52 Operation manager jobs in Cardiff, Wales

Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Contract: Permanent / Full Time

Salary: C. £130k per annum, depending on experience

Location: Remote / UK Based (regular travel to London office and other locations as required)

Closing Date: 10th September

Interview Dates: 5th & 7th October

Introduction

Doing Good Recruitment is proud to be exclusively partnering with a highly respected health organisation to appoint an exceptional Chief Operating Officer (COO). This critical leadership role will drive organisational transformation, operational excellence and long-term sustainable impact.

The Role

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the COO will serve as a key strategic adviser and member of the executive leadership team, helping to shape organisational priorities and ensure effective delivery across a complex international organisation. Working closely with the CEO, Board and senior stakeholders, the COO will play a central role in driving organisational performance, strengthening governance and ensuring resources are deployed effectively to support long-term objectives.

The role will provide strategic leadership across core corporate functions, including people, finance, governance, risk, technology and business operations. The next postholder will ensure the organisation's operational infrastructure, systems and processes effectively support performance, fundraising and programme delivery, while positioning the organisation for long-term success.

About You

The successful candidate will bring substantial executive leadership experience, ideally gained within a complex, purpose-led or internationally operating organisation. As a fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent), you will possess excellent financial and commercial acumen, with experience leading organisational planning, overseeing significant budgets and providing strategic financial insight at the highest level. Experience of presenting to and working closely with Boards, Finance Committees and other senior governance groups will be essential.

The right candidate will be able to demonstrate a track record of leading business improvement, organisational change and operational modernisation, alongside the ability to build credibility and influence across diverse stakeholder groups. This unique opportunity requires a collaborative and pragmatic leader who combines sound judgement with effective delivery, enabling organisations to adapt, grow and achieve sustainable impact. Experience of digital innovation, data-driven decision-making and the effective application of emerging technologies, including AI, would be advantageous.

Disability Confident

Our client is Disability Confident. Candidates who meet the essential criteria for the role and identify as having a disability (found on the application page) will be guaranteed an interview as part of their commitment to creating an inclusive and accessible recruitment process.

 

Inclusion Statement

Doing Good Recruitment is committed to the highest standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, caring responsibilities, socio-economic background, or any other protected characteristic. We recognise that exceptional candidates do not always meet every requirement listed in a job description. If your experience aligns with most of the criteria and you are excited by the opportunity, we encourage you to apply.

6-month contract | Fully remote | Part-time

We are working with a well-established UK charity to recruit an experienced Interim Head of Internal Audit for an initial six-month contract.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who can bring a pragmatic, collaborative and business-partnering approach to internal audit. Rather than simply identifying risks and control weaknesses, you will work closely with teams across the organisation to understand how functions operate, improve processes and develop practical recommendations that work within the culture of the charity.

A key initial priority will be supporting a review of the fundraising function, alongside helping shape and deliver the wider internal audit programme.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and deliver the organisation’s internal audit programme.
• Undertake a key fundraising audit, reviewing processes, risks, controls and ways of working.
• Review functions across the organisation and identify practical opportunities to strengthen procedures and improve effectiveness.
• Work as a trusted business partner to senior leaders and operational teams, providing constructive challenge and support.
• Develop clear, proportionate recommendations that recognise the organisation’s culture and operating environment.
• Track audit recommendations and support teams with their implementation.
• Provide assurance and reporting to senior leadership and relevant committees.
• Help further develop the organisation’s approach to internal audit and assurance going forward.

About you

We are looking for an experienced Internal Audit professional who:

• Has strong experience delivering risk-based internal audits, ideally within a charity or not-for-profit environment.
• Has experience reviewing fundraising operations or other complex operational functions.
• Takes a pragmatic, solutions-focused approach rather than focusing solely on governance and controls.
• Is an excellent business partner, able to build relationships and bring people with them.
• Is culturally aware and able to adapt their approach to different teams and stakeholders.
• Can operate independently and confidently engage with senior leadership.
• Ideally holds a relevant internal audit or accounting qualification such as CIA, MIIA, ACCA or CIMA.

This is a fully remote six-month assignment offering the opportunity to make a tangible impact on how internal audit supports and adds value across the organisation.

Citizens UK 

Citizens UK is the UK’s biggest, most diverse and most effective people-powered alliance. We bring communities and local organisations together to work on issues that matter; from campaigning for zebra crossings on dangerous roads, to reforming the immigration system, to the Living Wage campaign. We have a track record of winning change through hundreds of local and national campaigns. We know everyday people have the ability to shape the world around them. We believe that through developing local leaders, we can drive nationwide change and create community-led solutions to big and small problems.

Living Wage Foundation 

The Living Wage movement began in 2001, after Citizens UK brought together communities in East London to discuss poverty and low pay. The campaign grew in momentum and soon required a mechanism to recognise employers who wanted to join the movement, which saw the establishment of the Living Wage Foundation in 2011.

Still part of Citizens UK today, the Living Wage Foundation continues to work with community organisations to make sure the voices of both workers and businesses are part of the Living Wage movement. We now work with over 16,000 employers, benefitting over 475,000 people and winning over £3bn of better wages for people who need it most.

Citizens UK works with a broad base of institutions across the political spectrum. At the Living Wage Foundation, we take the same deliberately broad-based approach and accredit all organisations who pay the real Living Wage to their directly and indirectly employed staff and are committed to tackling in work poverty.  As a team we work across a range of industries and sectors to achieve this mission. We seek pragmatic coalitions in order to progress specific campaigns, and partnership around a particular issue such as Living Wage, does not imply an endorsement of broader purpose and policies.

Purpose 

At Citizens UK, our organisers and project staff work within communities to develop leaders, strengthen organisations, campaign for change and organise across difference. There are various project roles and operational, communication, finance and HR roles that support the organisation and project staff and organisers to deliver on this mission and work. This work is rewarding and can be challenging; it requires a personal commitment to inclusion, a willingness to listen and disagree respectfully, and an interest in working in an organisation where our staff, member institutions and leaders will come from a diversity of backgrounds and often hold views that may be very different from our own. More information about how we operate within this context and build trusted relationships across difference can be found on our website and is covered in induction. Onboarding and navigating this relational culture, and type of work, is supported by line managers and further training. 

Main Responsibilities 

We are looking for a highly motivated and organised individual to coordinate our accreditation scheme. The role will work with our network of employers, and support new organisations through the accreditation process. 

The Programme Officer will support our work across the South East and support our managers to grow and deepen engagement with Living Wage Employers through our associated schemes. You will help to ensure our resources and publicity materials are well written and up-to-date, and to coordinate events to grow our employer network. 

Working as the Programme Officer for Citizens UK, reporting to a Programme Manager, your main responsibilities will include: 

Contribute towards the achievement of CUK and LWF’s strategic objectives

Understand how the role contributes to LWF’s purpose and the core mission of CUK

Reliably implement CUK’s and LWF’s policies, procedures, and values in own work

Work with CUK community organisers and leaders to promote civic engagement with and ownership of the Living Wage campaign 

Feed into the LWF strategy and objectives development 

Living Wage Accreditation 

• Support key contacts at potential LW Employers through the accreditation process, from dealing with initial enquiries to guiding them through the employer journey, to checking and processing their accreditation 

• Develop rewarding relationships with key employers, industry, and campaign partners within our networks to build interest in the Living Wage and deliver a high-quality experience to our accredited employers 

• With support from the wider team, develop plans and strategies to grow the number of accreditations in specific regions or industries 

• Collate and disseminate Living Wage criteria and policy issues through both internal and external facing guidance, whilst reviewing and monitoring its suitability 

• Support the development and implementation of projects to promote and grow Living Wage accreditations and develop the quality of service offered 

Build and manage projects and achieve work targets effectively

Successfully progress projects and tasks incl. tracking performance and expenditure 

Deliver agreed areas of the LWF’s work plan and leading on agenda items to report into team meetings.

Support the growth and development of new and existing Living Wage schemes incl.  Recognised Service Providers, LW Funders, LW Places, Living Hours, Global Living Wage and Living Work Consultancy 

Deliver personal work targets on time and to standard: 

• Respond to telephone and web-based enquiries by providing advice and support to employers and supporters 

• Provide administrative support for all aspects of the accreditation journey, incl. processing accreditations, recognitions, and renewals 

• Maintain LWF data on systems, incl. Salesforce employer database

• Support the maintenance of our systems to ensure efficient processes and develop reporting mechanisms for effective monitoring and evaluation of our impact and progress against plans 

• Coordinate and administrate Steering, Advisory or Leadership Groups as required, incl. coordinating agendas, sending out timely papers, taking minutes and following up on actions 

Learning &expertise

Keep abreast of new developments in the accreditation space

Apply new learning to work and respond effectively to feedback 

Work collaboratively with the LWF and franchise teams to share learnings and experience and ensure that we are meeting the expectations of our network and stakeholders 

Develop and manage external relationships 

Effectively develop and support a range of external relationships 

Respond effectively to queries or requests from stakeholders 

Engage with a diverse range of external stakeholders to support and develop projects as required 

Communications 

Communicate effectively within the LWF; ensuring that messages are reliably passed to those who need to know 

Represent the LWF coherently in writing and verbally 

Events and Communications 

• Plan and organise events to celebrate and grow our network of LW Employers, incl. playing an active role in the delivery of LW Week and assisting colleagues with event logistics 

• Represent and speak on behalf of the LWF at internal and external meetings and events 

• Develop or feed into employer resources incl. marketing materials, blogs, reports, templates, and guides 

Develop and manage internal relationships 

Work effectively with colleagues across Citizens UK 

Work collaboratively within the LWF team and actively participate in the team to ensure we meet the expectations of our network and stakeholders 

Generate income and resources

Contribute to plans and proposals to grow sources of income/resource.

Take personal responsibility for the careful stewardship of LWF’s resources 

 Personal Specification 

(D) Desirable, (E) Essential 

 Experience 

• Comprehensive experience in an administrative role (E) 

• Experience of building positive relationships (E) 

• Experience of learning, managing and updating Salesforce or similar databases (D) 

 Key skills and knowledge 

• Excellent time management skills with the ability to juggle a wide range of competing demands (E) 

• Understanding of database and systems management (E) 

• Ability to take in and interpret information and present in a succinct manner(E) 

• Excellent communication skills, both verbally and written, combined with the ability to liaise with senior stakeholders, both online and in-person (E) 

• Ability to act on own initiative to introduce and develop new systems as appropriate (E) 

• Strong attention to detail (E) 

• Strong IT skills to include MS Office and database software (E) 

• Understanding of the policy and campaign landscape in the UK (D) 

Personal qualities & values 

• A strong commitment to social justice and alignment with the Living Wage Foundation’s mission and Citizens UK’s values (E). 

• A proactive approach to all areas of work with a ‘can do’ attitude and a flexible approach to work demands (E) 

About the application process 

We work within diverse communities bringing people together. In line with our Inclusion value, we would love to see applications from LGBTQIA+ people, people from racialised communities, people living with disabilities and people of faith, all to better represent the communities we work in. We want our employees to have the working conditions that allows them to fully participate, be able to be their best authentic selves and thrive doing so, and we have employee networks to support staff. Even if you don’t quite meet all the required criteria still consider applying, as we invest in our employees and support them to develop the skills and knowledge required to deliver their role. 

For questions and reasonable adjustments regarding your application including information in a different format, or our recruitment process, please email us.

Interviews will be in person in the South of England region, week commencing 5th October – in person most likely at Head Office in Whitechapel.

Prospectus is delighted to be partnering with our client to recruit their next Chief Executive Officer.

The orgnisation is the UK's leading charity dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by Dravet Syndrome, a rare, severe and life-limiting neurological condition. Founded by parents in 2008, the charity has grown significantly and now supports hundreds of families across the UK through family support services, professional education, awareness raising and medical research.

As the charity enters its next phase of development, the organisation is seeking an ambitious and inspirational CEO to lead the organisation through its next stage of growth and impact.

Reporting to the Board of Trustees, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across the organisation, leading the delivery of the charity's future strategy while ensuring excellence in day-to-day operations. You will work closely with families, clinicians, researchers, industry partners, funders and policymakers, acting as a visible and credible ambassador for the charity across the sector.

This opportunity is ideally suited to a senior leader from a national charity or patient advocacy organisation who has successfully led organisational growth and transformation. You will bring experience of scaling services, income and organisational capacity, while retaining a strong understanding of hands-on leadership within a growing charity.

We are looking for a confident and influential leader with the presence and credibility to inspire supporters, stakeholders and partners, whether speaking at conferences, fundraising events or representing the charity nationally. Experience within a rare disease, neurological condition, disability, health or patient advocacy organisation would be highly advantageous, with direct rare disease experience particularly welcomed.

To be successful, you will bring:

• Significant senior leadership experience within a national charity, health or patient advocacy organisation.
• A proven track record of leading organisational growth and managing complexity through periods of change.
• Strong strategic and operational leadership skills, with the ability to balance long-term vision and day-to-day delivery.
• Outstanding relationship-building and stakeholder management capabilities.
• The confidence and presence to act as an engaging external ambassador and public spokesperson.
• A commitment to improving outcomes for individuals and families affected by complex health conditions.

This is a rare opportunity to lead a highly respected charity at an exciting time of progress and opportunity, including significant advances in rare disease research and treatment.
This role is home-based with regular UK travel and occasional international travel. Some evening and weekend work will be required.

At Prospectus we invest in your journey as a candidate and are committed to supporting you with your application. We welcome all candidates to apply, regardless of age, sex/gender, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status or pregnancy/maternity. If you have any disability and require reasonable adjustment/s to any part of the process, then please contact Catherine Bunting at Prospectus.

Recruitment timeline:
First round interviews (via Zoom) - Friday 18th September
Final round interviews (London) - Monday 28th September

Contract: Permanent

Hours: 35 hours

Salary: Up to £75,000 per annum

Location: Flexible with regular travel across our retail network and to London

Benefits include but not limited to:

-36 days' annual leave inclusive of flexible bank holidays, increasing with length of service

-Provision to buy additional annual leave

-Enhanced maternity/paternity leave

-We match up to 8% pension

-Free counselling service

-Opportunities to develop and widen your skills

-2 days of paid volunteering time per annum to support another part of the organisation

About us: The Children's Society has been helping children and young people in this country for over 140 years. We deliver essential local services that provide safe, trusted support to children and young people during times of significant need.

Our Social Impact domain is built on shared values, diverse perspectives, and a flexible, people-first approach. We work as one team, building strong relationships across the organisation to drive meaningful change for children and young people. With trust, wellbeing, and collaboration at the heart of how we work, you'll join a culture that supports you to make a real and lasting difference, helping us move closer to our mission of improving the lives of children and young people.

About the role: The Children's Society is seeking an innovative and ambitious Retail Director who can reshape our retail portfolio to deliver greater income and impact to support children and young people.

You'll play a critical leadership role during a period of transition and opportunity. You'll provide strategic oversight and operational leadership across our national retail network, supporting performance, safeguarding, and team wellbeing while preparing the function for transformation and growth.

Representing retail at senior leadership level and working closely with the Executive Director of Marketing and Income Generation, the Director of Retail will deliver the new retail strategy and ensure the function is ready to thrive.

To be successful in this role, you will have:

-Substantial experience in charity retail leadership, ideally including interim or transitional roles

-Proven ability to lead large, dispersed teams through change with confidence and credibility

-Strong strategic and commercial acumen, with a track record of driving performance and growth

-Experience in safeguarding oversight and compliance across retail operations

-Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder engagement skills

Closing date: Midnight on 13th September 2026Interview dates: Week commencing 28th September

The Children's Society is committed to safeguarding and protection of the children and young people we work with. As such, our safer recruitment process includes a Basic or Enhanced DBS check, 2 years of references, and additional vetting checks relevant to the role. We have a comprehensive range of policies and procedures in place to promote safeguarding and safer working practices across all areas of our organisation.In support of our commitment to diversity and inclusion, shortlisting is carried out on an anonymised basis. Personal details are hidden from the shortlisting panel, and candidates are referenced by a candidate number only. As part of this process, we ask that your CV is anonymised before submission - this means removing personal information such as your name, contact details, age, and any other identifying details.

AI tools can support your application but only when used appropriately. You're welcome to use them to improve clarity, structure, and research. However, overuse or misuse (e.g. inventing experience or using AI during assessments) may lead to rejection at any stage. We want to hear the real you - authenticity matters.

About The Role

What if you could use your relationship-building skills and passion for technology to help shape the way one of the UK's leading charities uses technology? Imagine being the bridge between our people and the technology that powers the vital support we provide to everyone affected by dementia.
As Technology Business Partner, you'll connect our business areas with the Technology, IT, Data andDigital functions that make change happen. You'll develop a deep understanding of the strategic needs of your assigned business areas and make sure our technology offer genuinely meets them. Your ability to listen, influence, and build trust will be just as important as your technical knowledge.
From supporting Product Owners through change programmes to managing stakeholder relationships and helping build product roadmaps, you'll be at the centre of how we deliver technology that makes a difference.
About you:
You're someone who genuinely enjoys building relationships and can communicate with equal confidence whether you're talking to a senior leader or a colleague who is still finding their feet with new technology. You're curious, motivated, and able to translate complex technical concepts into language that makes sense to the people who need to hear it.
You understand that technology is only as valuable as the trust people place in it, and you take pride in being the person who builds that trust.
You’ll have:

- Proven analytical skills for transforming business needs into technology products, solutions, and services.
- Experience within a Business Partnering or similar business relationship role.
- Effective stakeholder management skills, with experience building long-term relationships and establishing shared goals.
- Experience collating and translating technical information for diverse audiences.
- Familiarity with IT and data processes, organisational operations, and change management.
- Knowledge of product management concepts and the ability to lead requirements and capability gathering workshops.
- Good working knowledge of the Microsoft suite, ITIL framework, and project management methodologies such as Prince2 and Agile.

What you’ll focus on:

- Acting as the strategic link between Product Owners and the Technology functions that support business change.
- Understanding the strategic and technology needs of assigned business areas and ensuring our service offer meets them.
- Maintaining and nurturing stakeholder relationships to manage demand, expectations, and the delivery of technology solutions.
- Gathering high-level business requirements and defining scope through interviews, workshops, and cross-functional sessions.
- Working with Business and Data Analysts to define new capabilities, create project documentation, and support pipeline demand management.
- Helping define and communicate new services, ensuring alignment between business needs and technical capabilities.
- Working with the IT Trainer to develop a community of Technology Champions across the Society.

Could your ability to connect people and technology help us deliver greater impact for everyone affected by dementia? If you're ready to bring your relationship-building skills and technology expertise to a role with real purpose, we'd love to hear from you.

Important dates:

Application deadline: Sunday 13th September at 23:59pm
1st stage interviews begin: Thursday 24th September
2nd stage interviews begin: Wednesday 30th September

About Alzheimer's Society - who are we and what’s our mission?

Dementia is the UK’s biggest killer. One in three people born in the UK today will develop dementia in their lifetime.

At Alzheimer’s Society, we’re the UK’s leading dementia charity and the only one to tackle all aspects of dementia by giving help and hope to people living with dementia today and in the future. We give vital support to people facing the most frightening times of their lives, while also funding ground-breaking research and campaigning to make dementia the priority it should be.

Together with our supporters, we’re working towards a world where dementia no longer devastates lives. Our values make sure that our focus is clear for the challenges and opportunities ahead and remind us of what we all stand for.

Our commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging

We need to ensure the voices around our table better reflect and understand the communities we exist to serve. We strongly encourage individuals to apply who have a disability, impairment or health condition or individuals who identify as part of a minority ethnic background, as these groups are currently under-represented at Alzheimer's Society.

Our hiring process

We want you to bring your whole self to the process. Applications are anonymised until interview stage, and we’re happy to support any adjustments. Share your feedback via our candidate survey when applying to help us improve. We may close early if we receive high interest (with 48 hours’ notice). Some roles may require a DBS check as part of our safer recruitment commitment. Thinking about using AI during the recruitment process? We know this can be helpful in many ways but remember to include your personal and authentic self too. Your voice and experience are what really set you apart.

Giving back to you

At Alzheimer’s Society, we value our people and take a total reward approach to pay and benefits. You’ll enjoy a generous double-matched pension scheme, 27 days’ annual leave (plus bank holidays and wellbeing days), and access to a free Health Shield Cash Plan, 24/7 EAP, Thrive mental wellbeing support, and virtual GP services. Our Society Plus platform offers exclusive discounts, wellbeing resources, and recognition schemes, while our flexible working, family-friendly policies, and life assurance provide peace of mind and work/life balance. We also offer a free Will-writing service and long service awards to recognise your ongoing commitment.