Head of operations jobs

Agile - London Office/Home, United Kingdom

We’re looking for a strategic, people-centred leader to step into this pivotal role. Working across Fundraising, Marketing, PR and Communications, and Faith & Membership, you’ll drive cross-organisational alignment, improve campaign delivery, and strengthen collaboration across functions.

Reporting to the both the Director of Fundraising and the Director of Marketing you will lead or support a series of high-impact, cross-functional initiatives, including the development of our flagship Christmas campaign, ensuring consistent messaging, joined-up planning, and efficient use of resources.

You’ll be a strategic enabler able to advise on operational effectiveness, fostering greater collaboration across teams, and support the Communications Service Leadership Team in delivering business-critical operations.

This is a rare opportunity to influence how we work across the Communications Service, laying the groundwork for more connected, coordinated delivery across all income generation and engagement activities.

To be successful in this role you will have:

• Substantial experience in strategic project leadership within complex organisations
• A track record in integrated communications, or campaign planning
• A passion for building high-performing teams that thrive together 
• Ability to influence at a senior level and inspire and motivate colleagues.

If you are an ambitious experienced operational leader looking for your next challenge and would like to play a key role in The Salvation Army’s income growth, this could be the role you’re looking for.

Working hours: Minimum of 35 hours per week, working a minimum of 40% across each month in the Territorial Headquarters, London.

Closing date: Monday, 30 Mar 2026

Interview Date: To be confirmed

In order to complete your application please download and read the job profile and any other attachments.

In the job profile you will find the criteria required for the role please make sure that you address this in your supporting statement as this forms the basis of our shortlisting.

Appointment subject to satisfactory references and proof of right to work in the UK

For details of how to prove your right to work in the UK please visit the Government website and please note that we are unable to offer sponsorship.  

Please note that any Salvation Army employees who are under notice of redundancy and apply for this position will be given priority consideration.

We reserve the right to close this advert earlier if we feel that we have received sufficient applications.

Promoting equality in the workplace and as a disability confident leader scheme employer, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet all the minimum essential criteria for the vacancy.

Benefits:
25 days annual leave + bank holidays (pro rata for part-time) a contributory pension scheme; an employee assistance programme

Support for and implementation of the Branch’s strategic and service delivery plans

• Supports the Branch Director and Board of Trustees to ensure that the charity meets its governance responsibilities.
• Supports the development and delivery of the Branch Management team’s strategic and service delivery plans in pursuit of the vision, mission, and values of Samaritans and to meet Central London Samaritan’s objectives.
• Supports the development and delivery of a successful fundraising strategy that supports the organisation’s goals and contributes to its sustainability.
• Supports the Treasurer in the management of Central London Samaritans budget to ensure financial resilience.
• Contributes to the development of external and internal relationships and communications, raising the profile and reputation of CLS in support of the organisation’s charitable aims.
•  Contributes to the overall effectiveness of the organisation in ensuring to 24/7 availability to callers.

Provides leadership and line management to the staff team including the following functions:

• External relations and outreach
• Fundraising
• Recruitment and training of new volunteers
• Volunteer rota and support
• Facilities and Office services
• Other areas of responsibility that may from time to time be established.

Main Responsibilities:

Governance

• Support the Director and Board of Trustees to ensure that the charity meets its governance responsibilities.
• Ensure appropriate presentation and reporting on the progress of the organisation and on all matters relevant to the discharge of its charitable responsibilities.
• Provide in a timely and appropriate manner information that will assist the Trustees in carrying out their responsibilities.
• Monitor changes to statutory requirements on behalf of and in consultation with the Trustees and working with the Trustees and Directors to ensure compliance.
• Lead on all areas of Data Protection across the branch including policy development, revision, and implementation.

Financial Management & Fundraising

• Support the Treasurer in the preparation of the annual operating budget for agreement by Trustees.
• Manage the budget on behalf of and in consultation with the Director, Treasurer and Trustees
• In consultation with the Treasurer and other trustees, set an annual fundraising target.
• Support the development and implementation of a strategy for raising income to meet the needs of the organisation.
• Manage project and area budgets with relevant staff and volunteer leads.

Support for and implementation of the Branch’s strategic and service delivery plans

Support the Director and wider Branch Leadership Team in setting the culture and vision for the organisation that will enable staff and volunteers to understand what is expected of them and perform to the highest standards.

• Work closely with the Director and Branch Leadership team to deliver branch strategy and specific services.
• In conjunction with volunteer leads, manage the delivery of the organisation’s restricted funded programmes ensuring project milestones, timescales and financial imperatives are fully met and supporting growth in line with the organisation’s charitable aims.
• Work with the Governance Working Group to implement and manage the organisation’s operational policies and procedures.
• Input into to research and planning of new branch initiatives.
• Monitor changes to national Samaritans policies and guidelines, alerting Directors, and Trustees as appropriate

Line Management

• Work with Trustees and Directors to support the Branch Team to deliver the branch’s volunteering, outreach and fund-raising strategies
• Provide effective line management and leadership to the staff team by managing all aspects of staffing, including recruitment, setting objectives and managing performance.
• Line manage the Business Support Officer, Volunteering Coordinator, Recruitment and Training Coordinator and Fundraising and Events Officer, Trusts and Foundatons Officer and other roles that may from time to time be established
• Act as a role model to staff and colleagues by demonstrating exemplary standards of behaviour, a positive attitude, and high levels of personal performance.
• Identify and develop talent within the team that can be fostered, offering opportunities for personal and career growth where appropriate.
• Work with the Branch Leadership Team to support all staff activities.

Communications

• Work with the Director and Deputy Director for Communications and relevant staff members to support delivery of the branch Communications Plan. This will include coordinating internal and external communications as well as maintaining good relationships with volunteers, partners and other Samaritans branches and the Samaritans Charity.
• Maintain relationships with the Samaritans Central Charity in relation to media activity.
• Work with Director to ensure the Branch is represented on suicide prevention partnerships and involved in strategies with local councils and other organisations within the seven boroughs covered by the branch.
• Work with Branch Leadership Team to ensure the Branch is appropriately represented the branch at external events.

Facilities and Office Management

• Oversees the management of the building on behalf of and in consultation with the Trustees and the Office Manager
• Take overall responsibility for the contracting of services to the organisation
• Take responsibility for compliance with Health and Safety Regulations

Hours of work

1. The basic hours of work are 35 hours per week, spread over five working days. There will be a need to work some evenings and weekend days, so flexibility is essential. The core responsibilities and duties should be carried out during weekdays.

2. The amount of out of hours work will be agreed with the Director on an on-going basis. Time off in lieu will be allowed in agreement with the Director and in line with the current European Working Time Directive.

Limitations

This job description is neither exclusive nor exhaustive and the duties and responsibilities may vary from time- to-time in the lights of changing circumstances and in consultation with the jobholder.

The jobholder will be required to work within the rules and regulations of Samaritans and accept the authority of the Director, who has discretion to delegate authority to the job-holder and to withdraw it.

Equal Opportunities Policy

Central London Samaritans is committed to eliminating any discrimination and promoting diversity and equality of opportunity in all it does. It is therefore Central London Samaritans' commitment to provide equal opportunities in employment and we will not unlawfully discriminate against job applicants, employees of the Company, volunteers, workers, or contract workers on the grounds of their age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race (which includes colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins), religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

Requirements

• Graduate or equivalent by experience
• Relevant postgraduate qualifications

Skills and abilities

1. Proven ability to manage a work programme, which involves managing, mentoring, and developing staff.

2. Ability to work to tight deadlines in managing a variety of tasks simultaneously in ways that ensure key objectives are met.

3. Work effectively with a range of different stakeholders, including paid staff, volunteer directors, volunteers engaged in service delivery, third party organisations and users of the services.

4. Strong communications skills, both oral and written, especially in matching style/language to audience being targeted.

5. Ability to research and develop reports at a senior level.

6. A self-starter who has the ability to develop and implement innovative solutions to both new and existing challenges.

7. Proven ability to assimilate/summarise complex information and to familiarise themself quickly and confidently with key issues.

8. Ability to build effective relationships, especially with organisations operating near people in distress, other helping agencies, and healthcare professionals.

9. Ability to enthuse and motivate paid staff and volunteers.

10.  Good financial management skills –evidence of leading and managing a budget.

11.  High level organisational delivery skills.

12.  Proven ability in managing staff who report to others for task management purposes, such as in a matrix structure.

Experience

• Experience of working with volunteers and paid staff
• Experience of financial planning and management, including budgetary control.
• Experience of implementing systems to comply with relevant legislation, including that on data protection, freedom of information, and health and safety.

Project management knowledge and skills.

1. Experience of working in a charity or not-for-profit helpline service, ideally like that of Samaritans

2. Experience of issues affecting London government

3. Experience of working with Boards of Trustees

Knowledge

• Sound general working knowledge of IT
• General knowledge of business management
• Experience and understanding of managing / developing teams.
• Knowledge of advanced IT and telephony, such as those required by Samaritans.
• Understanding of the policies and principles followed by Samaritans.
• Understanding of the rules and regulations, as overseen by the Charity Commissioners, by which Samaritans are bound.
• Knowledge of voluntary sector in terms of high-level policy decisions, structures and influences through government, small charities and local community organisations

Personal qualities

1. Intellectually strong, applying a structured approach to work.

2. A flexible and co-operative team approach, which is respectful of the ideas and expertise of others.

3. Adaptable to change, while being able to work unsupervised.

4. Able to use initiative, assessing and adjusting to changing work priorities.

5. Affinity with charity’s goals and values

Join RABI and help strengthen the systems, insight and leadership that underpin our support for farming people.

Applications close: 9 a.m. Monday 13th April 2026

Location: Oxford with flexible working (minimum two days per week in the office)

About us

Founded in 1860, RABI provides practical, financial and emotional support to farming people across England and Wales. What began as financial assistance has evolved into structured, evidence-led support shaped by research and lived experience.

Farming life brings physical, emotional and financial pressures. In 2021, RABI published the Big Farming Survey, identifying for the first time a measurable farming wellbeing gap between farming people and the wider population. That evidence continues to guide our services and long-term strategy.

Today, we provide:

• Practical support – advice, guidance and help accessing entitlements
• Financial support – targeted grants and responsive assistance
• Emotional support – free, professional counselling and wellbeing services

We are focused on prevention, early intervention and improving access to support, alongside structured financial assistance. Our services are confidential, professional and accessible.

Working with partners and government, we are contributing to the long-term ambition to close the farming wellbeing gap by 2050.

About the role

We are seeking an experienced and thoughtful leader to join RABI as our new Head of Central Operations. This is a senior role at the centre of the organisation, reporting to the Director of People & Resources and working as part of the senior leadership team.

You will provide strategic leadership across finance, HR, estates and operational systems, while shaping and embedding a developing Data and Insights function.

Strong governance and financial stewardship remain essential. Beyond oversight, this role is about strengthening how RABI uses insight to inform decisions. You will help connect systems, people and data so that strategic choices are confident, transparent and evidence-led.

With a new CRM in place and investment committed to strengthening data capability, you will:

• Build and embed a high-quality Data and Insights function
• Strengthen reporting, forecasting and performance monitoring
• Improve cross-organisational systems and operational coherence
• Support Trustees and senior leaders with clear, meaningful insight

This role is central to ensuring RABI remains sustainable, accountable and strategically focused as we deliver our 2025–2030 strategy.

What we are looking for

We welcome candidates from a range of backgrounds, including data and insight, organisational performance, strategic operations or complex service environments.

You will bring:

• Senior leadership experience within a values-led organisation
• A strong understanding of governance, compliance and risk management
• Experience implementing data-informed approaches aligned to strategy
• Confidence presenting at Board level and working closely with Trustees
• A collaborative and systems-minded approach

You may not come from a specialist background in finance or HR, but you will be confident overseeing financial performance with the support of qualified colleagues and comfortable leading people and culture-related functions.

Above all, you will be measured, clear-thinking and purposeful in your leadership. You will share RABI’s commitment to strengthening the wellbeing of farming people and reflect our values in how you lead others.

A full UK driving licence is required, along with a willingness to travel where needed.

Please click 'Redirect to recruiter’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the job description and register your interest to apply.

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Monday 13th April 2026.