Chief Operating Officer

JNF UK; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

JNF UK is seeking a Chief Operating Officer to lead operations across London and its subsidiaries, translating strategy into delivery and building core functions to support ambitious growth. Reporting to the Chief Executive, the COO will drive performance, governance and resilience, recruit leadership for fundraising, education and SmartGiving, and align budgets with strategic priorities.

This is a hands-on, strategic leadership role in a multi-entity charity setting.

Qualifications

• Experience in the charity sector.
• Familiarity with an organisation operating across multiple entities or jurisdictions.
• Experience of fundraising and/or education functions.

Responsibilities

• Act as a close strategic partner and operational counterpart to the Chief Executive.
• Represent the operational and delivery perspective in strategic and Board-level discussions.
• Shape and translate strategy into clear operating plans, priorities and delivery.
• Set objectives and KPIs, establish effective reporting and review performance.
• Create clarity across accountabilities, decision-making and cross-functional working.
• Proven ability to build and scale functions, not only lead established ones.
• Help recruit, establish and develop the leadership required for the fundraising, education and SmartGiving teams.
• Set objectives and KPIs for department heads.
• Oversee business operations, ensuring functions work cohesively and driving improvements where appropriate.

Job description

Chief Operating Officer – JNF – Location: London – Salary: £90,000 - £105,000

For more than a century, the Jewish National Fund (JNF UK) has provided a meaningful connection between the UK Jewish community and Israel. Through philanthropy, education and community engagement, it enables supporters to contribute to projects that improve lives, strengthen communities and support Israel’s long‑term social and economic development.

With a proud history and an enduring sense of purpose, JNF UK is now building for its next chapter. The organisation is investing in its people, leadership and capabilities so that it can engage a broader range of supporters, grow sustainable income and deliver even greater impact in the years ahead.

Why is the JNF recruiting a Chief Operating Officer (COO)?

JNF UK is entering an exciting period of growth and is investing in its people, functions and operational capacity to deliver greater impact. The newly created Chief Operating Officer role will strengthen leadership across JNF UK and its subsidiaries, including SmartGiving, KKL E&T and JNF UK Israel, providing a clear management link between the Chief Executive and departmental heads. Reporting to the Chief Executive, the COO will translate strategy into delivery, lead the development of core functions and deputise on operational matters when required. As some functions, systems and reporting arrangements continue to develop, the role requires a hands‑on and strategic leader who can provide clear direction, build capability and establish the structures needed to support sustainable growth.

The Team

The Chief Operating Officer, who will sit on the Senior Leadership Team, will join a committed team with a strong understanding of JNF UK and its work. This will be a hands‑on role, particularly at the outset, as the successful candidate seeks to understand how the organisation operates and brings the expanding team up to full operational capacity.

Key Responsibilities and Requirements

Leadership and Strategy

• Act as a close strategic partner and operational counterpart to the Chief Executive.
• Represent the operational and delivery perspective in strategic and Board‑level discussions.

Organisational Performance

• Shape and translate strategy into clear operating plans, priorities and delivery.
• Set objectives and KPIs, establish effective reporting and review performance.
• Create clarity across accountabilities, decision‑making and cross‑functional working.

Building Core Functions

• Proven ability to build and scale functions, not only lead established ones.
• Help recruit, establish and develop the leadership required for the fundraising, education and SmartGiving teams.
• Set objectives and KPIs for department heads

Operational Excellence

• Possess excellent written skills including the ability to write reports and review contracts.
• Oversee business operations, ensuring functions work cohesively and driving improvements where appropriate.

Governance and Resilience

• Have experience managing organisation‑wide risk and implementing governance measures to ensure business continuity.
• Ensure departments operate in line with policies, procedures and regulatory expectations.

Commercial and Financial Thinking

• Work closely with the Finance Director, holding budgets and making informed resource decisions.
• Bring a commercial lens to fundraising, SmartGiving and organisational investment.

Personal Specification

• Experience in the charity, not‑for‑profit or third sector.
• Familiarity with an organisation operating across multiple entities or jurisdictions.
• Experience of fundraising and/or education functions.

Personal Qualities

• Collaborative and able to work closely with a CEO while holding independent operational authority.
• Comfortable balancing hands‑on delivery with strategic contribution.
• Comfortable operating where some functions and processes are still developing, with a practical, solutions‑focused approach.

Closing date for applications: Friday 4 th December 2026