Principal Consultant, Business Operations & Specialist Support

Charity People; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 43,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading charity recruitment consultancy is seeking a Principal Consultant for its London division. The role focuses on managing recruitment for Business Operations and Specialist Support roles within the charity sector. Candidates should have experience in non-profit recruiting, strong communication skills, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion. This position offers a competitive salary and a flexible working environment. Join a supportive team dedicated to making a positive societal impact.

Benefits

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Health insurance

Cycle-to-work scheme

Wellbeing initiatives

Opportunities for volunteering and continuous learning

Qualifications

• Prior experience of recruiting in a non-profit market.
• Excellent communication skills and managing multiple assignments.
• High levels of integrity and strong evaluative skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage the end-to-end recruitment process for BOSS roles.
• Secure exclusive recruitment projects.
• Advise clients on sector trends.

Skills

Recruiting in a non-profit market

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Time management and prioritization

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Integrity

Evaluative skills

Business development

Client service excellence

Job description

Principal Consultant, Business Operations and Specialist Support

Charity People

Position – Principal Consultant

Salary – £43,200 – £48,600 plus Commission plus access to EOT Bonus

Location – London/ Hybrid/ Flexible working

About Charity People

Founded in 1990 with support from The Prince’s Trust, Charity People has dedicated three decades to transforming the non‑profit sector into an appealing workplace, attracting exceptional talent, and facilitating effective non‑profit sector recruitment.

Charity People is committed to maintaining an inclusive, supportive, prosperous, and fun workplace. We are passionate about supporting the non‑profit sector to recruit more effectively, efficiently, and inclusively.

We are a wholly employee‑owned business with all current and future staff sharing the benefit in the success of the business. We’re also proud to be a certified B‑corp.

About the Role: Principal Consultant

Join our high performing London division as a Principal Consultant. Principal Consultants at Charity People are highly experienced recruiters with a track record in growing a thriving client base. You’ll play a key role in managing and growing the service we provide to organisations hiring across the Business Operations and Specialist Support (BOSS) remit within the Charity sector.

Our aim is to establish ourselves as the leading talent partner for our clients, providing invaluable support and playing a pivotal role in their success and impact. You will be given the tools and freedom to continue the success we have had in this area in the last few years. Whilst historically this area has benefited from a high volume of inbound enquiries, we seek all our consultants to play their part in expanding our reach across the sector through new business activities.

Responsibilities

Business Development

• Manage the end-to-end recruitment process for BOSS roles
• Secure exclusive recruitment projects
• Maintain a network of sector-based decision makers, to raise the profile and reputation of Charity People
• Design and deliver both face to face and online events for the business area

Delivery

• Advising clients and potential clients on current sector trends and on running open and inclusive recruitment campaigns
• Challenging and developing the role brief
• Identifying and approaching relevant talent, not actively job seeking.
• Assessing applicants against the brief.
• Playing the lead role in longlisting/shortlisting meetings
• Advising and managing salary negotiations, packages, start dates, etc

About You

We seek self‑motivated individuals with ambition, and a commitment to outstanding recruitment. You should be solutions‑focused, self‑accountable, and comfortable working independently and as part of a team. Essential criteria include:

• Prior experience of recruiting in a non‑profit market.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Managing multiple assignments at a time and delivering to tight deadlines whilst still upholding the highest quality standards
• Genuine passion and commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI).
• High levels of integrity
• Strong evaluative skills to gather information from different sources and identify top‑tier professionals.
• Passion for delivering excellence to clients and candidates.
• Previous experience in successfully growing new business and delivering against fee income targets.

Remuneration

We offer a competitive salary, a commission scheme and benefits package, personal development, career opportunities, and an excellent, autonomous working environment.

Further benefits

• Highly competitive earning potential
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, additional discretionary leave at Christmas, and a paid day off for your birthday.
• Hybrid/ Flexible, family‑friendly working arrangements with true flexible working attitudes throughout the organisation.
• Health insurance, cycle‑to‑work scheme and wellbeing initiatives.
• Opportunities for volunteering, sabbaticals and continuous learning.
• A supportive, inclusive team culture where fun and impact go hand‑in‑hand.

How to apply

To find out more and to see a copy of our Job Description, please send your latest CV through to us by clicking “Apply”. If we think it looks like you have the type of experience, we are seeking then we will then be in touch with the JD and details of how to formally apply.

Application Deadline

Final closing deadline 9 am, Friday, 23rd January 2026

1st Interview: Anticipated online w/c 26th January 2026

2nd Interview: Anticipated in person on 5th February 2026

Our head office is near London Bridge, though all staff work flexibly and most recruiters attend the office on average once per week.

We are committed to building a more representative workforce and encourage applications from disabled people and individuals from black, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds. The range of perspectives and experiences diversity brings is an asset. We aim to create an inclusive, welcoming environment for our staff team, candidates, and the charities we work with.

As part of the Disability Confident Scheme, we guarantee to interview all applicants with a disability (as defined in the Equality Act 2010) who meet the minimum requirements for the role.