Director of Operations

CHARITY PEOPLE; West Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A forward-thinking charitable foundation in the UK is seeking a Director of Operations to enhance its operational framework as it expands. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong leadership in operational structure, financial oversight, and commitment to gender equality. This pivotal role requires collaboration with the CEO and program leads to ensure high-quality operations. Competitive salary of £80k, hybrid working arrangement, and generous benefits included.

Benefits

25 days holiday (+bank)

Generous employer pension contribution

Learning and development budget

Qualifications

• Proven track record of designing and delivering robust operational systems.
• Significant operation leadership experience at a senior level.
• Strong financial literacy and experience managing budgets and audit processes.
• A track record of overseeing or designing grant-making or funding operations.
• Hands-on HR / people operations experience.
• Excellent project management and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Confidence working with trustees, partners, and senior leaders.
• A meticulous eye for detail and a proactive, problem-solving approach.
• Authentic commitment to gender equality and the organisation's mission.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver the Foundation's multi-year operational workplan.
• Translate strategy into effective, measurable operational delivery.
• Ensure strong governance, including board papers and risk management.
• Oversee budgeting, financial processes, and grant-making systems.
• Lead HR and people operations, including recruitment and workforce planning.
• Strengthen and maintain policies, systems, and supplier/office management.

Skills

Operational systems design and delivery

Senior leadership experience

Financial literacy and budget management

Grant-making operations management

HR and people operations

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Problem-solving skills

Commitment to gender equality

Job description

Are you a strategic, solutions-focused leader who is driven by justice, equality and committed to creating a fairer world for women and girls?

This high impact foundation for women and girls is looking for an exceptional Director of Operations to strengthen the organisation's operational backbone at a pivotal moment of growth. This is a senior, high-impact role in a small but mighty team - perfect for someone who thrives on building systems that unlock lasting change and who brings a genuine passion for continuous improvement.

Salary

£80k

Contract

Permanent, full-time (35 hours per week)

Location

Hybrid with 3 days per week in the Birmingham office and occasional national travel

Benefits

25 days holiday (+bank) and generous employer pension contribution, plus learning and development budget

About the organisation

They are dedicated to building a fairer, more just society for women and girls. Through strategic grant‑making, partnerships and advocacy, the organisation addresses the root causes that draw women into the criminal justice system - from poverty and abuse to health inequalities. Their approach is grounded in collaboration, fostering lasting relationships with those driving change across policy, practice, and communities.

The Foundation is entering an exciting new phase of work as it strengthens its operations, expands national partnerships and accelerates its impact across policy, practice and communities. Joining them means becoming part of a values‑led team influencing long‑term reform in the women's centre sector, early help models and the wider criminal justice system.

About the role

As Director of Operations, you will be the senior operational lead for the organisation, working closely with the CEO and programme leads to deliver strategic, reliable and high‑quality operations.

You will oversee the full suite of operational functions and strengthen infrastructure - from governance and grant‑making processes to HR, finance, IT, risk and compliance - ensuring that robust, values‑driven operations underpin everything they do.

In this role you can expect to :

• Lead and deliver the Foundation's multi‑year operational workplan
• Translate strategy into effective, measurable operational delivery
• Ensure strong governance, including board papers and risk management
• Oversee budgeting, financial processes, grant‑making systems and compliance
• Lead HR and people operations, including recruitment and workforce planning
• Strengthen and maintain policies, systems, and supplier / office management

This role will suit someone who loves switching between big‑picture thinking and rolling up their sleeves - you must be confident and energised by both.

About you

You are an experienced operational leader who is strategic, collaborative, pragmatic and exceptionally organised.

We'd love to hear from you if you have :

• A proven track record of designing and delivering robust operational systems
• Significant operation leadership experience at a senior level
• Strong financial literacy and experience managing budgets and audit processes
• A track record of overseeing or designing grant‑making or funding operations
• Hands‑on HR / people operations experience
• Excellent project management and stakeholder engagement skills
• Confidence working with trustees, partners and senior leaders
• A meticulous eye for detail and a proactive, problem‑solving approach
• Authentic commitment to gender equality and JABBS' mission

We'd also love to see your alignment with the Foundation's values: Justice‑Centred, Integrity‑Driven, Curious, Collaborative, Relational and Determined.

In return, you'll join a supportive, values‑led team and play a central role in shaping the next chapter of the organisation's impact.

How to apply

If this opportunity excites you, we'd love to hear from you. Please send your CV in the first instance. If your experience aligns with what we're looking for, we'll be in touch with more information about the structured application process.

Send your CV to Ellen Drummond at Charity People to start the conversation.

Deadline

9am on Friday 5th December

First stage

w / c 12th January

Second stage

w / c 19th January

Charity People is a forward‑thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We match charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background. We do this because we believe greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we support.