Head of Central Operations

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.