Operations lead jobs

Actors’ Trust supports professional actors and stage managers in times of need, and our bold new Acting for Impact strategy seeks to increase the charity’s reach and impact within the performing arts community.

The Finance & Office Executive will play a key role in ensuring the financial health and effective administration of the charity. Working closely with the CEO and Head of Finance & Operations, the postholder will provide financial assistance, manage the office, and undertake the administrative functions required to support the smooth running of the charity.

This role is perfect for someone who enjoys working with numbers, systems and people. You’ll play a key role in supporting and delivering the charity’s financial and operational strategy and enabling the Trustees to fulfil their legal and fiduciary obligations. You will ensure that our finance processes and office run smoothly, including diary management, and that key governance and HR processes and procedures comply with law and with our policies.

We are looking for an energetic and motivated self-starter keen to take on a new challenge within a fast growing organisation, to join us and support our team. You will have an appetite for detail and a focus on standards. Additionally, you will be a problem solver, team player, able to quickly adapt, (and to ask for help when you need it) and you’ll have the self-belief and capacity to develop trusted relationships with stakeholders at every level. 

See the attached Job Description for more details.

How to Apply

• Please apply with an up-to-date CV including a daytime phone and email contact, and a brief covering letter telling us why you’re a good fit for this role.
• The closing date and time for applications is 9am, 9th January 2026.
• Interviews will be held on Thursday 15th January 2026

Key responsibilities 

To be responsible for the effective leadership and management of the organisation and its resources.

To support the Board in setting the vision, mission, strategic objectives and strategic priorities for the charity and develop its philosophy and values.

To lead the business development plans for development of the Charity in its purpose of supporting people and families living with dementia. Ensuring a robust Operating Plan is developed, approved by the Board and fully implemented. 

To promote the mission, aims, values and objectives of The Dementia Care Hub as the public facing representative of the Charity, working effectively with the Charity’s stakeholders.

To provide forward looking strategic leadership and management of the organisation and its resources to promote the objectives of the Charity.

To ensure the Charity fulfils all its legal, statutory and regulatory responsibilities.

To offer practical support to the hubs as required

To lead and prepare grant applications to ensure that The Dementia Care Hub can continue to support and grow.

To lead and develop fundraising activities.

Job overview

In this dynamic role, you'll provide strategic and operational leadership to grow our income streams to £2 million annually and beyond, while maintaining low costs and embedding innovation through AI-driven insights, digital fundraising, and creative projects.

Oversee governance, financial management, grants, lotteries, major donor stewardship, marketing, and a high-performing team, ensuring compliance with regulatory bodies and delivering measurable social value. If you're a visionary leader with a passion for NHS charities, proven fundraising expertise, and the agility to handle hands-on operations—from event planning to risk management—apply now to drive meaningful change and represent us on national stages.

Flexible working with office presence required frequent travel between sites essential.

We kindly request that applicants submit a one-page cover letter along with a curriculum vitae (CV) not exceeding two pages in length when applying. 

Main duties of the job

The Charity Director is responsible for driving the purpose and impact of Frimley Health Charity (FHC), ensuring the charity delivers meaningful benefits to patients, staff, and the wider community. The role combines strategic leadership with active operational involvement, across income growth and translating the charity’s vision into practical initiatives and improvements. The postholder will develop and implement a plan to deliver on the newly agreed FHC strategy to grow income streams, maximise impact, and maintain low operating costs, while also engaging directly in day-to-day operations to ensure the charity runs smoothly and efficiently.

In addition to strategic planning, the Charity Director undertakes hands-on tasks such as financial management, data analysis, market research, process improvement, and reporting to the Charitable Funds Committee and Trust Board. The role involves leading a small, high-performing team, supporting staff in their day-to-day work, and maintaining a culture of collaboration and accountability. The postholder also engages directly with patients, staff, donors, and community partners, and oversees marketing, communications, creative projects, and wellbeing initiatives, ensuring that all activities align to the charity’s purpose. The charity aims to generate an income of £2 million per annum and there is an expectation of the postholder to grow the charity over the coming years.

We are looking for an energetic, motivated self-starter keen to take on new challenge, and to adapt their varied skills to join us and support our community. This role will have you tackling different things every day. You will ensure that our office runs smoothly, and that key corporate and HR processes and procedures comply with law and with our policies. Working with everyone, you’ll actively enjoy the collegiate atmosphere which we value as a team.

You will be curious, courageous, able to quickly understand our work, (and to ask for help when you don’t) and you’ll have the self-belief and capacity to develop trusting relationships with stakeholders at every level.  You will have an appetite for detail, and a focus on standards.

See the attached Job Description for more details.

How to Apply

We will be assessing applications on a rolling basis.

• Please send us an up-to-date CV including a daytime phone and email contact, and a brief covering email of no more than 250 words - see the job description attached for details on which email address to sue. 
• The closing date and time for applications is 9am, 8th January 2026.

We reserve the right to close applications prior to the closing date if we receive elevated levels of interest and/or secure a successful applicant for the role.

We are proud to be supporting the leading independent grant making foundation in the west Midlands and Warwickshire, in their search for a Chief Operating Officer.

They nurture philanthropy, connecting people who care with incredible causes that matter. They help unlock the resources to tackle local issues, and support people and communities to thrive across the region.

They are recruiting for a new position, a Chief Operating Officer, to support the CEO, having overall accountability for the organisation’s operations. The COO will play a pivotal role in implementing their strategy, aimed at improving operational efficiency and diversifying income streams.

Chief Operating Officer 

£60,000-£65,000 + benefits  

Hybrid working, 2 days in the office in Coventry

The COO will ensure that ways of working are as effective as possible, enabling the team to meet their ambitions and modernise their internal operations and governance, freeing up capacity for the CEO to build strong relationships with donors and partners working with communities.

Key responsibilities include: 

• Play a central role as a member of the executive team in the overall leadership, strategic direction and governance of the Foundation. 
• Work with the whole team to implement the organisational strategy and business plan.

• Lead on the development of the grant making strategy, ensuring processes are efficient, compliant and deliver an outstanding experience for applicants and donors.
• Oversee the day-to-day operational management of the Foundation, ensuring systems, policies and processes are appropriate and effective.

• Oversee fundholder relationships, demonstrating value and impact whilst overseeing performance against programme delivery commitments.

• Oversee research, insight and impact inputs and ensure effective horizon scanning for emerging trends and technologies.

• Oversee HR and marketing strategies to strengthen the culture and visibility.

As COO, you will have a strong commitment to the mission and values of the foundation, with a passion for making a difference to the lives of people in the West Midlands and Warwickshire. You will need Senior management experience within a nonprofit, charitable or comparable grant-making organisation, evidenced by successful strategic planning and execution.

How to Apply 

To apply for the role, please upload your CV together with a supporting statement (of no more than 1000 words) onto the Prospectus website via the link below.  
  
Please ensure that you have included a telephone number, as well as any dates when you will not be available or might have difficulty with the recruitment timetable.  
  
If you wish to apply using an alternative format, please contact Prospectus.  
If you would like to have an informal conversation about the role, please contact our retained partners. 
  
At Prospectus we believe passionately that a truly inclusive workplace leads to increased social impact. We are committed to supporting our clients build more inclusive teams. To understand how we are performing, we ask that you kindly complete the brief equal opportunities questionnaire when you submit your application via our website. Please be assured that your responses are kept confidential, separate from your candidate record, are not part of any application you make, and that the consultants never see individual responses to the questionnaire. 

Recruitment Timetable 

Deadline for applications: Sunday 8th Feb (midnight) 

Interviews with Prospectus: 24th Feb – 2nd March

First stage interviews with the foundation: 17th and 19th March

Second stage with the foundation: 24th March

Home-Merton is seeking an inspiring and strategic Director to lead our trusted local charity through its next stage of growth and innovation. 

This is a rare opportunity to make a tangible difference for children and families — by strengthening our community presence, driving income generation, and ensuring every child gets the best possible start in life. 

 About Home-Start Merton – Making a difference to young families

We believe strong families make strong communities. 
Our trained volunteers provide emotional and practical support to parents of young children, helping them navigate the challenges of early childhood and family life. 

Operating across London borough of Merton, we are a small but vibrant, values-driven charity and part of the wider Home-Start network — one of the UK’s leading family support movements. 

Our Charity Director Role

As Director, you’ll be both strategic leader and hands-on advocate, driving our fundraising and partnership agenda while overseeing operational excellence. 

You’ll lead our talented team of employees, work closely with trustees, and represent our charity with energy and passion — ensuring we remain a visible and trusted voice for families across Merton. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Lead and inspire staff and volunteers to deliver high-impact family support services. 
• Oversee service delivery, safeguarding, and operational compliance. 

• Develop and implement a bold, diversified fundraising and income generation strategy. 

• Build and nurture relationships with funders, corporates, philanthropists, and community partners. 

• Act as a confident ambassador, raising the organisation’s profile locally and regionally. 

• Work closely with the Board of Trustees on governance, strategy, and long-term sustainability. 

About You 

You are: 

• Experienced in charity governance, financial management, and service delivery. 
• A proven fundraiser and relationship builder who can secure sustainable income across multiple sources. 

• A confident and inclusive leader who inspires and empowers teams. 

• Skilled in partnership development and community engagement. 

• Deeply committed to safeguarding, equality, and family wellbeing. 

Why Join Us? 

• Lead one of London’s most respected family charities. 

• Shape our strategy for growth and sustainability. 

• Join a passionate, values-led team and supportive board. 

• Enjoy flexible, hybrid working. 

How to Apply 

If you meet most but not all of our criteria and are passionate about giving children the best start in life we'd still like to hear from you.

Apply via CharityJob or reach out to our Chair for an informal conversation. 

Closing Date: Friday 12 December 2025

Home-Start Merton is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds. 

Playskill is a Hertfordshire based charity supporting pre-school children with physical disabilities & delays and their families. Across two sites in Watford and Hemel Hempstead, our work helps to build family resilience in the pivotal early years of a child’s life. Our specialist early intervention work delivering multi-disciplinary therapeutic play sessions, parent training/modelling, family social respite events and family support provides holistic family centred work aiming to build foundational skills for life

The Family Support Lead will coordinate our Family Support service across all locations providing holistic support to families of children with a physical disability/delay living in Hertfordshire, always keeping close adherence to best Safeguarding practice and procedures.

The role involves working with the Head of Family Service and Operations and Head of Development to develop the Support Worker team to deliver high quality family support. This may mean supporting families in group settings, family centres or in the home and holding caseloads with a holistic view in how to best meet need. Working closely with local stakeholders (including but not limited to schools, family hubs, social care, health and other voluntary sector organisations), the wider Playskill team and families, this role will deliver family-centred practice, ensuring positive outcomes for families.

We are looking for someone who has an understanding of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities and the challenges to navigate education, welfare and health systems. They will need to understand the needs of families and be able to work collaboratively.

The role will be responsible for the integration of our Support Worker team and family support services, ensuring best practice and identifying training needs as they arise.

You must be well organised and able to demonstrate the ability to develop strong relationships with a wide range of stakeholders. As a self-starter, you will be able to use your own initiative, can problem solve and prioritise, with good planning and organisational skills. You will be expected to manage your weekly diary ensuring you are offering timely, quality support across our sites and within the community. You will be expected to have a positive, resilient attitude, be able to work under pressure, meet deadlines and be flexible and adaptable.

All employees will be expected to make a commitment to Playskill’s core values of Respect, Compassion, Collaboration, Whole Family and Support.

What we can offer you

• Wellbeing support

• Supportive colleagues

• Pension

Diversity statement: 

Playskill is an equal opportunities employer and has a high number of team with caring responsibilities and is keen to encourage applicants from a diverse number of backgrounds.

Safeguarding statement:

Playskill is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of all children and young people. We expect all staff to share this commitment. Playskill has a full safeguarding policy and expects all staff to undergo safeguarding training.   

Closing Date:  5pm, Wednesday 17th December 2025

Interview date: Tuesday 6th January 2026

Interview location: Hemel Hempstead

Reg Charity no 1198233 (formerly 1122745). Funded by The National Lottery Community Fund.in

Rare Dementia Support (RDS) is a UCL-led collaborative service offering specialist social, emotional, and practical support services for individuals living with, or affected by, a rare dementia diagnosis. Our vision is for all individuals with, at risk of or supporting someone with one of these forms of dementia to have access to information, tailored support and guidance, and contact with others affected by similar conditions.

RDS is provided by the UCL Dementia Research Centre (DRC) within the Department of Neurodegenerative Disease at the Queen Square Institute of Neurology and the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery.

This is an essential, on-site post within the new Rare Dementia Support Centre (RDSC). You will be involved in the management and smooth running of all aspects of the Centre. You will report directly to the Centre Director, Professor Sebastian Crutch and will work closely with other members of the RDS/RDSC Executive team (Head of Support Services and Governance Lead).

The post is available immediately and funded by a donation from the UCLH charity until 31 October 2026 in the first instance.

If you need reasonable adjustments or a more accessible format to apply for this job online, or have any queries regarding the application process, please contact the Institute of Neurology HR Team (ion.hradmin at ucl.ac.uk).

Informal enquiries regarding the role can be addressed to Suzie Barker (suzie.barker at ucl.ac.uk).

We expect to hold interviews on 08 January 2026.

For a full job description please visit UCL's online recruitment portal (https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/search-ucl-jobs) and search using vacancy reference B02-09771. To apply, please upload a current CV, complete the online application form, and use the supporting statement section or upload a cover letter to outline how you meet the essential and desirable criteria for the role. Please do not upload any additional attachments as these will not be considered by the selection panel.

You'll be educated to degree level (or have equivalent experience or a professional qualification), with experience of facilities and health and safety management, of community organisations and volunteer management, and of organising events. Excellent communication, interpersonal, problem-solving, and collaboration skills are essential, as is excellent attention to detail and an understanding of and interest in the vision and mission of the RDS.

Starting salary offered at £43,981 - £46,261 per annum, inclusive of London Allowance.

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits; visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/reward-and-benefits to find out more.

As London's Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world's talent. 12% of Institute staff are actively working on EDI initiatives; visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/ion/equality-diversity-inclusion for more information about what we're doing. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL's workforce; these include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds, disabled people, LGBTQI+ and gender diverse people in all roles, and women in Grade 9 and 10 roles.

Are You Who We're Looking For?

Do you love bringing people together, creating uplifting experiences, and making every day count?  If you’re organised, compassionate, and thrive in a busy, people-focused environment, then we’d love to meet you!

We’re looking for a Daycare Coordinator to join our new daycare service.  You’ll play a vital role in ensuring our day service runs smoothly, providing a welcoming and engaging environment where everyone feels valued and supported.

About the Role

As our Daycare Coordinator, you’ll be the heartbeat of our service — making sure every individual who attends enjoys a positive, person-centred experience.

You’ll support the Daycare Operations Manager in running the service day to day, lead staff and volunteers, and help plan meaningful activities that bring joy, connection, and purpose to the people we support.

This is a hands on, rewarding role for someone who loves people, enjoys variety, and takes pride in delivering high quality care and service.

Key Responsibilities

• To coordinate the day-to-day operations of our daycare service
• Ensure clients attending have a positive and engaging experience.
• Support the Operations manager to deliver high-quality, person-centred support and activities.
• Deputise for the Operations Manager in their absence or as and when required.
• Financial management, oversight and record keeping: including sales and purchase invoicing, receipts, credit control functions, petty cash and reconciliations
• Oversee staff and volunteers
• Organise activities
• Accurate record keeping
• Support individual client plans
• Contribute to the ongoing development of the service

The job will close when a suitable candidate has been hired. Previous candidates need not apply. No CV's.

Job Title: Community Centre Manager 

Location / Salary / Contract:

Location: Southwark
Salary: £45,000-£49,000 per annum
Contract: Permanent, Full-time (37 hours per week, with some evening and weekend work)

The Opportunity:

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and dynamic Community Centre Manager to lead the operations, programming, and partnership development of a vibrant community space serving both residents and the wider neighbourhood. This is a hands-on role suited to an energetic and organised individual who thrives on community engagement, service excellence, and creating meaningful opportunities for older adults and intergenerational groups. You will play a central role in developing and managing programmes that enhance wellbeing, build community connections, and promote inclusion within an elderly residential care setting.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage all community centre spaces, ensuring they are well-presented, welcoming, and fully utilised.
• Oversee the programming and scheduling of diverse activities that support organisational goals and community engagement.
• Lead on income generation through effective room hire management and budget oversight.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with voluntary, statutory, and business organisations to enhance programme delivery.
• Supervise and support staff, volunteers, and casual workers to deliver high-quality services and activities.
• Ensure compliance with Health and Safety, Fire Safety, and Safeguarding requirement

The Candidate:

You will be a proactive and empathetic leader with experience managing community facilities or similar public-facing spaces. With excellent organisational, financial, and communication skills, you will have the ability to balance community priorities with commercial needs. You should have a solid understanding of health and safety compliance, staff supervision, and partnership development. A passion for creating inclusive and engaging environments for older people and the wider community is essential.

How to Apply:

If the above role sounds interesting and you feel like you meet the criteria, please apply immediately. Early applications are encouraged as we reserve the right to close this vacancy prior to the stated closing date.

About SCEC

SCEC was founded over twenty years ago to provide learning enrichment opportunities to primary school children in disadvantaged communities in south London. Together with our partners, several leading independent schools, we currently operate four schemes in math, literacy, science and art. Children learn through fun, engaging group activities like science experiments, storytelling and mathematical treasure hunts, all taught by qualified teachers with added support from student mentors. Through the schemes, children explore their curiosity, build knowledge and develop their confidence as learners.

Your Role

The Scheme Director is a newly created role that will be pivotal in helping SCEC extend its reach. Reporting to the Board of Trustees, you will help SCEC design and implement an expansion programme as well as coordinating the delivery of the existing schemes via our school partners. You will also serve as a trusted partner to the Board in the administration of the charity.

Similar to a COO, this role straddles the operational and the strategic. We are looking for a confident communicator and relationship builder who can work across varied stakeholder groups. You will have project management experience that can be applied to challenges like process design and change management. You should be able to grasp the big picture and have an eye for the details needed to deliver successful outcomes.  This is an exciting opportunity for the right candidate to join SCEC on a transformational journey working with excellent learning partners and established leaders to improve educational outcomes for children.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee scheme operations including pupil recruitment, enrolment and attendance to ensure the smooth running of schemes and maximum impact
• Promote the charity to prospective partners and donors
• Support the Board in developing, implementing and monitoring an expansion programme
• Monitor and report on scheme performance and impact
• Prepare and manage budgets and disbursement of funds 
• Build and maintain systems and processes to support scheme operations, compliance and monitoring

Key Qualities

• Passionate about making a difference in the lives of children
• Demonstrated success in developing and implementing strategic plans to achieve organisational goals
• Track record of effectively managing programmes and services, including programme development, implementation, and evaluation
• Committed to working collaboratively to build strong relationships with business partners and colleagues and proactively engaging stakeholders when making decisions
• Self-motivated and highly organised, you have a strong sense of initiative and take a hands-on approach to planning and administration

Child Protection

SCEC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. This is the responsibility of the whole organisation (trustees and staff).  An enhanced DBS Disclosure is required for this role.

For more information, please see the attached Job Description below

Retail Van Driver  

Warehouse in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, with travel required across the Yorkshire Region  

We are committed to paying the Real Living Wage. 

About us  

Yorkshire is one of the regions hardest hit by cancer. Together, we can change this.   

Yorkshire Cancer Research is a charity dedicated to funding research so that you and those you love live longer healthier lives, free of cancer.  

Thanks to supporters, the charity funds vital cancer research and pioneers innovative new services for people with cancer. These life-giving medical breakthroughs are helping more people survive cancer – in Yorkshire, and beyond.   

As an inclusive employer, our aim is to ensure our workforce reflects the rich diversity of our region. We believe a diverse workforce is vital to us taking action to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer more effectively in Yorkshire. We offer equal opportunities regardless of race, religion or belief, age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnerships.  

  
The Benefits  

We offer all employees a wide range of benefits including an enhanced contributory pension scheme, 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays (increasing to 30 days after 5 years’ service), flexible working arrangements, private medical insurance, enhanced maternity leave, career progression, learning and development, wellbeing initiatives, offices within walking distance of Hornbeam Park train station, free onsite parking and a whole lot more.  

We’ve got a strong set of values that inform everything we do and we’re looking for people who are aligned with these. As our Retail Van Driver, you will put people in Yorkshire at the heart of everything you do, unite with colleagues and other organisations in this cause, and dare to think big and bold to make positive solutions happen.  

The Role 

We are currently looking for a Retail Van Driver to join our Retail, Services and Operations team.

Reporting to the Warehouse Operations Manager, you will be part of the team responsible for ensuring the efficient running of the donation centre and warehouse. The primary focus of this role is to deliver stock to our retail shops across Yorkshire in a timely manner. However, at busy times you will also be required to assist with general maintenance tasks and supporting with the removal of general waste through the appropriate channels whilst working in compliance with all relevant Health and Safety legislation and our Driving for Work policy. 

Specifically, you will: 

• Carry out deliveries of donated stock to shops ensuring that the shops receive the stock that they have requested from the Donation Centre. 

• Complete collections of furniture and goods across Yorkshire, including the disposal of waste materials, as directed. 

• Assist with the moving of furniture and other goods between shops and the Donation Centre. There will also be a requirement to collect goods from donors. 

• Be responsible for day-to-day vehicle maintenance, including completion of the weekly vehicle maintenance checklist and daily visual checks. 

• Ensure charity vehicles are left secure, clean and presentable at the end of the day and ensure any vehicle defects and damage promptly are reported in accordance with charity procedures. 

• Be an ambassador for the charity whilst driving branded vehicles, ensuring that you drive carefully and mindfully of other road users. 

• Create a positive, professional, warm welcome for all visitors. 

• Seek opportunities to actively engage with visitors to enhance their visit and further promote the profile of the charity. 

• Be responsible for conducting an initial assessment of the quality of goods collected, including furniture which will include declining donations that are unsuitable for sale and may contravene the Sales of Goods Act 1979. 

• Be knowledgeable about, and an ambassador for the charity so that you are able to answer questions and answer any queries. 

• Promptly report any accidents, incidents or unsafe occurrences to the Facilities Manager via the charity reporting procedure. 

 
About You 

To be considered for this role, you will need: 

• To be ideally educated to at least GCSE standard or equivalent, including Maths and English. 

• To have the ability and willingness to travel across the Yorkshire region. 

• To have a full UK driving license with less than 6 penalty points. 

• To have a willingness to undertake any additional training as required. 

• To be highly organised with good time management skills.

• To be able to prioritise workload, meet deadlines and adapt to changing deadlines.

• To be able to demonstrate a good standard of written and numeracy skills or confident in using available tools to support with this.

• To be passionate about delivering good customer service both internally and externally.

• To have good communication and interpersonal skills. 

• A willingness to complete our pre-employment checks (to be undertaken once the role is offered and accepted) which include: 

• A check on your employment history by seeking two references 

• A check on your eligibility to work in the UK as per the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 

• A DBS check at enhanced level 

Application 
 

Before applying, please visit our website to view the full role profile and visit our Careers Page to find out more about working for Yorkshire Cancer Research.

To apply please submit a CV and covering letter outlining your suitability for the role to Claire Wooldridge, Head of People, before 31 December 2025. Please read our privacy notice before applying.

The charity is a responsible and flexible employer.  We welcome any discussion for flexible working at interview/offer stage where we will consider an individual’s circumstances against the needs of the charity. 

We positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates from all backgrounds. If we can make any reasonable adjustments to support your application, please contact us. 

About the opportunity
Action Tutoring is the largest tutoring charity in the country. At the heart of our work is closing the attainment gap for pupils facing disadvantage in the UK by harnessing the power of tutoring. We are seeking an inspiring and strategic Interim Chief Executive Officer (maternity cover) to lead our growing charity, ensuring the charity continues to achieve benchmark-beating results for the pupils we support. In 2025-26, our work will reach 7,000 pupils supported by more than 80 staff and 2,500 volunteer tutors.  This role would suit someone with experience of interim senior leadership roles, wanting to make a difference in an area with proven impact on outcomes for children and young people.

Closing date: Wednesday, 17th December 2025
Interviews: Between 8th and 16th January 2026
Start date: Ideally, Monday, 23rd March 2026
Contract and hours: Fixed-term, 9 to 12-month maternity cover. We are open to discussions regarding the working pattern, and welcome applications for 0.8 FTE up to 1 FTE. A full working week is 37.5 hours. We offer flexible working hours. The core working hours are 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Applications from candidates seeking a secondment are welcome.
Location: Hybrid working with 2 or 3 days per week, in London, dependent on meetings and occasionally with short notice. Our London office address is: Fivefields, 8-10 Grosvenor Gardens, Victoria, SW1W 0DH
 

Duties and Responsibilities
The Interim CEO (maternity cover) is responsible for maintaining the high performance of the charity, overseeing the delivery of key strategic goals in line with our mission and aims. During the period of this appointment, you will lead the organisation through its annual school sales process (Spring 26), ensure the successful delivery of a key strategic project testing AI in our delivery model (Summer and Autumn 26) and set the organisation up for success in a new academic year (Autumn 26).

Vision, Strategy and Delivery

• Working with the Board to implement the vision and mission of the charity.
• Responsible for implementing the agreed strategy.

People and Cultural Leadership

• Overall people and cultural leadership, empowering the team the maintain the positive working culture with behaviours that align closely to the charity’s values.
• Ensuring operational excellence is maintained across the organisation.

Advocacy

• Representing Action Tutoring externally to a range of stakeholders, including school leaders, policymakers, the media and funders, to raise the profile of Action Tutoring and awareness of the cause.
• Sustain constructive working relationships with other education charities, sharing good practice and working collaboratively to improve educational outcomes.

Finance and Fundraising

• Overseeing financial management of the charity supported by the Director of Finance & Operations. 
• Lead fundraising alongside the Head of Philanthropy to ensure fundraising targets set by the Board are met.

Line Management

• Direct line management of the Senior Leadership Team (3 Directors), the Head of Impact & Quality and the Head of Philanthropy, covering the five departments of the organisati

A full list of duties and responsibilities can be found in the job description attached to the BreatheHR advert.

Person specification
Qualifications criteria:

• The right to work in the UK.

We are looking for some of the following attributes, though you might be more experienced in some areas than others: 

• Proven track record as a CEO in a not-for-profit organisation, experience as an Interim CEO is desirable but not essential. The ability to get up to speed quickly will be vital. 
• Experience of working within a delivery-based organisation and an understanding of how to ensure quality, efficiency, and impact in that context.
• Commercial mindset, with proven success in fundraising and/or sales targets to meet set targets and secure income for ongoing operations.
• Experience overseeing pilots of new delivery modes, applying a theory of change approach to learning.
• Experience in developing and executing strategic plans and complex projects to achieve organisational vision and mission.
• Strong communication skills, with experience representing organisations externally to various stakeholders (e.g., school leaders, partners, funders).
• Understanding of the education sector, and the needs and drivers of stakeholders across the education space.
• Ability to diagnose and dissect complex problems and encourage scalable solutions to novel issues.
• Experience in empowering senior leaders and the wider organisations to meet ambitious targets.
• Ability to foster a positive working culture, aligned with Action Tutoring’s values.
• Strong financial management skills.
• Knowledge of governance structures and experience in working closely with a board of trustees, including managing strategic risk.
• Comfortable with data and committed to driving impact across the organisation.

You will be likely be more successful in this role if you have the following personal attributes: 

• Passion for addressing educational disadvantage and closing the attainment gap.
• Collaborative mindset and the ability to build strong, constructive relationships with other organisations and charities, fostering collaboration and sharing of best practices.
• High ethical standards and personal integrity, with a commitment to transparency and accountability in leadership.
• Resilient and adaptable with the ability to thrive in an evolving and challenging external environment, and to adjust to shifts in the education landscape.
• Strong commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive working environment.

The Engine Shed is seeking an ambitious and commercially minded Venue & Events Operations Manager to lead all aspects of venue operations, events delivery. This is a hands-on leadership role focused on operational excellence, outstanding customer experience, and sustainable income growth.

You will oversee daily operations, manage and develop a diverse staff team (including student staff), and ensure the venue operates to the highest standards of service, safety, and compliance. You will plan and deliver a broad programme of events, from student activity and corporate conferences to private hires and weddings, playing a key role in positioning The Engine Shed as a premier events and wedding venue in Northamptonshire.

The role also involves budget management, performance reporting, pricing and stock control, client relationship management, and working closely with marketing and membership teams to maximise bookings and promote the venue.

This role is ideal for a proactive leader with strong operational, financial, and events management experience, who thrives in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment.

Key responsibilities include: leading venue operations and staff; planning and delivering a wide range of events; managing budgets, stock, and financial performance; developing new income streams; ensuring outstanding customer service; and maintaining full compliance with health, safety, licensing, and operational standards. You will also work closely with marketing and membership teams to promote the venue, support student-led activity, and enhance The Engine Shed’s profile