Head of operational development volunteer roles in Leeds

Reports to: Chief People Officer
Direct Reports: HRBP Lead, HR Managers
Team Structure: Six HR Teams (HRBP team, Recruitment, Learning & Development, Volunteer Relations, Policy, and Engagement) – supported by Senior HR Officers and HR Officers
Location: Remote, UK-based
Time Commitment: 12 months minimum | Part-time | Flexible hours

About the Role
We are seeking a volunteer Head of HR to lead and oversee our HR function at a pivotal time in YouthAdvantage UK’s ambition to become a registered charity.

Reporting into the Chief People Officer, you’ll provide strategic leadership to a multi-layered HR structure, directly managing our HRBP Lead and HR Managers, and overseeing five core teams that support the organisation’s people and culture strategy.

This is an ideal opportunity for an experienced HR leader who wants to give back by mentoring the next generation of HR professionals, shaping policy and practice, and helping us build a strong, inclusive, and values-led volunteer workforce across the UK.

Please note: This is a voluntary and unpaid role. There is no direct financial compensation or future paid opportunity attached.

Key Responsibilities
•Provide overall leadership to the HR function, ensuring alignment with the organisation’s mission and values.
•Manage and coach HRBP Lead and HR Managers to ensure smooth delivery across all people-related functions.
•Oversee and guide the five core HR teams:
oRecruitment – ensuring effective onboarding of skilled and diverse volunteers.
oLearning & Development – supporting volunteer upskilling and capability-building.
oVolunteer Relations – maintaining engagement, support, and wellbeing.
oPolicy – upholding inclusive, clear, and robust HR governance.
oEngagement – fostering culture, recognition, and retention.
•Partner with the Chief People Officer on strategic planning, workforce design, and key organisational initiatives.
•Lead succession planning and ensure continuity across all volunteer HR roles.
•Monitor performance and facilitate cross-team collaboration.
•Champion inclusive, accessible practices across the organisation.

What We're Looking For:
We’re looking for someone who’s experienced enough to hit the ground running and humble enough to grow with us. 
You’ll be most successful in this role if you have:
•Solid operational HR experience, ideally across generalist and specialist areas such as recruitment, employee relations/law, L&D, and policy.
•Previous line management experience, with a demonstrable record of supporting and developing HR team members or volunteers.
•A practical, sleeves-rolled-up approach - someone who is hands-on, accessible, and able to get things done in a busy, volunteer-led environment.
•A strategic mindset, but also the willingness to dig into day-to-day HR activity and problem-solving.
•A collaborative, coaching-ready attitude - this is a great opportunity for someone who has enough experience to stand on their own feet, but is open to being coached by the Chief People Officer to further develop their leadership style.
•Good communication and people skills, with the ability to work across different functions and with a wide range of volunteers.
•An interest in or understanding of the third sector and volunteer engagement is a bonus, but not essential.
•Experience working remotely or in hybrid teams is helpful.
•Above all, a genuine passion for youth empowerment and a belief in what we’re building at YouthAdvantage UK.

What You’ll Gain
•A chance to lead a national HR function with real-world complexity and purpose.
•The opportunity to mentor and develop emerging HR talent.
•Practical experience shaping HR strategy within the third sector.
•Recognition through:
oLinkedIn testimonial and reference
oA public thank you post
oPermission to list YouthAdvantage UK as an employer on your CV/LinkedIn
oA written reference upon completion of your commitment

Important Information
This role is completely voluntary. There is no financial payment, benefits, or employment status. It is ideal for experienced HR professionals looking to give back, stay active in leadership, or contribute to a values-led organisation in a meaningful way.

Apply Now
If you're ready to roll up your sleeves and help shape a dynamic, inclusive, and youth-focused volunteer organisation, we’d love to hear from you.

Corrie Energy Partners is building a revolutionary solar tracker that increases energy yield, reduces costs, and enables dual-use land, specifically designed for northern climates.

One of the most significant obstacles to Net Zero is the massive waste of solar potential in the northern 40% of the global market. Above 40° latitude, traditional "static" panels squander 10% of total solar potential because they cannot follow the sun’s path. As a high-stakes hardware venture moving from R&D to commercial scale, the challenge is building the operational "muscles" required to turn technical success into a global market leader.

Our patented Latitude40 tracker solves the "tracking gap" by radically rethinking solar kinematics for northern regions. It unlocks up to 30% more energy per panel than static arrays and generates power during high-value peak hours when demand is highest. Our design reduces mechanical loads by 90% to ensure a 25-year lifespan in harsh conditions, while our proprietary firmware transforms solar arrays into intelligent, grid-responsive assets.

Role Overview:
We are looking for a mission-driven Manufacturing & Supply Chain Advisor to lead our transition from prototype to a scalable UK operation. You will be instrumental in securing the partners and certifications required to move our hardware from a proven invention to a commercially "bankable" global asset.

Key Responsibilities:

• Partner Sourcing: Identify and qualify UK steel fabrication partners of the right scale for our patented tripod frames.
• Commercial Negotiation: Develop and negotiate Heads of Terms that motivate suppliers while maintaining our production flexibility.
• Grants & Support: Navigate the UK manufacturing landscape to secure complementary support and grants (e.g., Made Smarter).
• Cost Optimization: Support Design for Manufacture (DfM) discussions to drive our reduction in production costs.
• Certification: Ideally, advise on UKCA certification for consumer market readiness and update the technical file to reflect this.

About You:

• Experienced in the solar sector or comparable steel-product manufacturing.
• Proven track record in UK manufacturing partner sourcing and cost reduction.
• Strong commercial background in negotiating supply agreements and Heads of Terms.
• Knowledge of the UK grant landscape and UKCA/CE certification processes.

Commitment & Impact:

• The Commitment: A part-time, unpaid remote volunteer role. We expect ~6 hours per week for 6 months.
• The Impact: You will be de-risking a groundbreaking technology that captures the "missing" 30% of the world's solar potential.
• What You Gain: Direct influence on the commercialization of deep-tech IP, working alongside a founding team with a 90-year track record in energy exits.
• Flexibility: We offer fully flexible meeting times to suit your professional schedule.

Minimum Hours per Week:

4-6 hours per week

Duration:

6+ months