Operations director jobs in birmingham, west midlands

A unique opportunity has arisen to join SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, as the Community Engagement Manager for Scotland.

About the role

In this new and pivotal role, you will lead efforts to grow awareness, engagement, and income generation through a vibrant network of volunteer-led branches across  Scotland. As the primary point of contact and support for these branches, you'll play a vital role in empowering volunteers and fostering a sense of community and belonging throughout the region.

Working closely with the wider regional team, you will help deliver SSAFA’s new community engagement strategy — a central part of an exciting period of transformation and strategic growth for the charity.

Whilst the post is homebased, to be eligible for this role you are required to live in Scotland.

The role involves extensive travel within the region and may require occasional evening or weekend work at short notice. A company car can be provided to support this.

About the team

With the support of the Regional Manager – Casework and Community Engagement, this role plays a key part in establishing, coordinating, and leading a team of Community Engagement Volunteers across the Scotland.

The primary focus is to drive awareness, increase fundraising, and strengthen engagement in alignment with the strategic direction set by the Director of Welfare Operations.

You will work collaboratively with other regionally based Community Engagement Managers and strategic partners across the Fundraising, Marketing, and Communications directorate to help shape policies and guidance for branch activities,

The role involves regular meetings, both in-person and via Microsoft Teams, and you will benefit from a comprehensive support package including training, mentoring, and ongoing professional development.

About you

You will be an exceptional individual in order to lead this exciting initiative during a critical period of change. The ideal candidate will be a driven and highly motivated professional with a strong track record in fundraising, a solid understanding of fundraising regulations, and proven experience in leading and supporting volunteers in their efforts.

You will have excellent relationship management skills and a deep understanding of volunteer engagement and development. You will be a natural communicator with demonstrated success working with volunteers; experience in volunteer recruitment, induction, and best practice would be a strong advantage.

You will be a confident and credible networker, capable of representing SSAFA to a wide range of external stakeholders, building strong partnerships and enhancing the charity’s profile across Scotland — all while operating remotely as part of a collaborative and regionally dispersed team.

About SSAFA 

SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity is a trusted source of support for the Armed Forces community in their time of need. In 2023 our trained teams of volunteers and employees helped more than 53,000 people, including veterans, serving personnel (regulars and reserves) and their families.

SSAFA understands that behind every uniform is a person. And we are here for that person and their family, any time they need us and in any way they need us.

Diversity and Inclusion at SSAFA

SSAFA exists to support a diverse range of beneficiaries within the armed forces community, and we believe diversity within our teams is key to ensuring we can deliver our services effectively. We thrive on differences and believe it is critical to our success as a worldwide charity. SSAFA is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace that seeks to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We therefore encourage applications from all genders, races, religions, ages and sexual orientations, as well as parents, veterans, people living with disabilities, and any other groups that could bring diverse perspectives to our business.

SSAFA is committed to using the Disclosure & Barring Service to ensure we, as an employer, safeguard those we serve.

Are you a visionary, hands-on leader with a bold passion for transforming childhood cancer outcomes? We're looking for a driven and dynamic CEO to lead our small but mighty charity through its next phase of growth and impact.

As CEO, you will shape and execute an ambitious strategy to accelerate change in the childhood cancer space—through fundraising and grant-giving, policy influence, partnerships, and compelling digital storytelling and campaigning. This is a rare opportunity to lead from the front, catalyse meaningful change, and work directly with researchers, funders, and leading hospitals and universities.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the charity with integrity, compassion, and vision—building a high-impact organisation centred on outcomes and change.

• Manage the Azaylia PhD Scholarship grant-giving fund with transparency and in alignment with the charity’s funding criteria.

• Design and execute a robust income strategy across corporates, trusts, foundations, major donors, crowdfunding, events, and sponsorships.

• Leverage your network to secure and steward significant gifts and partnerships, particularly in the childhood cancer space.

• Develop digital and in-person campaigns that inspire action, influence policy, and build coalitions for change.

• Actively engage in every aspect of the charity’s operations—from strategy to hands-on delivery, in a lean and resource-limited environment.

• Guide our growing social media presence with a focus on mission-driven engagement, supported by data and storytelling.

• Build strong relationships with high-profile ambassadors, media, and influencers to amplify our voice and cause.

• Ensure financial sustainability through effective planning, budgeting, and income diversification.

• Create a purpose-driven, supportive, and high-performing team culture rooted in transparency, equity, and empathy.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Proven success in multi-channel fundraising, with a track record of securing and growing major gifts.

• Existing relationships with high-net-worth individuals, foundations, and stakeholders in the childhood cancer space.

• Deep understanding of systems change, with experience in driving policy and institutional transformation.

• Professional experience in the childhood cancer, paediatric healthcare, or rare disease sector.

• Expertise in financial management, charity governance, and regulatory compliance.

• Excellent leadership and team-building skills with the ability to nurture and retain top talent.

• Confident operating autonomously in a remote setting, with strong organisational and self-management abilities.

• Passionate about eradicating childhood cancer and creating systemic change for affected families and communities.

What We Offer

• A unique leadership role with high visibility and potential for sector-wide impact.

• Flexibility in a remote working environment, with occasional domestic travel.

• A passionate, values-driven team committed to collaboration, bold thinking, and impactful outcomes.

About The Azaylia Foundation

The Azaylia Foundation was founded by Ashley Cain and Safiyya Vorajee after the passing of their eight-month old daughter, Azaylia. Childhood cancer is the number one killer of children in the UK, yet it receives less than 3% of cancer research funding. Backed by a large community of supporters, The Azaylia Foundation is committed to reversing this systemic underfunding through advocacy, PhD research grants, and family support for treatments not freely available via the NHS. Our flagship programme, The Azaylia PhD Scholarship Program, aims to fund 20 new childhood cancer PhDs and their research over a period of 5 years.

Join Birthrights as Our New CEO!

Location: Remote (UK-based). Must be prepared to travel to London and other UK locations for frequent meetings with staff, funders and stakeholders.

Salary: £70,000 to £75,000 per annum, dependent on experience

Why Join Us?

• Impact: Make a real difference in the lives of women, birthing people and families.
• Flexibility: We offer flexible working arrangements, including remote work and compressed hours.
• Culture: Join a kind, progressive, and inclusive team dedicated to respectful care during pregnancy and childbirth.
• Growth: Be part of an organisation with ambitious plans for growth and innovation.

About Birthrights: Birthrights is the UK's leading authority on the rights of women and birthing people during pregnancy and birth in the UK. Our work is critical to not only transforming the experiences and outcomes for individuals but also in shifting wider policy, practice and systems. We champion respectful care during pregnancy and childbirth, ensuring that all women are treated with dignity and humanity. Our work is grounded in the belief that every woman has the right to make informed choices about her care and to be supported in those choices.

The Role: Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of women and birthing people? Do you thrive in a collaborative and supportive environment? Birthrights is looking for a dynamic and compassionate CEO to lead our dedicated team. This is a unique opportunity to drive change, advocate for birth rights, and work alongside a group of passionate individuals committed to our cause.

Key Responsibilities:

• Leadership: Provide compassionate and bold leadership to a remote-working team, fostering a collaborative and supportive culture.
• Strategic Vision: With the Board and staff, refine and lead the successful implementation of the organisation's strategic and operational plans.
• Influencing: Lead creative and bold external campaigns, policy development, and influencing efforts to advance birth rights.
• Financial Management: Oversee financial operations, ensuring sustainability and growth.
• Fundraising and Business Development: Oversee the fundraising efforts and business development initiatives to support Birthrights' mission.
• Board Collaboration: Work closely with the board to shape and implement strategic goals.

Person Specification:

• Essential:
• Background in the charity sector.
• Genuine passion for Birthrights' cause.
• Strong people management skills.
• High emotional intelligence (EQ).
• Competence in financial management.
• Skills in business development and fundraising.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to work closely with the board.
• Strategic and radical leadership skills
• Ability to oversee delivery of policy and programmes to drive impact aligned with organisational strategy and principles
• Ability to build relationships and foster strong collaborative partnerships
• Ability to lead courageously
• Desirable:
• Lived experience of birth or professional experience in maternity care or significant involvement in campaigning or representing people's rights.
• Experience in policy development and influencing.
• Experience in leading bold external campaigns.
• Experience managing remote working or hybrid teams of part-time staff
• Experience of community power building and working as part of movements for change

Our Team: At Birthrights, we believe in the power of collaboration and teamwork. Our team is close-knit, passionate, and dedicated to making a positive impact. We work remotely but stay connected through regular meetings and touchpoints, ensuring that everyone feels supported and valued. We are committed to fostering a culture of kindness, inclusivity, and mutual respect.

Equity, Diversity and inclusion: Birthrights is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in our organisation and our external work. We know that diversity in all its forms brings more perspectives, experiences and knowledge, and it makes us a better, stronger organisation.

As an organisation, our employees have recently trained with the Queer Birth Club on LGBTQ+ competency and have undertaken extensive training with JMB Consulting on anti-racism.

We are using positive action in our recruitment as part of our commitment to EDI. This means we are actively seeking candidates from under-represented groups (people of colour, women, LGBTQ+, disabled people, socioeconomic background). If two candidates are equally qualified for the role, we will appoint the candidate with this background under the provisions of the Equality Act 2010. Please let us know if you require reasonable adjustments so we can accommodate your needs.

How to Apply: If you are passionate about advocating for birth rights and have the skills and experience to lead our organisation, we would love to hear from you. Please submit your CV to and we will forward you the candidate pack.

Webinar: Join our informational webinar on Thursday 22 May, 12.30 - 1.30 to learn more about the role. The registration link is in the candidate pack.

Application Deadline: Please submit your application by 5.00pm on Monday 9^th June, 2025.

Location: Birmingham - hybrid role, 3 days a week in the office. Must also be willing to travel to other offices for celebrations as and when required.

Interviews: Face-to-face 02/06/2025

For more information, or to apply, please click 'apply now' to be directed to our website.

Are you ready to make a real impact on the lives of young people? Do you thrive in a collaborative environment where every day is a chance to make a difference? If so, we have the perfect opportunity for you!

At The King's Trust, we're on a mission to empower our young people to reach their full potential. And right now, we're on the lookout for someone who's as passionate about this mission as we are. If you're up for the challenge, join our team as a Youth Development Lead, and let's make a real difference together. As a Youth Development Lead, you'll be the driving force behind our Development Award Programmes. These programmes are all about giving young people aged 16-30 the boost they need to enhance their skills, find their path in education, training, or employment, and build a brighter future. It's not just a job; it's an opportunity to be a mentor, a guide, and a champion of change.

You'll work closely with our Outreach and Marketing colleagues and our customer service centre to ensure that young people are not only safely recruited but also engaged effectively. Your teamwork will be the driving force behind our mission.

If you've got a knack for staying organised and thriving in a fast-paced environment, this role could be perfect for you! Picture yourself as a catalyst for change, making a real impact on the lives of young people as they navigate their way through education, training, and work. Additionally, it presents an excellent opportunity for Youth Development Leads to foster meaningful connections with local colleges and organisations.

We’re also a massive advocate of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion so it would be amazing if you could lead the charge in creating an environment where everyone feels seen, by implementing a local action plan that supports our big-picture EDI goals. Let's make positive change happen!

If you feel you are flexible and someone who is ready to step in wherever needed within The Trust, including deputising as necessary in activities relevant to your area of responsibility, you could be just what we are looking for.

If you're a passionate advocate for young people, have an eye for detail, and a knack for turning challenges into opportunities, we want to hear from you.

What happens next?  

Please submit a CV, and Cover Letter that includes your experience, transferrable skills and motivation to work for The King's Trust! The Team will be in touch about the next steps shortly after the closing date. 

Why do we need Youth Development Leads? 

Last year, we helped more than 40,000 Young People, with every three in four moving into a positive outcome for either work, education or training. Youth Development Leads play a crucial role in supporting young people, no matter the young person's background or current circumstances, to fulfil their full potential. We want to continue having a positive impact on young people’s lives and we couldn’t do this without the important work of Youth Development Leads! 

Perks for working at The Trust! 

• Great holiday package! 30 days annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays. Office closure on the days between Christmas and New Year 
• You can volunteer for and/or attend events – The King's Trust Awards, Pride, active events etc. 
• In-house learning platform! Develop your skills for your career and your role 
• Benefits platform! Everything from health and financial well-being support to discounts on your favourite restaurants, shops and cinemas. 
• Personal development opportunities through our Networks – KT CAN (Cultural Awareness Network), KT GEN (Gender Equality Network), KT DAWN (Disability & Wellbeing Network), and PULSE (LGBTQIA+ Network). 
• Fantastic Family leave! Receive 13 weeks of full pay and 13 weeks of half pay for maternity and adoption leave. Receive 8 weeks of full pay for paternity leave. 
• Interest-free season ticket loans 
• Cycle-to-Work Scheme
• The Trust will contribute 5% of your salary to the Trust Pension Scheme 
• Generous life assurance cover (4 x annual salary) 

Equal Opportunities 

Here at The King's Trust, we're committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. We want to be an organisation that's representative of the communities we serve, which is why we strive for diversity of age, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, race, religion and sex. Our goal is to create an environment where everyone, from any background, can be themselves and do the best work of their lives. 

We are looking for people who can bring different perspectives and experiences and especially welcome applications from those who are underrepresented in our organisation and sector, such as candidates from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds.  

We’re a Stonewall Diversity Champion and we are an employer that is Disability Confident. Our staff, volunteers and young people are supported by KT CAN (our Cultural Awareness Network), KT GEN (Gender Equality Network), KT DAWN (Disability & Wellbeing Network) and PULSE (LGBTQIA+ Network).

Safeguarding 

The King's Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. As part of this commitment, we undertake basic disclosure checks by the Codes of Practice for all roles within the Trust, and for our roles working directly with young people, at an enhanced level. Having a criminal record will not automatically exclude applicants. 

A NOTE FOR RECRUITMENT AGENCIES:

We prefer to hire people directly, but we do have a preferred supplier list for when we need a helping hand. We'll be in touch directly if we need you!

Req ID: 3503 

ARMA (UK) is the professional association for research management in the UK. We represent research leaders, managers and administrators, offering professional development and opportunities to build networks, knowledge and skills.

We are looking for a Conference and Major Events Manager to lead on the delivery of our successful annual conference and other major events.

The role includes, but is not limited to, project management, budgeting and financial management, marketing and promotion, sponsorship and exhibition sales/ coordination, venue selection and contracting, supplier management, speaker liaison, abstract management and delegate administration.

This role will work closely with our Head of Membership Engagement, the chair of Conference and Conference Working Group to deliver an excellent programme and outstanding delegate experience. The role holder is also responsible for managing the relationship with our appointed Professional Conference Organiser (PCO).

For full details about this role, our work and the skills required please refer to our role profile.

Acorns Children’s Hospice provides specialist care and support for babies, children, and young people who are life-limited or life-threatened. When time is short, every moment is precious. Acorns helps children and families fill the time they have together with love, fun, and laughter to create lasting memories.

Palliative care for children aged 0-18 is delivered at Acorns’ hospices in Birmingham, Worcester, and Walsall, as well as in family homes or elsewhere in the community. Their holistic, tailored approach meets each child’s clinical, emotional, cultural, religious, and spiritual needs. Supporting over 750 children and nearly 1,000 families annually, Acorns is a vital lifeline for families across the West Midlands and Gloucestershire during unimaginably difficult times.

This is a brilliant opportunity to take on a high-performing team at a time when Acorns is really moving forward. Supported by strong internal resources, the Head of Public Fundraising will drive growth across Individual Giving, Legacy, In-Memoriam, Digital and Prize-led Giving in the context of a highly collaborative, whole-organisation approach to fundraising.

The immediate focus will be on making the most of existing programmes, strengthening audience insight, and getting the team ready to play a major part in the organisation-wide appeal launching in 2025.

Growing Individual Giving income from £1.6 million to £2 million over the next two years will be a central priority, alongside expanding digital and prize-led fundraising and sharpening supporter journeys across the board.

As Head of Public Fundraising, you will: 

• Develop and implement a data-driven strategy for all areas of public fundraising to meet growth targets.

• Lead the Individual Giving portfolio, ensuring growth across direct mail, face-to-face acquisition, mid-value development, and telemarketing.

• Oversee the successful delivery of cash appeals, ensuring they meet both income and ROI targets.

• Drive the expansion of digital fundraising and prize-led giving, including managing the growing digital fundraising portfolio and prize-led initiatives.

• Work closely with cross-functional teams, including Marketing & Communications, to ensure campaigns are well integrated and aligned with the overall fundraising strategy.

• Manage and develop a high-performing team, providing leadership, coaching, and clear performance metrics.

• Collaborate with senior leadership and internal stakeholders to drive the strategic direction of public fundraising.

About you

The role needs someone who’s as comfortable setting long-term plans as they are getting hands-on when needed, whether that’s developing appeals, working with agencies or supporting new product ideas. Collaboration across fundraising, care and supporter engagement teams will be essential to making this happen and building an even stronger supporter-first culture at Acorns.

If you’re a senior Individual Giving expert who’s ambitious for supporters and income, this is a chance to take ownership of a strong portfolio, drive innovation, and make a real impact on Acorns’ future.

You will have:

• Extensive experience in Individual Giving (substantial direct marketing experience is essential)

• A history of successfully leading fundraising teams and delivering significant income growth.

• Strong strategic vision, with the ability to adapt and innovate based on data insights and audience understanding.

• Experience in working collaboratively across teams to achieve shared objectives.

• Excellent communication and networking skills, with the ability to build strong relationships internally and externally.

Hybrid working

This is a mostly home-based role, with c.2 days per week in the (Birmingham) office. If you require flexibility around this, please don't hesitate to apply - we can discuss options during the briefing call. 

Employee benefits

Benefits include:

• 31 days annual leave including bank holidays, rising to 35 days after 3 years’ service
• 7.5% employer pension contribution
• Life assurance scheme (2 x annual salary)
• Retail discounts (including the Blue Light card)
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discounted gym membership
• Access to expert financial health and wellbeing support