Interim Director of Operations

Merrifield Consultants; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

London weighting allowance

Employer pension contribution

Job summary

Merrifield Consultants are recruiting an Interim Director of Operations for a prominent UK-based domestic abuse charity. This pivotal leadership role offers the chance to provide strategic oversight across operations and finance during a period of growth and transformation.

The successful candidate will lead the Executive Leadership Team, requiring significant senior leadership experience and strong knowledge of the charity sector. The position is home-based with part-time hours and regular travel to London.

A London weighting allowance and pension contribution are included as perks.

Qualifications

• Significant senior leadership experience within operations and financial management.
• Strong experience working within the voluntary, charity or not-for-profit sector.
• Proven ability to lead teams and manage organisational change effectively.
• Excellent problem-solving, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong understanding of governance, compliance, risk and financial controls.
• Ability to operate confidently in a complex and fast-paced environment.
• Commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and anti-discriminatory practice.
• Understanding of the challenges surrounding domestic abuse and survivor-centred services.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership across operations, finance and organisational infrastructure.
• Lead and support operational teams through a period of growth and change.
• Oversee organisational risk management, compliance and governance processes.
• Review and improve internal systems, policies and operational workflows.
• Ensure effective financial oversight, including budgeting, forecasting and audit management.
• Act as a key member of the Executive Leadership Team.
• Oversee contracts, procurement, GDPR compliance and organisational reporting.
• Build strong working relationships with trustees, stakeholders and external partners.

Skills

Senior leadership experience

Financial management

Problem-solving

Stakeholder management

Governance and compliance understanding

Communication skills

Change management

Commitment to diversity and inclusion

Job description

Merrifield Consultants are delighted to be partnering with a prominent UK-based domestic abuse charity to recruit an Interim Director of Operations. This is a pivotal leadership appointment at a time of organisational growth and transformation, offering the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within a respected national charity tackling domestic abuse and violence against women and girls.

The successful candidate will join the Executive Leadership Team and provide strategic oversight across operations and finance. This role requires an experienced and values-led leader who can bring stability, strengthen systems and processes, and support the organisation through a period of change.

Interim Director of Operations

Contract: Interim contract for up to 6 months

Location: Home-based with regular travel to London (twice a month)

Working Pattern: Part-time (3 days a week)

A London weighting allowance is available for London-based employees, alongside an employer pension contribution.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced operational leader with a strong understanding of the charity sector and a passion for driving organisational excellence within a mission-driven environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership across operations, finance and organisational infrastructure
• Lead and support operational teams through a period of growth and change
• Oversee organisational risk management, compliance and governance processes
• Review and improve internal systems, policies and operational workflows
• Ensure effective financial oversight, including budgeting, forecasting and audit management
• Act as a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, contributing to organisational strategy and decision-making
• Oversee contracts, procurement, GDPR compliance and organisational reporting
• Build strong working relationships with trustees, stakeholders and external partners

Person Specification

We are keen to speak with candidates who can demonstrate:

• Significant senior leadership experience within operations and financial management
• Strong experience working within the voluntary, charity or not-for-profit sector
• Proven ability to lead teams and manage organisational change effectively
• Excellent problem-solving, communication and stakeholder management skills
• Strong understanding of governance, compliance, risk and financial controls
• Ability to operate confidently in a complex and fast-paced environment
• Commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and anti-discriminatory practice
• Understanding of the challenges surrounding domestic abuse and survivor-centred services

This role would suit a calm, collaborative and highly capable senior leader who thrives on bringing structure, resilience and strategic oversight to purpose-led organisations.

To apply, please contact Merrifield Consultants for further information or submit your CV today as CV’s will be submitted to the client by Friday 29th May.

We practice a diverse and inclusive recruitment process that ensures equal opportunity for all we work with, irrespective of race, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, age or gender. As an organisation, we encourage applications from all backgrounds and will ensure measures are met when required, to allow a fair process throughout.