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Job Title: Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Location: Remote (UK-based preferred)
Travel: Travel to Calais and UK operational sites required
Contract: Full-time, permanent
Salary: £40,000 per annum
Deadline to Apply: 16 July 2025
How to Apply: Please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your suitability for the role and motivation for working with Care4Calais.

About Care4Calais

Care4Calais is a volunteer-led humanitarian charity providing essential aid and support to refugees and asylum seekers in Northern France and across the UK. Founded on principles of dignity, compassion, and solidarity, we are committed to creating a fairer, more inclusive society for those seeking refuge.

From providing warm clothing, English classes to legal access, education, and social support, we work tirelessly—through a network of grassroots volunteers and a small, dedicated staff teams—to deliver life-changing help to displaced people. With operations in Calais, Dunkirk, and over 70 locations in the UK, our impact is wide-reaching and continually growing.

About the Role

We are seeking an exceptional Chief Operating Officer (COO) to lead and oversee the strategic delivery of Care4Calais’ operational (direct aid provision) work across all regions. This is quite a newly created role that will play a central part in shaping the charity’s growth, resilience, and day-to-day effectiveness—ensuring our humanitarian aid reaches those who need it most.

The COO will work closely with the CEO, Senior Leadership Team, and Trustees, to develop internal systems, guide operational teams, maintain consistency across all projects, and strengthen our digital communications, training, safeguarding, and volunteer engagement. You will also play a key leadership role in fostering innovation, implementing policy, and coordinating multi-regional delivery across the UK and Northern France.

This is a remote-based role, but regular travel to operational sites in Calais and around the UK is essential to ensure quality, cohesion, and morale across our field teams and volunteer network.

Key Responsibilities

➣ Strategic & Operational Leadership

• Oversee the delivery of all operational activities across the UK and French field sites, ensuring they align with Care4Calais’ mission, values, and strategic goals.

• Lead and support UK Field Operations Managers and France Operations Coordinators in planning and executing aid distributions, support services, and community engagement.

• Monitor performance across regions, using data and feedback to drive improvements in impact, efficiency, safety, and volunteer satisfaction.

➣ Volunteer Coordination & Digital Community Oversight

• Supervise volunteer communication channels, including Facebook groups, WhatsApp chats, and other platforms, ensuring all messaging is consistent, safe, and in line with our organisational tone and values.

• Support the recruitment, onboarding, training, and retention of a diverse and inclusive volunteer base.

• Work daily with Field Operations Managers to provide hands-on guidance, motivation, problem-solving and support for regional leads and volunteer teams.

➣ Training, Safeguarding & Compliance

• Develop, maintain, and implement comprehensive training programmes for volunteers to ensure service quality, safety, and dignity for people seeking asylum.

• Ensure that safeguarding policies are understood by all team members, staff and volunteers alike, and rigorously implemented, acting as a point of escalation for issues that arise.

• Oversee incident reporting processes, risk assessments, and other compliance-related procedures to safeguard both volunteers and people seeking asylum.

➣ Organisational Development & Governance

• Contribute to strategic planning and policy development with the CEO, and SLT.

• Identify opportunities for innovation in service delivery, volunteer management, and infrastructure.

➣ Field Engagement & External Representation

• Conduct regular visits to UK and French operational sites, meeting with local teams, assessing needs, and providing in-person leadership and support.

• Represent Care4Calais in meetings with partner organisations and local authorities, and at public events.

Person Specification

Essential

• Demonstrable experience managing multi-site teams.

• Strong leadership, organisational and communication skills, with the ability to delegate effectively and manage competing priorities.

• Deep understanding of issues affecting asylum seekers, displaced people, or those facing immigration challenges.

• Commitment to anti-racism, inclusivity, and the promotion of human rights.

• Ability and willingness to travel frequently to field operations across the UK and Calais.

Desirable

• Proven experience in a senior operational, COO, or equivalent leadership role within the charity, humanitarian or grassroots community sector.

• Experience working with refugee communities or within the UK asylum system.

• Understanding of safeguarding, compliance, and humanitarian best practices.

Equality & Safeguarding

Care4Calais is an equal opportunities employer. We actively encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities, people from refugee and migrant backgrounds, LGBTQ+ individuals, disabled candidates, and those with lived experience of immigration system.

All appointments are subject to enhanced safeguarding checks.

Lived Experience Inclusion

We are an anti-racist organisation and a proud member of the Experts by Experience Employment Network (EBE), which aims to create a charitable sector led by individuals with lived experience of the asylum system.

As part of our membership, we are dedicated to creating inclusive employment practices that recognise and accommodate the unique circumstances and strengths of people with lived experience. We actively move away from a one-size-fits-all approach, ensuring our recruitment processes are fair, supportive, and accessible.

We warmly encourage applicants with lived experience to make use of the guidance and resources available on the EBE website (ebeemployment).

In addition, applicants with lived experience are welcome to connect with the EBE support team for tailored assistance with completing the application form and, where available, one-to-one interview preparation. 

Importantly, we recognise the significant cultural, linguistic, and experiential insights that individuals with lived experience of the UK asylum system bring to this role. As such, all applicants from this background who meet the essential criteria will be automatically shortlisted and invited to interview.

Who we're looking for

Brilliant storyteller with confidence in their digital marketing, copywriting and PR skills. 

Changemaker who is excited about embedding and championing our new brand. 

Motivated communicator who will improve engagement with our stakeholders. 

Creative leader who enjoys a proactive and responsive environment. 

Impact and evidence champion to influence target audiences, raise awareness and garner support. 

Values-led collaborator who will build strong relationships with our team, members and strategic partners.

Our focus is on creating libraries of tomorrow with children and young people today.

We want all children and young people to feel at home at the library, to be understood, empowered and inspired. Our collaborative network is made up of member, partners and supporters. We believe in the need for safe spaces and real-life connections to support the demands of modern life. Together, we’re creating change, and you can be a part of it.

Our charity is going through a rebirth, with a new name, strategy and brand identity launching this autumn. This is a pivotal time for a passionate, skilled communicator to join our team. We’re looking for someone to bring the energy and expertise to take us into this new chapter and to new heights, maximising impact and reach. 

We are an Arts Council England Investment Principles Support Organisation. Our members are leaders in children and young people’s public libraries and schools library services (SLS). 

What’s important to us needs to be important to you too. We want to focus on impact, to work openly, to collaborate with and learn from others, to take the time to care for ourselves and each other, and to have fun together. We want to build an environmentally sustainable charity, and we want to be celebrated as an inclusion changemaker in the sector. 

Experience as a communications professional is essential and you’ll be energised by the opportunity to: 

• Raise our profile higher within the sector. 

• Raise awareness of the range of activities and impacts libraries deliver for children and young people through research, evidence and compelling communication. 

• Develop, manage and deliver targeted advocacy for public libraries and schools library services. 

• Maintain and cultivate proactive relationships with advocacy and influencing partners to ensure children and young people are always represented in national policy discussions. 

• Embed and champion a strong brand, which supports our members and resonates with new stakeholders to ensure we are the ‘go to partner’ for children and young people’s libraries. 

• Maximise our use of existing and new research and data to evidence the impact of library services for children and young people’s and schools library services. 

• Promote the sector-leading work of our charity, grow our membership and develop new and innovative ways to increase our reach and engagement. 

• Develop a strong case for support to attract new funders and supporters. 

We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we’ll endeavour to be as accommodating as possible. If you would like to discuss specific requirements, please get in touch.

Further information including the role description and application form is available on our website.

Join our Legacy Administration Team as the right hand to the Team Leader, where you’ll play a key role in managing a vibrant mix of specific, residuary, and reversionary bequests. You’ll help transform supporters’ final wishes into real-world impact, ensuring every generous legacy gift reaches its full potential for Marie Curie’s vital work

Description for Internal Candidates

Marie Curie is the UK’s leading end-of-life charity. We are the largest non-NHS provider of end-of-life care in the UK, the only provider across all four nations, delivering community nursing and hospice care across the country, while providing information and support on all aspects of dying, death, and bereavement. Our leading research pushes the boundaries of what we know about good end-of-life, and our campaigns fight for a world where everyone gets to have the best possible quality of life while living with an illness, they’re likely to die from.

Your Role in Our Vision

Join our Legacy Administration Team and manage a varied and active caseload of specific, residuary, and reversionary bequests. This is a pivotal role, helping to ensure that every gift left to Marie Curie is handled with care, accuracy, and respect — enabling us to continue delivering our essential services.

Legacy income is one of the most significant sources of funding for our charity. In this role, you will be responsible for safeguarding and maximising that income through diligent case management, effective communication with solicitors and executors, and a firm understanding of probate law and best practice. Your work directly contributes to our ability to care for people affected by terminal illness.

Experience across all UK jurisdictions is not essential, as full training will be provided.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of specific, residuary, and reversionary legacies across the UK.
• Ensure Marie Curie receives its full legal entitlement, in line with Wills and settlements.
• Handle correspondence efficiently, updating records on our FirstClass 4 database and meeting internal service standards.
• Act as the lead charity where appropriate and liaise with co-beneficiaries.
• Monitor and progress open cases to ensure timely completion.
• Review estate accounts carefully, ensuring accuracy and appropriate application of tax exemptions.
• Obtain tax deduction certificates where cost-effective to do so.
• Ensure funds are allocated correctly to restricted or unrestricted purposes as specified in Wills.
• Comply with Law Society guidelines regarding Non-Contentious Costs.
• Represent Marie Curie’s interests in shared estates and collaborate with legal professionals and the public.
• Identify and escalate potential risks or disputes that may affect our entitlement.
• Seek opportunities to maximise the value of legacies and proactively manage estate assets.
• Support stewardship activity by working closely with the Legacy Marketing and Local Legacy teams.

What You’ll Need

• Proven experience in legacy administration.
• Experience working in or with the charity sector.
• ILM Certificate in Charity Legacy Administration, Law Degree, or relevant professional qualification.
• Strong understanding of probate law and estate management.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Highly organised with a strong attention to detail.
• Confident using digital systems and databases.

Application & Interview Process

Please find full job description here 

• As part of your online application, you will be asked for a CV and covering letter.  Please review both the advert and job description and outline your most relevant skills, experience and knowledge for the role.
• Closing date for applications: Sunday 20th July 2025 23.59pm

Salary:  £30,000 - £35,00 DOE + London Weighting £3,500 (where applicable, 2/3 days in London Office per week) 
Contract:Permanent, Full Time 
Based: UK Home Based with monthly travel to our London office or one of our hospices (Marie Curie will cover all travel costs and if required, accommodation) OR London Office Embassy Gardens based.

Benefits you’ll LOVE:

• Flexible working. We’re happy to discuss flexible working at the interview stage.
• 25 days annual leave (exclusive of Bank Holidays)
• Marie Curie Group Personal Pension Scheme (we will match your contribution up to 7.5%)
• Loan schemes for bikes; computers and season tickets
• Continuous professional development opportunities.
• Industry-leading training programmes
• Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programmes
• Enhanced bereavement, family friendly and sickness benefits
• Access to Blue Light Card membership
• Subsidised Eye Care

Marie Curie is committed to its values, which underpin our work.  We take stringent steps to ensure that the people who join our organisation through employment or volunteering, are suitable for their roles and are committed to safeguarding all our people from harm. This includes our staff, volunteers and all those who use or come into contact with our services. We are dedicated to creating not just a safe place to work but also a supportive and rewarding one.

We are committed to a world where everyone can thrive and fulfil their potential. We are devoted to the social justice imperatives and organisational benefits of full diversity, inclusion and equity in the workplace, and are a Stonewall champion. We actively encourage and welcome applications from candidates of diverse cultures, perspectives and lived experiences.

At Children’s University Trust, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to thrive through learning beyond the classroom. We’re a small, passionate team with bold ambitions to expand our impact – and we’re looking for an equally ambitious Business Development and Community Partnership Manager to lead the way.

This is more than just a development role. It's about building sustainable growth strategies, forging powerful partnerships, and shaping a future where opportunity is no longer defined by postcode or circumstance.

As our Business Development and Community Partnership Manager, you will take the lead in shaping and implementing visionary, data-driven growth strategies across three vital areas:

• Place-based memberships with schools, universities, councils’ departments, and third sector organisations.
• Individual “at home” subscriptions for children in areas without direct Children’s University provision or those who do not engage with traditional education.
• Strategic business partnerships with corporates and SMEs, securing vital funding and in-kind support.

You’ll be a key figure in our next phase of growth — identifying new opportunities, building meaningful relationships, and helping us scale our reach across the UK.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive new business activity and revenue growth across all three strategic areas.
• Build a strong, inclusive pipeline of potential members, partners, and funders.
• Manage and nurture relationships from first contact through to long-term collaboration.
• Use data and insight to shape decision-making and report progress to the board.
• Be a passionate ambassador for Children’s University at events, conferences, and online.

We’re Looking for Someone Who:

• Has a proven track record in income generation, partnerships or sales – all sector’s welcome!
• Is passionate about improving the lives of children and young people.
• Is a strategic thinker with the energy of a new business developer.
• Has the confidence to influence senior stakeholders and the empathy to build trust.
• Brings a creative, collaborative, and resilient mindset.
• Thrives in a fast-paced, flexible, remote-first environment.

Why Join Us?

• A unique chance to shape a growing national charity’s development strategy.
• A collaborative, driven team that values innovation and purpose.
• Flexible working, with one day a week in Manchester.
• An opportunity to truly change lives through education and opportunity.

If you’re excited by the chance to lead sustainable growth with purpose, and you want your work to matter, we want to hear from you.

Apply today and be part of a team creating a brighter future for children across the UK.