working groups (e.g. team strategy discussions, digital improvement initiatives, or equity, diversity, and inclusion)
• Contribute towards Impetus’ public affairs and philanthropy objectives through input into case studies, research and policy campaigns, donor reports and fundraising events
• Sharing the learning from our work across the team, across the organisation and externally working within Impetus strategy and agreed forums
• Engaging in Impetus pro bono, communications, and advocacy events, and engage portfolio partners appropriately in these events.
• Where appropriate, line-managing and supporting Investment Managers on the team to grow and develop, and achieve their project, role and team objectives.

Person specification

Essential

• A commitment to Impetus’ mission.
• Senior level responsibility and a strong track record of building trust-based relationships with senior stakeholders, advising them on key strategic decisions, and challenging them in a respectful and collaborative manner.
• A talent for strategic thinking around complex issues.
• Strong financial acumen and analytical skills.
• Understanding of impact measurement and evaluation fundamentals.
• Tenacity and initiative.
• Ability to flex personal style to needs of charity and leadership.
• Growth mind-set to seek out and act on feedback.
• Proven ability to work independently, and to exercise good judgment.
• Strong planning and time management skills.
• Interest in partnering closely with charities that are doing what it takes to get better.
• A commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

If you don't tick all these boxes, but still feel that you fit the profile, please apply anyway.

Desirable

• Experience in the non-profit (charity or social enterprise) sector, through work, as a pro-bono volunteer or Trustee capacity.
• Experience in consulting, investment management, senior charity management, or other in-depth grant making and advisory work.
• Knowledge and expertise in UK education or youth employability sectors.
• Board experience in private, public or third sector.
• Understanding of or experience with commissioning impact evaluations.