The New Economics Foundation, one of the UK’s leading progressive think tanks, is looking for an experienced strategic leader to help oversee its finance, operations and governance.
Our current Director of Finance and Operations, who leaves us in mid-2024, has worked hard to stabilise our finances, improve our systems, and promote an inclusive and productive workplace. We have a solid base to build from – whether it’s the long lease on our premises on Albert Embankment or several long-term programmes of work – and are looking for a Chief Operating Officer (COO) to help us improve our business model, support excellent financial and operational support, and deliver excellent project management and resourcing.
NEF offers generous terms and conditions, including a salary in the range of £78-87k per annum for a 32-hour working week that can be worked flexibly. Most colleagues work two days a week (usually Tuesdays and Wednesdays) in our office in central London, but that can be adjusted up or down depending on preferences. We offer 25 days leave, which increases the longer you are with us, a progressive pension/long term savings scheme and a host of other useful benefits.
A note from the CEO
I applied to join NEF because it is one of the UK’s largest and most-respected progressive think tanks, with a nearly 40 years track record of producing radical ideas and influencing policymaking to deliver a more just and sustainable world. From global debt justice to retrofitting homes, from the Happy Planet Index to campaigning for a 4-day working week, from promoting local economic development to championing the Green New Deal, NEF has been arguing for an economics as if people and planet mattered.
Since starting at NEF in January 2024, I have been impressed by the quality of our work and people, the influence we have on policymakers and opinion-formers, and the respect we are held in. That said, from climate change to rising inequality, the challenges the world faces are immense. With the incoming Chair and colleagues, we are embarking on a strategy refresh to identify where and how NEF can make the greatest difference. I am confident that we will have a clear and compelling strategy by the second half of 2024.
I believe this is an excellent time to join the think tank sector. The world needs radical new ideas and workable solutions. I have found NEF to be excellent place to work, full of bright and passionate people, who are equally good at influencing the Westminster policy agenda as they are building power in communities across the country.
If this is a challenge that excites you, please do let us know!
I look forward to hearing from you,
Danny Sriskandarajah
CEO, New Economics Foundation
NEF wants to be an inclusive workplace with a diverse body of staff. We don’t want to conform to the traditional think-tank model where people from certain backgrounds are hugely under-represented. We know we have some way to go in this and are therefore genuinely keen to receive applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic people; women; neurodivergent people; disabled people; people who identify as LGBT+; people with experience of mental health problems; and people who identify as working class or have done so in the past.
If you are disabled and have the essential skills and experience to do the job we will invite you to an interview. If you need information in a different format please let us know.
We will make use of positive action to select between candidates of equal merit as a way to address under-representation in our workforce.
Application Deadline: 20 May 2024, 9 am.
First round interview Date: 24 May 2024 (these interviews will be online)
Start Date: Late June or as soon after that as possible
Staff are expected to spend two days a week in our central London office, but we will explore different arrangements with individuals where this is helpful to support making reasonable adjustments for those with protected characteristics and/or caring responsibilities.
You must be eligible to work in the UK, we are unable to sponsor visas.
To apply and to see more details see the ‘about us/job vacancies’ section of our website.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
My client is the leading charity stopping the heartbreak and devastation of baby loss and making pregnancy and birth safe for everyone. Working across the whole pregnancy journey, the organisation funds ground-breaking research, campaigns for changes to maternity care and provides expert information and support.
At present they are looking to appoint an interim Chief Operating Officer to provide maternity cover for the permanent postholder and support the organisation with the implementation of a new and ambitious strategic plan.
Key responsibilities:
- Ensure the efficient, effective development and running of the organisation’s core operations including finance, HR, IT and facilities.
- As a key member of the SLT, support the charity in executing its strategic plan, driving changes needed for the growth and development of the organisation.
- Overall responsibility for the management of the organisation’s financial plans, budgets and financial performance providing executive insight into new initiatives and scenarios.
- Act as Company Secretary, working with the trustees to ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements.
- Embed a true team culture within the finance and business operations unit, ensuring balanced workloads, personal development and colleague engagement are at the highest levels
The successful candidate will be a fully qualified accountant and have previous experience of working at board level within a charity. With substantive experience in financial planning and business partnering, you will possess excellent communication skills and be able to convey complex financial information to a diverse range of stakeholders. Comfortable with leading teams outside of your financial expertise, you will be an empowering leader with strong coaching skills, and the ability to develop and inspire others.
My client offers a flexible hybrid working policy, with 2 days a week in their London office.
CVs will be assessed on a rolling basis and as such we highly recommend interest parties apply early to avoid missing out to an earlier close.
Who we are
St Cross College is a prestigious graduate college set in the heart of the beautiful City of Oxford. In 2025 we will celebrate our 60th anniversary. With around 600 students, our College is characterised by its international flavour, the diverse range of subjects studied and taught by students and Fellows and its friendly and egalitarian culture. A high proportion of students come from overseas to study on one-year Masters courses or to complete a multi-year PhD.
We have the ambition to raise an endowment fund and apply for a Royal Charter to give ourselves the independence enjoyed by most of the colleges within Oxford University. We currently have over 5,000 alumni based in 130 different countries, and there are a host of opportunities for us to build on our core mission to offer a nurturing and intellectually stimulating environment dedicated to the pursuit of excellence within the Collegiate University. We need to significantly increase our philanthropic income. To do this, we need to commit to fundraising strategically, building on our relationships with our Alumni and other supporters, growing an internal culture of philanthropy and a distinctive brand for St Cross College.
About the role
We now seek our first Director of Development to work closely with the Master, Bursar, and Governing Body, to take the lead on all fundraising and alumni relations activities. You will have operational responsibility for College cultivation events, giving programmes, major gifts, international, legacy prospect management and alumni relations, as well as bid-writing and proposal writing. The post provides a unique opportunity within the collegiate university to work across a broad range of areas within a small but ambitious Development Office.
Who are we looking for?
You are likely to have held a senior fundraising position in an organisation of similar complexity to St Cross College and be looking for a substantial leadership role to build on your track record of successful major gift fundraising. We need someone who can demonstrate strong strategic planning and vision-building, as well as excellent interpersonal skills in order to bring a range of diverse stakeholders including influential alumni, academics and students, with you.
We offer a friendly, collaborative working environment in beautiful historic buildings; an interesting, fulfilling role interacting directly with our students, our supporters, our alumni, our staff and our Fellows; and the opportunity to get involved, if you wish, in myriad ways in the social, cultural and intellectual life of the College.
Closing date for applications: By 9am, Monday 10th June 2024
For more information, please click 'Apply Now' to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website.