Operations and business development lead jobs

ChildAid to Eastern Europe is a long-established Christian charity working with local partners across Eastern Europe to improve the lives of vulnerable children, young people, and families.

We are seeking an exceptional Director to lead the organisation into its next phase of growth and impact. Reporting to the Board of Trustees, you will provide strategic leadership, operational oversight and income generation to ensure the charity’s long-term sustainability.

This is a hands-on role, combining high-level strategy with day-to-day delivery. You will act as the public face of the charity, strengthen partner and donor relationships, and lead across fundraising, communications, operations and team development.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of the charity’s strategic vision.
• Develop and grow sustainable income streams.
• Oversee financial management, governance and compliance.
• Strengthen marketing, communications and organisational profile.
• Support programme delivery and partner relationships in Eastern Europe.
• Lead and develop a small team of staff and volunteers.

About you

We are looking for someone with:

• Senior leadership experience, ideally in the charity sector.
• A strong track record in fundraising or income generation.
• Proven financial and operational management skills.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building ability.
• Strategic thinking, combined with a practical, hands-on approach.
• A genuine commitment to the charity’s mission and values.

Additional information

This role carries an occupational requirement for the postholder to be a practising Christian, in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.

Why join us?
Lead a respected charity with over 50 years of impact, shape future strategy and help transform the lives of vulnerable children and families.

Post Title: Director of Development

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Salary: £38,750 - £43,750

Hours of work: 37.5 hours per week (matchdays, evenings and weekends as required)

Location: AESSEAL New York Stadium

Closing date: Monday 3 August 2026

About this role: This is an exciting opportunity to join Rotherham United Community Trust’s Executive Team and lead the ‘Strengthen and Grow’ theme within the Trust’s United for Change strategy. The Director of Development will drive sustainable growth by strengthening programmes, increasing income, developing strategic partnerships and embedding a culture of continuous improvement across the organisation. You will work closely with the CEO, Board and senior leaders to maximise the Trust’s impact while ensuring operational excellence and long-term sustainability.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Programmes and Interventions

• Support department leads and ensure effective delivery of national/regional and local programmes.
• Oversee programme monitoring and evaluation systems.

2. Income Generation

• Develop a business plan with KPIs for year-on-year income growth.
• Innovate and refine fundraising approaches (donors, foundations, corporates, digital).
• Design and market income-generating products/programmes.
• Develop and nurture relationships with new and existing partners including businesses and charities.

3. Operational Management

• Manage financial and physical resources, including budgeting.
• Deliver services that generate income.
• Report to the Trust Board and attend and present at Board/sub-committee meetings.

4. Continuous Improvement

• With reference to the Capability Code of Practice, lead the design and delivery of a continuous improvement plan for internal operations.
• Introduce systems and tools to improve efficiency, staff experience, and service delivery.
• Monitor internal performance metrics and work with team leads to address underperformance.
• Promote a culture of evidence-based decision making and accountability.

5. Team Leadership and Collaboration

• Exhibit and promote the Trust’s values and vision.
• Contribute to strategic planning as part of the Executive Team.
• Provide leadership, direction and line management to designated managers and teams.
• Contribute to Trust strategies, policies, and procedures.
• Work collaboratively across departments to align resource planning with organisational goals.
• Lead Trust Business Development, EDI and Sustainability action plans.

6. Miscellaneous

• Additional duties as assigned by the CEO.
• Comply with Equal Opportunities and Health & Safety policies.
• Demonstrate commitment to inclusive and safe working practices.
• Demonstrate high levels of integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.

Person Specification: Director of Development

1. Relevant Experience

Essential

• Significant experience in a senior leadership or management role.
• Developing and delivering strategic plans that achieve organisational objectives.
• Business development, income generation and securing new opportunities for growth.
• Building and managing effective partnerships and stakeholder relationships.
• Leading and developing managers and teams.
• Driving organisational improvement, change or transformation initiatives.
• Developing new products, services or programmes.

Desirable

• Experience within the charity, sport, education, health or community sectors.
• Experience of leading cross-organisational projects involving multiple stakeholders.

2. Education and Training

Essential

• Degree-level qualification or equivalent professional experience.

Desirable

• Professional qualification in leadership, management, business development or a related field.

3. Knowledge

• Understanding of the sport, physical activity and community development sectors.
• Knowledge of business development, fundraising and partnership development.
• Understanding of organisational performance management and continuous improvement.
• Knowledge of monitoring, evaluation and impact measurement.
• Understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion and barriers to participation.

4. Skills and Abilities

• Excellent communication, presentation and influencing skills.
• Strong relationship-building and networking abilities.
• Strategic thinking with the ability to translate ideas into action.
• Ability to identify opportunities for growth, innovation and improvement.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to use data and evidence to inform decision-making.
• Effective leadership and people management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results through others.
• Ability to challenge constructively and drive positive change.

5. Additional Factors

• Commitment to the values and purpose of Rotherham United Community Trust
• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Commitment to safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk.
• Willingness to work evenings and weekends when required.
• Ability to travel independently for meetings and events.

Join our growing team in a varied role supporting reporting, onboarding, quality assurance and service development, helping us deliver an exceptional experience tothe UK's leading charities.

The Opportunity

At Social AF, we’re proud to be one of the UK’s leading social media moderation agencies for the third sector. Working with some of the biggest household names, we support regional, national and international charities to create safe, vibrant, and engaging online communities that protect their brand reputations and empower their supporters.

From community management to supporter experience, we’ve helped our charity partners raise over £40 million. As our reputation and client base continue to grow, we’re seeking a Social Media Operations Officer to support the day-to-day delivery and ongoing development of our Social Media Moderation service.

Role overview

This role will play a vital part in ensuring our charity partners receive a high-quality, insight-led service while providing additional support to our team of moderators and Team Leaders.

The successful candidate will work closely with the Social Media Moderation Manager and wider leadership team to support operational delivery, reporting, onboarding, quality assurance, and administrative processes across our portfolio of charity accounts.

The role would suit an organised, proactive individual with strong attention to detail, excellent written communication skills, and a genuine passion for supporting charities and online communities.

Key Responsibilities

Reporting and insights

• Produce weekly, fortnightly, monthly, and campaign reports for charity partners.

• Collect and analyse moderation data across accounts, including response rates, hidden content, escalations and key themes.

• Gather standout comments, community feedback and examples of positive engagement for inclusion within reports.

• Support the development of benchmarking documents and trend analysis across accounts.

• Prepare meeting notes and action logs following account meetings.

Moderator support

• Assist with onboarding new moderators, including arranging inductions and sharing key documentation.

• Support the creation and maintenance of moderator handbooks and guidance documents.

• Identify recurring learning themes and help coordinate quality assurance and development activity.

• Work alongside Team Leaders to ensure they - and moderators - have the information and resources needed to deliver excellent moderation.

Account administration

• Support the onboarding of new charity partners, including helping to create and maintain moderation packs.

• Keep account guidance documents, FAQs, escalation processes, and key contact information up to date.

• Assist with meeting preparation, minute-taking and action tracking.

• Ownership of rota administration and maintain awareness of moderator availability.

• Coordinate internal documentation and process improvements.

Service development

• Contribute ideas to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Social Media Moderation service.

• Support the creation of internal resources, templates and standard operating procedures.

• Assist with projects aimed at enhancing moderator wellbeing, training, and development.

• Shadow account management activities with opportunities for future progression within the agency.

Progression opportunities

The role offers opportunities to develop skills in account management, client relationships, moderation strategy, reporting, training and service development, with the potential to take ownership of selected charity accounts in the future. As a growing agency, new opportunities and responsibilities naturally emerge, offering scope for progression for those who are proactive, demonstrate initiative and consistently deliver excellent work.

Head of Operations

Location: Hybrid - Birmingham (expected to be in the office 2+ days per week)

Hours: Full Time, Monday to Friday, 36 Hours per week
Salary: £55,082 per annum 

About the BDA

The British Dietetic Association (BDA) is the professional body and trade union for dietitians in the UK, representing more than 12,500 members and supporting the profession to improve the nation's health through food and nutrition.

We're an ambitious and growing organisation, delivering a new strategic plan focused on growing our membership community, strengthening our voice and influence, investing in digital transformation and delivering excellence behind the scenes. As we continue to evolve, we're looking for an exceptional operational leader to help us turn our ambitions into reality.

About the role

This is a newly created and high-profile leadership role, reporting to the Chief Operating Officer.

As Head of Operations, you will play a central role in helping the BDA deliver its strategic priorities by improving organisational performance, embedding continuous improvement and ensuring we have the systems, processes and insights needed to succeed.

You will lead organisation-wide initiatives, support strategic planning and performance reporting, drive digital and AI adoption, and work collaboratively across teams to improve how we operate and deliver for our members.

This role offers a genuine opportunity to shape the future of the organisation and make a lasting impact within a respected professional body and trade union.

We're looking for someone who:

· Has significant operational leadership experience within a complex organisation.

· Is passionate about organisational improvement and delivering change.

· Can combine strategic thinking with hands-on delivery.

· Has experience of performance management, governance and business planning.

· Understands how digital, data and AI can improve organisational effectiveness.

· Is an excellent communicator who can build relationships and influence at all levels.

Why join us?

• The opportunity to shape and influence a growing and ambitious organisation.
• A varied and rewarding leadership role with real scope to make a difference.
• A flexible, supportive and values-led culture.
• Generous annual leave and pension arrangements.
• Commitment to learning, development and wellbeing.

For further information about the role please visit BDA's website. 

Salary: £45,855 - £52,988

Location: Hybrid between home and our exhibition locations in London (Your attendance in the office will vary flexibly between 1-2 days per month, depending on business need. We cannot offer fixed days at home. You are responsible for your own commuting costs).
Contract: Permanent, Full time.
Hours: 35 hours per week
Reporting to: CEO
Direct reports: Finance & Operations Manager

Role summary

As Head of Operations, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring the Ben Kinsella Trust has the strong operational foundations needed to maximise its impact and support continued growth. Reporting to the CEO and as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will provide strategic leadership across the charity's operations, governance, finance, HR and IT, ensuring the organisation operates efficiently, remains compliant and has the systems and infrastructure required to deliver its mission.

You will lead the development and continuous improvement of organisational systems, policies and processes, driving operational excellence and enabling colleagues to focus on delivering high-quality programmes, campaigns and services. Working closely with the CEO, Finance Manager, trustees and external partners, you will oversee governance, risk management, financial planning, people and culture, and digital infrastructure; ensuring the charity is well-managed, resilient and equipped for future growth.

We're looking for a proactive, organised and collaborative leader who enjoys improving how organisations work and can balance strategic thinking with practical delivery. Your leadership will help ensure the Ben Kinsella Trust remains a well-governed, financially sustainable and high-performing organisation, enabling us to honour Ben's legacy and prevent knife crime through education and campaigning.

Key Responsibilities

Operations

• Lead the development and continuous improvement of operational systems, processes and policies to ensure the charity operates efficiently, consistently and in line with best practice.
• Oversee organisational project management, ensuring strategic projects are effectively planned, monitored and delivered on time and within budget.
• Develop and maintain effective systems for organisational planning, reporting and information flow, ensuring senior leaders and trustees have access to timely and accurate information.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency through process redesign, automation and the effective use of technology and digital systems.
• Provide operational leadership across the organisation, ensuring resources, systems and infrastructure effectively support programme delivery and organisational growth.

Governance

• Lead the charity's governance framework, ensuring compliance with Charity Commission requirements, statutory obligations and internal policies.
• Maintain the organisation's policy framework, ensuring policies are regularly reviewed, updated and effectively implemented across the charity.
• Lead organisational risk management, maintaining the risk register and supporting senior leaders and trustees to identify, monitor and mitigate strategic and operational risks.
• Ensure appropriate compliance with data protection, safeguarding, health and safety, insurance and other regulatory requirements.

Finance

• Lead the charity's financial management, working closely with the CEO and Finance Manager to develop budgets, forecasts and management accounts.
• Monitor organisational income and expenditure, providing financial analysis and recommendations to support effective decision-making.
• Oversee financial controls, procurement processes and delegated authorities, ensuring robust stewardship of the charity's resources.
• Support the preparation of statutory accounts, annual budgets, audits and financial reporting for the Board of Trustees and external stakeholders.
• Develop financial systems and reporting processes that improve visibility, accountability and organisational planning.

HR & IT

• Lead the development of the charity's people infrastructure, ensuring effective HR policies, systems and processes to support employee wellbeing, performance and compliance.
• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, performance management and learning and development processes, working with managers to build a high-performing and inclusive culture.
• Ensure the charity's HR systems and employee records are maintained accurately and comply with employment legislation and GDPR requirements.
• Lead the organisation's IT strategy and digital infrastructure, ensuring staff have secure, reliable and effective technology to support their work.
• Oversee cyber security, business continuity, system procurement and relationships with external IT providers, driving continual improvement in digital capability.

How to apply

Please upload a CV and Cover Letter (no more than 2 sides of A4).

When you’re ready to apply, please use the ‘Apply’ button; we’re not able to accept emailed CVs or supporting statements.  

For a chat about the role before applying, please call the charity and ask for Patrick.

We are accepting applications and interviewing on a rolling basis. We reserve the right to close the vacancy earlier than advertised.

Applications close: Monday 3rd August @ 9:30am.

For Recruiters:

This role is not currently open to recruitment agencies. We work with a small number of trusted recruitment partners where agency support is required and will contact these suppliers directly if appropriate. We kindly ask that agencies do not contact us regarding this vacancy.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced charity operations and finance professional to join as our inaugural Head of Operations and Finance. As we continue to grow our impact, we are seeking an exceptional Head of Operations and Finance to work closely with the Chief Executive and Executive Chair to help strengthen our operations and oversee our finances.

This is a pivotal leadership position combining strategic thinking with hands-on operational delivery. You will, support our Chief Executive and Executive Chair todevelop and implement organisational strategy while ensuring our people,systems, governance and finances support the effective delivery of our mission.You will join a close-knit team that punches above its weight, with real influence on policy affecting millions of babies worldwide.

If you're an experienced charity operations and finance professional looking for your next big challenge, we'd love to hear from you.

We are looking for a Business Operations and Support Project Lead to join the National Theatre Business operations and Support Team. 

This is a rare opportunity to shape how one of the UK’s most significant cultural organisations works behind the scenes at a time when AI and automation are reshaping how our teams work. You’ll deliver practical, cross-organisational projects that utilise AI to make the NT more efficient, sustainable and resilient — helping teams spend more time on the work that supports great theatre.

You will be responsible for delivering strategic projects that enhance operational efficiencies across business operations functions (including Finance, IT and People) as well as theatre operations (including Front of House, New Work and box office). This includes planning, coordinating and automating projects in the Business Operations and Support team 2026-2028 roadmap.

In this hands-on role, you will help us to:

•  Deliver practical improvements that save time and reduce duplication.
• Support teams to adopt simpler, more sustainable ways of working.
• Use digital tools and automation to improve everyday processes.
• Strengthen organisational resilience through improved planning and documentation.

The successful candidate will have the following: 

• Demonstrable experience in a similar operational role
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
• Experience managing projects from conception to completion
• Confident using Microsoft 365 and Power Platform tools, including Forms, Bookings, Lists, Power BI and Power Automate, to design practical solutions and improve workflows
• Logical thinker with experience of documenting operational processes step by step in narrative and flow chart form and identifying areas to improve and streamline

If that sounds like you, this may be the role for you!

The closing date for the receipt of a completed application is Sunday 26 July 2026 at 11:59pm.

Senior Head of Operations

CONTRACT: Permanent, Full Time (35 hours per week)

ORGANISATION: Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK)

DIRECTORATE: Corporate Services

LOCATION: RLSS UK HQ, Worcester/Hybrid (3 days per week at HQ)

REPORTS TO: Chief Executive Officer

DIRECT REPORTS: HR Manager, Interim Head of Compliance, Head of Business Systems and IT

SALARY: £48,000 to £52,000 per annum

ABOUT RLSS UK

The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) is the national charity supporting communities of all backgrounds to enjoy water safely and be free from drowning. Our vision is to have ‘Communities free from drowning’ and our strategic framework 2025-2030 details our goals over this period.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Senior Head of Operations will play a central leadership role within RLSS UK, ensuring the charity operates effectively and efficiently. The successful candidate will lead and support the RLSS UK HR, Business Systems and IT, and Compliance departments and provide high quality decision support to senior managers on areas within this portfolio. This is a strategic and hands-on operational role overseeing key areas of the corporate services directorate.

Our current Regulatory bodies are:

• The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation, Ofqual in England.
• The Council for the Curriculum, Examinations & Assessment, CCEA in Northern Ireland.
• Qualifications Wales, QW in Wales.
   

Maintaining and exceeding the standards, policies and procedures of these bodies are essential for ensuring our Awarding Organisation and Awarding Body status with the respective Regulators, enabling us to offer regulated qualifications. We also maintain compliance with the Charity Commission, Companies House and the Fundraising Regulator.

Working closely with the CEO and Senior Leadership Team, the postholder will help manage the organisation’s systems and culture needed to support high-quality delivery across a growing water safety education charity.

The role will suit someone who thrives in dynamic organisations, enjoys problem solving and optimising systems, understanding and making sense of complexity, and is motivated by supporting teams to deliver meaningful impact and achieving the organisation’s purpose ‘To prevent drowning, so everyone can enjoy water safely’.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Organisational Leadership & Operations

• Lead and oversee day-to-day organisational operations across the HR, Business Systems and IT, and Compliance functions
• Develop and improve internal systems, processes, and operational procedures
• Support organisational planning and delivery
• Work closely with the CEO and senior managers to support organisational growth and resilience
• Contribute to organisational decision-making and leadership culture
• Attend Board meetings and committees where required, and any other such Leadership Team functions where necessary
• Build effective relations across departments to support organisational excellence
• Always demonstrate and uphold the Society’s values and behavioural standards.
   

People & HR Management

• Ensure effective, legally compliant policies and procedures are in place to support the recruitment, development, and retention of a high performing workforce
• Support the development and implementation of HR initiatives that build and underpin equality, diversity and inclusion, learning and development, wellbeing, and employee engagement
• Lead on the development and presentation of recommendations for annual pay and benefits review
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and staff development processes
• Help foster a positive, inclusive, and high-performing workplace culture
• Support managers with operational people-management matters
   

Compliance

• Ensure that standards, policies, and procedures meet and exceed the regulatory requirements set by our regulatory bodies
• Ensure compliance with RLSS UK regulators
• Oversee organisational risk management systems
• Ensure appropriate insurance, contracts, and compliance frameworks are in place
• Lead on operational health and safety systems and organisational compliance
   

Organisational Systems

• Support organisational budgeting and financial monitoring alongside the finance and Senior Leadership teams
• Oversee operational procurement and contract management systems
• Support implementation and optimisation of organisational systems, including Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and IT systems including cyber security
• Improve internal reporting and programme coordination systems
   

Programme & Delivery Support

• Support operational coordination across RLSS UK programmes and projects
• Help ensure teams are appropriately resourced and supported
• Improve organisational project management systems and workflows
• Support efficient collaboration across delivery teams
• Contribute to organisational development opportunities and partnerships
   

Other Duties & Responsibilities

• All other duties reasonably associated with your role, as directed by the Line Manager
• Ensure compliance with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 by complying with internal information governance policies and maintaining up-to-date documentation as part of RLSS UK’s compliance programme
• To help create an inclusive working environment where diversity is valued, everyone can contribute, and everyday actions ensure we meet our duty to uphold and promote equality

 This job description is not to be regarded as exclusive or exhaustive. It is intended as an outline indication of areas of activity and responsibility and will be amended in the light of the changing needs of the organisation.

PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential Relevant Experience, Skills, and/or Aptitudes

• Significant experience in operational management, organisational leadership or business management
• Experience developing and improving organisational systems and processes
• Strong understanding of HR, Compliance and organisational Risk Management, and Business Systems & IT
• Demonstrable experience supporting HR and people-management processes
• Excellent organisational and project management skills
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to work strategically while also being comfortable with operational detail
• Experience managing competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
• High level of integrity and dependability
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and multi-tasking skills, with the ability to work to tight deadlines, and pick up new information and apply at pace
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and organisational software systems
  
   

Desirable Relevant Experience, Skills, and/or Aptitudes

• Experience working within the charity sector
• Knowledge of charity governance and funding environments
• Experience supporting organisational growth and change management
• Familiarity with CRM systems and operational databases
• Understanding of health and safety systems
   

We are looking for someone who:

• Is highly organised, proactive, and solutions-focused
• Enjoys enabling others to succeed
• Can balance strategic thinking with practical delivery
• Is calm and adaptable in a growing organisation
• Has a positive, can-do attitude and demonstrates RLSS UK values
• Has strong emotional intelligence and leadership skills

YOUR APPLICATION
Please send your CV and a Cover Letter outlining your suitability for the post

Closing Date – 11.59pm, Thursday 23 July 2026

Interview Date – Thursday 30 July 2026 at our Worcester Head Office (subject to change)

WHAT RLSS UK CAN OFFER YOU

• Annual Leave based on 27 days + Bank Holidays + a discretionary day off for your birthday
• Private Healthcare Plan*
• Enhanced Society Sick Pay*
• Eye Care*
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Life Assurance Scheme
• Salary Sacrifice Pension Scheme*
• Discounts available including high street brands, entertainment, eating out and more
• Free RLSS UK Membership
• Free tea and coffee when working from HQ, including access to our wonderful Coffee Machine
• Free on-site parking when working from HQ
• Company events and socials

*Subject to eligibility criteria

Should you wish to discuss the role, any adjustments you may require throughout the recruitment process, or have any questions, please get in touch where a member of the RLSS UK HR Department will be happy to help.

RLSS UK are a Disability Confident Committed Employer and an INclusive Worcestershire Leader.

Job Title:  Head of Finance and Income Operations
Hours:  Full-time, 37.5 hours per week
Contract:  Permanent
Salary:  £45,000 per annum
Location:  Home-based in the UK, with occasional travel for team meetings and events
Role profile: A detailed role profile can be found in the 'supporting documents' for this advert

About the Nature Friendly Farming Network (NFFN)

The Nature Friendly Farming Network (NFFN) is a farmer-led organisation helping farmers restore the balance between farming and nature. We support farmers by sharing knowledge, resources and case studies that help boost food production, protect wildlife, and build climate resilience.

We influence policy to secure fair rewards for farmers who care for nature, and we connect like-minded farmers across the UK.

Our network is open to all: farmers, the public and partner organisations.

About the Role

We are looking for a Head of Finance and Income Operations to lead NFFN’s finance function and help strengthen the systems, controls and reporting that will support the organisation’s next stage of growth.

This is a senior leadership role at the heart of a small, ambitious and mission-led organisation. You will oversee day-to-day financial management, budgeting, management accounts, restricted funds, funder reporting and income operations. You will also help improve how finance works across NFFN, giving budget holders clearer information and helping the organisation make confident, well-informed decisions.

The role is about more than keeping the numbers moving. We are looking for someone who can help build a stronger finance function, improve internal systems, support funder confidence, and help NFFN manage a more complex mix of grants, donations, restricted funding and revenue-based delivery work.

Depending on your background, this may suit someone with strong charity finance experience, or someone from a finance, grants, funding operations or mission-led commercial background who wants to use their skills in a values-led organisation.

Key responsibilities include:

• leading day-to-day financial management, controls and reporting

• preparing budgets, forecasts, management accounts and financial updates

• supporting budget holders with clear, practical financial information

• improving finance systems, processes, approvals and reporting tools

• overseeing restricted funds, grant conditions, funder reporting and income tracking

• supporting funding applications with budgets, financial information and reporting structures

• helping NFFN manage VAT, full cost recovery and different types of income as the organisation grows

• working with the CEO, CSO, Head of Fundraising, SLT, Board and external advisers

• providing line management to the Head of Fundraising and potential future roles within the finance and income operations function 

This role will suit someone who combines financial rigour with practical judgement. You will need to be comfortable working independently in a remote organisation, explaining finance clearly to non-finance colleagues, and improving systems in a way that is proportionate and realistic for a small non profit organisation.

We know this is a broad role, and we are not expecting one person to have done everything before. We are looking for someone with strong financial experience, good judgement, attention to detail, and a genuine interest in helping NFFN build the financial infrastructure it needs for the future.

This is a fully home-based role, with flexibility in how work is managed and occasional travel for team meetings and events. You will be joining a collaborative, values-led team working to support farmers, nature and a more resilient food system.

Switchback is an award-winning charity supporting young men to live life differently after prison. As we launch our next strategic plan to grow our impact even further, we are looking for a new Director of Finance and Operations who can bring both strategic thinking and hands-on operational expertise to help us turn our ambitions into reality.

The Director of Finance and Operations is a key role in the leadership team of a dynamic charity making a real difference in young people’s lives. Managing a small team, you’ll have responsibility for a range of essential business functions central to Switchback’s success as a charity: financial and business planning, HR processes, infrastructure (including IT), governance, risk management and compliance.

You’ll also support our business development and strategic partnership-building, helping us tap into exciting new areas of income and impact, including our plans to share our learning through training and consultancy.

Crucially, you’ll oversee and develop our systems and processes in a way that protects Switchback’s agile and human working culture. This is a fantastic opportunity to play a central role helping Switchback achieve our aims of reaching more young men while inspiring change across the justice system and beyond.

The right candidate will have great strategic judgement, proven financial and business acumen, practical knowledge of operations and good governance, and a strong understanding of creating and leading high-performing teams.

You will have a collaborative approach to working with colleagues and trustees, enjoying getting stuck into the day-to-day business of running a growing charity, as well as the ability to bring in new external partnerships and contractual relationships that serve our commitment to providing real opportunities for our Trainees.

You will be driven to achieve great value for money and use smart processes to enable others to do their best work for a vital social cause.

As well as technical expertise, this role acts as a key sounding board for the CEO and Leadership Team, so you’ll also bring excellent listening skills and the confidence to act as a thinking partner across both strategic and operational issues. As a member of the Leadership Team, you’ll also model our values in the way you work, collaborate and communicate.

If you are interested in using your proven financial and operations management skills to contribute to our exciting next chapter, we’d love to hear from you. In return we can offer the opportunity to work in an organisation with a strong history of personal and strategic impact, where each day you will witness the incredible steps that our Trainees make to change their lives.

This is a rare opportunity to shape how one of the UK’s most significant cultural organisations works behind the scenes at a time when AI and automation are reshaping how our teams work. You’ll deliver practical, cross-organisational projects that utilise AI to make the NT more efficient, sustainable and resilient — helping teams spend more time on the work that supports great theatre. You will be responsible for delivering strategic projects that enhance operational efficiencies across business operations functions (including Finance, IT and People) as well as theatre operations (including Front of House, New Work and box office). This includes planning, coordinating and delivering AI use case projects in the Business Operations and Support team 2026-2028 roadmap. A key part of the role will be helping the NT explore AI responsibly, ensuring that new tools are used in ways that are practical, inclusive, secure and aligned with organisational policies.

In this hands-on role, you will help us to:

• Deliver practical improvements that save time and reduce duplication
• Support teams to adopt simpler, more sustainable ways of working
• Use AI, digital tools and automation to improve everyday processes
• Strengthen organisational resilience through training, improved planning and documentation

The successful candidate will have the following: 

• Demonstrable experience in a similar operational role
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
• Experience managing projects from conception to completion
• Confident using AI tools, including building agents, to design practical solutions and improve workflows
• Experience of using Microsoft 365 and Power Platform tools, including Forms, Bookings, Lists, Power BI and Power Automate

If that sounds like you, this may be the role for you!

The closing date for the receipt of a completed application is Sunday 26 July 2026 at 11:59pm.

ABOUT THE ROLE

This is a senior hands-on role accountable  to the Wolves Lane Consortium board who hold the 25-year lease for the Centre, and reporting to co-managing steward Ubele Initiative CIC whose investment has made this role possible and is the employing organisation.

This results-oriented role is pivotal to strengthening the Centre’s long-term financial resilience while maintaining its strong community ethos and aligning with the vision and mission.   This to be achieved through identifying, developing and securing new income streams and expanding existing to generate gross profit, to contribute to overall running costs, and to generate sufficient yield for Consortium’s reserves and on-going investment.

Income streams to include from business to business, and retail sales; from increasing venue hires and event revenues; expanding value-partnerships with different sectors, and joint ventures; and at all times ensuring robust financial and performance oversight.

The postholder will be required to develop an Income Generation Strategy for approval by the Board and will be responsible for all its commercial elements. You must be community and values-driven, outcome-focused, an inspiring and collaborative leader and manager, and motivated by the Consortium’s vision and mission, and those of its co-stewards OrganicLea CIC and Ubele CIC.At all times you will be an ambassador for the Centre.

CO-LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT

Working on behalf of the Wolves Lane Consortium, informed fully by and reporting to co-stewards Ubele CIC, and sharing the leadership and management of the Centre with the Facilities & Operations Manager, together you will be relied upon for the Centre’s success in pursuing its strategic and annual plans, and in what it does and how it does it. 

The Facilities and Operations role is primarily to ensure the Centre is fit for all of its many different purposes; provides all users and visitors with a safe environment for their operations and activities, and a pleasant, rewarding, inspiring experience that results in return visits, longer dwell time.  And in so doing reaches and attracts new audiences and more custom.

The Community Enterprise role is predominantly outward facing - to create, attract and secure new and increased income streams through more sales of its products, services and offer; to co-create with entrepreneurs’ new community-based enterprise models and for joint ventures; to secure more investment from philanthropic and individual donations, and for funded programmes from new and existing partners.

These two distinct and overlapping roles will work collaboratively creating synergies to optimize the Centre’s income generating potential, the revenue and investment it secures, and at the same time increase its reputation, reach, and value as a vibrant community asset and contributor to community wealth building.

Together the two senior roles will deliver a seamless, compliant, and inspiring Centre offer, will co-lead and motivate the Centre team through a people management approach that fosters a culture of ambition, collaboration, care and success. Individually and together you will be accountable to the Consortium Board’s for ensuring all regulatory and customer standards are applied and met consistently, pursuing its vision through the strategy for the Centre’s good health, sustainability, and continuous growth in accordance with the Consortium’s values and ways-ofworking.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

Wolves Lane Consortium Board – represented by the Consortium’s two comanaging stewards, OrganicLea CIC and Ubele CIC, and to whom this role is accountable

Ubele CIC – one of the Consortium’s two co-managing stewards, employer and funder of this role, and to whom this role reports

Wolves Lane Centre Facilities & Operations Manager - close collaboration as coleaders & co-senior managers of the Centre, jointly responsible to the Board for the Centre’s successful pursuit of its vision and mission

Direct reports: Hires & Events Manager; Senior Grower (Enterprise)

Wolves Lane Centre staff team - who you will jointly lead with the Centre’s Facilities & Operations Manager

Businesses, their associations, and sectors - with whom to do business; Value Stakeholders including existing and new £ funding partners, public sector commissioners; Venue Hirers - commercial, private & community; Local / subregional / regional stakeholders including government

Community organisations, groups & their members; local residents and other local stakeholders

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Enterprise and business development

Develop and implement a Board approved 2-year enterprise and income generation strategy and action plan aligned with the Centre’s mission and that, Identify and secure new, and increase and expand existing, commercial and retail sales income for produce and plants grown at Wolves Lane Centre, Pasteur Gardens and other growing sites.

Develop and increase the Centre’s venue hires & events offer including markets;

Co-create and support new community-based enterprise models that can operate within and / or be part of Wolves Lane Consortium eco-system, with a particular focus on increasing representation of those from Black and Racially minoritised communities

Support the Facilities & Operations manager in the development of financially viable business cases for the cafeteria and the retail offer and  that contribute to Centre surpluses

Grow and diversify earned income streams to improve financial sustainability.

Monitor market trends and identify opportunities for innovation and growth.

Partnership development

Attract and build strong customer relationships with wholesalers, retailers, restaurants, concessions etc., and other businesses who will buy produce from Wolves Lane’s growing sites

Develop and maintain strong relationships with commerce to whom we will sell, community organisations, funders and public sector bodies and identify opportunities for sales and hires.

Act as an ambassador for the Centre, representing it at networking events and stakeholder meetings including the local Business Improvement District (BID).

Develop collaborative programmes and initiatives that enhance community impact and income potential and bring new communities onto our site.

Venue Hire and Events

Develop and implement a Board-approved Hires Policy, ensuring alignment with the Centre’s values as both a community and income-generating asset.

Working with key colleagues, maximise income from venue hire through proactive marketing and relationship management.

Oversee the planning and delivery of events that generate revenue and increase footfall

Ensure effective systems are in place for bookings, contracts, invoicing and customer service. Ensure effective use of the space-rental software, platforms, optimising functionality and user experience.

Ensure compliance with safeguarding requirements and GDPR.

Customer experience 

Jointly with the Centre’s Facilities & Operations manager set centre-wide customer and visitor service standards applicable to all areas, facilities and services, ensuring these comply with all regulatory and health & safety requirements, and are consistently applied and visible.

Financial management and budget oversight

Jointly with the Centre’s Facilities & Operations manager develop annual budget in collaboration with and for the approval of the Wolves Lane Board

Working with the finance team, monitor income and expenditure, producing regular financial reports and forecasts for the areas of responsibility.

Ensure financial controls and reporting processes are robust and transparent.

Oversee the development of funding applications and business cases to attract income and to generate a significant net contribution

Leadership & People Management

Jointly with the Centre’s Facilities & Operations manager, to provide leadership to the Centre, motivating, inspiring and involving the Centre based team including its volunteers, and in a manner and style that is participatory whilst retaining accountability

Manage and coach direct reports in a participatory style, that inspires and motivates for the team members’ and team’s high-performance

Reporting & Governance

Be accountable the Wolves Lane Consortium Board on performance, risks and opportunities.

Report to Ubele Initiative CIC, the role’s employer and manager

Support the Consortium board in its strategic and action planning, within the context of  its long-term business planning.

Ensure compliance with all relevant internal policies and procedures of Ubele and Wolves Lane Consortium; regulatory and legal requirements; industry-sectorprofessional recognised good practice in the areas relevant to this role.

Other Any other duties commensurate with this role’s status and purpose and as required by management.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential

Proven and successful experience in enterprise development, income generation, or running a business.

Strong sales, marketing and customer service skills, with a track record of meeting income targets.

Demonstrable success in developing partnerships and securing earned income.

Experience of budget management and financial reporting.

Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.

Entrepreneurial mindset balanced with a commitment to community values.

Senior-level experience of people leadership, people management and decisionmaking.

Ability to work independently and take responsibility and accountability for decisions made.

Experience of working collaboratively with shared responsibilities and accountabilities for decision-making.

Ability to lead and motivate teams to engage and perform, ideally using participatory approaches.

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a collaborative approach.

Resilience, creativity and the ability to work in a dynamic, hands-on environment.

Commitment to the Consortium's and co-managing stewards' vision and mission to reduce economic, environmental, food, land, racial and social injustices through its work and decision-making, and to community wealth-building.

Desirable

Growing experience of plants, fruit and vegetables.

Experience of promoting or managing venue hire or events, ideally in a multi-use or community setting.

Experience of managing retail sales.

Experience of working with Black and racially minoritised communities, ideally widening opportunities for participation where there has historically been underrepresentation.

As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will help shape the strategic direction and future growth of TCVS, working closely with the Chief Executive, Board of Trustees and senior colleagues to deliver our organisational ambitions.

You will:

• Provide strategic leadership across all corporate services, including HR, Finance, IT, Facilities, Health & Safety, Compliance, Administration and Organisational Systems.
• Ensure operational systems, policies and processes are efficient, compliant, scalable and support organisational excellence.
• Lead organisational development, workforce planning and continuous improvement, fostering a high-performing, inclusive and values-led culture.
• Oversee governance, risk management, business continuity and regulatory compliance, supporting the Board to deliver effective governance.
• Monitor organisational performance, ensuring delivery against strategic priorities and organisational objectives.
• Drive digital transformation and innovation, embedding technology and systems that improve efficiency, data quality and organisational learning.
• Support the long-term financial sustainability of TCVS by developing earned income opportunities, partnerships and trading activities.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with trustees, partners, funders, tenants and key stakeholders, representing TCVS across Thurrock and South West Essex.
• Contribute to organisational resilience, growth and future expansion through effective leadership, planning and decision-making.
• Deputise for the Chief Executive as required and provide leadership across the organisation.

You will also champion equality, diversity and inclusion, promote staff wellbeing and professional development, participate in the on-call rota, and undertake other responsibilities appropriate to this senior leadership role.

Unseen is working towards a world without slavery. We provide safehouses and support in the community for survivors of trafficking and modern slavery. We also run the Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline and work with individuals, communities, businesses, governments, other charities, and statutory agencies to stamp out slavery for good. 

Purpose of the role:

The Business Development Consultant will be central to increasing the number and quality of businesses working with Unseen to tackle modern slavery. The role involves representing Unseen at events, leading pitches and presentations, developing compelling proposals, and supporting contract negotiations to secure new business and meet revenue targets. This includes warm-calling prospective partners and leading on email outreach campaigns to build a strong, well-qualified pipeline. Success in this role will depend on the individual being highly proactive in uncovering, creating, and driving new opportunities forward.

We are looking for the successful person to ideally commence this role from beginning October 2026.

To apply: 

• Please complete the application form on our website. This includes a personal statement of 500 words outlining your suitability for the role, and;
• Please send a copy of your anonymised CV to jobs @ unseenuk. org with reference to the job title.

The deadline for applications is midnight on 16th August.

Interviews will likely be held at end of August.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive the requisite number of applications. For this reason, we encourage interested candidates to apply early.

As an organisation focused on equality and diversity, we welcome applications from all sections of the community and all backgrounds, including those with a lived experience of modern slavery, those from ethnic minority groups, those with disabilities and those from the LGBTQ+ community. 

 Any questions, please contact jobs @ unseenuk. org.