Operations Director - VOLUNTEER ROLE

Operations Director (Volunteer Role)

Join Unlock YOUR Potential and Help Build a Charity That Changes Lives

Role: Operations Director (Volunteer Position)
Location: Hybrid (London)
Time Commitment: Approximately 4+ hours per week
Reporting To: Founder and Executive Director
Organisation: Unlock YOUR Potential

About Unlock YOUR Potential

Unlock YOUR Potential is a new London-based charity dedicated to empowering adults from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds through career coaching, employability skills, personal development, wellbeing support, life coaching, mentoring, and access to opportunities that help individuals build brighter futures.

We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to achieve their full potential, regardless of their circumstances. Through coaching, mentoring, skills development, wellbeing support, and strong partnerships, we aim to help individuals gain the confidence, skills, and opportunities needed to succeed.

As we continue to grow, we are seeking a passionate, organised, and strategic Operations Director to help build the systems, structures, and processes that will enable the charity to maximise its impact.

The Opportunity

This is a rare opportunity to join the leadership team of an ambitious start-up charity and play a pivotal role in shaping its future.

As Operations Director, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across the organisation, ensuring that volunteers, programmes, partnerships, and internal processes work effectively and efficiently.

You will work closely with the Founder, Trustees, and volunteer leadership team to help establish a strong organisational foundation that supports sustainable growth and long-term success.

Your contribution will directly help create opportunities for individuals across London to unlock their potential and build better futures.

Key Responsibilities

1. Operational Leadership

• Provide strategic oversight of the charity’s day-to-day operations.
• Help develop and implement operational plans that support organisational goals.
• Ensure effective coordination across programmes, projects, and volunteer teams.
• Support the development of systems, processes, and procedures that improve efficiency and effectiveness.

2. Organisational Development

• Help establish a strong operational framework for a growing charity.
• Support the development and implementation of policies and procedures.
• Contribute to organisational planning and strategic decision-making.
• Identify opportunities to improve performance and service delivery.

3. Volunteer Leadership and Support

• Work closely with volunteer leaders across different functions.
• Provide guidance and support to team members where required.
• Help foster a positive, collaborative, and inclusive culture.
• Support volunteer recruitment, retention, and development initiatives.

4. Programme Oversight

• Work alongside the Programme Coordinator to support the effective delivery of services.
• Monitor operational performance and programme implementation.
• Help ensure activities are aligned with the charity’s mission and objectives.
• Support quality assurance and continuous improvement.

5. Governance and Compliance

• Assist Trustees in maintaining good governance practices.
• Support compliance with charity regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Help identify and manage operational risks.
• Contribute to safeguarding, health and safety, and data protection processes where appropriate.

6. Planning and Performance

• Help establish organisational goals and performance measures.
• Monitor progress against operational priorities.
• Support impact measurement and organisational reporting.
• Assist in developing annual operational plans and objectives.

7. Collaboration and Growth

• Work closely with the Partnerships Lead, Fundraising Lead, Marketing & Communications Lead, and other volunteer leaders.
• Support the development of strategic partnerships and growth opportunities.
• Contribute ideas that strengthen sustainability, efficiency, and impact.
• Help prepare the organisation for future expansion.

Skills and Experience

We welcome applications from individuals with a range of professional backgrounds and experiences.

You may have experience in:

• Operations management
• Charity leadership
• Project or programme management
• Business management
• Organisational development
• Volunteer management
• Human resources
• Governance and compliance
• Community or voluntary sector leadership

We are particularly looking for someone who:

• Has strong organisational and leadership skills.
• Can think strategically while also supporting practical implementation.
• Is confident coordinating people, projects, and priorities.
• Has excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Is proactive, reliable, and solutions-focused.
• Can work collaboratively with a diverse team.
• Shares our passion for empowering people and creating opportunities.

Previous experience in a leadership or management role is desirable but not essential.

What You’ll Gain

By volunteering with Unlock YOUR Potential, you will:

• Play a senior leadership role within a growing charity.
• Help shape the future direction and success of the organisation.
• Gain valuable strategic and operational leadership experience.
• Develop skills in charity governance, organisational development, and social impact.
• Build relationships with professionals across the charity, corporate, and community sectors.
• Enhance your CV and professional profile.
• Make a lasting difference to individuals and communities across London.

Why This Role Matters

Without strong operations, even the best ideas struggle to achieve lasting impact.

As Operations Director, you will help ensure that Unlock YOUR Potential is well-organised, sustainable, and capable of delivering high-quality support to the people who need it most. Your leadership will help transform vision into action and ambition into measurable impact.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

Unlock YOUR Potential is committed to creating an inclusive, welcoming, and diverse organisation where everyone is valued and respected.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences, and communities. We particularly encourage applications from individuals with lived experience of social and economic disadvantage, as well as those who can bring diverse perspectives, skills, and ideas to our work.

How to Apply

If you are passionate about leadership, organisational development, and creating opportunities that help people thrive, we would love to hear from you.

Join us and help build the foundations of a charity that empowers individuals, strengthens communities, and transforms futures across London.

Together, we can build an organisation that unlocks potential, creates opportunity, and changes lives.