Operations Officer

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous pension contribution

Healthcare cash plan

25 days holiday plus Bank Holidays

Additional leave options

Job summary

A leading youth charity in Central London is seeking a passionate individual to manage relationships with partner organizations. You will engage with stakeholders to ensure quality youth programs are delivered. This role requires outstanding communication and organizational skills, with a mix of home and field work. A strong commitment to youth development and a flexible approach are essential. Benefits include generous holiday, pension contributions, and more.

Qualifications

• Passion for the development of young people.
• Ability to engage and influence stakeholders.
• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to prioritize workload.
• Flexible in approach and willing to travel as required.

Responsibilities

• Manage relationships with Licensed Organisations.
• Identify and develop new educational and community partnerships.
• Conduct meetings and engage with stakeholders.
• Work from home when not in the field, with travel across Central London.

Skills

Outstanding communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Flexibility

Team player

Tools

MS Office applications

Job description

We help young people to build life-long belief in themselves, supporting them to take on their own challenges, follow their own passions and discover talents they never knew they had. Because when you prove yourself that you’re ready for anything nothing can hold you back.

Do you want to be part of that?

This is a 12-month fixed term maternity contract looking to start June 2026.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) is a world leading youth charity which gives young people the chance to develop skills for work and life.

Our structured programmes of volunteering, physical and skills based challenges inspire, guide, and encourage young people to widen their experiences and learn new skills.

Through a licensing process, we partner with youth organisations and support them in their delivery of our programmes to their young people. These organisations range from schools and colleges to local authorities, charities, secure units, and community organisations.

Working within our values and behavioural framework, the role involves closely managing the relationships of our partner organisations (known as Licensed Organisations – LOs) and ensuring those within your portfolio offer quality and inclusive DofE programmes to young people.

While managing these relationships, across your portfolio area in Central London (Westminster and Hammersmith & Fulham) you will also identify and develop new relationships with appropriate educational and community organisations to widen the access of the DofE to young people, particularly those who experience marginalisation.

You will be undertaking regular meetings, in person and virtually, engaging with a wide variety of stakeholders at different levels within different organisations across your portfolio area. When not out at meetings, you will be working from home.

Whilst you won’t be working directly with young people, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you are having a positive impact on their future opportunities.

What we are looking for:

We are looking for a team player who has a passion for the development of young people and who will be enthusiastic, who can engage and influence a variety of stakeholders and who will be an authentic ambassador for the DofE.

You will need to have outstanding communication and interpersonal skills to engage with internal and external stakeholders and have the skills to inspire and influence them to enable young people to participate in DofE.

To undertake the role, you’ll need to be exceptionally organised, have the ability to prioritise your workload, meet deadlines and have excellent administrative skills, being both computer literate and competent in MS Office applications.

We are looking for someone who is flexible in their approach, has a positive outlook and who will actively contribute to our team.

The role will be mixture of home based and field based. The successful application should live within or easily commutable to the portfolio area of Central London (Westminster and Hammersmith & Fulham) and have a willingness to travel to meet Licensed Organisations as required utilising public transport or own vehicle.

How to apply and interview dates

If you feel excited by this role and believe you have the necessary skills and experience to become a valued team member, please go to our website and apply.

The deadline for applying for this role is: Thursday 16th April 2026 at midnight

1st interviews will take place: w/c 27th April (virtual via Teams)

2nd interviews will take place: If required, to be confirmed.

If you would like to access the application form in a different format or if you would like any assistance that might help improve your experience while completing the application, please contact us by email [e-mail]

We offer excellent staff benefits including a generous pension contribution, an employee assistance programme, healthcare cash plan and volunteer leave. Also, 25 days holiday, plus Bank Holidays and an additional 3 days paid leave between Christmas and the New Year. Buy additional annual leave, benefits discount website, death in service benefit 4 x salary, incapacity benefit, generous family leave and sick leave.

The DofE are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people. All successful applicants will be required to undergo an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. (e.g. DBS/PVG or similar), including references covering any gaps of employment/education, confirm eligibility to work in the UK and complete a health check.

The geographical allowance is based on a member of staff having a home or office-based postcode within 30 miles (as the crow flies) from Charing Cross, WC2N 5HS. The allowance is 7% capped at £4,000 per annum.