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Volunteer Opportunity: Operations Director

Help Build the Foundations of a New Charity Tackling Loneliness Across London

Location: Hybrid (London focus)

Time Commitment: Flexible, approx. 4–6 hours per week

Salary: Voluntary

Reports To: Founder & CEO

About SUNSHINE Charity

Loneliness is one of the most profound challenges facing our communities — but together, we can change that.

SUNSHINE Charity is a new, volunteer‑powered organisation dedicated to reducing loneliness and social isolation by creating warm, joyful, inclusive spaces where people can meet, connect, and feel part of something bigger.

• We believe that connection is a human need.
• We believe that joy is a form of care.
• We believe that community can change lives.

As we prepare to launch our first programmes across London, we are looking for a committed and capable Operations Director to help build the systems, processes, and structures that will allow SUNSHINE to grow — sustainably, safely, and with heart.

This is a rare opportunity to help shape the operational backbone of a brand‑new charity.

The VOLUNTEER Opportunity

As Operations Director, you will work closely with our Founder & CEO to ensure SUNSHINE runs smoothly, efficiently, and with care at every level.

1. You’ll help turn vision into reality.
2. You’ll help build the infrastructure that supports our volunteers and programmes.
3. And you’ll help create a charity that is not only joyful and community‑centred, but also well‑run, safe, and sustainable.

Your leadership will help ensure that SUNSHINE can grow from a local initiative into a movement that reaches people across London — and eventually beyond.

What You’ll Be Doing

You will play a key role in shaping and overseeing SUNSHINE’s core operations, including:

• Supporting the Founder & CEO with day‑to‑day charity operations

• Helping develop and implement operational systems, processes, and policies

• Supporting governance, compliance, and risk management

• Overseeing volunteer coordination and supporting team leads

• Helping manage internal communications and organisational planning

• Contributing to budgeting, resource planning, and operational decision‑making

• Ensuring programmes and events run safely, smoothly, and consistently

• Helping shape safeguarding, data protection, and health & safety practices

• Supporting recruitment, onboarding, and training of volunteers

• Acting as a trusted partner to the CEO, offering insight, structure, and stability

• Bringing calm, clarity, and organisation to a fast‑growing start‑up charity

You don’t need to be an expert in everything — we will shape the role around your strengths.

Who We’re Looking For

We’re looking for someone who is organised, proactive, and excited by the challenge of helping build a charity from the ground up.

You might have experience in operations, project management, HR, governance, charity management, or organisational leadership — but passion, reliability, and initiative matter just as much.

We’re looking for someone who:

• Is passionate about community, connection, and reducing loneliness

• Is organised, structured, and able to bring clarity to complex tasks

• Enjoys building systems, processes, and ways of working

• Is comfortable supporting leadership and taking responsibility

• Communicates clearly, calmly, and with warmth

• Can work collaboratively with volunteers and trustees

• Is reliable, proactive, and able to take initiative

• Is comfortable using digital tools and managing information

• Shares SUNSHINE’s values of kindness, inclusion, and joy

Experience in charity operations, governance, HR, project management, or organisational leadership is helpful — but not essential if you bring strong transferable skills and a willingness to learn.

Why Volunteer With SUNSHINE?

This role offers the chance to:

• Help build a brand‑new charity from the ground up

• Shape the operational foundations that will define SUNSHINE’s future

• Gain experience in charity leadership, governance, and organisational development

• Work closely with the Founder & CEO at a pivotal moment of growth

• Develop skills in operations, strategy, and people management

• Be part of a passionate, supportive, purpose‑driven team

• Make a real, lasting difference in tackling loneliness across London

The Difference You’ll Make

• Behind every programme is a system that supports it.
• Behind every volunteer is a structure that empowers them.
• Behind every moment of connection is an organisation that made it possible.

As Operations Director, you will help build that organisation.

Your leadership will help ensure that SUNSHINE is safe, sustainable, and ready to grow — so that thousands of people can find warmth, belonging, and community.

Join Us

If you believe in the power of connection, kindness, and community — and you want to help build a charity that brings people together — we would love to hear from you.

Help us create the foundations of a movement that will change lives. Become SUNSHINE’s Operations Director and help build a future where no one feels alone.

SUNSHINE Charity

Creating connection. Building belonging. Bringing communities together.

Young Enterprise is the UK’s leading youth charity for enterprise and financial education, helping young people develop the skills, confidence, and mindset they need to thrive in work and life.

Since our founding, we have supported 7.2 million young people through financial and enterprise education opportunities. Through our ambitious 2024–2030 Transforming Futures strategy, we are working to ensure every young person has access to the financial education, enterprise capability, and work readiness they need to succeed.

We are seeking to appoint three new Trustees to join our Board at an exciting and pivotal time for the charity.

We are particularly interested in candidates with senior expertise in one of the following areas:

• Finance – ideally a qualified accountant interested in chairing our Risk and Audit Committee

• Governance – with experience in employment law and/or charity law

• Human Resources – senior-level HR leadership experience

We are looking for strategic and community-minded individuals who can help strengthen our governance, guide our future direction, and support our mission to improve life chances for young people across the UK.

Key responsibilities include:

• Supporting strategic leadership and governance

• Safeguarding the charity’s financial stability and reputation

• Ensuring legal and regulatory compliance

• Providing specialist expertise to Board discussions and decision-making

• Acting as ambassadors for Young Enterprise and our mission

We are particularly interested in applicants who offer:

• Strong strategic thinking and sound judgment

• Commitment to young people and social mobility

• Collaborative leadership and communication skills

• Understanding of good governance

• A commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and safeguarding

We strongly encourage applications from individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those with lived experience of disadvantaged communities or supporting young people facing barriers to opportunity.

This is an unpaid role with reasonable out-of-pocket expenses reimbursed. Trustees are expected to attend Board meetings (primarily London-based), undertake training, be willing to participate in committee work if applicable, and contribute approximately 7–10 days annually. Appointments are for an initial three-year term, with potential reappointment for up to six years.

Keeping Young People Safe

We are committed to keeping young people safe. All successful candidates will undergo an enhanced DBS (England & Wales) check and receive safeguarding training.

At Young Enterprise, safeguarding is at the core of everything we do. We are committed to promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. All successful candidates will receive ongoing safeguarding training throughout and be expected to uphold excellent safeguarding practice at all times.

How to Apply:

Please refer to our information pack for full details.

To apply, please send:

• An up-to-date CV (PDF format)

• A supporting statement (maximum two sides of A4) outlining your suitability for the role, based on the essential criteria in the person specification

Applications should be received by 23:30 on 31 July 2026. We will be assessing applications on a rolling basis and may shortlist and invite candidates to interview before the closing date.

At YE we are passionate and committed to keeping your data safe and secure.  Full details can be found in the YE People’s Privacy Notice.

Join us in shaping brighter futures for young people across the UK.

We're looking for new Board Members who are interested in making a real difference to the future of Graeae.

A pivotal member who is recruited for their specialist skills or knowledge and because they are representative of those with a stake or interest in Graeae’s work. In law, Trustees of Graeae have three particular duties – compliance, care and prudence – which are set out in the recruitment pack.

We are interested in hearing from Deaf, Disabled and neurodivergent individuals and looking to recruit 3-4 people with experience in one or more of the following:

• Financial management
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Being a Graeae Board Member can be stimulating, challenging and rewarding. It offers the chance to work with a dedicated, committed, resourceful and professional group of people (staff team, Board and advisers) in an innovative and challenging environment.