Head of grant jobs in oxford, oxfordshire

We’re looking for a permanent full-time support officer to contribute their skills, experience, and personality to add value to our Blesma Support team within the Independence and Wellbeing department at Blesma, The Limbless Veterans. The role is a varied one, focusing on all aspects of welfare and support to our members. 

This home-based role is to support Blesma members in the South West of England by providing a lifeline to members by delivering effective wellbeing support and advice to help reduce the negative impacts of disability and to assist them in leading independent and fulfilling lives. The role also involves representing Blesma and enhancing the charity’s profile within the local community of your area of responsibility. 

The Independence and Wellbeing team works collaboratively across the Association to ensure Blesma’s programmes and services can help our service personnel, veterans and their families.

Blesma is unique as a membership Association as well as a charity. Our members are the heart of all our work – therefore, the impact of Support Officers is clearly visible in the experiences of our inspirational limbless veterans.

If you are interested, and live within the following post code areas, TR, PL,TQ, EX, TA, DT, BH, BA, BS, SN, GY, JE) please read the attached Job Description and apply with your CV and a Covering Letter detailing why you would be an ideal candidate for the role and how your experience and skills match those detailed in the Person Specification.

How to Apply

If you would like to apply for this exciting role, please read the attached Job Description and apply with your C.V. and a Covering Letter which must address the screening questions within the JD. The cover letter should demonstrate how you meet the essential criteria and competencies of the role. 

If you are uncertain about your suitability for this role, we encourage you to apply and allow us to assess your fit.

Please note that we may close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of applications.

 We look forward to hearing from you.

POST

Finance and Operations Manager

RESPONSIBLE FOR

Overseeing Operations at every level of the organisation, with line management responsibility for some of the team, Project and Workstream Coordinators (approximately 5 direct reports) plus some external consultants and contractors.

SALARY & HOURS OF WORK

Part Time – 4 days a week (30 hours)

Salary: Gross £40,000 pro rata £32,000

Term - Permanent 

Annual Leave Entitlement - 31 days including public and bank holidays Pro Rata

Pension: Workplace pension contributions of 5% per month will be paid by NUM

LOCATION OF THE POST HOLDER 

The post holder will be predominantly remote working but will be required to attend the head office and drop-in in Manchester, drop-in spaces in Glasgow and London, and support staff members nationally. The post involves some travel throughout the UK and some work outside of office hours.  All equipment required for remote working will be provided and costs for travel will be covered.

ROLE SUMMARY

We are looking for a Finance and Operations Manager to support the CEO in the day-to-day running of our charity. The NUM CEO develops the overall vision of the organisation, while the Operations Manager is responsible to carry out the vision. 

To be successful in this role, you should have experience as a manager in a position of public trust, have excellent financial, organisational, and communications skills, as well as being a problem-solver with work experience in high-pressure work environments. The Finance and Operations Manager must be versatile in their understanding of the larger vision and as well as the fine details and tactics needed to achieve NUM's goals.

The successful candidate will work in an agile manner to ensure the charity continues to be proactive and innovative, while also being responsive to the changing landscape within the sector and the international sex worker rights and safety movement. As part of supporting the operations of NUM, the successful candidate will provide resources, information and support to NUM Managers and Coordinators across diverse projects, workstreams and teams, to achieve aspects of the organisation’s mandate of 'ending all forms of violence against sex workers' and eliminating the conditions that lead to poverty and survival sex work.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE 

• At least 3 years' work experience as a Manager, Project or Programme Manager or similar role that requires oversight of a whole system, business, operation or organisation Experience leading remote or hybrid teams is desired. This includes time management skills, with the ability to prioritise tasks, lead team meetings and support members to manage resources, timelines and project budgets, etc. 

• At least two years’ experience in grant writing and fund development, as well as in financial management, with a demonstrated ability to co-develop budgets, cashflow forecasts and financial reporting as well as oversee banking activities and work with accountants and Trustees to ensure NUM’s financial health.

• Knowledge of the charity sector, the day-to-day running of a charity, business or similar organisation, and familiarity with the work of National Ugly Mugs and other sex worker-serving and sex worker-led organisations.

• Excellent leadership and delegation skills and experience. 

• Ability to support and execute on elements of NUM's policies and strategic plan. 

• Experience and training in Safeguarding and the ability to integrate appropriate safeguarding into all aspects of NUM services.

• Exemplary critical thinking and problem-solving skills and experience.

• Excellent IT skills and familiarity with CRM systems, applications and digital platforms and services, particularly Google Workplace, QuickBooks, the Microsoft Office Suite, as well as Slack, Trello, and other project management programs and tools.

• Experience in Human Resource Management and monitoring performance across diverse teams. 

• Exceptional verbal and written communications skills, with the ability to engage in knowledge translation within NUM and with external partners, funders and other stakeholders. 

• A demonstrated ability to be discrete and confidential as part of working on sensitive issues within a diverse staff team, and to be tactful and strategic in challenging social and political climates.

Harris Hill is delighted to partner exclusively with Consumers International, the only global membership body for consumer organisations, to recruit their new Lead, Fundraising and Development. Consumers International unites over 200 member organisations in more than 100 countries. As the independent voice for consumers worldwide, it works with Members and partners to advocate for safer, fairer, and more sustainable markets, from energy to digital goods, from food systems to circular economy solutions.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping the funding strategy and ensuring they have the resources to deliver real impact for consumers worldwide.

As the Lead, you will ensure there is a clear and robust strategy for Member engagement and outreach aligning with Consumers International organisational strategy.  You will also contribute to the development of a fundraising strategy that grows and diversifies income streams. You will identify and prioritise funding opportunities from foundations, trusts, and institutional donors and build and maintain a pipeline of prospects aligned with organisational objectives. You will lead the development of compelling, evidence-based proposals and grant applications that resonate with funders. You will also serve as the primary point of contact for funders, ensuring responsive, professional communication and support stewardship efforts by preparing reports, presentations, and donor updates.

To be considered for this role you will need:

• Proven track record in fundraising, business development, or partnerships, preferably within an international NGO, foundation, or advocacy organisation.
• Strong grant-writing and proposal development skills, with demonstrable success securing major funding.
• Experience researching and cultivating donor relationships, with strong understanding of the philanthropic sector.
• Exceptional written communication and storytelling ability, with keen attention to detail.

If this role sounds of interest to you and you want to have a chat and review the full job description, please do contact Dominic at Harris Hill via the apply button.

Salary: £40,000 - £50,000

Permanent, full-time

Location: Remote

Deadline: Monday 27th October at 9am
Application process: Cover Letter and CV

Please note that only successful applicants will be contacted with further information.

As a leading charity recruitment specialist and a certified B Corp™, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality, or other protected characteristics.

This role will play a key part in supporting MMHA’s successful campaigning, including supporting our maternal mental health councils project, and helping drive change so that women, birthing people, babies and families affected by maternal mental health problems can access the right care, at the right time, without discrimination.

Job purpose

Support planning, implementation, and evaluation of MMHA campaign and policy work to improve perinatal mental health care systems, policy and practice in the UK.

Main responsibilities

• Support policy activities relating to MMHA’s Maternal Mental Health Councils project.
• Assist with the production of campaign resources, including desk research, drafting copy, and proof reading.
• Read and summarise policy information, such as reports and carry out data analysis, to support MMHA’s evidence base.
• Lead political monitoring, keeping abreast of tracking relevant policy and political developments to identify opportunities and risks for MMHA’s campaigns and policy priorities.
• Support MMHA’s campaigning across the devolved nations, working with local stakeholders in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales to inform, amplify and facilitate campaign activities.
• Hold knowledge of parliamentary procedure and systems to ensure strategic and targeted influencing work, supporting relationships with parliamentarians, including providing clear communications.
• Ensure MMHA’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion runs throughout MMHA’s campaigning and policy work.
• Maintain relationships with range of stakeholders to support MMHA’s campaigning and influencing, including MMHA members, parliamentarians, champions and academics.
• Support campaigning communications activities, including media and social media support, website editing and writing copy for articles or newsletters.
• Keep a library of policy resources and an up-to-date bank of statistics and evidence to support internal and external use.
• Assist the Head of Campaigns and Policy and wider team with administrative and other tasks, including the organisation and facilitation of meetings and events and responding to routine enquiries.
• Help support MMHA projects as required. 
• Work with the team on campaign evaluation.
• Maintain a diary of key campaign dates and events.
• Represent the MMHA at events as required.

Please see the attached job pack for further details. 

How to apply

To apply for this role, please submit:

1. A CV (maximum 2 sides of A4)
2. A cover letter (maximum 2 sides of A4)

Please note: We are expecting a large number of applications for this role. Applications exceeding the page limits (2 sides of A4 per document) will not be considered. In addition, to help with anonymising applications, please only include your initials in your CV and cover letter – please do not include your full name or a photograph.

What to include in your cover letter

Please start your cover letter with:

• Please address how you meet the first six points of the essential skills and experience of the person specification.
• A brief summary of your experience working with civil servants, MPs and decision-makers.
• An example demonstrating your interpersonal skills and ability to engage with wide and diverse groups.

Feel free to then share your broader interest in the role and what additional qualities you would bring.

Where to send your application

• Please submit your CV and covering letter to the email address provided in the attached job pack.
• The deadline for applications is 10am on Thursday 16 October 2025.
• Applications submitted after this time or not following the outlined process will not be considered.

Interview details

First interviews are expected to take place online Thursday 6 November 2025.

About Topos Research UK and Topos Institute

Topos Research UK is an entrepreneurial, dynamic charity start-up in the UK (inc. 2024) with a parent charity start-up, Topos Institute in the US (inc. 2019). We are a non-profit research institute dedicated to realising a world where the systems that surround us benefit us all, so that society can better cooperate on critical issues — the climate crisis, pandemic responses, agricultural modelling, global access to education, and more — through interconnected systems that consider holistic impacts. We develop new tools for collective inquiry and modelling, enabled by a combination of novel foundational mathematics, open-source software engineering, and meaningful collaboration with domain specialists.

The Opportunity

We seek a strategic Operations Director to lead the successful scaling of our rapidly growing UK operation. This is a pivotal, creative leadership role reporting directly to our Board of Trustees, with day-to-day collaboration with board representative Brendan Fong (Topos UK Trustee and Topos USA CEO).

Current State:

• 1-year-old entity with £500k annual revenue
• 6 talented staff (research scientists, software engineers, postdocs)
• 3 planned new staff members within the next 6 months
• Two major grants: £600k (1-year) and £1.2M (2.25-year)
• Projected FY26 revenue: £1M

The Challenge: You’ll be our first senior operations hire, responsible for establishing the systems and culture that will enable Topos UK (and Topos as a whole) to thrive as we scale from startup to established institution, collaborating between the UK and US offices, and pioneering a new style of technology-oriented research organisation keenly focussed on improving lives.

Key Responsibilities

Operations & Finance Leadership

• Lead operations and finance for a projected £1M+ annual budget from research grants
• Support grant solicitation, budgeting, procurement, monitoring, and reporting
• Collaborate with financial consultants on organizational strategies, budgets, treasury, and tax affairs
• Coordinate with US-based Topos Institute on governance, consolidated reporting, and shared contracts

Strategic Planning & Culture Building

• Partner with the Board of Trustees and Topos Institute USA to develop and implement strategic plans aligned with our institutional mission
• Champion the critical role of operations and administration in achieving our research mission
• Establish and nurture an organizational culture that:
  • Integrates diverse perspectives and lived experiences
  • Views uncertainty as opportunity for innovation
  • Balances operational efficiency with academic freedom
  • Embodies public purpose, intellectual rigor, and collaboration

Team Leadership & Development

• Nurture and mentor our growing team of 6+ researchers and engineers
• Support individual career aspirations while building collective capacity
• Work with HR consultants to develop talent management systems and support organizational human resources needs
• Foster an environment where exceptional people can do their best work

Systems & Infrastructure

• Design and implement policies, internal controls, and procedures for sustainable growth
• Oversee operational functions including inventory management and facilities
• Oversee compliance, risk management, and organizational governance
• Manage physical space requirements, including future lease negotiations
• Coordinate legal affairs with Board of Trustees, sourcing expertise as needed

Stakeholder Management

• Serve as operational interface with funders, partners, and collaborators
• Represent Topos UK’s capabilities and needs to external stakeholders
• Support business development for future grant and contract opportunities
• Assume additional responsibilities as organizational needs evolve

What We’re Looking For

Essential Experience

• 5+ years in senior operations/finance roles at mission-driven organizations
• Proven ability to build systems and culture from the ground up
• Experience with research institutions, nonprofits, or technology startups
• Track record managing complex budgets and grant funding
• Track record of successfully impacting both strategic and tactical finance and administration initiatives

Leadership Qualities

• Collaborative, supportive management style with focus on team development
• Skilled at building consensus in a complex organisation and able to achieve results through influence and partnership
• Ability to foster inclusive environments where diverse perspectives thrive
• Experience mediating differences and supporting individual team member success
• Ability to communicate clearly and collaboratively, both internally and externally
• Creative problem-solving approach with strong analytical skills

Cultural Fit

• Intellectually curious with appreciation for technical research
• Mission-first orientation with commitment to public benefit
• Comfortable with complexity, ambiguity, and rapid change; sees challenges as opportunities for growth
• Committed to building inclusive, supportive team environments
• Values-driven leader who can balance efficiency with academic freedom
• Motivated by meaningful work that contributes to helping solve global-scale challenges
• Values continuous learning, diverse perspectives, and collaborative problem-solving
• Ability to periodically travel to the head office in Berkeley, California, or other locations as needed
• Flexibility with working hours, to accommodate for collaboration across global time zones
• Energetic, flexible, collaborative, and proactive; a team leader who can positively and productively impact both strategic and tactical finance and administration initiatives

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in relevant field (business, nonprofit management, etc.)
• Experience with international organizations or multi-entity coordination
• Familiarity with academic research environments
• Technical literacy sufficient to engage with mathematical/computational work

Why Topos UK

Exceptional Team: Collaborate with world-leading researchers and high calibre funding agencies.

Inclusive Environment: Be part of building a diverse team where different perspectives are valued and everyone can contribute their best work.

Meaningful Impact: Your operational excellence directly enables breakthrough research on humanity’s most pressing challenges—from climate change to public health to collaborative open science.

Technical Innovation: Support the development of genuinely novel technologies that could transform how humanity approaches complex, collaborative decision-making.

Supportive Culture: Join a caring, inquiry-driven community that values both intellectual rigor and personal well-being, with a strong focus on in-person office culture but flexibility to support work-life balance.

Growth Opportunity: Shape the foundational systems of an organization poised for significant expansion and impact.

Apply

Topos Research UK is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. There is evidence to suggest that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications as described in the job description. No matter who you are, if this role speaks to you, we encourage you to apply, even if you don’t believe you tick all the boxes. We’d especially like to encourage people from underrepresented backgrounds to apply.

If you require any adjustments to the application process, such as accessibility accommodations, additional preparation time, or other, please let us know in your application. We’re happy to support your needs and adjust the application process.

Next Steps: This role offers the rare opportunity to be the operational backbone behind important research that contributes to how humanity tackles global challenges. If you’re energized by building meaningful institutions and enabling exceptional people to do transformative work, we’d love to hear from you.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We expect the process to include initial screening, work assessments, team interviews, and references.