Chief Operating Officer (coo)

Hands Together Ludlow; Ludlow; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

A community-focused charity in Ludlow is seeking a Chief Operating Officer to lead operations and drive development. The successful candidate will oversee a dedicated team of staff and volunteers, ensuring efficient service delivery while maintaining financial integrity. This role requires strategic thinking, leadership, and a passion for supporting the local community through a variety of initiatives aimed at improving wellbeing and reducing isolation.

Benefits

Sick pay

Casual dress

Qualifications

• Experience in management, preferably in the charity sector.
• Proven track record of successful fundraising.
• Strong leadership skills and ability to manage diverse teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operations of the charity and manage staff.
• Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Develop partnerships and secure funding for various projects.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic Planning

Communication

Fundraising

IT Proficiency

Job description

On request you will be sent an application form for this role (or you can download it from the news page of our website) which will need to be completed and returned for your application to be considered. Please do not send a CV.

Job description

About the role

Job Title:

Chief Operating Officer

Employer:

Hands Together Ludlow

Salary:

On Application

Hours:

35 hours a week (Full Time)

Contract:

Permanent

Start

: As soon as possible

Hands Together Ludlow works with partners, stakeholders and volunteers to create a more equitable community in and around Ludlow by reducing isolation, poor health and wellbeing and financial hardship. By bringing volunteers and beneficiaries together though a range of services, we fill the gaps, provide opportunities and support the community to support itself. We believe in building resilience and not dependence.

The charity has been in existence since 2017 and has grown enormously over the years. With a team of 5 employees and around 100 volunteers you will lead the executive function in a very hands-on way to deliver the Trustees' objectives and business plan.

Our new Chief Operations Officer will pick up the baton passed by our departing COO who took on the challenge with gusto. Our new post holder will be able to build on the current activities and draw on their own skills and experience to take HTL to the next stage in its development.

For a more complete picture of HTL go to our website at www.handstogetherludlow.org.uk

The job description gives a broad outline of the duties of the post. If you would like to know more, please contact Sue Chantler, chair of trustees at [e-mail]

Job Summary

Providing help, support and opportunities to over 600 people each year, HTL plays a vital role in the town. We are looking for an exceptional individual to take HTL into the next stage in its development. You will be joining a robust organisation with clear policies and procedures in place, in excellent financial order and with a competent, committed and professional staff team.

We are looking for an experienced leader to join our team as a COO. You will be responsible for all aspects of the charity including the day-to-day leadership, funding, operational delivery and development, supported by a Board of Trustees, staff of five and around one hundred volunteers.

You will be based in our Ludlow office, with some activity in other venues in the town as required.

You will be an organised and enthusiastic individual with experience of management (preferably in the charity or third sector arena), ready to join an organisation where no day is the same. If you enjoy working in a collaborative environment, have excellent organisational skills, are passionate about supporting the people of Ludlow and you share our values, then this is an ideal opportunity for you. We'd love to hear from you.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Management

Management responsibility for operations and performance to deliver business objectives.

Manage the team, providing regular supervision and support, informal and formal appraisal and motivate them to deliver the aims and objectives of HTL.

Manage and mitigate business risks and ensure compliance with HTL policies and procedures instilling these into the organisation.

Through the Chair of Trustees (on behalf of the Trustees' Board), act as liaison between operations and the trustees and as required and at quarterly trustees' meetings.

Ensure resources, including staff and volunteers, are deployed effectively and efficiently.

Amongst other governance obligations, understand and action Children, Young Person and Adult safeguarding, Health and Safety requirements and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and other legal and regulatory requirements as necessary.

IT

Ensure IT provision is fit for purpose.

Compile and analyse reports and statistics as needed.

Planning

Generate income and secure resources, including making funding applications, develop funding relationships with trusts, foundations and individuals.

Initiate and manage change in accordance with strategic priorities.

Identify gaps in knowledge, skills and understanding of staff and volunteers, and initiate training.

Develop and implement project plans to facilitate delivery of strategy and business plans.

Develop and implement quality assurance, monitoring and evaluation systems.

Implement, review and develop policies and procedures.

Financial management

Prepare and manage budgets as approved by the Board, provide information as required and enable prudent forecasting.

Manage and review costs and expenditure and funding systems and grants as required by donors and by charity law.

Partnership working

Instigate, develop and maintain productive working relationships with strategic partners and stakeholders. Identify the broader reach of HTL and its role in facilitating relationships between charities and volunteering in Ludlow.

Marketing and promotion

Manage the marketing and promotion of by reviewing and updating the website and using regular social media posts to promote and feedback on activities.

Communication

Work with representatives within the community to promote the aims and objectives of HTL and publicise the charity's services to the community.

Other Duties

Building and facilities management

Anything else reasonable and commensurate with the role.

These duties are illustrative and not exhaustive. The post holder will be expected to become involved in a range of work to drive the development and delivery of Hands Together Ludlow.

Person Specification

Personal Qualities

Essential

The ability to build rapport and be understanding, supportive, empathetic and encouraging of others at all levels.

Demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Be aligned with the ethos and values of HTL.

Able to work independently, demonstrate leadership and be part of the team.

Ability to work flexibly, occasionally outside office hours.

Willing to take on education and training as required by the role.

Able to plan, prioritise and schedule workload of self and others.

Experience

Essential

A strategic thinker, being able to shape, plan and deliver work.

Can develop strong relationships with a wide range of stakeholders to promote partnership and joint working for the benefit of the community with demonstrable skill in leading and managing people.

Has made improvements to an organisation that have led to greater positive impact on the organisation and those it serves.

A working knowledge of relevant legislation and implementation within organisations and workplaces.

A proven track record of successful fundraising, and the management of funders on progress, outcomes and project impact.

Accurate and timely project management and able to analyse data and evaluate its impact.

Able to plan, prioritise and schedule workload of self and others.

Excellent communication skills, both written and presentational.

Excellent IT user skills including working knowledge of MS Office or similar software.

A working knowledge of producing a financial plan, cash flow and ensuring financial competence and compliance with experience of preparing funding applications.

Desirable

An understanding of how charities and the charitable sector operate

Experience of volunteering and/or the voluntary sector

Experience of supporting people in need and/or crisis

Experience of Adult and Children and Young Persons safeguarding legislation, policies and referral pathways.

An interest in food issues, food poverty and surplus food.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: Up to 43,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Casual dress Sick pay
Schedule:

Day shift Monday to Friday
Work authorisation:

United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 18/08/2025
Reference ID: HTL/COO/825
Expected start date: 22/09/2025