Operations director jobs

Do you want to work for a dynamic, creative, fast-paced charity?

At Action Together we see the amazing things people achieve when they work together to make the lives of others better. If you share our values: believe it’s possible, strengthen others, and be true, we’d love you to consider joining our team.

Operations Director

The ideal candidate

We are looking for a values‑driven operational leader with significant experience in senior operations, systems, or transformation roles. You will bring strong technical capability in designing and embedding systems and processes, excellent analytical skills, and the ability to produce high‑quality management information for senior leaders and Boards.

You will be an influential communicator who can lead through change, build strong relationships across the organisation, and support others to work in consistent, effective, and collaborative ways. With a strong grasp of governance, risk, compliance, and organisational assurance, you will balance strategic vision with hands‑on delivery. Above all, you will share Action Together’s commitment to social justice, equity, and strengthening people, places, and partnerships

The role

The Operations Director will lead the development, optimisation, and continuous improvement of Action Together’s systems, processes, and organisational infrastructure. Working as part of the Senior Leadership Team, you will co-design, develop, and maintain internal systems and processes that enhance operational delivery and organisational efficiency, ensuring they are fully embedded into day-to-day use with clear ownership, guidance, and effective performance monitoring.

You will oversee core central functions including HR, Communications and Impact, Data Protection and Information Management, and Health & Safety. You will play a key role in internal digital transformation, policy development, risk management, and organisational compliance. You will produce high‑quality management information that supports strategic decision‑making, work closely with Locality Directors to standardise and enhance delivery models. In addition, with reference to our constitution and Scheme of Delegation you will be responsible for supporting governance at Board meetings, and the AGM.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Action Together we value diversity, promote equity and challenge discrimination. We encourage and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. We are committed to ensuring that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, age, disability, religion, belief, sexual orientation, marital status, or race.

In order to ensure that our workforce reflects our communities across all levels of seniority, Action Together is offering a guaranteed interview to any candidate who meets the essential criteria listed in the person specification and who is also:

• A disabled person and/or
• A member of a community experiencing racial inequality

Action Together is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children, young people and vulnerable adults with whom we work. We expect all of our employees to demonstrate this commitment.

Right to work

We do not hold a Sponsor License and are unable to accept applications which require sponsorship to work in the UK

Please note, the successful candidates will be required to undertake a basic Disclosure and barring Service (DBS) check. A positive Disclosure of Offences will not automatically bar an applicant from being appointed and suitable applicants will not be refused employment because of offences that are not relevant.

Bedford Foodbank is an independent charity operating as a member of the Trussell Trust network of foodbanks. We employ 2 paid full time and 5 part time staff and are supported by 120 volunteers each week. The mission of Bedford Foodbank is to provide emergency food and support to individuals and families in crisis, ensuring that no one in the community goes hungry. The vision is to be a beacon of hope and support for those facing financial difficulties providing a minimum of 3 days of emergency food and support.

Role Purpose

The Operations Director role is responsible for the effective day-to-day management of the foodbank, ensuring sustainable service delivery while driving income generation and fundraising growth. You will oversee operations, fundraising strategy, partnerships, and compliance, ensuring the charity can meet increasing community need in a financially sustainable way with a passion for tackling poverty.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage all operational aspects of the foodbank, ensuring efficient, safe, and compassionate service delivery.
• Oversee logistics including food sourcing, storage, distribution, and volunteer deployment.
• Deliver a fundraising and grant writing strategy to ensure long-term financial sustainability
• Monitor operational performance and report regularly to the Trustees.
• Managing employees and volunteers to ensure they are supported, motivated, and aligned with the charity’s mission
• Build strong relationships with local authorities, faith groups, businesses, schools, and other charities.
• Represent the foodbank at events, networks, and public forums to raise profile and funds.
• Maintain compliance with all policies and procedures including Health and Safety and Safeguarding

Person Specification

• Demonstrable success in fundraising, income generation and grant writing.
• Passionate about tackling poverty with empathy for people from disadvantaged, marginalised or socially excluded backgrounds
• Understanding and sympathetic approach to clients, volunteers and referral agencies
• Running a small to medium size charity operation.
• Excellent relationship-building and communication skills.
• Commitment to the mission and values of a foodbank.

· Willingness to support and promote the Christian values of Bedford Foodbank

Requirements:

· Right to work in the UK

· Clean UK driving license

· Some evening and weekend work required

Use of AI in applications

We recognise that candidates may choose to use AI tools to support aspects of their application – such as grammar, formatting, or drafting. We understand that using AI tools in this way can help you express your strengths more clearly. However, your final submission must be a genuine, accurate reflection of your own skills, experience, and understanding of the role. 

To support integrity and transparency in our recruitment process, we ask that you include a brief note explaining where and how AI tools were used. Applications that appear overly generic, inconsistent with interview performance, or rely heavily on generative AI without clear attribution may raise concerns during the selection process.

Equal employment opportunity

We are committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity and is determined to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, age, disability, religion, belief, sexual orientation, marital status, or race, or is disadvantaged by conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be justifiable.

The Role

This is an exciting opportunity to join Reprieve in a senior leadership position that brings together legal, compliance, governance, finance and operational oversight.

The Director (Legal and Operations) will play a central role in ensuring Reprieve runs effectively, is well-governed and has strong foundations for impact. As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will be a trusted advisor across the organisation providing expert guidance on organisational legal matters including employment law, compliance, sanctions, data protection, contracts, privilege, and managing relationships with key partners (you will not be responsible for strategic litigation relating to clients or day-to-day casework as these issues are handled by the casework teams).

You will also support the effective functioning of our Board, ensuring strong governance processes and compliance with our charitable and regulatory obligations. A key part of the role is skilled risk management - helping the organisation navigate complexity while enabling rather than constraining our work.

Reporting to the CEO, you will line manage the Head of Operations and Head of Finance, providing strategic direction and support to ensure these functions are operating as effectively as possible and that relevant information is able to be communicated appropriately and clearly to the Board.

This is a role that spans the technical and the operational, requiring someone who is comfortable working across different domains - from legal and compliance questions to organisational functioning, budgets and Board management. We're looking for someone with a sharp legal mind who understands NGO governance, has good judgment and an ability to work collaboratively and effectively with teams across the organisation.

As a small legal NGO, Reprieve punches above its weight, and this role is key to making that possible.

For full details, please read the job description. 

About Reprieve

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

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

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

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

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

We collaborate closely with our independent partner organisation Reprieve US.

Terms

This is a full-time role on a permanent contract. The annual salary is £71,379 per annum, less any required deductions for income tax and national insurance.

This role is based in Reprieve’s London office. Reprieve operates a hybrid working model and we require staff to work 40% of their working hours from the London office and the rest of the week from home. Applicants must have the current right to work in the UK, which will be checked prior to interview.

Further information and how to apply

To apply, please read the full job description and submit a cover letter and CV addressing your interest in the role, and how you meet the criteria (both no more than 2 pages) via the application form on our website by 23:59 GMT on 5 April 2026. Please note that no other documents will be considered for this role and should not be submitted. We are also not able to accept applications via email.  

Director of Finance & Operations

• Hours: 37.5 hours per week 
• Location: Oxford
• Salary: £85,000 per annum
• Closing date: 26th March 2026 at 12 noon 

Join Helen & Douglas House as our next Director of Finance & Operations

Help to shape the future of the world’s first children’s hospice and make a profound difference to the lives of local families.

Helen & Douglas House has been supporting children living with life‑limiting conditions and their families for more than 40 years. We are a place of compassion, expertise and unwavering commitment — and now, we are searching for an exceptional Director of Finance & Operations to help ensure we build upon our unique legacy of innovative and impactful care and support.

A role with purpose. A role with impact.

As a key member of our Executive Team and working closely with our CEO and Board of Trustees, you will be at the heart of strategic decision making — ensuring our resources, systems and operations are effective, efficient, and aligned with the needs of the children and families we serve. This is an opportunity to influence the long-term sustainability of a truly special organisation at an important and exciting time for the hospice sector.

What you’ll lead

In this role, you will provide strategic leadership across Finance, Estates & Operations, Information Systems, Data & Governance, Risk, Health & Safety and our Project Management Office.

• Providing insightful financial leadership to help shape our strategic plans.
• Oversee the annual corporate planning and budget cycle.
• Ensure strong governance, regulatory compliance and effective risk management.
• Lead our Estates & Facilities strategy, ensuring our buildings and environments remain safe, high quality and fit for purpose.
• Guide the development of an effective organisational information systems strategy.
• Support and empower a talented cohort of Heads of Department — fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability and excellence.
• Act as a trusted ambassador to regulators, partners, advisors and donors.

Who we’re looking for

You will be:

• A qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or CIPFA).
• A strategic and inspirational leader with experience overseeing diverse operational functions.
• Skilled at navigating complexity, shaping strategy and driving organisational performance.
• An exceptional communicator, able to build trust and confidence with stakeholders at every level.
• Passionate about making a meaningful difference through high quality, sustainable charitable services.

Experience in the non‑profit or healthcare sector is welcome but not essential — what matters most is your leadership, values and ability to deliver impact.

Why join us?

At Helen & Douglas House, every decision you make directly supports children and families facing life-limiting conditions. You will join a committed, values driven Executive Team and help to lead an organisation with a powerful mission and deep community roots. If you’re motivated by our purpose and ready to bring your expertise to an organisation where your leadership will truly matter, we would love to hear from you.

Apply today and help us secure an impactful and sustainable future for Helen & Douglas House and the families we serve.

Please note that everyone working for Helen & Douglas House are required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check. Helen & Douglas House is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We are an equal opportunities employer and value the benefits of a diverse workforce. We positively encourage applications from all areas of the community.

DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND OPERATIONS

Strategic Finance and Operations Director leading finance, HR, IT and compliance for a national lifesaving charity and its commercial subsidiaries.

• Location: Worcester / Hybrid (2–3 days a week in office)
• Benefits: 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays and discretionary birthday day off; private health and life assurance; Life Assurance Scheme; Enhanced Society Sick Pay

Are you a strategic finance leader ready to shape the future of a national charity? Do you have the experience and will to lead finance, HR, IT and compliance with authority and clarity?

Charisma Charity Recruitment has partnered with Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) to appoint a new Director of Finance and Operations. RLSS UK saves lives by leading in water safety education, lifeguarding and drowning prevention, with a thriving commercial directorate and a new 2025–2030 strategy.

Reporting to the CEO and leading the corporate services directorate, you will hold accountability for financial stewardship across the charity and its subsidiaries, ensuring strong governance, regulatory compliance and operational resilience.

You will:

• Lead financial strategy, budgeting, reserves and risk to secure long-term sustainability
• Prepare annual accounts under Charity SORP and report at Board level
• Lead HR, IT, compliance and facilities, driving performance and accountability
• Strengthen corporate governance and regulatory relationships
• Contribute as a key SLT member, shaping strategy and major projects

We are seeking a qualified accountant (ACCA/CIMA/ACA) with senior charity experience, commercial acumen and the credibility to operate at Board level.

For more information, please contact Katherine Anderson-Scott, Executive Director, Charisma Charity Recruitment. Your application should be submitted through the Charisma website and include your CV and supporting statement.

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, or other category protected by law.

Closing date: Tuesday 24 March 2026
Charisma vetting interviews must be completed by: EOD Thursday 2 April 2026
Interviews with RLSS UK: w/c 13 April 2026 onwards