Operations Lead

Freelancingforgood; London; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A progressive mission-driven organization is seeking an Operations Lead to manage and optimize internal systems and processes. The role entails improving operational infrastructures to support various programs while maintaining compliance and fostering collaborations. Candidates should possess operational management experience, strong communication skills, and a collaborative approach in educational or social impact settings.

Benefits

Personal development fund

Access to coaching

Hybrid work model

Qualifications

• Experience in operations, programme delivery, or people management in a relevant context.
• Proven ability to implement and improve internal systems.
• Strong communication and collaboration abilities across diverse teams.

Responsibilities

• Oversee internal workflows across project management, CRM, compliance, and documentation.
• Lead hiring, onboarding, and performance reviews for staff and freelancers.
• Coordinate budget tracking and compliance reporting in collaboration with leadership.

Skills

Operations Management

Problem-solving

Team Leadership

Communication

Organizational Skills

Tools

HubSpot

Google Workspace

Notion

Job description

Breakthrough is looking for an Operations Lead to join their team.

Overview:

• Full-time position
• Language: English
• Location: London-based with remote flexibility
• Salary: not applicable
• Applications closing: until filled

Job Description

Breakthrough is a mission-driven organisation led by changemakers with lived experience of systemic inequalities. We exist to bridge the gap between the people of today and the industries of tomorrow. Through our digital skills bootcamps, AI training, leadership programmes, and social innovation labs, we prepare people—particularly from marginalised backgrounds—for meaningful employment and entrepreneurial opportunities in the digital economy.

We’re at a pivotal point in our journey, scaling rapidly across prison systems, local authorities, and corporate partnerships while building a robust digital ecosystem. As ourOperations Lead, you’ll play a central role in ensuring that our backend systems match the strength of our frontline impact.

The Operations Lead is the operational engine of Breakthrough. You will own our internal systems, people operations, finance workflows, compliance structures, and cross-functional delivery coordination.

You’ll be responsible for transforming our operations into a scalable infrastructure that supports our learners, partners, and team across multiple programmes and geographies.This is a strategic and hands-on role—ideal for someone who thrives on problem-solving, process optimisation, and scaling social impact.

Responsibilities

• Systems and Processes:Oversee and refine internal workflows across project management, CRM (HubSpot), compliance, and evidence documentation.
• Team and People Operations:Lead hiring, onboarding, performance reviews, and professional development systems for staff, freelancers, and facilitators
• Finance and Compliance:Coordinate budget tracking, milestone-based invoicing, and grant reporting in collaboration with the CEO and finance partners. Ensure full compliance with DfE, ESFA, and prison service procurement and reporting requirements. Manage learner outcomes data, and quality assurance metrics
• Delivery Coordination:Serve as the operational lead across multi-stakeholder programmes, ensuring smooth execution from learner onboarding to certification. Liaise with delivery teams, prison liaisons, and partner organisations to maintain alignment and resolve issues quickly
• Strategic Input:Support fundraising, impact measurement, and commercial growth with operational insight and risk mitigation. Contribute to quarterly planning sessions and Scaling Up implementation alongside the leadership team.

Role Requirements

Essential:

• Experience in operations, programme delivery, or people management—ideally in a start-up, education, or social impact context
• Proven ability to implement and improve systems (CRM, task management tools, SOPs)
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail
• Strong communication and collaboration abilities across diverse teams
• Experience managing remote teams, contracts, or freelancers
• High emotional intelligence and comfort working in mission-led, trauma-informed spaces

Desirable:

• Familiarity with public sector contracts (e.g. DfE Skills Bootcamps, MoJ, ESFA)
• Understanding of the criminal justice, education, or employment systems in the UK
• Experience using HubSpot, Notion, Google Workspace, and AI Tools
• Lived experience of systemic barriers (e.g. justice involvement, exclusion, migration)
• What We OfferAn opportunity to shape the operations of one of the UK’s most innovative justice-aligned enterprises
• A purpose-driven and deeply supportive team environment
• Hybrid working with a mix of remote flexibility and in-person collaboration
• Personal development fund and access to high-impact coaching
• A front-row seat to transformative stories of liberation, learning, and leadership

How to apply?

To apply for this role, please fill in the application form.