Interim General Manager

Great opportunity to lead and support our charity's team through the next phase of development to drive One Medicine forward. 

Job Purpose

To lead the operational delivery of Humanimal Trust’s charitable aims and strategic objectives, as set by the Board of Trustees, ensuring that plans are translated into clear priorities, well-managed programmes and effective day-to-day operations. The postholder will line manage the operational team, oversee the finances and the fundraising activities, and maintain strong governance and compliance within Charity Commission requirements, at all times representing the Trust’s One Medicine purpose with professionalism and integrity.

Dimensions

·         Line management responsibility for the operational team

·         Budget responsibility: manage agreed operational budgets and monitor expenditure against plan

·         Oversee delivery of the annual business plan and operational work programme

·         Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, supporters, partners and suppliers

·         Oversee the fundraising activities

Main Responsibilities and Role

·         Provide visible operational leadership for Humanimal Trust, championing One Medicine and role-modelling the Trust’s values

·         Translate Board-approved strategy into clear operational priorities, delivery plans and measurable outcomes

·         Line-manage the operational team: allocate work, set objectives, provide coaching, and manage performance and wellbeing

·         Maintain and improve operational policies, procedures and controls in line with charity regulation, GDPR/data protection and recognised good practice

·         Ensure effective delivery of core operational functions (administration, supporter care, governance support, data management and supplier coordination)

·         Protect the Trust’s reputation by maintaining high standards of quality, confidentiality, safeguarding and risk management

·         Monitor progress against the operational plan, tracking risks, issues and dependencies and reporting regularly to the Chair/Trustees

·         Lead on team resourcing and capability: recruitment planning (where applicable), induction, training and continuous improvement

·         Work closely with the Chair and Trustees to support good governance, prepare papers, and ensure actions and decisions are implemented

·         Attend and present at Board meetings

Finance

·         Manage day-to-day financial processes for the Trust, ensuring appropriate approvals, controls and timely processing

·         Oversee expense claims and supplier payments in line with policy; ensure accurate records are maintained for audit and reporting

·         Track and report on income/expenditure and operational costs, highlighting variances and supporting budget planning with Trustees and finance support (where in place)

·         Maintain a clear audit trail for key financial decisions, contracts and delegated approvals

Planning and Organising

·         Develop and implement operational plans that translate Trustee priorities into clear workstreams, milestones and accountabilities

·         Plan, organise and prioritise team workload and resources to deliver objectives, balancing immediate operational needs with longer-term planning

·         Maintain and review the organisational risk register, escalating issues and ensuring proportionate mitigations are in place

·         Maintain and review the Trust’s policies and guidance documents

·         Monitor and report delivery, performance and compliance (e.g., quarterly/annually as agreed), supporting effective governance and continuous improvement

Decision Making

·         Make operational decisions to deliver the Trust’s agreed plans within delegated authority, escalating strategic or high-risk matters to the Chair/Trustees

·         Lead and line-manage the operational team, including recruitment planning (where applicable), workload allocation and resource deployment

·         Liaise with external partners, supporters, volunteers, suppliers and professional advisers to support delivery and maintain effective relationships

·         Liaise with the Chair of Trustees and the Trustees on a regular basis.

·         Evaluate and improve processes, systems and ways of working to enhance quality, efficiency, supporter experience and internal control

·         Identify learning and development needs for the team and support continuous improvement and professional development

·         Manage operational capacity and prioritisation, ensuring resources are aligned to the Trust’s delivery commitments

·         Approve expenditure, contracts and commitments within delegated authority and in line with policy

Internal and External Relationships

Internal

·         Chair of Trustees and Board of Trustees (including sub-committees), providing timely updates, papers and delivery reporting

·         Operational team and volunteers, providing leadership, coordination and support

External

Supporters, donors, partner organisations, volunteers, suppliers and professional advisers (e.g., finance, HR, legal), acting as an operational point of contact as required

Knowledge, Experience, Skills and Style Required

Essential

·         Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience), with strong digital/IT capability (MS Office and CRM/databases) and a clear understanding of GDPR/data protection.

·         Proven experience in an operational leadership/management role, delivering organisational plans, improving processes and achieving measurable outcomes.

·         Excellent communication, negotiation and influencing skills, with the ability to work effectively with Trustees, colleagues, volunteers and external stakeholders.

·         Strong people management skills, supporting staff through change, setting clear expectations and creating an inclusive, high-performing team culture.

·         Demonstrable experience working in or with a charity/not-for-profit, with a good understanding of governance, compliance and supporter-facing operations (experience in human health, animal health or science an advantage).

·         Strong judgement and analytical skills, able to manage competing priorities, budgets and risks and to deliver reliably in a small-organisation environment.

Desirable

·         Understanding of the UK charity regulatory environment and good governance practice.

·         Experience working with Boards/Trustees, including preparing papers, reporting on delivery and supporting effective decision-making.

·         Knowledge and experience of fundraising operations and supporter care.

·         Demonstrable understanding of, and commitment to, One Medicine.

Job Context and Special Features

This role is a key senior management position within Humanimal Trust, with responsibility for ensuring that strategy is translated into effective delivery, that the operational team is supported to perform at its best, and that the Trust operates with strong governance, compliance and financial control.

This is a one-year fixed term appointment for a 28-hour (3.5 day) working week, starting at the earliest opportunity.  The role is home-based in the UK, with occasional travel to other locations in the country.