Head of finance and business administration jobs

We are looking for a passionate, dog welfare and training literate, manager to energise, inspire and lead Chilterns Dog Rescue Society into the future

CDRS is a successful and established dog rehoming charity working from our ‘state of the art’ Rescue Centre near Wendover, Bucks.

Our passionate staff, volunteers and members are striving to make life better for our dogs using their kindness and expertise.

This is an exciting opportunity to drive the charity forwards and shape it for the future

Will you join us and make life better for dogs?

Job Title: Head of Dog Rehoming Charity

Reports to: Board of Trustees

Location: Bromley Heights Rescue Centre HP23 6LD

Salary: £35-40k

Hours: 40 per week on an agreed rota (includes weekends and bank holidays)

Contract type: Permanent, full-time

Responsibilities

Be responsible for all aspects of the Charity - dogs, people, facilities ,compliance and finances

Manage the charity and the skilled staff within it

Optimise the rescue of dogs and maintain the high quality of care currently in place

Drive the marketing, brand awareness and fundraising of the charity

Actively promote high standards of care with the staff and volunteers

Support and co-ordinate the volunteers, foster carers and members

About the team

We have an experienced team of 13 staff in place across the Charity. They are passionate about caring for the dogs and finding suitable loving homes for them in the next stage of their lives.

What we’re looking for

Essential

· A self starter with a  passion for improving the lives of the dogs in our care

· Proven senior leadership experience in a charity, animal welfare, or similar organisation.

· Strong understanding of animal welfare principles and UK legislation affecting rehoming charities.

· Demonstrated ability in strategic planning, team leadership, and financial oversight.

· Successful track record in fundraising, stakeholder engagement, and partnership building.

· Excellent communication, people management, empathy, and decision-making skills.

· Good listening skills and openness to staff proposals, suggestions. Utilisation of existing staff experience and qualifications

· Experience working directly in rescue, veterinary, or kennels environments.

· Knowledge of health and Safety and employment law

Desirable

· Knowledge of marketing, PR, and community engagement strategies.

· Qualification in charity management, business administration, or animal welfare.

What we offer

28 days holiday per year including bank holidays

Pension scheme

Lovely working environment in the Chiltern Hills at our modern rescue centre

A fulfilling and fun role rescuing dogs and giving them a better life

Interested? Here’s how to apply:

Application closing date: 21st June 2026

Interview date: 28th June 2026

Please note, we do not accept applications or speculative CVs from agencies.

Applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to avoid disappointment. Please note, applications received after the closing date may not be responded to.

If you’re enthusiastic about this opportunity but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every requirement, we encourage you to apply anyway and demonstrate how your experience is transferrable. You may be just the right candidate.

If successful, your recruitment journey will include:

anonymised application form and cover letter
In-person interview at the centre
Please note, the process may change slightly dependent on application numbers. We will inform you of any relevant changes.

Please email if you require any adjustments to be made for you to complete your application or to participate in the recruitment journey.

We operate a bias-free application process in our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. To assess your application quickly, fairly and objectively, please fully complete the qualifications and work history sections of our online application form.

Redacted CVs may be accepted by exception.

We believe being an inclusive, diverse organisation – where we welcome diversity of thought, value individuals’ experience and can reach and partner all areas of society – is crucial if we’re to help more dogs. Our ambition is to work together to promote a more inclusive environment, which attracts all candidates and signals our commitment to celebrate and promote diversity.

There’s a place for everyone at CDRS and we encourage applications from talented people across all communities.

CDRS is committed to safeguarding children and adults at risk and protecting anyone that comes into contact with us from harm. We expect all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. You may be subject to a criminal record check if required for the role

The Union of Students are looking for a Payroll Senior Coordinator to assist the Head of Finance in the smooth running of the Union Finance Department. They will be responsible for the accurate and timely processing of payroll, helping to maintain precise financial records, and ensuring compliance with all relevant payroll regulations. This role involves collaborating with the Human Resources team to manage employee data and contribute to the smooth operation of the wider finance team. The post holder will assist in the preparation of accurate and timely Financial Management accounts and oversee the Sales Ledger and Finance Coordinator role ensuring that the sales ledger invoices are accurate and income is received. They will pay attention to detail and can work in a busy environment and to tight deadlines. It is expected that they will provide cover for the finance team in periods of absence as other team members would be expected to provide cover for this role under the same circumstances. As a member of the Union of Students the post holder will contribute to and support the delivery of our Strategic Plan.

Main Responsibilities

Payroll Management

• Manage end-to-end administration of permanent and student payrolls using SAGE.
• Ensure full compliance with HMRC, pension and statutory requirements.
• Process monthly and four‑weekly payrolls, including timesheets, holiday pay and accruals.
• Maintain accurate payroll records, cost centre allocations and control account reconciliations.
• Complete all HMRC submissions (RTI, PAYE, P60s, P11Ds, P45s, Class 1A NI).
• Administer pension schemes, including monthly payments, annual reviews and statutory re‑enrolment.
• Manage payroll-related benefits including car parking deductions and healthcare schemes.
• Act as a payroll point of contact for staff, providing guidance and resolving queries.

Human Resources Administration

• Coordinate documentation for new starters and leavers, including right‑to‑work checks.
• Maintain accurate employee records across HR systems and master spreadsheets.
• Administer holiday entitlements, pro‑rata calculations and service‑based enhancements.
• Monitor sickness absence and trigger alerts in line with organisational policy.
• Act as first point of contact for routine HR queries and provide basic workforce reporting.
• Support day‑to‑day HR administration to ensure smooth organisational operations.

Financial Management & Reporting

• Support the Head of Finance in producing high‑quality, timely financial management information.
• Prepare monthly cost centre reports and ensure journals are accurate and submitted on schedule.
• Oversee sales ledger activity, ensuring invoices are accurate and income is received promptly.
• Identify and escalate financial risks or issues as they arise.
• Contribute to business case development and continuous improvement initiatives across teams.

The Union’s mission is to represent, support and empower students by championing their voices and interests at every level. Rooted in our values that we care for each other, we are better together, we share success and we are positive, we work to ensure every student feels included, supported and able to thrive. Through advocacy, collaboration and student‑led activity, we create opportunities for students to shape their experience, overcome barriers and make a positive impact within the University and beyond.

This is an exciting new opportunity to shape the future of technology and digital capability across five South West charities. We are seeking an exceptional Regional Chief Technology Officer who is motivated by both challenge and purpose; someone who can harness technology to make a tangible difference to how our faith-based charities support church communities.

Working across Bath & Wells, Bristol, Exeter, Salisbury and Truro, this role offers a rare platform to influence at scale. The successful candidate will lead a region-wide programme of digital transformation and process optimisation, helping modernise systems, strengthen cyber resilience and unlock efficiencies that release resources for mission and ministry.

This is not technology for its own sake. We are looking for someone who combines strategic insight with practical delivery; a leader who can translate complex technical possibilities into real-world improvements for staff, clergy and volunteers. You will play a key role in shaping the responsible adoption of emerging technologies, including AI, while ensuring strong governance, security and compliance.

Please note that, whilst the role will be primarily home-based, the post-holder will be required to travel regularly across the Southwest region, with an onsite presence in each organisation at least once per month.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership:

• Develop, articulate, and implement a shared digital transformation and technology strategy that is directly aligned with the overarching mission and strategic goals of the five dioceses.
• Act as the principal technology advisor to the Diocesan Secretaries and their senior leadership teams.

Process Mapping & Optimisation:

• Lead a comprehensive, collaborative review of key administrative and operational processes within the Diocesan Boards of Finance (DBFs) and in parishes where appropriate.
• Use process mapping techniques to identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and areas for improvement, and then design and implement optimised workflows.

AI & Responsible Innovation:

• Actively research, evaluate, pilot, and implement appropriate AI and automation tools to enhance efficiency, support fundraising, and improve service delivery.
• Ensure all innovation is undertaken responsibly, ethically, and with a clear focus on tangible benefits.

Stakeholder Management & Engagement:

• Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders across all five dioceses, including clergy, staff, and volunteers.
• Foster a culture of digital literacy and champion the benefits of change in a clear, accessible, and empathetic manner.

Project & Change Management:

• Oversee the full lifecycle of technology and process improvement projects, from initial conception and business case development through to delivery, user training, and final handover.
• Employ robust project management methodologies to ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget.

Qualifications, Training & Experience:

• Proven and extensive senior technology leadership experience (e.g., CTO, Head of IT, Director of Digital Transformation) with clear evidence of strategic impact.
• Relevant degree (or equivalent) in a technology-related discipline, with appropriate professional certifications in technology, architecture, project or change management, and membership of a relevant professional body.
• Strong track record in business process mapping, analysis and re-engineering delivering measurable efficiency gains.
• Practical experience evaluating, procuring and implementing modern technology solutions, including cloud platforms (e.g., Microsoft 365), CRM systems and data analytics tools.
• Experience in the charity, non-profit or similarly complex, values-driven sector is highly desirable. Demonstrable experience of, or well-informed and practical interest in, the responsible and ethical application of AI and automation in an organisational context.
• Significant experience in technology strategy, budget management, vendor negotiation and delivery of complex, multi-stakeholder programmes.

Competencies & Behavioural requirements:

• Exceptional communicator and translator: Able to convey complex technical concepts in clear, accessible language and influence a wide range of non-technical stakeholders with confidence.
• Strategic yet pragmatic thinker: Sees the big picture and aligns technology with organisational priorities, while remaining hands-on and focused on practical, value adding solutions.
• Collaborative and emotionally intelligent leader: Builds trust and consensus across diverse stakeholders and cultures, leading change with empathy, credibility and sensitivity.
• Resilient and delivery-focused: Proactive and self-motivated, with the drive and discipline to deliver complex, multi-year programmes and achieve measurable outcomes.
• Culturally astute and values-aware: Demonstrates understanding of, and respect for, the Church of England’s context, governance and ethos, navigating the environment with diplomacy and good judgement.

Our benefits include:

• Generous company pension
• A comprehensive health & wellbeing programme, inlcuding an Employee Assistance Programme 
• Paid volunteering & study leave allowace
• Company events
• Home working

Who are we?

We are SafeLives, the UK-wide charity dedicated to ending domestic abuse, for everyone and for good.

We work with organisations across the UK to transform the response to domestic abuse. We want what you would want for your best friend. We listen to survivors, putting their voices at the heart of our thinking. We look at the whole picture for each individual and family to get the right help at the right time to make families everywhere safe and well. And we challenge perpetrators to change, asking ‘why doesn’t he stop?’ rather than ‘why doesn’t she leave?’ This applies whatever the gender of the victim or perpetrator and whatever the nature of their relationship.

Last year alone, nearly 13,500 professionals received our training. Over 70,000 adults at risk of serious harm or murder and more than 85,000 children received support through dedicated multi-agency support designed by us and delivered with partners. In the last four years, over 2,000 perpetrators have been challenged and supported to change by interventions we created with partners, and that’s just the start.

Together we can end domestic abuse. Forever. For everyone.

About The Drive Partnership 

The Drive Partnership, established by Respect, SafeLives, and Social Finance in 2015, is working to end domestic abuse and protect victim-survivors by disrupting, challenging, and changing the behaviour of those who are causing harm. The Drive Partnership does this through the development of innovative perpetrator responses and advocating for systems and policy change to develop sustainable, national systems that respond more effectively to all perpetrators to increase the safety and freedom of all adult and child victim-survivors. 

Purpose

Following a four-year investment from the Home Office announced in July 2025, the Drive Project – the Drive Partnership’s flagship intervention for high-risk, high-harm and serial perpetrators of domestic abuse – will expand across all areas in England and Wales, with the vast majority of funding flowing directly to local perpetrator services and victim-survivor services by nature of the Drive Project’s model. 

To support the safe implementation of the expansion of the Drive Project intervention, we are seeking a proactive, solution focused individual to work with Drive Partnership and SafeLives, and our delivery sites to ensure our Data Protection policies and practice are up to date, and being consistently adhered to.

This is a new role and will spend two days working to support the Drive Partnership and one day to support SafeLives directly. For more information on SafeLives and the Drive Partnership, please see below.

The role is sensitive by nature and involves dealing with highly confidential and complex information.

Position context

This role sits within the Finance Department and is a critical support function across SafeLives and the Drive Partnership . The Data Protection Officer will be managed by the IT and Compliance Manager and will also work closely with the Head of Operations and Practice Advisors in the Drive Partnership, and , Heads and the Leadership Team to ensure the smooth operating of the business.

Responsibilities

• Data Protection
• Relationship Management
• Administration

Person Specification

Experience

Strong working knowledge of UK GDPR, Data Protection Act 2018, PECR, and ICO guidance and with relevant qualifications. Experience managing data protection compliance within a charity, public sector, or safeguarding‑focused organisation. Understanding of safeguarding principles, particularly relating to domestic abuse, confidentiality, and safe data‑sharing protocols.

Skills

• Ability to interpret legislation and communicate requirements clearly to non‑specialists.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with a meticulous attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce policies and understand complex procedures.
• Capacity to manage competing priorities and work independently in a part‑time capacity.
• High levels of integrity, discretion, and professional judgement when handling sensitive and data.
• Knowledge of secure data‑handling technologies and cyber‑security principles

Competencies

• Delivering quality
• Teamwork
• Communication & Relationship management
• Influence
• Innovation and creativity
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Communication and relationship management
• Self-management
• Goal orientation

Equality and Inclusion

SafeLives is committed to providing equal opportunities for all, irrespective of age, disability, race, sex, religion/belief, sexuality, gender identity, marital/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and working patterns. We are keen to have staff that appropriately represents all the communities we serve as an organisation.

Lived Experience

We believe there is no ‘them and us’ in domestic abuse, and recognise that applicants may have direct or indirect experience of their own, whether disclosed or not. We are committed to placing lived experience of domestic abuse at the heart of all we do, and colleagues who chose to share their personal expertise can do so openly and with organisational support.

If there is any discussion during the course of the recruitment process regarding a candidate's personal experience of domestic abuse, it will be treated confidentially and will not be shared outside of the interview panel/Human Resources.

Fundraising and Partnerships Manager (New Role)

Part‑time (22.5 hours per week)

About Emergency Nutrition Network (ENN)

Emergency Nutrition Network (ENN) works to reduce undernutrition globally. We enhance the effectiveness of nutrition policy and programming by improving knowledge, stimulating learning and building evidence. We are passionate about being network-driven, independent and evidence-based. 

Our vision is that every individual caught up in a nutritional emergency, or suffering from malnutrition anywhere in the world, gets the most effective help possible.  We undertake knowledge management, research, and advocacy to support national governments, civil society, UN agencies, donors and academic organisations, and communities of practitioners. Through our work and collaborations, we support agencies and individuals to implement evidence-based nutrition programming, predominantly in low- and middle-income countries and in fragile and conflict-affected states.

ENN is governed by a Board of Trustees and has its head office in Oxfordshire, UK. ENN is financially supported by foundations and trusts, bilateral donors, international non-governmental organisations and United Nations agencies. For more information about ENN see our website.

What we do

Our Strategy aims to enhance the effectiveness of nutrition policy and programming by improving knowledge, stimulating learning, building evidence, and providing support and encouragement to practitioners and decisionmakers involved in nutrition and related interventions.  ENN’s portfolio includes projects specialising in Infant Feeding in Emergencies, Wasting and Stunting, Adolescent Nutrition and Management of small & nutritionally At-risk Infants under six months & their Mothers (MAMI), as well as our highly regarded international publication, Field Exchange (FEX). 

The Role

This is a new opportunity to develop the role of Fundraising and Partnerships Manager to lead the identification, development and submission of new funding proposals, and to lead on relationship management with new and potential investors.   You will work closely with the technical and operation teams.

About You

Bringing your experience of funding development to ENN, you will be ready to jump in and progress work quickly to capitalise on critical time sensitive funding opportunities. You will be comfortable assessing diverse funding opportunities, building and maintaining partner relationships, coordinating the development of grant applications and proposals in line with organisational priorities, ensuring they are tailored to donor and investor motivations and interests.

Terms and Conditions

Hours of work: Part-time flexible working, up to 22.5 hours per week/ 0.6FTE

Type of contract:  Part time. 12 months fixed term contract initially

Location: UK/Remote - Flexible. Some hybrid working may be offered to candidates in proximity to ENN’s Head Office in Kidlington, Oxfordshire, OX5 2DN.

Benefits: Dental cover, Life cover, Employee Assistance Programme, Wellbeing contribution

Annual leave: 25 days pro rata plus UK bank holidays increasing by one day p.a. after two complete years of service to a maximum of 27 days p.a. (pro rata). Paid office closure days between Christmas and New Year

Pension:  Auto-Enrolment to ENN scheme with a generous Employer contribution of 5%

Salary:  The salary for this position is Band 4, circa £47,000 pro rata. 

Key Responsibilities

1. Lead on identifying and researching new potential investors in the private and corporate sectors to support a broader and more diverse funding base.

2. Work with the Technical team on finding and engaging with new opportunities and starting up discussion with potential new investors

3. Support relationship management with investors and potential investors, in coordination with relevant project leads.

4. Coordinate the development and submission of new funding proposals that fit with ENN’s strategic direction, working with technical and operations staff to prepare all required proposal documentation in line with funding guidelines and timelines.

5. Ensure due diligence checks are completed on potential funders and partner capacity assessments on potential subgrantees.

6. Maintain ENN’s ‘live’ funding database

7. Contribute to the review and development of ENN’s funding strategy

Person Specification

· Experience in working with a diverse range of donors or investors to develop funding opportunities.

· Experience developing compelling funding proposals that respond to the needs of potential investors and are in line with organisational strategy, values and expertise.

· Success in securing funding from a range of funders or investors – such as public, private, corporate, institutional, multinational banks, and experience of direct fundraising with major donors (trusts and foundations/high net worth individuals, corporates).

· Ability to represent ENN externally, broker connections and communicate with diverse range of investors.

· Ability to broker and coordinate inputs from team members across projects and a range of specialities (technical, operations, finance)

· Ability to understand donor proposal requirements/application guidance.

· Ability to manage a diverse and busy workload, prioritising effectively, and able to work both independently and as a member of the wider team.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, working well with other team members and stakeholders (both internal and external).

· Able to work creatively and deliver to deadlines. A self-starter, able to diagnose situations and constraints, comfortable when to progress independently and when to escalate.

· Excellent attention to detail.

• Fluent in English, verbal and written.

· Good cross-cultural awareness, knowledge, and its application to funding development.

· Data security and GDPR awareness.

Reporting Lines

Reporting to the Technical Director for Platforms

Supervisor for ENN fundraising associate volunteers

Eligibility to work

Must have the right to work in the UK at the time of application. No relocation package is offered for this role.

ENN is committed to diversity and inclusion, and to building a culture where every staff member and volunteer is recognised and valued as an individual.  We actively encourage applications from a broad range of experiences and backgrounds.

Application Process

Please submit a Cover Letter (no more than 1 page) and CVno later than 5 July 2026 (11:59 pm).  Early applications are advised as we reserve the right to conclude the process before the closing date if a suitable candidate is identified. 

About Adolescent Health Study

The Adolescent Health Study (AHS) is an ambitious new UKRI-funded initiative to establish a prospective, longitudinal population study that will generate a globally leading open science data platform and research resource. AHS aims to recruit at least 100,000 young people aged eight to 18 years from across the UK and to follow their mental and physical health and wellbeing over at least 10 years. It plans to collect data through questions and measures; to obtain bio-samples for a wide range of genomic and other high-throughput assays; and to capture linked data relevant to health and wellbeing from participants’ health, education and other administrative records. Recruitment will take place mainly through schools. There will be a strong emphasis on engaging with and involving young people, schools, parents and other relevant stakeholders in the design and delivery of the study, as well as on including young people that represent as wide as possible a range of backgrounds, experiences and characteristics. AHS will focus on enabling a wide range of research, including studies of the critical biological and social developments that occur during the transition from childhood to adulthood and the determinants of both mental and physical health and wellbeing in adolescents and young adults.

Purpose of the post

 The Procurement Lead is responsible for developing and delivering a robust procurement and commercial strategy that ensures value for money, compliance with Procurement Act 2023 regulations in line with AHS being primarily public funded and supports AHS study and operational objectives. The role will lead on sourcing, contracting, supplier management, and commercial governance, ensuring ethical, transparent, and efficient use of public funds.

Main responsibilities

Procurement Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and implement a procurement and commercial strategy aligned with organisational goals and funding requirements.
• Lead procurement planning across research programmes, operations, and corporate services.
• Act as a subject matter expert on public procurement policy and best practice.
• Drive continuous improvement in procurement processes, systems, and capability.

Tendering and Contract Management

• Oversee end-to-end procurement processes including tendering, evaluation, and contract award.
• Ensure compliance with UK public procurement regulations (e.g., Procurement Act and associated guidance).
• Draft, review, and negotiate complex contracts, including research, clinical, and grant-related agreements.
• Manage contract lifecycle including performance monitoring, renewals, and extensions.

Commercial Governance & Compliance

• Establish and maintain procurement policies, procedures, and governance frameworks.
• Ensure all procurement activities meet audit, transparency, and reporting requirements for public funding.
• Identify and mitigate commercial risks across supplier engagements.
• Support internal and external audit processes.

Supplier & Stakeholder Management

• Build and maintain strategic supplier relationships, ensuring high performance and innovation.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders (research teams, finance, legal) to understand needs and deliver value-driven procurement solutions.
• Work with external stakeholders including funders, partners and strategic advisors to develop optimum outcomes
• Provide commercial advice and guidance to senior leadership and project teams.
• Promote sustainable and ethical sourcing practices.

Financial & Value Management

• Deliver value for money through effective sourcing and negotiation strategies.
• Monitor procurement spend and identify cost-saving or efficiency opportunities.
• Contribute to budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning processes.
• Ensure funding is used appropriately, ethically and in line with public funding requirements.

Knowledge, skills and experience

Essential

Professional qualification in procurement or supply chain e.g., CIPS Level 5 or equivalent

Degree or comparable experience in business, finance, law, or related field.

Proven track record of managing complex procurement exercises and contracts.

Experience in procurement or commercial roles within regulated procurement environments, specifically those classed as a public authority

1. Strong understanding of UK public procurement regulations and best practice.
2. Commercial acumen with strong negotiation and contract management skills.
3. Experience of drafting and reviewing heads of terms and commercial agreements.
4. Knowledge of intellectual property (IP) considerations in research contracts.
5. Strong experience in supplier and stakeholder management.
6. Excellent analytical, financial, and problem-solving abilities.
7. Strong communication and influencing skills across all levels of an organisation.
8. Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities effectively.

Desirable

1. CIPS Level 6 or equivalent
2. Membership of a professional body (e.g., MCIPS or FCIPS).
3. Experience managing high-value and complex contracts, including collaborative or partnership agreements
4. Experience in procurement or commercial roles within charity and/or research sectors
5. Detailed understanding of intellectual property (IP) considerations in research contracts.
6. Detailed knowledge of the UK Procurement Act (or Public Contracts Regulations 2015 historically) and transitions between them.
7. Experience of drafting and reviewing heads of terms and commercial agreements.
8. Understanding of subsidy control, state aid, or funding compliance frameworks.
9. Ability to analyse procurement data and generate insights using tools such as Excel, Power BI, or similar.
10. Experience leading organisational change or transformation programmes in procurement.
11. Ability to build procurement capability across a non-procurement stakeholder base.

Dimensions

• This is a full-time role, 37.5 hours per week, offered initially as an 18-month fixed-term contract with potential route to permanency.
• Flexible working across several geographical locations in the UK.  Travel may be required to AHS locations and partner organisations.
• AHS is a national organisation, and our activities take place across the UK.

Application Process

All candidates are required to complete the application form which can be found when clicking 'Apply Now' via Charity Job.

Please refer to the ‘How to Apply’ section of the downloadable application form.

Please note that only applications submitted directly to Gravitate HR will be accepted for this position.

The closing date for applications is 11:00pm on Sunday 12th July 2026.

Interviews are currently expected to take place on Wednesday 20th and Thursday 21st August 2026.

Equal Opportunities Policy Statement

AHS is an equal opportunities employer, and as such aims to treat all employees, consultants and applicants fairly. It is our policy to provide employment equality to all, irrespective of:

• Gender, including gender reassignment
• Marital or civil partnership status
• Having or not having dependants
• Religion or belief
• Race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins)
• Disability
• Sexual orientation
• Age

We are opposed to all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination.  All job applicants and employees who work for us will be treated fairly and will not be unfairly discriminated against on any of the above grounds. Decisions about recruitment and selection, promotion, training or any other benefit will be made objectively and without unlawful discrimination. 

Values

It is an exciting time for the Adolescent Health Study (AHS) as we establish our senior leadership team and begin to plan the pilot studies. As the senior executive team evolves, the AHS values will be grounded in inclusivity, integrity, accountability, and collaboration.

Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Organisation: Happy Days
Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Location: Calderdale

Role Purpose

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) provides strategic and operational leadership across all frontline services, accommodation provision, organisational infrastructure, and compliance functions within the charity.

The COO is responsible for ensuring safe, trauma-informed, financially sustainable, and outcomes-focused delivery for individuals experiencing homelessness, poverty, health exclusion, addiction, and crisis.

The role leads operations across the charity’s accommodation portfolio, including winter shelter provision, general needs accommodation, supported accommodation, and intensively supported housing. The COO also oversees the operational platform of the charity’s support programmes, including a community café, community supermarket, crisis drop-in provision, and integrated health clinics.

Working collaboratively with the CEO, Board, statutory agencies, housing provider partners, and wider stakeholders, the COO plays a key leadership role in shaping organisational strategy, strengthening operational systems, embedding trauma-informed practice, and developing innovative models of support that improve long-term outcomes for individuals experiencing multiple disadvantage.

The COO provides executive oversight of, operational risk, health and safety, HR, operational systems, and service compliance, ensuring the organisation maintains robust standards of governance, accountability, and person-centred care across all services.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Operational Leadership

• Provide executive operational leadership across services and organisational functions
• Lead the delivery, development, and continuous operational improvement of:
  • Supported and temporary accommodation services (68+ properties)
  • Crisis and drop-in provision
  • Food programme and social supermarket
  • Winter shelter provision
• Translate organisational strategy into effective operational delivery plans
• Drive organisational improvement, innovation, and sustainable service growth
• Lead operational responses to emerging community need, organisational risk, and system pressures
• Support strategic planning, organisational development, and long-term sustainability
• Lead operational capital development initiatives across the organisation

Housing, Property & Supported Accommodation Executive Oversight of:

• Operational management, legal compliance, health and safety, quality assurance across all accommodation services
• Lead strategic partnerships with housing providers
• Manage delegated housing arrangements and supported housing pathways
• Maximise occupancy, sustainment, and positive move-on outcomes
• Oversee property-related risk management, maintenance coordination, and accommodation standards
• Lead the transformation and redevelopment of The Gathering Place, including partnership working with architects, infrastructure planning, and service design
• Oversee operational development planning for the Bramwell Booth building to support future service delivery and organisational growth

Safeguarding Operational Platform

• Lead organisational safeguarding strategy and systems
• Ensure SOP’s are in place to enable staff to respond effectively to complex needs including:
  • addiction
  • mental ill-health and physical health needs
  • dual diagnosis
  • homelessness
  • domestic abuse
  • offending histories
  • health exclusion
• Oversee serious incidents, risk management, and quality assurance processes
• Promote reflective practice, professional accountability, and safe service delivery
• Lead continuous safeguarding improvement and organisational assurance processes
• Support the organisation’s progression towards recognised safeguarding quality and excellence standards

Health Inclusion & Community Services

• Support development of innovative approaches addressing homelessness, substance use, poverty, and social exclusion
• Contribute to wider system responses focused on prevention, health equity, and community resilience

Corporate Governance, Compliance & Organisational Infrastructure

• Provide executive oversight of organisational governance, operational compliance, and corporate infrastructure
• Lead organisational responsibility for:
  • Human Resources
  • Health & Safety
  • Insurance and organisational risk
  • Operational systems and digital infrastructure
• Ensure robust organisational policies, procedures, and assurance frameworks are developed, implemented, and maintained
• Oversee compliance with employment legislation, health & safety standards, and contractual obligations
• Lead organisational risk management processes, incident oversight, and business continuity planning
• Ensure effective management of organisational insurance provision, liability protection, and risk mitigation
• Support governance reporting, operational assurance, and organisational accountability
• Develop quarterly Trustee and governance reporting packs in conjunction with Heads of Department and the CEO

Systems Development & Digital Transformation

• Lead the development and implementation of operational systems, reporting frameworks, and service infrastructure
• Design and embed systems that improve operational efficiency, safeguarding oversight, housing management, and service coordination
• Use data, insight, and performance analysis to improve outcomes and organisational effectiveness
• Support digital transformation, service modernisation, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Develop monitoring, evaluation, and impact reporting systems to support organisational learning and strategic decision-making

Leadership, Workforce & Organisational Culture

• Foster a high-performing, inclusive, and values-led organisational culture
• Oversee workforce planning, recruitment, retention, supervision, and staff development
• Promote staff wellbeing, reflective practice, and psychologically safe leadership
• Provide leadership oversight and strategic direction for volunteer services and volunteer programme development
• Support the organisation’s progression towards recognised volunteer quality standards, including the VSI Volunteer Excellence Award

Partnerships, Stakeholder Engagement & Representation

• Represent the organisation within strategic partnerships and multi-agency forums
• Work collaboratively with commissioners, funders, housing providers, and community partners

Financial Oversight & Sustainability

• Budget development and financial planning in conjunction with the CEO and Finance Team
• Support organisational sustainability through efficient service delivery
• Monitor operational performance, quality standards, and service outcomes
• Ensure effective governance, accountability, and operational compliance across all services

Person Specification

Essential

• Significant senior leadership experience within homelessness, housing, health, social care, community, or voluntary sector services
• Extensive operational leadership experience across complex, multi-service environments
• Experience leading services supporting individuals with multiple disadvantage and complex needs
• Strong understanding of safeguarding, trauma-informed practice, and organisational risk management
• Experience managing accommodation-based and community support services
• Experience overseeing HR, compliance, governance, and organisational systems
• Experience leading quality assurance, risk, and compliance frameworks
• Strong partnership and stakeholder engagement skills across statutory and voluntary sectors
• Experience managing operational budgets, compliance frameworks, and performance systems

Desirable

• Experience working within homelessness, substance use, or health inclusion services
• Experience working within housing such as a registered housing provider
• Understanding of public health approaches and health inequalities
• Knowledge of housing legislation, supported housing models, and safeguarding frameworks
• Experience with digital transformation, systems implementation, and organisational modernisation

Key Attributes

• Values-driven and strongly committed to social justice and health equity
• Strategic thinker with strong operational leadership capability
• Calm, resilient, and decisive in complex and high-pressure environments
• Compassionate and emotionally intelligent leader
• Strong communicator with the ability to influence across systems and sectors
• Innovative, solutions-focused, and collaborative
• Committed to continuous improvement, accountability, and inclusive leadership