Director of Operations, Finance & Delivery

Role Purpose

This is a great opportunity to make a significant impact on hundreds of civil society, social movements and community groups around the world, driving funding to where it is needed most. The Director of Operations will join the senior management team, reporting to the CEO and will be responsible for overseeing the business operations across our businesses. They will share the Social Change Nest’s ambitions to transform funding for grassroots organisations and coalitions by reimagining fundraising, removing structural barriers and encouraging institutional funders to support community interests. They will oversee the operations, finance and delivery functions in the team, working closely with the CEO to develop strategy, manage risk and feed into the board.

About the Social Change Nest

At The Social Change Nest, we’re radically transforming the funding landscape. We nurture grassroots groups and enable funders to support frontline social action by offering fiscal hosting, grant management, grant distribution and fund management services. We currently support over 500 community groups across the UK and abroad addressing climate to housing, wellbeing and animal rights. We are pioneering fiscal hosting in the UK and have distributed grants to groups that otherwise would not have had access to the opportunity. Since our inception we have ensured over £23m has got safely into the hands that need it.

We have a 5-year strategy for scaling, innovating and supporting more civil society both in the UK and abroad. Over the next 12 months we are aiming to raise a significant capital investment, secure our income streams, launch 2 new game changing products and expand into Europe.

The Social Change Nest is part of the Social Change Group. As a group we have been certified as a BCorp business, Disability Confident Employer, and an accredited Living Wage Employer. In addition, we were listed as one of the top social enterprises in the UK in the SE100 for the last three years. Underpinned by our values of collaboration, curiosity, courage, and creativity we believe relationships are the glue that holds us all together and we are proud of our culture.

You’ll be joining a close-knit team, supported and developed to be the best you can be. We believe that every member of our team brings a unique perspective from their experiences and abilities and we encourage everyone to be a curious soul about how we can improve everything we do, from how we interact as a team to how we deliver for our clients and communities.

Key Responsibilities

Executive Leadership and management:

• Collectively hold the vision, mission, impact and values of the Social Change Group with the CEO and ensure it is embedded in our systems.
• Work with SMT to develop and implement our strategic plan across the Social Change group, ensuring that operational plans and initiatives are aligned with overall goals and supported by effective reporting.
• Lead an operations team, setting clear goals and expectations, providing regular feedback, and creating a positive and engaging work culture.
• Attend board and committee meetings and prepare board papers including reporting on regular operational and financial information. Liaise with board members as and when required.
• Ensure that the businesses under the Social Change group are operating and working together seamlessly.

Operations and process management:

• Develop and implement operational policies and procedures that ensure the smooth running of the businesses, including processes for product development, delivery, HR and finance.
• Oversee and optimise the company's resources, including staffing, equipment, and technology, to ensure that they are being used effectively and efficiently.
• Identifying areas for improvement based on business reporting and implementing changes for efficiency and effectiveness.
• Oversight of all HR functions and internal processes including, policies, pay, performance management, conflict and resolution, contracting.
• Oversight of contracting terms and processes with clients and employees.
• Ensure all the functions of the business are working seamlessly together.

Risk and compliance:

• Ensure that the Social Change Group is in compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements, including data privacy and workplace safety regulations.
• Collaboratively work with the board to set and manage risk, controls and reporting across the group whilst upholding our trauma informed approach.

Financial Management:

• Ensure the success of the finance team by ensuring they have the systems and processes in place to monitor and deliver business finances.
• Oversight of setting and monitoring budgeting and forecasting (clients & revenues; spend).
• Managing and working with the finance team to ensure the financial strategy is delivered and that the finance function is operating efficiently.
• Financial modelling for the business – new products and review of existing products.
• Decision making on broader business financial decisions.

In carrying out these duties the post holder will:

• At all times work so as to protect the organisation’s reputation and principles in line with our values and trauma informed approach.
• Be comfortable constantly challenging the status quo and seeking creative solutions to systemic problems for changemakers.
• Treat internal and external contacts with dignity and respect and uphold the company’s equality of opportunity and dignity at work policies.
• Actively participate in appraisals, team meetings and meeting self-development needs.
• Undertake any other duties necessary to this post as reasonably required.

Skills and Experience

Essential Experience

• Proven experience as a Director of operations or a similar executive leadership role in a fast paced social impact organisation
• Experience of working in an executive team.
• Experience of developing long-term relationships with senior decision makers.
• Experience of creating systems and organisational processes that are effective, efficient, and embed and socialise them with the team and clients.
• Experience of developing strategies and implementing them in line with company values.
• Experience of financial management.
• Strong leadership and management skills, with the ability to build and lead an effective team.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with all stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to analyse and evaluate data and metrics, with a deep understanding of business operations and processes.
• Experience in developing and implementing operational policies and procedures, with a focus on driving efficiency and effectiveness.

How to Apply

Please submit your CV and Cover Letter to Careers4Change – see below

Your Cover Letter should indicate how your skill sets align with the Job Description and why you are keen to join a social impact organisation like The Social Change Nest