Head of operations jobs

Head of Central Operations
Reference: JAN20262325
Location: Hybrid / Flexible – RSPB UKHQ – The Lodge Sandy SG19, Bedford MK42 & Homeworking
Salary: £51,549.00 - £55,035.00 Per Annum
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full-Time, 37.5 hours per week
Benefits: Pension Scheme, Life Assurance Scheme, 34 days' Annual Leave

You’ll love this role if you’re excited about helping the UK’s largest nature conservation workforce be the very best it can be. This is a rare opportunity to make a meaningful impact by bringing your expertise in central operations, workplace management, logistics and workforce support to a mission that matters for nature.

We’re looking for an inspiring leader with a strong track record of driving high performance, improving processes, and optimising workplace provision and strategy across multiple locations. You’ll thrive in a values-led, inclusive organisation and be confident collaborating across a dispersed workforce to deliver results.

This role holds the functional overview of our UK Headquarters at The Lodge (Sandy, Bedfordshire) and Logistics in Bedford, and the delivery of UK-wide operational programmes.

This is a hybrid working position using the following working pattern:

• two days per week at RSPB UKHQ in Sandy, Bedfordshire
• one day per week on site at Logistics in Bedford
• two days working from home.

There will also be some infrequent travel and overnight stays to other RSPB sites across the UK.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

Demonstrable and proven

• experience of delivering operational, workplace and remote workforce optimisation and engagement programmes
• ability to positively influence change, work collaboratively and demonstrate credibility
• experience in creating and implementing effective workplace (offices and workplaces) strategies, including review, provision and utilisation analysis, monitoring and reporting
• experience of operations, estate improvements, maintaining compliance and leading estate development projects
• experience of programme and project management principles and application, including reporting
• leadership and people-management skills, with the ability to develop and support team members towards high performance
• understanding of how equality, diversity and inclusion enables an organisation to be successful
• Experience of working with, managing and incorporating volunteers as part of the team
• IWFM or equivalent qualifications

Ability to

• delegate effectively, identifying team members’ strengths and weaknesses to assign tasks appropriately and empower autonomy
• make pragmatic, reasoned and practical decisions, recommendations and alternative solutions based on sound analysis and logic
• understand and interpret technical reports, design briefs and works contracts, particularly those relating to building and infrastructure projects
• Commit to the hybrid working pattern

This is a permanent role working 37.5 hours per week and may include (by exception) some out of hours working or call-outs.

We are using a short application window for this role as we anticipate high interest and wish to give all applications the attention they deserve.

Applications close Sunday, February the 15th, though we reserve the right to close early or extend, if required.  
First interviews will be held on the 19th and 20th of February and second interviews from the 25th of February.

Interested?

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

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application.

As part of this application process you will be asked to provide a copy of your CV and complete a full application including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience requested.

Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

The RSPB is a licenced sponsor. This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship.

No agencies please.

Our client brings joy and laughter to seriously ill children in NHS hospitals and hospices across the country. Through in-person and virtual visits and events, the charity's entertainers (from magicians to musicians, artists, fairies and therapy dogs) enhance wellbeing and help young patients and their families cope with the pain and anxiety of serious illness and hospitalisation. The organisation are now looking to recruit a dynamic new Head of Operations to join their growing, values-led team, overseeing the smooth, safe and effective delivery of both in-person hospital visits and virtual services.
 
The Head of Operations plays a vital role in enabling the charity to provide joyful, uplifting experiences for seriously ill children and their families. Reporting to the Director of Services, you will provide direct oversight of systems, scheduling, compliance and day to day team management, ensuring that services are delivered to a consistently high standard. You will provide operational leadership, whilst remaining highly hands-on, and will work closely with Visit Managers, entertainers and internal colleagues, coordinating activity, managing staff, and ensuring robust safeguarding and policy compliance. You will ensure that systems are utilised effectively in order to monitor engagement, outcomes and organisational growth, and will produce reporting for the CEO, Trustees and senior leadership team to consistently demonstrate impact.
 
This is a fantastic opportunity to join a small, supportive organisation. To apply for this role, you will be a warm and engaging individual with significant operational experience, including managing and developing systems, processes and workflows, with a focus on continuous improvement. You will be ambitious and adaptable, and a skilled communicator, confident working in partnership with a variety of stakeholders, and will have demonstrable experience of coordinating complex scheduling, logistics and service delivery in a fast‑moving environment. Experience of working within a charity, hospital/clinical environment, health setting, youth services or another organisation supporting children or vulnerable people is desirable. Overall, you will be an organised, efficient leader, passionate about ensuring high quality, impactful services for vulnerable children and their families.

To apply for this wonderful opportunity, please submit your CV in the first instance. Should your experience be suitable, we will arrange for a meeting to brief you on the role. You'll then have all the information you need to formally apply. We are looking forward to connecting with you soon.
 
At Prospectus we invest in your journey as a candidate and are committed to supporting you with your application. We welcome all candidates to apply, regardless of age, sex/gender, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status or pregnancy/maternity. If you have any disability and require reasonable adjustment/s to any part of the process then please contact Victoria Savva at Prospectus.

If you feel you meet some of the criteria but not all, we really hope you'll enquire and learn more. Prospectus can advise and support on each part of the role and hopefully your application, so we look forward to hearing from you.

Please note this role will be hybrid-working (3 days a week in the office – Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays).

Interviews are to take place the week commencing Monday 2nd March.

Advert

Job Title: Head of IT Operations

Location: Remote

Salary: Up to £66000

Contract Type: Permanent - Full time

Hours: 35 hours per week

Reports to: DDaT Director

About The Children's Society

The Children's Society (TCS) is a national charity driven by a bold ambition: to build a country where children are free from disadvantage. Our work is grounded in compassion, innovation, and a commitment to lasting change.

The Role

We are seeking a Head of Technology and Operations to provide strategic and operational leadership of The Children's Society's IT operations, ensuring reliable, secure, and cost-effective services that enable colleagues to deliver impact for children and young people. The role owns management of the Managed Service Provider (MSP) and other providers, oversees IT Service Management (ITSM) and Service Desk operations, leads the Microsoft 365 digital workplace estate, and is responsible for the IT security of the organisation. The postholder is accountable for operational budgets, supplier performance, service quality, and the continual improvement of our digital workplace.

Key Responsibilities

-Operational leadership and service reliability

-Lead day-to-day IT operations across infrastructure, networks, end-user computing and platforms; ensure resilient, secure, user-centred services.

-Strengthen business continuity, disaster recovery and operational resilience; maintain risk registers and assurance evidence.

-ITSM / ITIL and Service Desk performance

-Own ITSM (ITIL v3/v4 aligned) processes: Incident, Request, Problem, Configuration/Asset, Knowledge and Major Incident; set standards, KPIs and SLAs.

-Direct Service Desk performance (multi-channel support, triage, knowledge-base health, CSAT/NPS).

-Supplier, contract and change governance

-Act as contract owner and executive lead for MSP and other technology suppliers: scope, commercials, renewals, performance management.

-Contribute to governance forums (e.g., CAB, Architecture/Standards) and provide leadership on technology risk and operational governance.

-Microsoft 365 tenant and digital workplace leadership

-Own Microsoft 365 tenant strategy, governance and roadmap across Entra ID, Intune, Exchange, SharePoint, Teams, OneDrive and Power Platform.

-Oversee platform health and controls including licensing (volume licensing administration), capacity, device posture and identity protection.

-Azure operational ownership and cloud governance

-Provide hands-on operational management of Microsoft Azure resources; ensure governance, access control and cost oversight, inc. associated services.

-Security leadership and compliance

-Support cyber risk management, vulnerability management, secure configuration baselines and collaboration with security operations.

-Ensure policies and controls align with regulatory obligations (e.g., UK GDPR).

-Financial ownership and cross-DDaT alignment

-Hold budget responsibility for technology operations (OpEx/CapEx).

-Work with other Heads across Digital, Data and Technology to align operating practices (support, requirements, DevOps, change).

About You

Technical & Professional

-Senior operational leadership of technology services in complex organisations; strong ITSM capability (ITIL v3/v4) and major incident leadership.

-Commercial acumen across contracts, SLAs, cost control and vendor negotiation, including MSP management and multi-supplier environments.

-Deep Microsoft 365 expertise including tenant governance (identity, endpoint, collaboration), Copilot and Power Platform; capability to translate features into value-led outcomes.

-Hands-on experience managing resources on the Microsoft Azure platform; understanding of cloud governance and (desirable) Azure services such as Purview.

-Information security principles, risk management, and regulatory obligations (e.g., UK GDPR); experience implementing network and application security controls.

-Broad IT knowledge across infrastructure, networking, desktops, OS and security.

-Microsoft licensing experience, including volume licensing models and administration.

-Proven delivery/oversight of complex technology and infrastructure projects; ability to evidence measurable service improvements.

Leadership & Communication

-Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, able to engage senior leaders and align services to organisational priorities.

-People leadership: coaching, performance management and professional development; effective line management (including security leadership roles).

-Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to explain complex technical risk and trade-offs clearly to non-technical audiences.

-Collaborative leadership style with a focus on standardisation, shared best practice, and continuous improvement through data-led management.

Safeguarding

The Children's Society is committed to safeguarding and protecting the children and young people that we work with. All posts are subject to a safer recruitment process, including the disclosure of criminal records and vetting checks. We have a range of policies and procedures in place which promote safeguarding and safer working practices across our services.

Closing Date

The closing date for applications is Friday 13th February. Interviews will be held on a date to be confirmed.

Closing Date: 15 February 2026

Ref 7251

Save the Children UK is looking for an experienced and collaborative leader to join us as Head of Service Operations. In this role, you will shape how colleagues across the organisation experience and use digital, data and technology services, working closely with senior leaders, technical teams and partners to ensure our services are accessible, effective and deliver maximum impact for children.

Note, internally, this role is referred to as Head of Customer Enablement, reflecting our customer-centric approach.

About us

Save the Children UK believes every child deserves a future. In the UK and around the world, we work every day to give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. When crisis strikes, and children are most vulnerable, we are always among the first to respond and the last to leave. We ensure children's unique needs are met and their voices are heard. We deliver lasting results for millions of children, including those hardest to reach.

About the role

As Head of Customer Enablement, you will lead the function responsible for ensuring Save the Children colleagues receive reliable, high-quality and accessible digital, data and technology services. You will combine strong service management leadership with a strategic focus on customer enablement, ensuring teams are supported, confident and equipped to use technology effectively. As part of the DDaT senior leadership team, you will oversee service delivery, supplier relationships, budgets and continual service improvement, while acting as a trusted partner to stakeholders across the organisation.

In this role, you will:

• Lead the Customer Enablement function, owning service management processes and ensuring services are designed and delivered to maximise customer value.
• Act as a strong customer advocate for digital, data and technology, ensuring a consistently high-quality service experience across the organisation.
• Develop and grow the Service Desk and Customer Support functions, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, user experience and engagement.
• Take ownership of major incidents, coordinating teams and stakeholders to minimise impact and ensure clear, timely communication.
• Oversee supplier management, contracts, asset and licence management, procurement processes and budget control.
• Drive continual service improvement through customer insight, service reporting and the delivery of service improvement plans and operational projects.

About you

To be successful, it is important that you have:

• Proven experience in IT service management methodologies such as ITIL and COBIT with experience operating in complex environments.
• A track record of leading customer-focused IT services, service desks or support functions, with a strong emphasis on service quality and user experience and service performance monitoring.
• Experience managing budgets, procurement, suppliers and contracts, ensuring best value, compliance and effective risk management.
• Strong leadership and people management capability, with experience building, developing and empowering high-performing teams.
• Proven project management skills with a track record of identifying, scoping and delivering small to mid-size initiatives that improve service quality, customer experience or adoption of technology.
• Broad knowledge of software, operating systems, and cloud services with demonstrable experience in software licensing and asset management.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to translate technical concepts for non-technical audiences and act as a trusted business partner.
• A strategic, improvement-focused mindset, balancing day-to-day operational delivery with longer-term customer enablement and service transformation goals.
• Commitment to Save the Children's vision, mission and values.

What we offer you:

Working for a charity provides one of the best benefits there is – a sense of purpose and reward for helping others. However, we understand the importance of giving back to our employees to ensure a happy and healthy working environment and work/life balance.

• We focus on flexibility, inclusion, collaboration, health and wellbeing both in and outside of work.
• We provide a wide range of benefits which will reward your hard work, motivate you, and inspire you to work to improve the lives of children every day. 

Please note: To avoid disappointment, you are advised to submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications are received. This is to ensure that we can manage application levels whilst maintaining a positive candidate experience. Unfortunately, once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications.

Note, this is the Head of Customer Enablement position with job title adjusted for external advertising.

Ways of Working: 

The majority of our roles can be performed remotely in the UK, but at times you will be required to come to your contracted office (usually between 2–4 days per month, depending on the needs of your role, team, or service). For many roles, this is likely to be the minimum required to deliver impact. This will be discussed and agreed with your manager / team and we encourage candidates to discuss our ways of working in more detail at interview stage. 

Please note: travel costs to your contracted office will be at your own expense. 

Out of hours working  
From time to time, you may be asked to work outside normal business hours, such as in the evening or at the weekend, to support activities like system upgrades or maintenance. This is expected to be infrequent (usually no more than four times a year) and we'll always give you as much notice as possible.

In exceptional situations, such as a major emergency, humanitarian response, cyber attack, or total system failure, you may be asked to temporarily adjust your working hours to help manage the situation.

Flexible Working - We are happy to discuss flexible working options at interview.

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion: 

Save the Children UK believes in a world that is fair, inclusive and equitable where all children have the opportunity to change their world. We apply this to our workforce and we are committed to developing and supporting a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organisation where all employees have a sense of belonging and feel that they can be "Free to Be Me". We are not looking for just one type of person - we want to recruit people who can add fresh perspectives, innovative ideas or challenge that disrupts the risk of group think. 

We are especially interested in people whose childhood experiences - of life on a low income, of migration, of being in a racialised community, of the care system, of being LGBT+ or in an LGBT+ family or living with (or with someone with) a disability - help us to see things we might otherwise miss. Whatever your story is we want to hear it because we know that different voices, ideas, perspectives and knowledge, working together will enable us to better the lives of children around the world. This is the reason why we are all here. 

About the Trust 

We're one of the UK’s biggest charities and we care for 2,000 miles of canals, rivers, docks and reservoirs because we believe life is better by water. We're looking for people who support our cause and want to make a difference for future generations. Could this be you? 

Along with our waterways we also manage museums, archives and the country's third largest collection of historic buildings, as well as the nature and wildlife that calls our canals home. All of this enables us to provide wellbeing opportunities for millions of people each year. 

Join Our Team: Head of Philanthropy & Partnerships 

We’re excited to welcome a new strategic leader to shape and deliver transformational income growth and strategic partnerships for the Trust.

Navigate your future and lock in your career as we keep our canals open and alive.

Working Hours & Location 

This role follows a 37 hours, Monday to Friday working pattern. This is a home-based role, requiring regular travel to meetings with donors, events and to our main hubs for collaborative meetings and team activities.

Role Overview 

In this pivotal role, you will lead the refinement and delivery of the Trust’s high value giving strategy, building and sustaining relationships with philanthropists, statutory funders, trusts and foundations, and corporates. You’ll inspire, lead, and manage a diverse team to achieve ambitious income targets and strengthen strategic partnerships that support the Trust’s vision. You will actively demonstrate desired behaviours - enthusiastically engaging with external partners, taking initiative to strengthen the team, and fostering a culture within the Trust that supports high level giving. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Implement and refine the Fundraising Strategy to deliver significant and sustainable income growth and impact.
• Lead, inspire and develop a diverse team, fostering a culture of delivery, collaboration, accountability, and innovation. 
• Personally lead on cultivating and stewarding transformational relationships with corporates, trusts, foundations, high-net-worth donors and some statutory sources while empowering your team to build profitable, multi-year relationships, a robust pipeline and secured income.
• Prepare, monitor, and deliver the annual business plan and income budget (currently £5m with significant growth planned).
• Represent the Trust externally at a senior level and maintain awareness of sector trends.
• Maintain best practice in fundraising compliance, risk management, and reporting, maintaining the highest standards of integrity.
• Embed diversity, inclusion, and safety responsibilities in all activities.

About You 

As an accomplished fundraising leader with a proven track record of delivering high-value income and building strategic partnerships, you thrive in complex stakeholder environments and bring a blend of vision, resilience, and hands-on expertise. You’ll be confident influencing at Board level, adept at navigating ambiguity, and passionate about making a lasting impact.

Skills & Qualifications 

• Proven experience in leading a team – skilled at building, inspiring, and motivating teams to achieve fundraising goals.
• Comprehensive expertise in major donor fundraising, corporate partnerships, and trust and foundation giving, alongside a working knowledge of statutory giving. 
• Demonstrated expertise in high-value fundraising and partnership development, with a proven ability to create, cultivate and steward long-term relationships while influencing internal stakeholders to secure and sustain transformational support.
• Proven success in securing transformational gifts and multi-year partnerships.
• Demonstrable problem-solving skills, able to influence inside and outside the organisation.
• A proven ability to develop and write persuasive and successful funding applications and partnership proposals for major donors, trusts and foundations, and corporates.
• Exceptional communication and networking skills, with the ability to engage and inspire diverse audiences.
• Experience managing significant budgets and delivering income growth.
• Knowledge of fundraising compliance and sector trends.  
• A collaborative and innovative approach, able to lead and motivate a diverse team while working cross-functionally.
• Personal resilience and adaptability, with the ability to deliver results in a fast-paced and evolving environment.

What We Offer 

We offer an annual salary of £78,000, plus £520 cash car allowance per month. Enjoy a competitive pension scheme, increasing holiday entitlement, and a range of employee benefits. For a full breakdown of our benefits, check out our brochure here: 

Our values

We care passionately for our waterways, and as importantly, for those who look after and use them. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce where everyone can thrive. We are striving to represent the diverse communities that we are a part of and welcome applicants from across all sectors of the community.

We want everyone to have the opportunity to perform at their best during our recruitment process. If you require any reasonable adjustments - whether for a disability, neurodiversity, or health condition - please let us know what you need and how we can support you. We’ll work with you to make any necessary changes.

All of our jobs can be considered on a part time flexible or job share basis.

We operate a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role. You are considered disabled under the Equality Act 2010 if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term negative effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. We recognise not everyone who is classified as disabled under the Equality Act personally identifies this way, or with this definition of disability. Please do not let this discourage you from applying under the scheme.

Navigate your future and lock in your career as we keep our canals open and alive.