Head of operations jobs

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).

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.

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