Director of operations jobs

Associate Director of Fundraising and Communications

Are you a commercially minded leader and inspiring people manager? Are you at a professional level where you’re ready to deliver a step-change for a leading and major Welsh cancer charity?

We’re looking for an Associate Director of Fundraising and Communications who is primed to play a major role as the driving force behind a new era of income growth and brand influence in the Third Sector.

Working 35 hours per week in a hybrid role you can work effectively from home with a willingness to regularly network across Wales and attend Cardiff City Centre Head Office as the nature of the role requires.

The Role

You’re a people focused leader with a passion for driving transformation to spearhead our income growth and elevate our brand. This is a high impact, critical and senior leadership role where you’ll have direct responsibility for financial performance and leading integrated functions to ensure no opportunity for impact is missed.

You’ll balance high-level strategic leadership with a hands-on approach to delivery. From identifying and converting high-value corporate partnerships to leading a multi-disciplinary team across fundraising and marketing, your work will directly fund essential cancer services across Wales. You’ll use data-driven insights to sharpen our performance and generate income to make a difference to our communities across Wales.

Reporting into the Director of Income Generation, Marketing and Communication, you’ll take ownership of a significant portfolio. Your mission is clear: transition our fundraising into a more commercially focused, insight-driven operation—with a specific mandate to build a powerhouse corporate and high-value income stream.

We welcome informal and confidential candidate conversations about the role before the 30th June closing date. Candidates will need to be available for an in-person interview at our Cardiff Head Office on the 14th July.

Please take a look at the Recruitment Pack by clicking on Apply or on our website when considering your application. Your application should demonstrate your motivation for the Associate Director of Fundraising and Communications role and how your skills and experience are a great match for the role and how you align with our values.

Key Responsibilities and What You’ll Bring

• Strategic & Proven Growth: You’ll lead the development of integrated fundraising and comms strategies that don't just "hit targets" but deliver measurable, sustainable growth. You’ve a demonstrable track record of delivering significant income, with expertise in corporate or high-value fundraising.
• Empowering & Senior Leadership: You’ll manage and develop a high-performing team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and clear accountability. You’ve experience operating at a senior level with clear accountability for budgets, forecasts, and ROI.
• Corporate Powerhouse & Integrated Strategy: You’ll build and convert a high-quality pipeline of corporate partnerships capable of generating consistent five and six-figure streams. You’ve a background in leading combined fundraising, marketing, and communications functions within complex environments.
• Brand Amplification & Sector Experience: You’ll ensure our marketing and communications are strategically aligned to support income generation and strengthen our reach and impact across Welsh communities. You’ve ideally a deep understanding of the Third Sector and the Welsh political landscape, specifically regarding how cancer services are funded and delivered.
• Performance, Insight & Team Development: You’ll move beyond gut feeling using data and market intelligence to drive ROI, manage robust forecasts. Reporting directly to the Director of Income Generation, Marketing & Communications you’ve a natural ability to lead and nurture high-performing, agile teams who share and live out our values through behaviour.

What You’ll Need to Succeed

• Proven Track Record: You’ve delivered significant income growth, specifically within corporate or high-value fundraising environments.

• Senior Gravitas & Influencing Power: You’ve experience operating at a senior level with full accountability for financial performance and budgets. You demonstrate highly developed skills to build credibility and influence at a senior/Board level.

• Commercial Sharpness: You can spot an opportunity, build the case, and close the deal with the ability to spot and convert income opportunities at pace.
• Strategic Integration & Data-Driven: You’re experienced in leading multi-disciplinary teams across fundraising, marketing, and communications and proficient in using insight and data to drive decision-making
• Welsh Context: A gained understanding of the Welsh political landscape and how cancer services are funded/delivered in Wales.

• Communication & Values: You’re a confident, engaging communicator for diverse audiences. You share our values and role model them through your behaviour as a compass in how you and your team work.

At Tenovus Cancer Care we’re guided in all that we do by our core values. These are: Collaborative, Integrity, Innovative, Respectful and Inclusive. We’re dedicated to making our workplace diverse and inclusive where everyone feels they belong and can be their authentic selves at work. This means that whatever your background you’ll have an equal opportunity with us.

We can’t wait to receive your application! We’d love you to find out more about our staff benefits , about us and what it’s like to work with us.

Applying is easy, just click the ‘Apply Now’ button at the top of the page and follow the online process on the Tenovus Cancer Care website. If you’d like any help with your application or to discuss any adjustments you may need please contact our People Team.

We are seeking an Operations and Resource Manager to provide effective day-to-day operational leadership across the life of Wesley’s Chapel and Leysian Mission, ensuring that people, property, systems and resources are managed well in support of the organisation’s worship, mission, heritage, community activity and public engagement. The role will combine practical operational management with strong oversight of HR, finance, property contracts, compliance and safeguarding, helping the organisation remain well run, responsive and able to grow and change over time.

Wesley’s Chapel and Leysian Mission is a thriving, inclusive, diverse and active Methodist Church and Circuit and a significant historic site in Central London. As the first Methodist Church built in London, and the headquarters of John Wesley, the site includes: the Chapel, the Museum of Methodism, John Wesley’s House, John Wesley’s tomb, as well as meeting rooms, offices and a resident community.

Job Title: Director’s Assistant & HR Coordinator

Hours: 28 hours per week (4 days)               

Salary Scale: £32,591 – £35,524 pro rata*

Duration: Permanent

Pension: 6% employer pension contribution

Holiday: 26 days plus bank holidays pro rata 

Reports to: HR Manager

The appointment is subject to a satisfactory DBS check 

We particularly encourage and welcome applications from people from backgrounds which are underrepresented in museums and galleries, including people from low-income backgrounds, people from Black, Asian and ethnically diverse backgrounds and disabled people.

*Appointments are made at the start of the salary scale, with annual pay progression based on satisfactory performance. In addition, the salary scale is reviewed annually in the light of cost of living and operational budgets.  

About the Role

The South London Gallery is seeking an organised, proactive and personable Director’s Assistant & HR Coordinator to provide essential support to both the Director and the HR Manager. ​

This varied and rewarding role combines coordination and administrative assistance across the SLG’s people and culture function with crucial administrative and PA support for the Director. The postholder will play an important role in ensuring the smooth running of day-to-day operations, supporting staff and organisational processes, and contributing to a positive, inclusive and collaborative working environment.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to develop their career in people management, arts administration, or organisational development. 

The closing date for applications is Monday 29 June, 12pm. Applications received after that time cannot be considered.

An online information session about the role will take place on Thursday 18 June, 6pm. Further information is available on our website

Entelechy Arts is seeking to better reflect the communities we work with​​. This means we want the people that run the organisation to have personal experience of the disabling barriers that many of our community face, and who understand the systems we seek to change​​. 

This role will require passion for social justice and advocacy for many of the most marginalised people in our society. If you self-define as d/Deaf or Disabled and have lived experience of the challenges facing our communities, then please get in touch. 

This is an opportunity to work with our members, our team, our board and our community of artists to help drive our ambitions forward. We will be flexible around your ​​support needs and workplace access requirements. We are open to considering co-leadership proposals, so long as at least one person has the lived experience detailed above. 

What you can bring:

You do not need to meet everything on this list (we will provide support for learning new skills), you just need ideas, energy and lived experience.

● A deep understanding of and advocacy for the power that creativity can have in transforming people’s lives.

● Commitment to collaboration with a core team of 8 staff and key freelancers to cocreate Entelechy’s vision.

● Passion for fundraising, identifying funding opportunities and new sources of income.

● Ability to work with a diverse board of trustees and wide range of funders.

● Knowledge of the creative health world, and drive to build relationships with other arts organisations, charities, and service providers.

● The desire to build confidence (your own and the team’s) and to hold overall responsibility for all aspects of the organisation and its representation externally.

Deadline:

Monday 29th June at 5pm

Salary: 

£52,000 (£65,000 per annum, pro rata 4 x days per week). 

Benefits include 25 days annual leave pro rata, and workplace pension. 

Start date: 

We know that changing jobs, relocating, or making life changes can take time, so we are flexible with a start date​.​ 

ABOUT BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME:

With a mission to enrich the cultural life of our region, Birmingham Hippodrome is one of the most popular theatre complexes in the UK, welcoming over 600,000 people each year. Varied productions in our 1,850-seat auditorium (dating from 1899), and in our 200-seat Patrick Studio ensure we play a key role in the region’s world-class cultural scene. With c.400 live performances annually in our main house, we present nothing but the best in touring musical theatre, ballet, dance, opera, pantomime, drama, and comedy. Our Patrick Studio welcomes a range of smaller-scale productions and is an important base for dance and for the development of new artistic work.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

Job Title: Director of People & Culture            

Department: Directors

Job Title of Line Manager: CEO & Artistic Director    

Direct Reports: Head of People, Culture and Talent

Contract: Permanent, Full-time, 37.5 hours per week

Location: Onsite at Birmingham Hippodrome with flexibility for hybrid working

Salary: £75,000 - £80,000 per annum

The Director of People & Culture sits within the Executive Leadership Team and, along with the Artistic Director & Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Director of Creative Programmes, Director of Operations and Executive Director. The Executive Team are responsible for striving towards achieving the vision to create ‘a distinctive, world-class Birmingham cultural scene with the Hippodrome at its heart’ and succeeding in the mission to ‘provide that “goosebumps” feeling through memorable and extraordinary experiences’.

The Director of People & Culture plays a key strategic leadership role in shaping an inclusive, values-led and high-performing organisation where people can thrive. Working as part of the Executive Leadership Team, they lead the development of people, culture and talent strategies that support Birmingham Hippodrome’s mission, people and future growth, while also acting as a key liaison with the Board on people and culture matters.

ABOUT YOU:

You’ll need significant senior leadership experience in People/HR/OD, including with people strategy, organisational strategy, workforce planning, and culture change. You’ll have strong experience of employee relations, consultations, restructures, change leadership, and employment law; plus strong experience of leading EDI&B, managing senior stakeholders, and advising executive leaders and Boards. You’ll have a CIPD Level 7 or equivalent, and ideally additional accreditation in areas such as mediation and leadership development. You’ll also need financial leadership skills with the ability to control organisational people spend and manage budgets.

TO APPLY:

For full details of the role and the person specification, please view the candidate pack.

Recognising under-representation in our workforce of the global majority, and people with disabilities, we particularly welcome applicants from those backgrounds.

If you would like to arrange a time to have an informal discussion of the role with one of our Directors, please email us to arrange this. We politely request no contact from agencies. 

Join Kingston Hospital as our new Director to lead a well-established NHS charity and drive forward both fundraising income and impact for Kingston & Richmond NHS Foundation Trust.

Applications close at 9 a.m. Friday 26th June.

Who we are

Kingston Hospital Charity is the dedicated charity for Kingston & Richmond NHS Foundation Trust. Working closely with clinicians and teams across Kingston Hospital and local community services, we raise and steward charitable funds to enhance care and the experience of patients and their loved ones—above and beyond what NHS funding alone can provide. Our support helps create welcoming, healing environments, invest in innovation and technology, and strengthen staff wellbeing and development so that exceptional care can be delivered every day. Relaunched in 2017, the charity brings together grateful patients and families, community groups, businesses, trusts and philanthropists who want to make a tangible difference for local healthcare.

About the role

The Charity Director will provide strategic and operational leadership for Kingston Hospital Charity. Reporting to the Board, the postholder will lead the charity’s growth, profile and impact, ensuring charitable income is maximised to enhance patient care, staff wellbeing and innovation beyond core NHS funding. There is a real focus on securing major gifts to successfully deliver trust strategic priorities and other funding opportunities as well as expanding the charities’ reach and impact.

Key responsibilities include:

• Setting and delivering the charity’s long-term vision and strategy
• Leading income generation across fundraising, partnerships, philanthropy and grant funding
• Building strong relationships with clinicians, NHS trust leadership, donors and community stakeholders
• Ensuring excellent governance, financial stewardship and regulatory compliance
• Leading and developing a high-performing charity team
• Acting as a senior ambassador and advocate for the charity locally and regionally

Who we are looking for

We are looking for a senior fundraising leader to lead a small but ambitious charity team and drive income growth. You will need:

• Senior leadership experience in charities, fundraising or a relevant sector
• A strong track record of income growth and strategic development
• Experience in building relationships with high-net-worth individuals
• Outstanding stakeholder management and relationship-building skills
• Credibility operating at the Board and executive level
• Commercial acumen combined with a strong values-led approach
• Passion for improving healthcare outcomes and patient experience

This role offers a high-impact opportunity to shape the future of a well-established NHS charity and make a tangible difference to local health services.

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Friday 26th June.

For further information about the role and to register your interest, please visit the Peridot Partners page and contact our advising consultants.

The International Programme Officer will report to our Deputy Director/Global Operations Director and will work closely with personnel and partners in different countries where WW supports development programmes, to ensure the work we support is aligned with WW’s strategy, and that the delivery of our work has impact, is on track and is in line with donor agreements and budgets

Could you lead Babbasa into its next chapter?

Babbasa is one of Bristol’s most recognised youth empowerment organisations, supporting talented young people from low-income and ethnically diverse communities to progress into employment, education and enterprise.

Founded in 2010, our name comes from an ancient African word meaning “ordinary people coming together to act as a support bridge.” That belief continues to shape everything we do.

Over the past 15 years, we have supported more than 4,000 young people, built powerful partnerships across business, education and civic sectors, and received national recognition including the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for Promoting Opportunity through Social Mobility.

We are now entering an important new phase.

Following a period of organisational reset and renewal, Babbasa is implementing a bold and focused 2026 strategy centred on:

• A single Integrated Youth Empowerment Programme

• A stronger, values-led organisational culture

• A modernised operating model and digital infrastructure

• Sustainable growth and long-term impact

We are seeking an exceptional Managing Director to succeed our Founding Director and help lead Babbasa through this next chapter with clarity, discipline, compassion and ambition.

About the Role

As Managing Director, you will work closely with the Board, senior team, employees, partners and young people to:

• Provide strategic and operational leadership across the organisation

• Embed Babbasa’s new integrated programme model

• Strengthen financial sustainability, governance and organisational resilience

• Build trusted relationships with funders, employers, civic leaders and community partners

• Support and develop a committed, ambitious team

• Champion Babbasa’s manifesto and values of Kindness, Imagination and Determination

• Act as a visible and credible public leader for the organisation locally and nationally

This is a unique opportunity to lead a respected social mobility organisation at a pivotal moment in its journey.

Who We’re Looking For

We are looking for a values-led and emotionally intelligent leader who combines strategic thinking with strong operational capability.

You may come from the charity, social enterprise, education, youth, public or private sectors, but you will bring:

• Senior leadership experience within an organisation or service

• Experience of leading teams through change, growth or transition

• Strong financial, governance and operational management capability

• Experience of building partnerships, securing funding and/or developing income streams

• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills

• A genuine commitment to improving outcomes for young people

• A collaborative and inclusive leadership style

An understanding of the barriers faced by people living in ethnically diverse and/or low-income communities is vital.

Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application. We are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this role. 

Why Join Babbasa?

At Babbasa, you will join an organisation with:

• A nationally recognised social mobility mission

• Deep roots within Bristol’s communities

• A strong manifesto and values-led culture

• An ambitious and committed Board and team

• Significant opportunity to shape the future direction of the organisation

We believe talent should never be limited by background — and we are looking for a leader who shares that belief.

Additional Information

• 23 days annual leave plus bank holidays

• Pension contribution scheme

• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements

• Evening and occasional weekend representation required

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

Babbasa is proud to be an equal opportunity organisation. We actively encourage applications from individuals from underrepresented communities and backgrounds. We believe our diversity strengthens our work and helps us better serve the young people and communities we exist to support.

Babbasa exists to ensure that talent is never limited by background. Join us in building a more inclusive and opportunity-rich future.

The Director of Audiences role is a new role at Freelands Foundation, and the successful candidate will be first in post. They will be joining us at a time of growth and opportunity, as we start planning for a major building refurbishment to re-open as a “centre for visual art education” with the needs of our audiences embedded into our plans and designs. All this while still delivering programmes and awarding grants that create positive change across our sector, including our flagship £1.5m Freelands Awards and our expanding Freelands Studio Fellowships with UK universities.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Audiences is responsible for one of the three core pillars of the Foundation. Alongside the Director of Programmes and the Director of Finance and Operations, they form the organisational leadership team who are responsible for delivering the Foundation's mission.

The Director of Audiences will lead the cohesive development and delivery of all Freelands Foundation's audience-facing work, delegating and managing delivery where appropriate, and ensuring that our audiences are identified and served in ways that meet our strategic objectives and align with our values.

They will lead the Audiences department that currently comprises the Head of Digital, Graphic Designer and Digital Content & Communications Coordinator.

Closing date: 12pm (noon) Tuesday, 30 Jun 2026

Would you like to shape the future of people leadership across a major national charity? Are you an experienced People Director who has led at senior level in a complex organisation and knows how to turn strategy into delivery? Can you bring the clarity, pace and judgement needed to lead a broad People function spanning operations, talent, reward, workforce planning and people insight?

Reporting to the Executive Director of People and Culture, we are looking for a Director of People to lead and integrate our People function, ensuring we have the right structures, capability and culture in place to deliver our organisational priorities. This is a senior leadership role for someone who has already operated at Director level, with direct experience of leading and managing a senior People/HR team. You will bring strong experience from a charity or not-for-profit organisation or a personal connection to the Armed Forces Community through service, family or lived experience.

We will only be considering candidates who are able to evidence the following criteria. Please See the Job Descriptions for more information:

- CIPD qualification at MCIPD or FCIPD level.
- Operated at Director level, with responsibility for leading a People/HR function in a complex organisation.
- Directly leading and managing a senior People/HR team.
- Significant experience working within a charity/not-for-profit organisation or a personal connection to the Armed Forces Community (serving, veteran, reservist, spouse/partner or family member).
- London-based, hub worker (2 days per week in London).

Come and be part of the leading Armed Forces charity, making a difference to the lives of those who have served to keep us safe and protect our way of life.

In this role, you will:

- Lead the organisation’s People strategy, ensuring alignment with wider organisational priorities and future capability needs
- Oversee a full People function including HR operations, business partnering, talent, reward, learning and people data
- Act as a key advisor to the Executive team on workforce planning, organisational design, change and people risk
- Build strong leadership capability across the organisation and ensure managers are equipped to lead their teams effectively
- Use data, insight and evidence to shape decisions and improve organisational performance

This is a high-impact leadership role where you will have the opportunity to shape how we attract, develop and retain our people, while strengthening leadership capability and driving a consistent, high-quality people experience across the organisation. You will be joining at a time where there is real focus on building for the future, giving you space to influence, modernise and make a visible difference.

You will be contracted to our Haig House hub, with a minimum expectation of two days per week working in person at the hub. Please note that this in-person requirement is non-negotiable. Outside of these days, there is flexibility to work remotely/from home when not on site.

Employee benefits include -

- 28 day’s paid holiday (plus bank holidays) increasing with service, with optional annual leave purchase scheme of up to 5 working days
- Private Healthcare
- Enhanced paid maternity, paternity and adoption leave
- Generous pension contributions, with Employer contributions ranging from 6% to 10%
- Range of flexible working options may be available, depending on your role
- Employee Assistance Programme providing confidential counselling, financial and legal advice
- Range of courses delivered by learning specialists to support your development goals and objectives
- Opportunities to volunteer
- Travel loans, Cycle to Work, and more!

For more detailed information about the role, please see the Job Description attached to our direct advert. Our teams take a personalised approach to shortlisting, which is carried out without the use of AI and is based on the evidence provided in your application against the essential and desirable criteria in the Person Specification.

RBL is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive organisation, reflecting the diversity of the armed forces community and of wider society. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and personal characteristics.

As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interview schemes for candidates who declare an Armed Forces connection and/or a disability. However, candidates are only eligible for this scheme if their application clearly demonstrates that they meet all of the essential criteria listed in the Person Specification for the role.

We may close this vacancy early if we believe we have enough strong applications to be able to successfully fill the role(s). Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

About the team

Please note, this is a 12 month fixed term contract (materity leave cover). The salary for this post is £47,043 (for London, including London weighting) or £45,373 (for Cardiff, including regional weighting).

This role can be based in our Stratford Office (2 Redman Place, Stratford Cross, London E20 1JQ) or our Cardiff Office (Suite 1, 9th Floor, Brunel House, 2 Fitzalan Road, Cardiff, CF24 0EB)

This role requires a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

We have big goals over the next few years.

We're going to be fighting for mental health in a way we never have before.

Together we'll be working to make sure everyone experiencing a mental health problem gets the support and respect they deserve.

Team information

Will you join us?

This is a rare opportunity to step into a high-impact role at the heart of Mind's Social Impact Directorate.

We bring together teams across policy, campaigns, research and evaluation, systems insight, equity partnerships, national services, network relations, and communications, including our work in Mind Cymru. Together, we work to drive meaningful change in mental health through insight, influence and delivery. Our work is ambitious and complex, and we're continually evolving how we plan, connect and deliver that work.

As our Impact Directorate Operations Manager (maternity cover), you'll sit at the centre of this, working closely with senior leaders and teams across the directorate to ensure our priorities are clear, coordinated and delivered with momentum, while connecting into the wider organisation where needed.

We're looking for someone who can do more than just keep things running smoothly. Yes, this role is about excellent operational grip, planning and delivery but it's also about connecting people, energising teams, and helping to create a bold, collaborative culture where great work can thrive.

You'll play a pivotal role in:

-Turning strategy into action, supporting teams to plan and deliver effectively

-Joining the dots across programmes and teams, bringing clarity and alignment

-Shaping how we work, strengthening systems, processes and ways of collaborating

-Creating the conditions for great work, where people feel connected, supported and able to do their best

This is an influential role with visibility across the directorate and beyond. It's ideal for someone who thrives in complexity and enjoys making things work better.

Key duties and responsibilities

The post holder will:

Support delivery and performance across the directorate

-Bring clarity and structure to directorate priorities, ensuring alignment with Mind's strategy

-Monitor progress across programmes, tracking milestones, outputs, outcomes and budgets

-Identify risks, challenges and dependencies early, and support teams to address them

-Produce clear, insightful reporting to support senior leadership and governance decision-making

Support effective planning and programme management

-Work with teams to scope, plan and manage their work, including timelines, resources and dependencies

-Embed practical tools and approaches (e.g. Smartsheet) to improve visibility and coordination

-Help make complex work feel manageable by improving planning, prioritisation and flow

Act as a connector and trusted partner

-Build strong, trusted relationships across teams, directorates and the wider federation

-Bring people together to align priorities, solve problems and support decision-making

-Act as a trusted partner and sounding board to the Executive Director and directorate senior leadership team, helping maintain focus, momentum and connection

Strengthen governance and continuous improvement

-Support effective governance processes, including board and committee reporting

-Ensure performance, risks and impact are clearly understood and communicated

-Use data, insight and learning to improve how the directorate plans and delivers its work

-Identify opportunities to strengthen systems, processes and ways of working

Shape ways of working and culture

-Promote collaborative, inclusive and connected ways of working

-Help create a dynamic, open and supportive environment where people can do their best work

-Support teams through change with clarity, empathy and momentum

-Champion continuous improvement and a solutions-focused mindset

About you

You're someone who thrives in complex environments and enjoys bringing order, energy and connection to them.

You'll likely bring:

-Strong experience supporting delivery of complex programmes or portfolios

-Excellent project or programme management capability

-Proven ability to build relationships and influence at all levels, including senior leaders

-Confidence working across boundaries, connecting people, teams and ideas

-Strong judgement, balancing strategic thinking with hands-on delivery

-A commitment to collaboration, continuous improvement and inclusive ways of working

Most importantly, you'll care about how work gets done, not just what gets done.

Mind's equity statement

Mind is committed to equality of opportunity for all staff, and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

Please refer to the Job Description while completing your application as candidates will be shortlisted based on how closely they match the criteria in the personal specification.

About NEON 

NEON is a not-for-profit organisation committed to accelerating social movements. We build capacity and infrastructure to accelerate the transition to a new economy. We work across a wide range of progressive issues including climate, housing, healthcare, and migration and we support over 1,000 organisers across the UK working towards political, environmental, and social justice. Our theory of change is rooted in understanding both the strategies, stories, and structures required to sustain a movement. Short term, this results in improved movement infrastructure, skills, and connections; long term, it leads to robust relationships and movement alliances capable of systemic change. 

Context

NEON’s People & Operations Hub makes sure all our internal systems run smoothly and that our team is happy, high-performing and cared for. The People & Operations Hub brings together people, culture, operations, fundraising and finance, and plays a key role in making sure NEON is both high impact and a joyful place to work, at the heart of this is ensuring our values of respect, generosity and solidarity and anti-oppression principles are embedded into all internal practices.

As part of this, we’re currently looking for someone to support us for a defined period of time to review and refresh some of our core operational and compliance areas, and support us with discrete ops tasks as they arise. This includes reviewing, updating and embedding key systems and processes so that they are clear, usable and consistently followed across NEON. Alongside this, we want to create a NEON-wide handbook, so that we have a simple accessible place where people can find everything they need to know about how we do things at NEON. We also want to strengthen our guidance around event safety, both online and in-person, so staff feel comfortable and supported when planning and delivering work. It’s crucial for us that this work is developed in collaboration with the People & Operations Hub as well as the wider team. 

Who we’re looking for

We’re looking for someone who is comfortable moving across operational and compliance work. Someone who has a solid understanding and experience in delivering high-level health and safety, data protection, IT and systems work, and other operational aspects of running an organisation, and can turn that into something practical, usable and genuinely helpful for our team. Someone who is self-motivated, comfortable working independently, and able to take ownership of pieces of work from start to finish

We’d love someone who has experience working closely in or within people and operations teams in small- medium sized not-for profits or charities, and who knows how to take complex or messy systems and make them simpler, clearer and easier to embed in day-to-day practice. We’re looking for someone aligned with our values of respect, generosity and solidarity and is well-versed in including anti-oppression principles into operational work. Someone who is motivated by working in a values-led organisation where decisions factor in culture, trust and care as well as the technical elements.

This person should be confident reviewing and improving systems and understands and is experienced in working closely with other people to do this, whether that’s with the Director of People and Operations to receive direction or troubleshoot, working alongside our Ops Assistant to put things into practice and draw on their organisational expertise, or engaging the wider team to elicit their ideas and challenges, and incorporate them into improvements. Similarly someone who is able to work with external support we have in place around IT, HR and data protection and translate their recommendations into practical action.

They’ll need to be able to hit the ground running and pick up discrete pieces of work, working thoughtfully and collaboratively with a team that’s juggling lots of different priorities. Aside from improving key pieces of work, the other core part of the role is bringing people with them, which will involve coaching and mentoring skills, a learning and development approach, and helping others feel confident taking on and owning this work.

Above all, we’re looking for someone who understands how to make organisations compliant and well-run in a way that feels proportionate, caring, and realistic for a team of our size. Someone who can embed these pieces of work, without overcomplicating things, and who can foster a sense of shared ownership. We’re also looking for someone who really cares about how operational work is truly embedded and put into practice across organisations, who thinks carefully about what happens after their involvement or support ends and knows how to build internal capability so work doesn’t stay dependent on them.

 

Key deliverables

By the end of the service period, the following outputs will have been delivered and fully embedded into NEON’s ways of working:

IT and systems

The freelancer will complete a high-level review of NEON’s current IT systems, identify key risks and gaps, and produce a set of recommendations. 

Outputs will include working with the People & Operations Hub to lead implementation and embedding of agreed improvements across tools and ways of working, including an improved GDrive structure, Google Workspace and IT security improvements and an IT and phones policy.

Data protection

The freelancer will complete a high-level review and strengthening of NEON’s GDPR and data protection approach.

Outputs will include updated core policies (GDPR policy, privacy notice, retention policy) and practical guidance to support consistent implementation across the organisation. It also includes delivery of staff training and further strengthening of our “Data Champions”.

Event processes

The freelancer will assess our current event-related practices (online and in-person).

Outputs will include clear, practical recommendations, strengthened guidance for managing event safety and risk in practice and staff training and support.

Health and safety

A review and update of NEON’s health and safety approach will be completed to ensure policies and processes are clear, practical and consistently applied.

Outputs will include an updated H&S policy, incident reporting process, risk assessment templates, and a simple event safety framework with guidance and checklists. It also includes delivering staff training and embedding of H&S practice across the organisation, including clarification of roles and responsibilities.

AI policy and guidance

The freelancer will research and develop NEON’s approach to AI use across the organisation, considering best practice, risks, opportunities, and the impact of AI on staff and NEON’s work. It should also include thoughtful consideration of the harms and ethical concerns associated with AI.

Outputs will include engagement with staff to understand current use and concerns, alongside the creation of clear and practical AI guidance and an organisational AI policy to support safe, thoughtful and consistent use of AI tools across NEON.

NEON Handbook

A NEON-wide handbook will be created, bringing together key processes, guidance and signposting to essential organisational information in one accessible place.

The handbook will be co-developed with staff and People & Operations Hub members to ensure it reflects day-to-day practice and is maintainable internally after completion.

Day-to-day operations support

The freelancer will provide additional operational capacity to support the Hub with emerging priorities, and time-sensitive pieces of work that arise during the contract period.

Outputs may include support with operational problem-solving and decision making, maintaining processes and procedures, providing subject knowledge expertise, maintaining documentation and other discrete operational tasks agreed with the Director of People and Operations.

A key part of this work will be ensuring that all outputs and improvements are properly embedded within the People & Ops Hub and the wider organisation. This includes creating clear documentation, guidance, training and handover processes so that NEON staff can confidently hold and maintain this work after the consultancy ends.

 

Timescales and fee schedule

The freelancer will be appointed and ready to engage from the end of July/ start of August 2026. We expect this work to be completed across two-three days per week for up to six months, ideally finished by the end of January or February 2027 (depending on start date). There may be a possibility of extension if other relevant and discrete projects arise and in agreement with the Director of People and Operations.

 

Call out information required

Interested freelancers are asked to provide the following information in response to this call out:

1. Brief career history and details of relevant assignments undertaken (this could be in the form of a CV)

2. A statement not exceeding 800 words on your proposed approach to the deliverables, including:

   1. Your technical and subject matter expertise

   2. Your personal style and approach to working with others

   3. How you will embed our values of respect, generosity and solidarity and anti-oppression principles into the deliverables

3. Your day rate, indicating whether VAT is payable (please note our indicative day rate that is aligned with our internal budget is £375)

4. A clear commitment to undertake the work within the timeframe set out above

5. Two testimonials from suitable clients or professional partners

The deadline for submissions is Sunday 28th June 11.59pm

Please find email address for submission of applications on our website.

We may wish to discuss submissions with you on Monday 6th July or Wednesday 8th July 2026. We will inform you if this is the case.

For any further information or clarification prior to submission, contact us at our website.

The COO will translate BLiM's mission and strategy and ensure its well-run, properly resourced, with its ambitious day-to-day delivery. You will free the CEO to focus on strategic leadership and external influence by owning operations, people management, financial oversight and internal systems.

The COO will be a senior leader who shapes organisational culture, makes operational decisions, manages complex stakeholder relationships and drives the performance of a passionate, high-commitment team. You will be the person the organisation looks to when it needs clarity, stability and momentum.

The COO joins at a moment of leadership transition following the departure of BLiM's co-founder and Director of Operations.

Why Join Us:

Black Lives in Music (BLiM) is a not-for-profit dedicated to advancing racial equity across the UK music industry. We amplify the voices of Black artists, music professionals and communities; drive systemic change; and hold the industry accountable for meaningful progress. Through research, advocacy, programming and strategic partnerships, BLiM creates the conditions for Black talent to thrive.

BLiM has published ground-breaking research including the Being Black in the UK Music Industry report, produced the UK's first Black classical music festival in Classically Black, influenced government policy on live music licensing, and built a network of over 100 partner organisations across the four nations. BLiM is now entering a new phase of its development, with a strengthened leadership team, a Target Operating Model designed to carry the organisation beyond its founding era, and an ambition to become the UK's most influential voice for racial equity in music.

Person Specification 

Essential

• Significant experience in a senior operational leadership role, ideally as a COO, Head of Operations or Director of Operations in a charity, social enterprise or purpose-driven organisation.

• Demonstrable track record of building and improving operational infrastructure: systems, processes, policies and ways of working that make organisations more effective and resilient.

• Proven people management experience, including line management of senior staff, performance development, recruitment and team culture-building.

• Strong financial literacy, including experience of budget management, grant compliance, financial reporting and working with a board finance function.

• Experience of leading or supporting governance processes, including board reporting, risk management and compliance.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex operational information into clear, accessible reports and presentations for senior stakeholders.

• A genuine, demonstrable commitment to racial equity and an understanding of the specific systemic barriers faced by Black professionals, artists and communities.

• The emotional intelligence and interpersonal skill to lead with care, build trust quickly and navigate complex relationships under pressure.

• The resilience and adaptability to thrive in a small, fast-paced, mission-driven organisation where the work is varied, the stakes are high and no day is the same.

Desirable

• Experience of working in or with the music industry, creative industries or arts and culture sector.

• Familiarity with Arts Council England funding frameworks, charity law and the regulatory environment for non-profit organisations.

• Experience of implementing or managing a CRM system, project management platform or other operational technology.

• Knowledge of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) frameworks and how to embed inclusive practice into operational systems and culture.

• Experience of leading an organisation through a period of significant change, transition or growth.

• An existing network within the UK music sector, creative industries or racial equity and social justice space.

At BLiM, we're interviewing on a rolling basis, so we'd encourage you to apply sooner rather than later!

To be considered for a first interview, please include a Cover Letter with your application. This initial conversation will be relaxed and informal, and we'll take you through the full interview process together so you know exactly what to expect at every stage.

The Deputy Director (Operations & Finance) is a new position in the organisation that will lead the day-to-day running of the organisation, bringing together operations, HR, governance, finance oversight and property management under clear, reliable leadership. Working closely with the Director and deputising in their absence, you will line-manage teams across finance, buildings, studios and administration, and act as Company Secretary to the Board of Trustees.

Beyond keeping the organisation running well, you will play a central role in what comes next including delivery of our 3–5-year strategic business plan, securing a permanent home for the charity, developing Not Another Art School as a scaled income stream, and supporting our pathway toward Arts Council England NPO status.

This is a hands-on, generalist leadership role. You will need to be equally comfortable reviewing a lease, running a Board meeting, troubleshooting an IT system and supporting a member of staff sometimes all in the same week.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead governance and compliance acting as Company Secretary, coordinating Board activity, managing statutory filings, and overseeing health & safety, GDPR, and HR frameworks
• Oversee day-to-day operations across studios, galleries, offices, and project spacesLead on all HR processes recruitment, contracts, appraisals, and staff support for a team of ten
• Manage financial oversight alongside the Finance Manager: budgets, cash flow, management accounts, year-end, and funder reporting
• Develop and manage property relationships lease negotiations, landlord liaison, new site acquisition in line with agreed strategy
• Support fundraising applications and funder compliance, and contribute to building diversified income across earned revenue, trusts & foundations, and public funding
• Drive delivery of the strategic business plan, including NAAS development and ACE Illuminate audience data preparation

WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR

You don't need to come from the arts sector, but you do need to be operationally excellent, values-driven, and genuinely excited by what TBFAF is becoming. We are looking for someone with strong experience running operations in a small organisation, solid understanding of governance and finance, confidence managing teams, and the breadth to hold a wide remit without dropping the ball.Experience in property or facilities management, HR management, and familiarity with fundraising applications are all desirable, alongside arts, charity, or cultural sector experience and experience working with Boards of Trustees.