Chief Operating Officer

Refugee Council; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 95,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Refugee Council is seeking a Chief Operating Officer to join our Senior Leadership Team and shape the organisation’s future. You will oversee finance, people and culture, IT and digital, data, risk, governance and premises, ensuring robust stewardship and long-term sustainability.

You will lead the Finance & Resources directorate, provide strategic advice and support organisational performance to the Board and executive team, while collaborating across departments to strengthen frontline

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant with significant senior leadership experience.
• Experience developing robust financial models and sustainable business plans.
• Ability to communicate effectively with the Board and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Finance & Resources directorate and partner with the CEO and SLT.
• Drive organisational transformation and ensure systems, resources and culture enable frontline services.
• Oversee financial strategy, governance, risk and organisational performance with the Board and executive team.

Skills

Senior leadership experience

Financial strategy

Governance

Communication

People leadership

Education

Qualified accountant

Job description

Location London/Hybrid Vacancy Type Permanent, Full-time Hours per week 35 hours per week Option to discuss a four-day working pattern. Application Deadline Monday, October 12, 2026 Salary c.£95,000–£100,000 Job Profile Job Profile document

Help to lead a remarkable charity that stands alongside refugees and people seeking asylum in the UK

About Refugee Council

For more than 75 years, Refugee Council has stood alongside refugees and people seeking asylum, providing practical support, influencing policy and campaigning for a fair and humane refugee protection system.

Our vision is for a UK where refugees are welcomed, can rebuild their lives safely and with dignity, and are empowered to contribute to their communities.

In 2024/25, we supported more than 15,203 refugees and people seeking asylum, including more than 7,022 children and young people through our specialist youth services. Our work combines direct support, advocacy and campaigning to create lasting change.

About the role

Refugee Council is seeking an outstanding Chief Operating Officer to join our Senior Leadership Team and to partner with our new Chief Executive and amazing colleagues to shape the organisation’s future.

This is a pivotal new role providing strategic leadership across finance, people and culture, IT and digital, data, risk, governance and premises. You will lead our Finance & Resources directorate, drive organisational transformation and ensure our systems, resources and culture enable our frontline services and policy and influencing to thrive.

You will lead the charity’s financial strategy ensuring robust stewardship and long term sustainability and provide strategic advice and assurance on financial sustainability, operational resilience, governance and organisational performance to the Board and executive team.

About you

You will be a qualified accountant with significant senior leadership experience and a strong track record in a broad organisational role including financial strategy, the development of robust, sustainable business models, organisational transformation, business planning and governance.

You are passionate about people – someone who sees finance, people, digital, data and systems not as back-office functions, but as the platform that allows our frontline work to thrive. Confident with charity finances, and able to communicate effectively internally and externally, you are truly collaborative and eager to be part of a cohesive Senior Leadership Team.

Why join us?

This is a moment for you to use all your experience and talents to ensure the Refugee Council’s financial sustainability, operational resilience and organizational effectiveness, and to support the wider sector.

If you are a highly relational leader with a passion for involving colleagues, refugees and people with lived experience in delivering the charity’s mission we would love to hear from you.