Head of Operations

About Reprieve

Reprieve is a leading international human rights organisation working to end the death penalty and abuses committed under the banner of national security. Founded in 1999, our mission remains critically relevant as governments worldwide increasingly adopt authoritarian tactics, expanding executive power at the expense of civil liberties.

You can best judge a society by how it treats prisoners, criminal defendants, and the far-flung targets of an ever-changing counter-terror policy. To us, the rule of law means little if we selectively apply it to people we agree with. It is for all of us. Liberty is always eroded at the margins.

Reprieve’s staff is made up of courageous and committed human rights defenders. We provide vital legal and investigative support to those facing execution and victims of rendition, torture, arbitrary detention, extrajudicial killing, and citizenship stripping. Our work spans multiple jurisdictions, challenging states' most egregious human rights violations through strategic litigation, investigations, and advocacy.

We support cases in courts worldwide while building the legal and political momentum necessary to consign these practices to history.

Based in London with Fellows and partners globally, Reprieve operates at the intersection of law, policy, and human rights, working alongside governments, senior legal practitioners, and civil society to advance systemic change.

We collaborate closely with our independent partner organization Reprieve US.

About the Role

The Head of Operations will oversee the day-to-day running of the global operations of Reprieve UK, Reprieve US, and our work around the globe. They will have broad responsibility for HR operations, office and facilities management, IT and systems, compliance, data protection, security risk management and operational support across Reprieve’s international operations

This role is critical to supporting a high performing group of staff, fellows, consultants, and partner organisations working together to provide the highest possible standard of service to Reprieve clients, their families and communities. The successful postholder will be committed to Reprieve’s mission of ending the use of the death penalty and extreme human rights abuses carried out in the name of “national security”, as well as to building and maintaining happy and healthy teams.

The successful postholder will support the Senior Management Team (who hold delegated responsibility) to ensure the smooth running of the organisation, including maintaining compliance with key statutory and regulatory requirements at all times. The Head of Operations will have a central role in ensuring that good practice, wellbeing, and compliance work hand in hand with one another, and is embedded within the ethos of the organisation for the benefit of our clients and Reprieve’s mission.

The Head of Operations will supervise the work of the Operations Team and will report to a member of the Senior Management Team.

Terms

This is a full-time position on a permanent contract. The annual salary is £61,003 full-time per annum, less any required deductions for income tax and national insurance. 

This role is based in Reprieve’s London office. Reprieve operates a hybrid working model and we require staff to work 40% per week from the London office and the rest of the week from home. You will also be available outside of office hours in the event of an emergency and when required as part of the security risk management framework (for example to monitor extreme risk trips). Applicants must have current right to work in the UK, which will be checked prior to interview.

Reprieve is proud to have an open and transparent pay structure, governed by a 3:1 pay ratio between the highest-paid member of staff and the lowest-paid member of staff. We are a flexible employer and offer a range of non-financial benefits to employees. We welcome applications from a range of backgrounds

How to Apply

Please download the application form and job description from our website. Completed application forms should then be uploaded via the form on our website by the deadline of 23:59 BST on 20 September 2026.

Please note that cover letters, CVs and other documents cannot be considered for this role and should not be submitted.