Head of operations jobs

Release Counselling and Therapy for Women is entering an exciting new chapter. 

Founded in Brighton and Hove in 2013, Release has grown from a small local charity into a financially robust organisation with a growing national reach. Under the leadership of our outgoing CEO, the charity has been transformed—moving from a challenging financial position to one with strong reserves, clear sustainability, and ambitious plans for growth. 

We now provide affordable 1:1 online counselling to women across the UK, alongside specialist group programmes supporting maternal mental health and key life transitions. One-to-one counselling is a core offer and a vital income stream, enabling us to extend our reach while staying true to our values. 

This period has also seen Release grow to working with over 20 dedicated volunteer counsellors, strengthening our capacity and community impact. 

As our CEO steps down, Release is ready for its next phase—building on strong foundations, amplifying our national impact, and remaining firmly rooted in our purpose: being a charity that supports women’s mental health, run by women, for women.

Executive Assistant

We have an exciting opportunity to join the thriving and dynamic SARSAS team as our Executive Assistant.

About the role

We have an exciting opportunity to join SARSAS as our Executive Assistant. You will provide high-level, proactive support to the CEO and Board,

Working closely with the CEO, you will bring structure and clarity to a fast-paced workload, ensuring priorities are well managed and time is used effectively. This includes managing a complex diary and inbox, acting as a gatekeeper, organising meetings, preparing documentation and supporting effective communication across the organisation.

You will help track key actions, deadlines, and priorities, driving progress and accountability. You will also support the Board through high-quality administrative and governance support.

This is a role where your work will have real impact. Success in this role will be reflected in the CEO and Board being well-supported, well-prepared, and able to focus on strategic leadership, with confidence that the detail, coordination, and follow-through are in safe hands.

About You

You are highly organised, proactive, and able to bring clarity to a busy environment. You communicate confidently and professionally with a wide range of stakeholders, including senior leaders.

You are trustworthy, demonstrate sound judgement, and work with integrity. With strong planning and coordination skills, you can manage competing priorities and keep work moving forward while maintaining high standards of accuracy.

You are comfortable working independently, using initiative to anticipate needs, solve problems, and improve processes. Adaptable and resilient, you stay calm under pressure and take a positive, solutions-focused approach. You are motivated by contributing to work that makes a genuine difference to people’s lives.

About SARSAS

SARSAS exists to relieve the trauma and distress, and help rebuild the lives, of survivors who live in Somerset, Bristol, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset and BANES, who have experienced any form of sexual violence, at any point in their lives.

SARSAS also campaigns and raises awareness about rape and sexual violence to change the narrative about sexual violence and enable survivor’s voices to be heard. Partnership work with a range of agencies locally and nationally is a priority to enable social change.

SARSAS works to feminist principles: this underpins both what our service is and how it is run. Our work is guided by a trauma-informed approach which understands how traumatic experiences can impact on survivors and keeps an awareness of the effects of trauma at the forefront of our approach to support.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion

At SARSAS we strive to create a workplace that reflect the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work. We want to build an inclusive culture that encourages, supports, and celebrates diverse voices. We actively encourage applicants with protected characteristics to apply.

We are committed to taking an inclusive approach to recruitment and selection whilst ensuring there is no discrimination in our processes and that our team and prospective employees are treated fairly, with respect and without bias. Reasonable adjustments to the interview process can be made to accommodate additional requirements. Applicants are encouraged to highlight any specific adjustments needed to enable participation in the recruitment process.  

Contract information

Applicants will undergo a basic criminal record check before employment starts.

Salary: £31,836 FTE

Hours: 25 – 30 hours per week (over a minimum of 4 days)

Responsible to: CEO

Based: Bristol with up to 50% working from home available

Pension: 5%

Annual leave: 27 days + bank holidays (pro-rata)

Contract: Permanent

How to apply

Closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 31st May 2026.

Interviews will be held in person on Friday 12th June 2026.

Please ensure you are available for an interview on this date.

Interviews will be held in person in our Bristol but please indicate in your application if this is not possible so we can consider an alternative.

Lloyds Bank Foundation 

Research and Evaluation Manager 

Starting Salary: £50,645 (London-based) 

Contract: Full-time, permanent contract (we are open to conversations about flexibility – so please ask) 

Location: London-based role with expectation of hybrid working from our London office

About Lloyds Bank Foundation 

Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales is an independent charitable foundation, backed by Lloyds Banking Group and the people within it. We want everyone to be in a good place – personally, in a home that’s a good place to live, and in a community that’s a good place to belong. 

We play our role by connecting and catalysing community-led change, providing the money, time, tools and connections that build organisations’ capacity and capability, to make people’s lives better and their communities stronger. 

We back people and communities across England and Wales, to make that happen, because when you back brilliant people, brilliant things happen. Our communities are full of ambitious, energetic and determined people stepping up to make their neighbours’ lives better and their communities grow stronger. Day in, day out. 

About the Role 

This is a key role at the heart of the Foundation’s ambition to become even more impact-led and evidence-driven. As Research and Evaluation Manager, you will play a vital role in ensuring our programmes, partnerships and investments are grounded in robust evidence and a clear understanding of what works, why it works, and how we can increase our impact. 

You will lead the design and delivery of research, evaluation and learning activity across the Foundation, working closely with teams to ensure programmes are built around clear outcomes and that insight is used to inform decisions, improve delivery and strengthen impact. 

This is both a technical and collaborative role. You will manage and commission evaluation activity, while also working alongside colleagues across the organisation to embed a stronger culture of learning, evidence and continuous improvement. 

About You 

We are looking for a skilled research and evaluation professional with experience of designing, commissioning and delivering high-quality evaluation activity. You will be confident working with data, evidence and insight to inform decision-making and improve programmes or services. 

You will bring strong analytical skills, alongside the ability to translate complex information into clear, practical recommendations. You will be comfortable managing external partners and contracts, and confident supporting others to embed evidence and learning into their work. 

Above all, you will be collaborative, curious and committed to using evidence to improve outcomes for communities. A commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and belonging is essential. 

How to Apply 

Please click ‘Apply’ to be redirected to our website, where you can download the Candidate Information Pack and find details of how to apply. 

For an informal conversation about the role and application process, please contact our recruitment partner, Atkinson HR via the information in the candidate pack.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 

We hold Disability Confident Employer status (Level 2) and are working towards full status by 2027. This means that if you're a disabled applicant and your CV and application answers clearly demonstrate that you meet the essential criteria for the role, we will invite you to interview. 

More broadly, we are committed to building a diverse team that reflects the communities and people we work with. We believe that diversity of background, experience and perspective makes us stronger and helps us make better decisions. We actively welcome applications from people who are under-represented in the charity sector, including people from Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic communities, disabled people, and those with experience of the issues our funded charities work to address. 

Key Dates 

Closing Date: Midday, Wednesday 27th May 2026 

Optional Q&A Session: Wednesday 6th May 2026 at 09:00-10:00 

First Interview: Monday 8th June 2026 

Second Interview: Friday 19th June 2026 

This is an exciting opportunity to lead the Sussex Community Housing Hub team in providing technical advice and support to communities engaged in rural and community led housing projects.

Community-led housing involves local people playing a leading and lasting role in solving housing problems, creating genuinely affordable homes and strong communities.

You will be working in conjunction with other members of the Hub to help deliver quality affordable housing schemes that these communities are truly proud of.  

The role

This is a senior, externally facing post reporting to the Chief Executive. You'll manage a caseload of community-led housing projects, lead a small team of advisors, and work in partnership with communities, parish councils, housing associations, local authorities, landowners, and developers across East and West Sussex.

You'll also play a part in shaping Druv Homes, AirS's emerging housing association.

What you'll be doing

• Guiding community groups through all stages of the housing development process — from vision and site identification through to planning, funding, and scheme delivery
• Advising on site selection, RP partnerships, planning applications, S106 agreements, and funding strategies (both capital and revenue)
• Building and managing relationships with a wide range of partners — communities, RPs, local authorities, planners, developers, and agents
• Supporting communities to access funding and drafting bids where needed
• Overseeing professional advisers (architects, engineers, etc.) commissioned by community groups
• Leading project team meetings, maintaining project plans, and problem-solving
• Contributing to lobbying and sector advocacy alongside national partners
• Keeping pace with policy and legislative changes in affordable housing and community-led development

What we're looking for

Essential:

• At least 5 years' experience in affordable housing development
• A relevant degree (surveying, building, business management or equivalent experience)
• Proven track record in project management and scheme delivery
• Experience working with local authorities, RPs, and community organisations
• Team management experience
• Strong analytical, communication, and negotiation skills

Desirable:

• Experience of rural affordable housing and community-led models e.g. Community Land Trusts (CLTs)
• Knowledge of rural housing policy
• Background in the not-for-profit sector
• Experience reporting to boards or executive teams

Practical

The role is based in Lewes with hybrid working. Regular but infrequent travel across East and West Sussex is required — a driving licence or equivalent transport access is essential.

For more information about the role and the organisation download the Job Description, Person Specification and AirS Prospectus.