National head of operations volunteer roles
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Description
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
Direct Working Relationships: C-Level Executives, National Research, Policy, Ethics, Research Reporting, and Local Operations
Location: Remote, UK-based
Time Commitment: Part-time | Flexible hours | Long term commitment
About the Role
We are seeking a volunteer Chief Operating Officer (COO) to provide strategic and operational leadership across our national and local operations. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the COO will play a pivotal role in ensuring effective delivery of projects and research, maintaining ethical and operational standards, and driving continuous improvement across all organisational systems and processes.
This is a senior voluntary position ideal for an experienced operations or strategy leader who thrives in a collaborative environment and wants to make an impact in the not-for-profit or research sector.
Please note: This is a voluntary and unpaid role. There is no direct financial compensation or future paid opportunity attached.
Key Responsibilities
• Provide executive oversight of Policy, Ethics and Research Reporting, National Operations, and Local Operations (including projects and research).
• Oversee operational delivery to ensure smooth, ethical, and effective implementation of all projects.
• Lead the optimisation of systems, structures, and processes to maximise organisational efficiency.
• Ensure resource allocation is effective and aligned with strategic goals.
• Support and collaborate with C-Level colleagues to drive organisational progress.
• Attend high-level meetings and provide regular operational updates and recommendations.
• Act as a key decision-maker in operational strategy, compliance, and performance management.
• Support and coach department heads and senior managers to strengthen internal leadership capacity.
• Step in to provide hands-on support to other C-Level officers and direct reports when needed.
What We're Looking For
We’re looking for a confident, experienced, and adaptable leader who can bring structure, strategy, and calm to a dynamic environment. You’ll be most successful in this role if you have:
• Significant experience in operations management, project delivery, or organisational leadership.
• Proven ability to oversee multiple teams or departments in complex environments.
• Strong ethical grounding and commitment to compliance and transparency.
• Excellent organisational, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• A hands-on, solutions-focused approach with the ability to balance strategy and execution.
• Experience mentoring or managing senior leaders or functional heads.
• Comfort working remotely with cross-functional, volunteer-led teams.
• A collaborative, supportive leadership style and openness to learning and adaptation.
• An understanding of the not-for-profit, research, or policy sectors (advantageous but not essential).
What You’ll Gain
• The opportunity to lead national operations for a values-led organisation making a tangible impact.
• Executive-level experience within a collaborative, mission-driven C-Suite.
• The chance to refine strategic and operational leadership skills in a complex, real-world setting.
• Recognition through:
o LinkedIn testimonial and reference
o A public thank you post
o Permission to list the organisation as an employer on your CV/LinkedIn
o A written reference upon completion of your commitment
Important Information
This is a voluntary position. There is no financial payment, benefits, or employment status. This opportunity is ideal for seasoned operations leaders or executives seeking to contribute their expertise to a meaningful, values-driven mission and support the growth of an impactful organisation.
Apply Now
If you’re ready to help shape the strategic and operational backbone of a growing organisation and support our mission through effective leadership, we’d love to hear from you.
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Trustee (Public Affairs)
Help shape the future of UK safety policy
The Hazards Forum is at a pivotal point in its 35-year history. Long respected as a convenor of expert debate on safety and risk, we are now implementing our Strategy to 2030. In addition to hosting discussions, we aim to actively influence national policy and societal outcomes that make people safer.
To deliver this ambition, we are refreshing our Trustee Board and seeking a Public Affairs Trustee to strengthen our political engagement and policy influence.
We operate a “player-coach” model. With no full-time staff, Trustees provide both governance and hands-on leadership, working closely with a small team of contractors and high-calibre volunteers to turn strategy into action.
If you want a governance role with real strategic and societal impact, we would welcome your application.
About The Hazards Forum
Mission: To be the UK’s trusted facilitator of vital conversations on hazard and risk management, driving a safer and more prosperous society.
Strategic Focus (to 2030):
1.Influencing national policy through engagement with MPs and Civil Servants
2.Developing collaborative partnerships with government, industry and academia
3.Improving industry connectivity by breaking down sector silos
Operating Model:
We are a lean, agile, unincorporated charitable association, supported by a Head of Membership & Operations (contractor) and an engaged volunteer community.
The Role: Trustee for Public Affairs
Influencing national policy is a core pillar of our Strategy to 2030. While we have strong technical expertise, we are seeking to strengthen our capability in political engagement to ensure our voice is heard consistently and effectively across Whitehall and Westminster.
You will help guide our public affairs approach, supporting constructive, neutral engagement with policymakers and regulators.
Key Responsibilities:
• Support high-level engagement with Civil Servants, MPs, and Select Committees
• Advise on translating complex technical issues into clear, persuasive policy briefings
• Act as a guardian of political neutrality and organisational independence
The Ideal Candidate:
• Professional background in public affairs, government relations, or policy advocacy
• Experience drafting consultation responses and navigating parliamentary processes
• Established contacts within relevant government or regulatory bodies
• Charity sector or trustee experience desirable but not essential
Practicalities
Time Commitment:
• 4 Board meetings per year (hybrid, usually London)
• 1 annual in-person strategy day
• Around 1–2 days per month supporting strategic delivery
Terms:
• Three-year term, renewable once (maximum six years)
• Voluntary, unpaid role
Diversity & Inclusion:
We are committed to broadening the diversity of our Board and strongly encourage applications from people of different backgrounds, ages, professions, and communities.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Trustee (Digital Engagement)
Help shape the future of UK safety policy
The Hazards Forum is at a pivotal point in its 35-year history. Long respected as a convenor of expert debate on safety and risk, we are now implementing our Strategy to 2030. In addition to hosting discussions, we aim to actively influence national policy and societal outcomes that make people safer.
To deliver this ambition, we are refreshing our Trustee Board and seeking a Digital Engagement Trustee to modernise our outreach and expand our influence beyond our traditional membership.
We operate a “player-coach” model. With no full-time staff, Trustees provide both governance and hands-on leadership, working closely with a small team of contractors and high-calibre volunteers to turn strategy into action.
If you want a governance role with real strategic and societal impact, we would welcome your application.
About The Hazards Forum
Mission: To be the UK’s trusted facilitator of vital conversations on hazard and risk management, driving a safer and more prosperous society.
Strategic Focus (to 2030):
1.Influencing national policy through engagement with MPs and Civil Servants
2.Developing collaborative partnerships with government, industry and academia
3.Improving industry connectivity by breaking down sector silos
Operating Model: We are a lean, agile, unincorporated charitable association, supported by a Head of Membership & Operations (contractor) and an engaged volunteer community.
The Role: Trustee for Digital Engagement
To influence society, we must reach beyond our traditional membership. We are seeking a digital strategist to help us adopt a digital-first approach, ensuring our work reaches younger professionals and contributes to wider public debate.
You will provide strategic oversight of our digital presence, helping to grow audiences, improve engagement, and helping us to translate complex technical content into accessible, compelling narratives.
Key Responsibilities:
• Provide strategic direction on digital engagement and audience growth
• Advise on lowering barriers to participation for younger and more diverse professionals
• Guide the development of clear, engaging digital content from technical material
• Support the use of analytics to focus effort on high-impact digital activity
The Ideal Candidate:
• Experience in digital marketing, strategic communications, or content strategy
• Strong understanding of community building, social media, and data analytics
• Strategic, outcome-focused mindset
• Charity sector or trustee experience desirable but not essential
Practicalities
Time Commitment:
• 4 Board meetings per year (hybrid, usually London)
• 1 annual in-person strategy day
• Around 1–2 days per month supporting strategic delivery
Terms:
• Three-year term, renewable once (maximum six years)
• Voluntary, unpaid role
Diversity & Inclusion:
We are committed to broadening the diversity of our Board and strongly encourage applications from people of different backgrounds, ages, professions, and communities.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Trustee (Fundraising & Partnerships)
Help shape the future of UK safety policy
The Hazards Forum is at a pivotal point in its 35-year history. Long respected as a convenor of expert debate on safety and risk, we are now implementing our Strategy to 2030 – in addition to hosting discussions, we want to actively influence national policy and societal outcomes that make people safer.
To deliver this ambition, we are refreshing our Trustee Board and seeking a Fundraising & Partnerships Trustee to help unlock new income streams and scale our impact.
We operate a “player-coach” model. With no full-time staff, Trustees provide both governance and hands-on leadership, working closely with a small team of contractors and high-calibre volunteers to turn strategy into action.
If you want a governance role with real strategic and societal impact, we would welcome your application.
About The Hazards Forum
Mission: To be the UK’s trusted facilitator of vital conversations on hazard and risk management, driving a safer and more prosperous society.
Strategic Focus (to 2030):
- Influencing national policy through engagement with MPs and Civil Servants
- Developing collaborative partnerships with government, industry and academia
- Improving industry connectivity by breaking down sector silos
Operating Model: We are a lean, agile, unincorporated charitable association, supported by a Head of Membership & Operations (contractor) and an engaged volunteer community.
The Role: Trustee for Fundraising & Partnerships
We have the strategy and commercial vision. We now need the funding to scale it. You will work alongside our Commercial Lead to develop and deliver a sustainable income model, with a particular focus on grants, trusts, foundations, and sponsorship – areas currently under-developed within the charity.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead identification and applications for grants from trusts, foundations, and institutional funders
- Develop and help secure sponsorship and partnership packages
- Strengthen and diversify the charity’s revenue model
- Advise the Board on fundraising compliance and best practice
The Ideal Candidate:
- Practical experience in charity fundraising, grant writing, or corporate partnerships
- Able to structure sponsorship agreements and write compelling funding bids
- Collaborative, hands-on, and comfortable building capability from the ground up
- Trustee experience desirable but not essential
Practicalities
Time Commitment:
- 4 Board meetings per year (hybrid, usually London)
- 1 annual in-person strategy day
- Around 1–2 days per month supporting strategic delivery
Terms:
- Three-year term, renewable once (maximum six years)
- Voluntary, unpaid role
Diversity & Inclusion:
We are committed to broadening the diversity of our Board and strongly encourage applications from people of different backgrounds, ages, professions, and communities.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Closing Date:
We are reviewing applications on a rolling basis and applications will be reviewed as they are received.
The Role:
We are currently seeking a Finance Trustee to join our Board as Treasurer. It’s a voluntary role that requires a committed individual with financial expertise to take a collaborative approach, supporting our Trustees, our Head of Finance and Governance, and our management team to oversee the financial affairs of our charity and ensure that they are legal, constitutional, and within accepted accounting practice.
Our Organisation:
Greener and Cleaner delivers locally but thinks, and influences, nationally. Our vision is greener, healthier, better connected communities across the UK. We seek to achieve this through normalising 360-degree sustainable living, bringing the community together to make changes that can deliver a big impact. We have a non-judgemental peer-to-peer approach, so that all elements of the community feel empowered to take action in how they live, work, and play and in how they use their voice to push for change.
Treasurer Role:
The primary role is to ensure alongside other Trustees that they accept ultimate responsibility for the affairs of G&C and ensure that it is solvent, well run, and delivering the charitable outcomes for which it has been set up. As well as fulfilling the duties of a Trustee, the Treasurer ensures that effective and appropriate financial measures, controls, and procedures are put in place and reports to the Board at regular intervals about the financial health of the organisation.
- Overseeing the presentation of budgets, internal management accounts, and annual financial statements, as produced by the finance team or others where appropriate, to the Board of Trustees
- Ensuring that proper accounting records are kept, and that appropriate accounting procedures and controls are in place.
- Liaising with any paid staff about financial matters, as appropriate.
- Ensuring that robust and comprehensive financial policies are in place and being implemented, and supporting the development of policies covering financial reserves, and cost management.
- Overseeing financial controls and adherence to systems.
- Drawing any major financial concerns to the attention of the trustee and the management team.
- Ensuring that the charity has appropriate reserves in line with its reserves policy, and monitoring and advising on the financial viability of the charity.
- Advising on the financial implications of the charity’s strategic plan, including overseeing the charity’s financial risk-management process.
- Ensuring that the charity has an appropriate investment policy and that investments and assets are maximised.
- Leading on the appointment of and liaison with external auditors.
- Overseeing the development and implementation of systems for appraising, mitigating, and reporting corporate risk.
- Ensuring that the accounts are prepared and disclosed in the form required by relevant statutory bodies – for example, the Charity Commission and/or the Registrar of Companies.
- Keeping the board informed about its financial duties and responsibilities.
- Supporting other Trustees in understanding the charity’s financial position and decision making.
- Contributing to the fundraising strategy of the charity and its ethical fundraising policy.
- Making a formal presentation of the accounts at the Annual General Meeting and drawing attention to important points in a coherent and easily understandable way.
The Person We’re Looking For:
- A finance professional with a firm understanding of charity finance and some experience of fundraising and pension schemes.
- Knowledge of charity fundraising, bid writing, and/or other income generation and/or securing funding through creation or leveraging of partnerships and networks (at a national or local level).
- A strategic thinker with an ability to balance risk and opportunity and the skills to analyse proposals and examine their financial consequences.
- Clear communicator with the ability to explain financial information to members of the Board and other stakeholders.
- Willing to play an active role in areas such as forecasting, setting budgets, and liaising with auditors.
In addition, the Treasurer will also have the responsibilities and qualities of all Trustees.
Responsibilities of All Trustees:
- Demonstrating a commitment to G&C’s objectives
- Contributing to setting the strategic goals and monitoring performance by active participation in Board discussions and decision-making
- Actively assisting the charity to build their connections and partnerships for the purposes of most effectively delivering their goals and fundraising
- Ensuring that G&C complies with its governing documents, the law, and all other relevant documentation
- Helping to identify risks and ensuring appropriate controls are in place
- Helping the Board to make sound decisions by making available their own personal knowledge and experience
- Assisting the Chair to appoint and appraise the performance of the Senior Leadership Team members
- Sharing relevant skills and expertise with the Senior Leadership Team members
- Making all reasonable efforts to attend Board meetings, away days, development meetings, publicity events, and other such public functions as requested by the Chair
- Ensuring the charity’s focus on equality, diversity, and inclusion remains at the heart of its strategy and delivery
Trustee Person Specification:
In addition to the Treasurer role specific above, our Trustees will ideally also demonstrate the following:
- A commitment to the objectives and activities of G&C
- A willingness to devote time and effort to G&C beyond attending board meetings
- Have strategic vision, an ability to think creatively, and an appropriate level of financial literacy
- Understanding of and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of their position
- Have good independent judgement
- Be willing to effectively act as part of a team
- Adhere to the Nolan Principles of public office: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, and leadership
- A willingness to allow the Employee/s to make reasonable decisions and to act within the limits prescribed by the Board
To Apply:
To see the full job advertisement with details on how to apply, and to learn more about the role and our organisation, please see the attached supporting documents.
