Head of operations jobs

About GNDR

We are the Global Network of Civil Society Organisations for Disaster Reduction (GNDR), the largest global network of organisations committed to working together to improve the lives of people affected by disasters worldwide. Since being established in 2007, we have grown into a network of over 2,000 member organisations across 130+ countries, representing millions of people on the frontlines of hazards, climate change and mass displacement. Through transformative, evidence-led programming and powerful advocacy, we are driving climate action and disaster resilience alongside our members across the globe.

About the role

GNDR is seeking a motivated and strategic leader to join our Senior Leadership Team as our new Head of Operations. 

With the launch of our 2026–2030 Global Strategy, this is a defining moment to shape how GNDR functions and ensure our global network is equipped to deliver real impact.

In this role, you will set the operational vision that underpins our strategy, ensuring our systems, people, and resources are aligned, sustainable, and future‑ready. You will lead all core operational functions, building the strong operational foundation that enables GNDR to thrive. Working closely with teams across regions, you will ensure our operations are coherent, efficient, and responsive to the needs of our members and the communities we serve.

If you’re driven by the opportunity to shape organisational excellence, strengthen global operations, and create the conditions for meaningful change, we’d love to hear from you.

Overall scope of the role

The remit of this post will cover the following core responsibilities:

• Strategic financial oversight
• Funding, grants and partnerships
• People, culture and organisational development
• Systems, logistics and IT
• Legal, risk and compliance
• Governance and board support
• Strategic leadership
• Line management and team development

Candidate requirements

We are ideally seeking candidates with:

• Expert financial stewardship, including management of grant‑funded budgets, financial controls, reporting, procurement, and supplier partnerships
• Operational and governance leadership spanning finance, HR, IT, compliance, risk, and organisational systems
• Inclusive people and culture leadership, with HR expertise and experience supporting cross‑cultural, geographically dispersed teams
• Strong digital capability, from driving digital transformation to confidently using finance, HR, and IT systems
• Strategic and organisational development skills, including planning, project oversight, risk management, and guiding teams through change
• Senior‑level strategic leadership, contributing to organisational direction and fostering effective cross‑team collaboration
• A deep commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and alignment with GNDR’s mission and values

Eligibility

Eligible candidates must have the right to work in the UK.  Candidates will need to be able to travel internationally when necessary. 

This role is primarily remote. We’ll ensure you have a safe and appropriate remote working setup, and we’re open to discussing flexible working arrangements as part of the recruitment process. Our hybrid working approach is currently under review, so there may be occasional in‑person meetups in London in the future, subject to ongoing consultation.

Please note that all offers of employment at GNDR are conditional and subject to satisfactory background checks.

We encourage applications from people who meet most of the essential criteria listed in the job description below. You don’t need to tick every single box to be considered. We recognise that strong candidates may bring relevant strengths and experience in different ways, and we don’t want this to deter you from applying. If you can demonstrate a solid overall match with the role, we’d love to hear from you.

For a full job description and person specification please follow the link below.

Start date

We are ideally looking for candidates who are available to start as early as possible. However, we recognise that availability may vary due to individual notice periods, and we are happy to accommodate some flexibility where possible.

How to apply

Please submit an up to date copy of your CV (max. two A4 pages) and a cover letter (max. one A4 page) outlining skills and experience relevant to the role by email to our HR team. Please include in the subject of the email, the following: “Application for the Head of Operations role”.

Please note: we are unable to accept incomplete applications.

Contact information of our HR team are availble on our website, please follow the application link below.

Closing date

11 March 2026 at 12pm (GMT)

Due to the high volume of applications we expect to receive for this role, we may not be able to provide individual feedback. However, we will endeavour to contact all applicants to update them on the outcome of their application.

Interview

Week commencing 16 March 2026

Please note: The interview process usually consists of two online stages, which may include a role‑specific task. Candidates who are successful at the shortlisting stage will be invited to a first online interview. If you progress from there, you’ll be invited to a second‑stage interview, where we may also ask you to complete a task assessment. Interviews are typically conducted by a panel of two to three people, including the hiring manager. We encourage applicants to let us know about any adjustments needed to ensure the recruitment process is fully accessible and equitable.

Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion 

We are dedicated to creating a team that embodies the rich diversity of the society and communities we serve. Our commitment lies in cultivating an inclusive environment, where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

We strongly encourage applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds, including those from underrepresented ethnicities, nationalities, socioeconomic circumstances, LGBTQIA+ and individuals with disabilities. We celebrate the unique experiences and perspectives that every candidate brings and are dedicated to ensuring fair and equitable opportunities for all.

We’re committed to making our recruitment process as accessible and inclusive as possible for individuals of all needs and abilities. If you require any adjustments at any stage of our recruitment process, please contact us. Contact information are available on our website, please visit our jobs pages.

Our benefits and wellbeing

At GNDR, we are committed to cultivating a happy and healthy working environment for all our staff. We provide a competitive salary and benefits package across all of our locations.  Find out more about our approach to wellbeing and our benefits on our website.

Flexible working

In order to support and encourage a healthy work-life balance for our staff, we are happy to consider flexible working requests as part of our recruitment process. As a global organisation, most staff work remotely depending on their role and location. 

If you have any questions on any of the above information or if you have any specific requirements that would enable you to participate more fully in the recruitment process,  please contact our recruitment team.

The Democratic Progress Institute (DPI) is an independent non-governmental organisation established in consultation with international experts in conflict resolution and democratic advancement. DPI seeks to promote peace and democracy building through strengthened public dialogue and engagement.

Overall Purpose of the Position

The Head of Programmes and Operations is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the organisations’ project activities and leads the DPI Programmes team, also ensuring effective and enabling line-management of Finance, Fundraising, Programmes and Operations colleagues. The role works with the CEO on operational, fundraising, strategic and monitoring levels and involves representing DPI at external meetings and events as needed.

Project Management

• Coordinates the day-to-day operational management of the DPI’s programmes, including the implementation of activities and financial matters – in close coordination with relevant colleagues.
• Monitors the implementation of project activities and ensures compliance with donor requirements, the organizational strategic framework, as well as internal procedures and policies.
• Initiates and facilitates internal programmes and events planning meetings (including designing the agenda and overseeing the organisation and preparation of materials)
• Organises regular meetings with the Programmes team to ensure project plans and donor requirements are on track.
• Keeps an up-to-date overview of programme delivery, reports any challenges, and suggests solutions to the CEO.
• Builds project budgets with Finance, monitors project expenditures, develops financial strategies and addresses financial challenges.
• Monitors the political and security situation in Türkiye and the wider regions, developments relating to the conflict and impact on the project.

People Management

• Ensures the effective line-management of the Funding and Development Manager, Finance Manager, Operations Manager and Programmes staff.
• Organises regular check-ins with direct reports, to enable effective management of workloads, ensuring priorities are met, and to facilitate professional development and staff retention.
• Works closely with the Funding and Development Manager to ensure timely delivery and monitoring of contractual reports, including interim and final reports to donors.

• Oversees deliverables and performance of the M&E and Communications consultants.

Networking

• Represents and promotes DPI’s work in varied contexts and maintains relationships with external stakeholders in Türkiye and in Europe such as political party representatives.
• Builds and maintains relationships with partners and donors alongside the Funding and Development Manager when needed.
• Carries out frequent visits to Türkiye and maintains a good working knowledge of the facts on the ground when needed.

Governance

• Leads on the planning of regular Board meetings, in collaboration with all relevant colleagues and the CEO.

Key Experience/Technical Competencies/Knowledge required for the position.

The successful candidate should have the following:

• A postgraduate degree in Political Science, Law, Conflict Resolution, International Relations, or equivalent professional experience.
• At least 8-10 years’ experience in project management in charity or NGO setting.
• Extensive experience with line-management, and a commitment to fostering an engaging and inclusive team culture.
• Strong experience of overseeing the implementation of government and/or EU funded projects.
• Strong organisational and planning skills.
• Critical and strategic thinking skills.
• Experience in research and complex information analysis.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• A strong understanding of confidentiality terms.
• Ability to manage under tight deadlines and in high-pressure environments

The successful candidate should have the right to work in the United Kingdom.

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis with the final deadline set as 9 March 2026

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

DPI is committed to Equal Opportunities and Cultural Diversity.

DPI SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT

DPI maintains zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse. All employment offers are conditional upon the receipt of satisfactory references and the signing of our code of conduct with a particular focus on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse.

The Head of Operations is responsible for the effective and efficient delivery of all operational functions of the Foundation to enable achievement of its global mission and strategic objectives.  The Head of Operations ensures that systems, people, processes and resources are aligned to support programmes across multiple countries while maintiaing high standardds of governance, risk management and financial stewardship.

This is a senior leadership role, working closely with the CEO and Members of the Foundation around the world, acting as the key bridge between strategy and delivery.

About Us:

Anti-Slavery International is the world’s oldest human rights organisation. Our vision is freedom from slavery for everyone, everywhere, always. We believe that modern slavery is a contemporary issue of the highest importance, and we are determined to work with others to make sure people can be free from slavery across the world.

About the Role:

The Head of Operations will play a key role in ensuring the smooth functioning of the organisation, working with the Senior Management Team (SMT) in developing the new strategic direction and future of the organisation and its work. If you are an experienced operations lead, you will understand how key this role is to an organisation’s success and as part of the SMT, you have the opportunity to drive change.

Key Tasks:

· operations leadership

· support for the Board, CEO and SMT

· compliance, policy and procedures

· employee experience - direct, hands-on HR experience is more important than qualifications!

· internal communications and overseeing our IT systems and Cloud filing

· change management and procurement

Benefits

· 30 days annual leave

· 6% pension contribution

· employee benefits include employee assistance programme, cycle to work scheme, annual season ticket loan, eye tests

This role

The Head of HR and Operations will be a key member of the Senior Management Team, reporting directly to the Chief Executive. This role will be central to shaping the organisation’s culture and ensuring that our HR and operational functions are robust, future‑focused, and aligned with our mission.

As we continue to grow, the postholder will play a pivotal role in building an inclusive, values‑driven, and high‑performing workplace where staff feel supported, trusted, and able to thrive.

They will lead on HR strategy, employee development and retention, and the effective management of our facilities and operational systems. A coaching and enabling approach will be essential—supporting managers to use people metrics confidently, strengthening people practices across the organisation, and embedding a culture of continuous learning, accountability, and wellbeing.

Main responsibilities

Leadership and Management:

· Contribute to the development and delivery of Your Voice Count’s organisational strategy as a member of the Senior Management Team.

· Champion inclusive, ethical and sustainable ways of working aligned with Your Voice Count’s values.

· Support organisational change, growth and service development from a people and systems perspective.

· Oversee HR function, policies, and efficient working practices

· Support managers with HR responsibilities and staff development.

· Ensure effective recruitment, onboarding, and talent management.

· Foster an inclusive, diverse, and well-being-focused culture.

· Manage HR systems, technology, and budgets

· Ensure HR policies, procedures and practices are legally compliant, up-to-date and consistently applied.

· Support managers to build confident, fair and values-led people management capability.

Facilities & Office Management:

· Oversee office, facilities, and repairs to ensure a safe environment.

· Manage supplier contracts, IT, and communication systems.

· Supervise facilities and operations staff.

· Ensure cost-effective procurement and budget management.

Organisational Operations and Compliance:

· Act as organisational lead for GDPR compliance, working with external advisors where required, supporting the Data Protection Officer.

· Ensure compliance with Health & Safety requirements and support managers in maintaining safe working practices.

· Maintain oversight of organisational assets and information management systems

Essential Skills & Experience needed for the role

· Experience of building inclusive and diverse workplaces.

· Ability to develop HR strategies that support business objectives and workforce planning.

· Strong knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practices.

· Experience supporting managers with employee relations and performance issues

· Ability to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels, with a people-first approach.

· Knowledge/experience of managing and delivering across multiple workstreams such as HR and Facilities (experience in all an advantage but not a requirement)

· Experience of contributing to senior decision making

· Ability to analyse, critique and evaluate business data and insights

· MCIPD qualified or a qualification or experience in human resources management, or equivalent experience at a senior level.

· Influential with the gravitas to effectively help shape the organisation

· Significant management or supervisory level HR experience

Desirable:

· Experience working in a charity or values-led organisation.

· Experience supporting organisational growth or change.

· HR or management qualification (e.g. CIPD or equivalent).

Hofesh Shechter Company seeks a Head of Finance and Operations to join our leadership team at Somerset House. This pivotal role manages strategic three-year budget planning and core functions including Finance, HR, IT and Governance. 

Reporting to the Executive Producer, you will provide essential oversight to help achieve our creative and commercial goals. In this role, you will be expected to actively drive an entrepreneurial culture by adding your voice and ideas to the exploration of new income streams and providing the financial analysis and insight needed to strengthen fundraising initiatives and core business functions.

We require an experienced professional with accountancy qualifications and strong operational skills to oversee business functions and strategic planning. A supportive leadership style is essential.Knowledge of the arts or charity sector is required; experience with Theatre Tax Relief and NPO funding is highly desirable.