Freelance operational manager jobs

About Adolescent Health Study

The Adolescent Health Study (AHS) is an ambitious new UKRI-funded initiative to establish a prospective, longitudinal population study that will generate a globally leading open science data platform and research resource. AHS aims to recruit at least 100,000 young people aged eight to 18 years from across the UK and to follow their mental and physical health and wellbeing over at least 10 years. It plans to collect data through questions and measures; to obtain bio-samples for a wide range of genomic and other high-throughput assays; and to capture linked data relevant to health and wellbeing from participants’ health, education and other administrative records. Recruitment will take place mainly through schools. There will be a strong emphasis on engaging with and involving young people, schools, parents and other relevant stakeholders in the design and delivery of the study, as well as on including young people that represent as wide as possible a range of backgrounds, experiences and characteristics. AHS will focus on enabling a wide range of research, including studies of the critical biological and social developments that occur during the transition from childhood to adulthood and the determinants of both mental and physical health and wellbeing in adolescents and young adults.

Purpose of the post

 The Procurement Lead is responsible for developing and delivering a robust procurement and commercial strategy that ensures value for money, compliance with Procurement Act 2023 regulations in line with AHS being primarily public funded and supports AHS study and operational objectives. The role will lead on sourcing, contracting, supplier management, and commercial governance, ensuring ethical, transparent, and efficient use of public funds.

Main responsibilities

Procurement Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and implement a procurement and commercial strategy aligned with organisational goals and funding requirements.
• Lead procurement planning across research programmes, operations, and corporate services.
• Act as a subject matter expert on public procurement policy and best practice.
• Drive continuous improvement in procurement processes, systems, and capability.

Tendering and Contract Management

• Oversee end-to-end procurement processes including tendering, evaluation, and contract award.
• Ensure compliance with UK public procurement regulations (e.g., Procurement Act and associated guidance).
• Draft, review, and negotiate complex contracts, including research, clinical, and grant-related agreements.
• Manage contract lifecycle including performance monitoring, renewals, and extensions.

Commercial Governance & Compliance

• Establish and maintain procurement policies, procedures, and governance frameworks.
• Ensure all procurement activities meet audit, transparency, and reporting requirements for public funding.
• Identify and mitigate commercial risks across supplier engagements.
• Support internal and external audit processes.

Supplier & Stakeholder Management

• Build and maintain strategic supplier relationships, ensuring high performance and innovation.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders (research teams, finance, legal) to understand needs and deliver value-driven procurement solutions.
• Work with external stakeholders including funders, partners and strategic advisors to develop optimum outcomes
• Provide commercial advice and guidance to senior leadership and project teams.
• Promote sustainable and ethical sourcing practices.

Financial & Value Management

• Deliver value for money through effective sourcing and negotiation strategies.
• Monitor procurement spend and identify cost-saving or efficiency opportunities.
• Contribute to budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning processes.
• Ensure funding is used appropriately, ethically and in line with public funding requirements.

Knowledge, skills and experience

Essential

1. Professional qualification in procurement or supply chain e.g., CIPS Level 5 or equivalent
2. Degree or comparable experience in business, finance, law, or related field.
3. Proven track record of managing complex procurement exercises and contracts.
4. Experience in procurement or commercial roles within regulated procurement environments, specifically those classed as a public authority
5. Strong understanding of UK public procurement regulations and best practice.
6. Commercial acumen with strong negotiation and contract management skills.
7. Experience of drafting and reviewing heads of terms and commercial agreements.
8. Knowledge of intellectual property (IP) considerations in research contracts.
9. Strong experience in supplier and stakeholder management.
10. Excellent analytical, financial, and problem-solving abilities.
11. Strong communication and influencing skills across all levels of an organisation.
12. Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities effectively.

Desirable

1. CIPS Level 6 or equivalent
2. Membership of a professional body (e.g., MCIPS or FCIPS).
3. Experience managing high-value and complex contracts, including collaborative or partnership agreements
4. Experience in procurement or commercial roles within charity and/or research sectors
5. Detailed understanding of intellectual property (IP) considerations in research contracts.
6. Detailed knowledge of the UK Procurement Act (or Public Contracts Regulations 2015 historically) and transitions between them.
7. Experience of drafting and reviewing heads of terms and commercial agreements.
8. Understanding of subsidy control, state aid, or funding compliance frameworks.
9. Ability to analyse procurement data and generate insights using tools such as Excel, Power BI, or similar.
10. Experience leading organisational change or transformation programmes in procurement.
11. Ability to build procurement capability across a non-procurement stakeholder base.

Dimensions

• This is a full-time role, 37.5 hours per week, offered initially as an 18-month fixed-term contract with potential route to permanency.
• Flexible working across several geographical locations in the UK.  Travel may be required to AHS locations and partner organisations.
• AHS is a national organisation, and our activities take place across the UK.

Application Process

All candidates are required to complete the application form which can be found when clicking 'Apply Now' via Charity Job.

Please refer to the ‘How to Apply’ section of the downloadable application form.

Please note that only applications submitted directly to Gravitate HR will be accepted for this position.

The closing date for applications is 11:00pm on Sunday 12th July 2026.

Interviews are currently expected to take place on Wednesday 19th and Thursday 20th August 2026.

Equal Opportunities Policy Statement

AHS is an equal opportunities employer, and as such aims to treat all employees, consultants and applicants fairly. It is our policy to provide employment equality to all, irrespective of:

• Gender, including gender reassignment
• Marital or civil partnership status
• Having or not having dependants
• Religion or belief
• Race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins)
• Disability
• Sexual orientation
• Age

We are opposed to all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination.  All job applicants and employees who work for us will be treated fairly and will not be unfairly discriminated against on any of the above grounds. Decisions about recruitment and selection, promotion, training or any other benefit will be made objectively and without unlawful discrimination. 

Values

It is an exciting time for the Adolescent Health Study (AHS) as we establish our senior leadership team and begin to plan the pilot studies. As the senior executive team evolves, the AHS values will be grounded in inclusivity, integrity, accountability, and collaboration.

Job Purpose: 

The International HR Operations Administrator provides pro-active, generalist HR operations support to all staff. This role involves supporting all aspects of the employee lifecycle, including recruitment, on-boarding and orientation, performance management, learning and development, monthly payroll, benefits administration, as well as assisting with HR administration and the HR system. 

Key to this role is the ability to be efficient and well-organised, as well as to build strong working relationships, and manage HR-related issues in a professional and timely manner. 

Scope and Limits of Authority: 

The post holder is expected to organise their own day-to-day activities according to the overall priorities and timescales set. 

● This role does not have line management responsibility 

● Assisting with contracting and managing consultants and interpreters 

● Processing personal and confidential staff data 

Key Responsibilities: 

HR Strategy, Planning & Budgets 

● Processing HR activity invoices, ensuring accurate reporting in line with agreed budget criteria 

HR Policies & Processes 

● Supporting staff to understand and comply with HR policies and procedures as needed and raising any concerns to line managers. 

Global Resourcing & Payroll 

● Assisting with all recruitment activity, including finalising job descriptions, planning recruitment activity, placing adverts, support with selection and appointment processes, and scheduling interviews 

● Assisting with the monthly payroll for all staff globally, including providing relevant information to outsourced employment (EOR) and payroll only providers, processing invoices and maintaining relevant records; tracking payroll changes for all staff 

● Assisting with administration related to cost of living reviews (e.g. writing letters, updating the HR system) 

● Assisting with the management of all benefit administration including pension, Employee Assistance Programme, Life Assurance etc. 

● Assisting with the effective on-boarding of new starters and managing the orientation process 

● Assisting with termination / end of employment processes 

● Assisting with consultant due diligence processes as needed 

Staff Engagement & Employee Relations 

● Assisting with employee engagement activities such as staff surveys and employee wellbeing activities. 

● Assisting with staff communication activities as needed andensuring the HR section of the Secretariat Space is accurate 

Talent Management 

● Assisting with the performance management process to ensure reviews are completed on time and documented effectively 

● Assisting with L&D activities by identifying and monitoring training opportunities for staff 

HR Administration & Reporting 

● Draft offer letters, contracts, employee correspondence and paperwork covering the whole employee life cycle e.g: Maternity / new starts / Leavers etc 

● Provide administrative support in various tasks including meeting notes, booking meetings 

● Effectively monitoring the HR team’s shared email accounts 

● Keeping the HR system up to date, supporting staff to use it effectively 

● Maintaining HR records, in line with data protection regulations 

● Contribute to the life and work of the wider Resources team, helping out administratively where necessary 

Cross Team & Cross Secretariat Responsibilities 

● Building, maintaining and developing relationships with colleagues across all teams in the Secretariat, contributing to the delivery of the Alliance mission and Family for Every Child’s strategy 

● Contributing to cross-team work as needed and cross Secretariat project teams 

● Establishing and maintaining efficient administration systems, including digital filing 

● Undertaking any other reasonable duties or projects as required to support the work of the Secretariat 

Self-Management 

● Working in a results focused, open and collaborative way with agility, flexibility and a ‘can do’ mentality, enabling colleagues to thrive in a remote working environment 

● Keep up to date professionally and take responsibility for own professional development 

Person Specification: 

Education, qualifications, knowledge and experience 

Essential: 

● Educated to UK A Level (International level 3) or equivalent qualification or experience 

● Relevant and recent experience working in generalist/operational HR at a similar level 

● Knowledge of HR best practices (UK & International) 

● Experience of working in a fast paced environment 

● Experience of supporting multi-disciplinary teams 

● Experience of remote working 

● Experience of working in a multicultural environment 

● Experience of effective communication at all levels across an organisation 

Desirable: 

● Degree in a relevant discipline 

● Professional qualification in HR

● CIPD membership 

● Experience of embedding HR policy and process 

● Experience of working within a network organisation 

● Experience of working with Google suite 

● Good understanding of charity sector/international development and/or international membership organisations 

● Experience of working with an HR management system 

Skills, personal attributes and behaviours 

Role specific skills 

● Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality in relation to a range of information 

● Ability to be responsive to multiple requests 

● Ability to establish rapport with a variety of stakeholders 

● Strong interpersonal skills 

● High level of accuracy and attention to detail 

● Proactive approach to problem solving 

● Ability to prioritise work and work to deadlines within a changing environment. 

The following skills and personal attributes are expected of all staff 

● Flexible and adaptable; willing to contribute to other streams of work and across teams 

● Highly skilled communicator, in different formats, and capable of working across languages and cultures (using translation and interpretation support as relevant) ● Flexibility to work outside typical working hours and across time zones, especially in relation to line management responsibilities and to support cross team working ● Highly organised and self-motivated, able to manage and deliver on multiple concurrent tasks 

● Competent IT proficiency across a range of packages, able to learn quickly and troubleshoot problems independently 

● Ability to use initiative and work without close supervision, working both as part of a team and as an individual 

● Excellent command of English (oral and written) is a must, but working knowledge of Spanish, Portuguese, or French is appreciated to broaden the range of language skills within the Secretariat 

Due to the urgency of this role, we’ll be reviewing applications and holding interviews as soon as strong CVs are received. We’re ideally looking for someone who can start immediately, as our superstar currently in the role will be heading off to new adventures on 15 July. Candidates who are available to begin straight away will be prioritised.

As we anticipate a high level of interest, we will only be contacting shortlisted candidates. If you haven’t heard from us by 10 July, please consider your application unsuccessful. We truly appreciate your interest in joining Family for Every Child and thank you warmly in advance for taking the time to apply.

Please note that only candidates with the Right to Work in the UK should apply. We carry out full RTW checks and are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.

About Toynbee Hall

Based in the East End of London since 1884, Toynbee Hall is a charity working alongside people facing poverty, injustice, and inequality to build a fairer East London. We provide vital advice and support, working in partnership to tackle unfairness and ensure everyone has an equal chance to thrive.

Directorate background

The Advice Services directorate at Toynbee Hall is central to our commitment to address and alleviate poverty in London and beyond. Specialising in debt, welfare benefits, legal support, and generalist advice, our directorate has proven instrumental in significantly enhancing the financial wellbeing of those we serve. Last year alone, our efforts helped individuals and families to be over £23 million better off, showcasing the direct impact of our work.

Job purpose

The Director of Advice Services provides strategic leadership for Toynbee Hall’s Advice Services Directorate, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, accessible and impactful services that support people experiencing poverty, financial hardship, social exclusion and inequality.

Scope of role

The Interim Director of Advice Services is responsible for the strategic and operational leadership of all Advice Services delivered by Toynbee Hall.

This includes direct delivery services, partnership programmes, grant-funded projects and commissioned contracts delivered across community, healthcare and criminal justice settings.

The postholder will oversee a complex portfolio that includes:

• Debt advice and financial wellbeing services
• Welfare benefits and generalist advice services
• Legal advice services including employment and housing
• Welfare benefits services for customers with cancer
• Ministry of Justice-funded prison-based advice services
• Future commissioned, grant-funded and partnership programmes

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Lead the strategic direction and development of the Advice Services Directorate.
• Contribute to organisational strategy and planning as a member of the Senior Management Team.
• Ensure services align with Toynbee Hall’s mission, strategic objectives and organisational priorities.

Financial Planning and Performance

• Work with Finance colleagues to develop budgets, forecasts and financial plans across the Directorate.
• Ensure services operate within agreed budgets and deliver value for money.
• Monitor financial performance across contracts, grants and programmes, identifying risks and opportunities.

Business Development and Growth

• Lead the development and delivery of the Directorate’s growth strategy.
• Identify new funding, commissioning and partnership opportunities.
• Lead the development of bids, tenders and funding proposals.

Contract and Partnership Management

• Provide strategic oversight of all contracts, grants and service agreements.
• Lead negotiations with commissioners, funders and delivery partners.
• Ensure effective contract management processes are embedded across the Directorate.

Service Portfolio Leadership

• Provide strategic oversight across all advice services including debt, welfare benefits, generalist advice, legal advice, Macmillan services and prison-based advice programmes.
• Ensure services are integrated where appropriate and provide a seamless client journey.
• Drive innovation and continuous improvement across all service areas.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria:

• Experience of leading large-scale advice, support, health, justice or community services and projects.
• Proven experience of business development, income generation and securing funding or contracts
• Experience of leading complex partnerships / multi-agency programmes.
• Experience of negotiating and managing significant contracts, grants and service agreements.
• Strong understanding of service quality, governance, compliance and risk management.
• Experience of budget management, financial planning and working with finance colleagues to support effective financial oversight.
• Ability to build relationships and influence at senior level with funders, commissioners, regulators and strategic partners.

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience of working within or alongside the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS)
• Experience leading within a senior Advice Services Directorate
• Experience in developing or delivering advisor training and technical supervision.
• Understanding of criminal justice or mental-health service environments.

Our Benefits

Annual Leave

• 25 days of annual leave, plus 3 additional days for our Christmas shutdown (on top of bank holidays)
• After 2 years: +3 extra days of leave
• After 3 years: +1 additional day
• After 5 years: A total of 30 days annual leave, plus the 3-day Christmas shutdown

Pension

• Standard Life Pension Scheme – Employer contribution: 4%, Employee contribution: 5%

Additional Perks & Support

• Enhanced Sick Pay for peace of mind during illness
• Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Leave to support growing families
• Employee Eyecare Vouchers to support your vision health
• Employee Assistance Programme for free, confidential advice and support
• Mental Health First Aid to ensure workplace well-being
• Tenancy Deposit Scheme to help secure your home
• Interest-Free Season Ticket Loan for cost-effective commuting
• Cycle to Work Scheme to promote a healthier, greener way to travel
• Charity Mentoring Network to support professional development and networking
• Westfield Health Cash Plan to cover your healthcare needs specified in the Policy
• Perk Box
• Life Insurance

Please refer to the attached job description for more details.

About Adolescent Health Study

The Adolescent Health Study (AHS) is an ambitious new UKRI-funded initiative to establish a prospective, longitudinal population study that will generate a globally leading open science data platform and research resource. AHS aims to recruit at least 100,000 young people aged eight to 18 years from across the UK and to follow their mental and physical health and wellbeing over at least 10 years. It plans to collect data through questions and measures; to obtain bio-samples for a wide range of genomic and other high-throughput assays; and to capture linked data relevant to health and wellbeing from participants’ health, education and other administrative records. Recruitment will take place mainly through schools. There will be a strong emphasis on engaging with and involving young people, schools, parents and other relevant stakeholders in the design and delivery of the study, as well as on including young people that represent as wide as possible a range of backgrounds, experiences and characteristics. AHS will focus on enabling a wide range of research, including studies of the critical biological and social developments that occur during the transition from childhood to adulthood and the determinants of both mental and physical health and wellbeing in adolescents and young adults.

Purpose of the post

The HR Officer plays a key role in delivering an effective, professional, and compliant HR service across the organisation. Supporting both operational HR processes and employee experience, the post holder will contribute to attracting, developing, and retaining talent in a collaborative and values-driven research environment.

Main responsibilities

HR Operations & Administration Support

• Lead recruitment campaigns in consultation with hiring managers, including drafting job adverts, short-listing and coordinating interviews.
• Manage employee life cycle process, including background checks, onboarding and offboarding.
• Maintain accurate and confidential employee records in compliance with GDPR and organisational policies.
• Administer HR systems, contracts, and employment documentation.
• Manage relationship with 3rd party suppliers including HR consultancy and DBS check providers.
• Support payroll preparation including monthly absence reporting and ensuring accurate data submission and coordination with Finance/Payroll.
• Support the wider central administrative team as required.

 Employee Relations

• Provide first-line HR advice to managers and staff on policies, procedures, and employment matters.
• Support casework relating to absence, performance, disciplinary, and grievance processes.
• Support managers and the COO with complex people cases, working with the external HR partner as required.
• Promote a positive and inclusive working culture aligned with the organisation’s values.

Learning & Development

• Coordinate training activities and support professional development initiatives for research and support staff.
• Some delivery of internal people-related training
• Assist in identifying skills gaps and contributing to workforce development plans.

Policy & Compliance

• Ensure HR practices comply with employment legislation, charity sector regulations, and best practice.
• Monitor and assist with the development, review, and implementation of HR policies and procedures, including handbook updates.
• Support equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) initiatives across the organisation.

HR Projects & Continuous Improvement

• Contribute to HR projects such as staff engagement, wellbeing initiatives, and organisational development.
• Support the implementation of HR systems improvements and process efficiencies.
• Collect and analyse HR data to inform decision-making and reporting.

Knowledge, skills and experience 

Essential

1. Experience in an HR administrative or officer-level role.
2. Sound knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice.
3. CIPD Level 3 or equivalent.
4. Experience of supporting payroll and finance processes.
5. Proven ability to establish and evolve people processes in a growing organisation.
6. Proficiency in HR systems, such as BreatheHR or equivalent, and Microsoft Office applications.
7. Experience of working in organisations with multiple staffing arrangements i.e. direct employees, secondees, contractors etc.
8. Strong organisational and administrative skills with excellent attention to detail.
9. Ability to handle sensitive information with confidentiality and professionalism.
10. Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Desirable

1. CIPD Level 5 qualification (or working towards).
2. Experience working in the charity, academic, or research sector.
3. Experience supporting EDI and wellbeing initiatives.
4. Familiarity with public funded and/or project-based staffing environments.
5. Experience supporting or negotiating secondment arrangements, particularly within academic, charity or research environments.

Dimensions

• This is a full-time role, 37.5 hours per week, offered initially as an 18-month fixed-term contract with potential route to permanency.
• Flexible working across several geographical locations in the UK.  Travel may be required to AHS locations and partner organisations.
• AHS is a national organisation, and our activities take place across the UK.

Application Process

All candidates are required to complete the application form which can be found when clicking 'Apply Now' via Charity Job. 

Please refer to the ‘How to Apply’ section of the downloadable application form.

Please note that only applications submitted directly to Gravitate HR will be accepted for this position.

The closing date for applications is 11:00pm on Sunday 5 July 2026.

Interviews are currently expected to take place on Wednesday 5 and Thursday 6 August 2026.

Equal Opportunities Policy Statement

 AHS is an equal opportunities employer, and as such aims to treat all employees, consultants and applicants fairly. It is our policy to provide employment equality to all, irrespective of:

• Gender, including gender reassignment
• Marital or civil partnership status
• Having or not having dependants
• Religion or belief
• Race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins)
• Disability
• Sexual orientation
• Age

We are opposed to all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination.  All job applicants and employees who work for us will be treated fairly and will not be unfairly discriminated against on any of the above grounds. Decisions about recruitment and selection, promotion, training or any other benefit will be made objectively and without unlawful discrimination. 

Values

It is an exciting time for the Adolescent Health Study (AHS) as we establish our senior leadership team and begin to plan the pilot studies. As the senior executive team evolves, the AHS values will be grounded in inclusivity, integrity, accountability, and collaboration.