Operations director jobs

The Operations Director is a  senior leadership role at St Stephen’s, helping turn vision and strategy into effective day-to-day delivery. A highly relational role, combining strong operational leadership with collaboration, trust-building and a genuine care for people. The person we are looking for will lead across people, finance, systems, buildings and operations helping the church respond to the Holy Spirit and deliver our mission well.

Finance & Operations Director Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham

£75,000 Full-time | 35 hours per week | Southwell, Nottinghamshire

A Calling to Serve Through Professional Excellence The Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham recognises that our world is in desperate need of hope. In a post-Covid age and cost of living crisis, with our country's structures and systems under pressure and the increasing mental health challenges facing young people, the cry for hope is clear. We believe that hope is found in Jesus Christ, which the church is uniquely placed to share in every community.

The Diocese has a vision of Living Hope for the city, towns and villages of Nottinghamshire and beyond and is committed to its mission of Growing Disciples of Christ with Compassion, Confidence and Courage. A key aspect of that vision is the articulation of 7 Areas of Focus which healthy churches attend to: Inspiring Worship, Reaching Younger, Enhancing Diversity, Growing Leaders, Enabling Commitment, Encouraging Generosity and Nurturing Prayer.

Could you bring your finance leadership expertise to support our mission of Growing Disciples of Christ with Compassion, Confidence and Courage?

About Your New Ministry Context

The Diocese covers the city of Nottingham, the county of Nottinghamshire, with a few parishes in South Yorkshire. As part of the Church of England, we serve over a million people through a network of 300 churches and 73 church schools.

Based at Jubilee House in the beautiful market town of Southwell, the Diocesan Board of Finance (DBF) is the registered charity and company limited by guarantee through which the Diocese operates. You'll be joining an organisation with a clear vision of Living Hope for the city, towns and villages of Nottinghamshire and beyond.

This is an exciting time for the Diocese. In November 2024, we secured £33.16 million from the Church of England's Strategic Mission and Ministry Investment Board for a decade-long Church Growth Programme. This significant investment will fund church revitalisation, evangelism, discipleship, vocations and the development of younger leaders across our communities. The new Finance & Operations Director will play a pivotal role in stewarding these resources and ensuring ongoing financial sustainability.

Your Role as Finance Leader Reporting to the Chief Executive, you will lead the finance function as a trusted partner to both the Jubilee House Leadership Team and the Bishop's Core Team. This is a strategic role where you'll shape the financial direction of the Diocese while providing hands-on support to parishes navigating financial challenges. You will combine strategic financial stewardship with operational oversight, ensuring the Diocese’s resources are effectively managed in alignment with the vision and mission. You will work collaboratively across the organisation, with frequent and detailed parish engagement, to shape and implement financial strategy, while also leading the administration of financial initiatives which include, giving, strategic operations and property-related activities.

Your key responsibilities will include:

Strategic Financial Leadership

• Collaboratively support the development and implementation of financial strategies
• that align missionally with the diocesan seven areas of focus, across the Diocese with particular support to Parishes.
• Prepare and present financial reports, including budgets, forecasts, and risk
• analyses, to senior management and decision making committees.
• Engage with third party contractors to advise on financial planning, investment
• strategies, and capital structure decisions.
• Ensures the diocesan residential property portfolio strategically meets missional needs.

Operational Management

• Oversee day-to-day operations, including HR, Property and Finance teams.
• Implement policies and procedures to enhance efficiency and compliance.
• Manage relationships with committees, contractors, and other external partners

Risk and Compliance Oversight

• Identify and mitigate financial and operational risks.
• Ensure compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and National Church standards.
• Coordinate audits and implement internal controls.

Team Leadership

• Leading and developing the finance and operations teams to deliver excellent service
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and accountability.
• Collaborate with other departments to align operational goals with the overall Diocesan vision, mission and strategy.

Who We're Looking For Professional Excellence

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent) with significant post-qualification experience
• Extensive experience in financial management and operational leadership.
• Strong understanding of financial regulations and compliance requirements.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage complex projects.

Essential Faith Requirement There is a genuine occupational requirement for the post holder to be a committed Christian in the Anglican tradition or another member denomination of Churches Together in England. You'll need a strong understanding and empathy with the aims, ethos and beliefs of the Christian faith and its expression through the Church of England.

Personal Qualities

• Excellent communicator who can make complex financial issues accessible to non-financial audiences
• Collaborative team player with an open working style
• Effective influencer who can build trust with clergy, lay leaders and external stakeholders
• Strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving skills

What We Offer

• Competitive salary: £75,000
• Generous pension: 10% of salary contributed by the Diocese
• Excellent work-life balance: 35-hour working week with hybrid and flexible working arrangements
• Generous leave: 25 days annual leave + 5 discretionary days (predetermined dates) + 8 bank holidays
• Additional benefits:
  • Free onsite parking in our scenic location
  • Maternity, paternity and shared parental occupational pay
  • Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
  • Employee Assistance Programme with counselling, legal and health advice
• Relocation packages considered for successful candidates relocating from outside of the local area
• Meaningful work: The opportunity to directly support the Church's mission in communities across Nottinghamshire

Ready to Answer the Call? If you're a talented finance professional who wants to work for an organisation with a fantastic culture that makes a real difference, enables change, and has a clear purpose rooted in Christian faith, we'd love to hear from you.

Closing date of 17th Februrary 2026

Join us in our mission to bring hope and transformation to communities across Nottinghamshire and beyond.

The Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. We welcome applications from suitably qualified people from all sections of the community and strive to be an equal opportunity employer.

Director of Finance and Operations

RESPONSIBLE FOR: Senior HR Executive (PT) and Database & Operations Officer (PT)

HOURS: Full-Time (9am-5pm, Monday-Friday)

JOB LOCATION: Hybrid - home and minimum 2 days in the office (Amersham, Buckinghamshire)

PENSION: 7% non-contributory

ANNUAL LEAVE: 28 days, plus bank holidays

OTHER BENEFITS: Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), Free Parking

Job Description

The Director of Finance and Operations (DFO) will play a crucial role in realising our ambitious plans as a charity. The postholder will be a member of our Senior Leadership Team (SLT), along with the CEO, Director of Development, Director of Programmes and Director of Fundraising and Communications. The DFO role is responsible for overseeing the financial health, operational effectiveness, and organisational infrastructure of the charity, ensures that the charity operates efficiently, ethically, and in compliance with all regulatory and fiduciary requirements. This role blends strategic financial leadership with hands-on operational management and is critical to enabling the charity to achieve its charitable programme as well as provide long-term sustainability.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Leadership & Management

• Provide strategic financial leadership, including long-range financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting.
• Develop and manage the organisation’s annual operating and capital budgets in collaboration with senior leadership.
• Manage the accounting functions, including payroll and pension, and month-end and year-end close.
• Prepare and present timely, accurate financial reports to the SLT, Finance and Investment Sub- Committee, and Board of Trustees.
• Monitor cash flow, reserves, and investments to ensure financial stability and liquidity.
• Ensure compliance with all financial regulations, funder requirements, and nonprofit accounting standards.
• Lead annual audits and coordinate with external auditors.
• Manage relationship with investment managers and their adherence to investment strategy.
• Support the Fundraising team in submitting income application, financial reporting, and compliance requirements.

Operations & Organisational Management

• Oversee day-to-day operations to ensure efficient systems, processes, and internal controls.
• Lead and continuously improve policies and procedures related to finance, operations, and administration.
• Manage organisational risk, insurance coverage, and compliance (e.g., legal, regulatory, and contractual obligations).
• Oversee facilities, technology, and vendor relationships, ensuring cost-effectiveness and reliability.
• Ensure strong data management, financial systems, and operational reporting tools are in place.

Human Resources & Administration

• Oversee HR operations, including payroll, benefits administration, employee policies, and compliance with employment laws.
• Partner with leadership on workforce planning, compensation strategy, and organisational design.
• Support performance management systems and contribute to a positive, inclusive organisational culture.
• Ensure onboarding, offboarding, and personnel record management processes are effective and compliant.

Leadership & Strategy

• As a key member of the senior leadership team, contributing to organisational strategy and decision-making.
• Advise the SLT and Board on financial and operational implications of strategic initiatives.
• Translate financial data into clear, actionable insights for non-financial stakeholders.
• Lead and mentor finance and operations staff, fostering professional development and accountability.

This job advert may close earlier than first advertised if enough suitable candidates are received.

Location: 2 days weekly in our London office
Salary: £87,632.09 (incl London Office Allowance) plus competitive pension
Please note that this role will be closing on Wednesday 4 February 2026 at 9am.

A little bit about the role

Frontline has achieved significant growth and impact in our first 11 years, and we are now recruiting a director to lead on ensuring our culture, operational and financial infrastructure enable us to continue to grow and drive change for children and families.

With a ~£25m budget and ~150 employees we rely on robust systems, a clear strategy and an enabling culture to support people to do great work to achieve our mission. Reporting to the CEO, the director of culture and operations (DCO) will develop our annual priorities and strategy. They will lead on strengthening and further embedding our culture of freedom and responsibility by providing excellent operational leadership across Frontline. To effectively operate a culture of freedom and responsibility we need robust financial controls, excellent governance and strong relationships at our foundation – as DCO you will ensure these foundations are in place – and build on them.

We are an ambitious organisation – we work hard to create an inclusive culture which supports our hard-working teams through data, feedback and technology. As DOC you will lead on galvanising our leadership group to ensure they have the necessary resources, collective focus and communication channels across teams nationally. Frontline is in a strong position. We have a clear strategy, stable finances and strong internal processes so we look forward to welcoming our new director of culture and operations to help build on this, so we can have even greater impact.

Some key responsibilities include:

• People – Lead the people team to identify new and creative ways to further strengthen our culture of freedom and responsibility
• Finance – Manage the head of finance and compliance, supporting them and the finance team to deliver sound financial controls/clear reporting and manage an annual budget of £25m – ensuring financial capability and clear cross-team communication
• Governance – Work with the chair of FARC (and other subcommittees as relevant) to ensure they are taking a strategic view on key issues, providing appropriate challenge and timely decisions (e.g. in budget process).
• Management of external contracts and relationships – Manage the contract governance manager with responsibility for DfE/university contracts and regulatory approval, ensuring effective governance and compliance

Full list of role responsibilities can be found in the job pack.

A little bit about you

You should have strong leadership experience, the ability to balance multiple priorities under pressure, and a track record of shaping organisational culture. Experience in financial management, HR strategy, and operational leadership is essential, while familiarity with charity governance and regulatory compliance would be beneficial.

We’re looking for someone with exceptional communication skills, a collaborative mindset, and a practical approach to problem-solving. If you’re a values-driven leader eager to shape culture, strengthen operations, and support our mission, you’d be a great fit.

We have a fast-moving culture within the team and organisation, so we’re looking for someone who is who is well organised, details-focused and can use their initiative to do what works. You will have excellent communication skills, be able to build relationships with people and be willing to learn. There are lots of opportunities for growth and development in this role – and for the right candidate to make the role their own.

If you feel you have the skills to make a real impact and contribute to creating lasting social change for children and families, we would love to hear from you.

If you’re interested in finding out more, please email Elise Cronin, Executive Assistant (contact details are in the job pack) to arrange an informal conversation with the CEO.

Important information

We have increased the diversity of Frontline’s workforce in the last 12 months, but we need to do more to have greater global majority representation in our senior roles. We know the value global majority voices bring and therefore, we are strongly encouraging applicants from these backgrounds to apply. We are also a disability confident employer and welcome applicants with disabilities.

With so many people now using AI to apply for jobs, it is common for applications to be repetitive and nearly identical. There are tell-tale signs when AI has been used, the writing has the same structure, the same tone and the same language. Using AI to clarify your thoughts and sharpen your answers is one thing, but we strongly discourage you from using a tool to generate the substance of your answers. We want your application to demonstrate your skills, as well as show us your thought process, how you respond to problems, what you have learned from different experiences and how you communicate in your own voice. Please be reassured – we are not expecting perfection.

We reserve the right to close this role ahead of the deadline once we reach a suitable number of applications, so please apply as soon as you can!

Lead complex, high-impact services that support people to live well and help shape the future of social care in Southend.

Applications close: 9 a.m. Thursday 26th February 2026
Location: Southend-on-Sea and services-based

About Southend Care

Southend Care is a wholly owned local authority company delivering a broad range of adult social care services, including older people’s care homes, domiciliary care, supported living, mental health services and community-based provision.

Operating across multiple locations with a lean, committed leadership team, the organisation is known for its adaptability, responsiveness and ability to manage change in a challenging and fast-moving environment.

With a refreshed board, new non-executive directors and a renewed focus on culture, engagement and commercial resilience, Southend Care is looking ahead with confidence. We are also on a journey towards providing services for children and young people, so there has never been a better time to join us.

About the role

Southend Care is seeking an experienced, hands-on Director of Operations to play a pivotal role in leading and shaping high-quality social care services across the city. This is a rare opportunity to join a values-driven, commercially aware organisation at an exciting point in its evolution, helping to strengthen operational performance, embed a positive culture and support sustainable growth.

As Director of Operations, you will take overall responsibility for the operational leadership, quality, safeguarding and performance of services. Working closely with the Managing Director and Director of Corporate Services, you will provide visible, credible leadership to managers and frontline teams, ensuring services are safe, person-centred and financially sustainable.

You will play a central role in developing managers, strengthening consistency across services, improving engagement with stakeholders and service users and supporting opportunities for service development and growth.

This is a genuinely hands-on role in a small senior team, requiring someone who is comfortable rolling up their sleeves while also contributing strategically to the organisation’s future direction.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for an operationally strong, people-focused leader with senior experience across social care and a deep understanding of regulated services. You will bring credibility in areas such as safeguarding, quality improvement and service delivery, ideally in older people’s services, domiciliary care, mental health or supported living.

You will be comfortable working autonomously in a lean environment, visible and approachable in your leadership style and confident holding managers to account while building trust and rapport.

Commercial awareness, adaptability and a collaborative mindset are essential, as is a genuine commitment to service user and staff experience.

Above all, you will bring the energy, personality and practical leadership needed to thrive in a close-knit team and help Southend Care continue to evolve and succeed.

Please click 'Redirect to recruiter’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Thursday 26th February 2026.