Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead CALM's mission against suicide, overseeing operations and strategy.
- Company: CALM is a life-saving charity focused on suicide prevention in the UK.
- Benefits: Join a passionate team, enjoy a supportive culture, and make a real impact.
- Why this job: Be part of a bold mission, driving change and saving lives with creativity and purpose.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in operations, finance, or governance is essential.
- Other info: Applications close at 9 a.m. on Monday 21st July.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
Strengthening foundations. Enabling social good. Building an organisation fit for the future.
Location: London with flexible hybrid working (min 2 days office-based)
About us The Association of Charitable Foundations (ACF) is the leading membership organisation for foundations and independent grant-makers in the UK. Our 430 members collectively hold assets of around £75bn and distribute more than £4.4bn each year in support of charities, communities and individuals across the country.
Foundations play a vital and distinctive role in social purpose. They move quickly in a crisis, fund what others cannot, back bold ideas and take a long-term view of change. ACF exists to strengthen trusts and foundations so they can rise to the challenges of our times.
Our vision is for diverse, vibrant and effective foundations, working together for social good. Our values are simple and demanding: we care, we are open, we are evidence-based and we are ambitious.
The opportunity ACF has recently completed a significant organisational redesign, creating a leaner, more agile organisation with clear ambitions for impact, influence and quality. This next phase is about embedding those changes and building strong foundations for the future. We are now seeking a Chief Operating Officer to play a central role in shaping that journey, working closely with the Chief Executive, Board and Executive Leadership Team.
You will bring an enterprising, values-led approach to strengthening ACF’s income model, membership recruitment and engagement, and commercial partnerships. You will ensure the organisation has the right systems, data, people and culture in place to deliver excellent value for members, while remaining financially resilient, well-governed and responsive to change. Crucially, you will provide strategic leadership across membership, marketing and brand, alongside oversight of core operational functions including finance, people, digital and governance, championing insight-led decision-making and continuous improvement.
In a small organisation with high ambitions, this role combines strategic leadership with hands-on organisational stewardship. You will line-manage a senior, multi-disciplinary team and play a key role in organisational planning, internal communications and Board reporting, helping ACF to show up with clarity and confidence for its members and the wider sector.
About you You will be a confident, emotionally intelligent leader with senior-level experience in a values-led organisation, bringing strong commercial and financial understanding alongside a clear commitment to equity, inclusion and good governance.
You will be comfortable using data and insight to inform decisions and support others to do the same. Above all, you are motivated by social purpose and by the opportunity to help build an organisation that enables others to make a positive impact.
As ACF embeds new ways of working in 2026 and looks ahead to its next strategy, the COO will play a vital role in shaping how we show up for our members and for the wider sector.
Please click \’Apply on website’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the job description and register your interest to apply.
Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Monday 2 March 2026.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Chief Operating Officer employer: Peridot Partners
Contact Detail:
Peridot Partners Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Operating Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with CALM's mission and values. Understanding their approach to suicide prevention and how they engage with the community will help you align your leadership style with their culture, making you a more attractive candidate.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the charity sector, especially those who have experience in operational roles. This can provide insights into the challenges and opportunities within organisations like CALM, which can be beneficial during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully led teams through change or growth. Highlighting your strategic thinking and operational excellence will demonstrate your capability to fulfil the role effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your understanding of governance frameworks in charities. Being able to articulate how you would navigate these structures while maintaining CALM's mission will set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Operating Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand CALM's Mission: Before you start writing your application, take the time to understand CALM's mission and values. Reflect on how your experience aligns with their goal of reducing suicide rates in the UK and how you can contribute to their life-saving work.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant senior leadership experience, particularly in operations, finance, and governance. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to lead teams and drive impact in a mission-driven organisation.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for CALM's mission and culture. Discuss how your strategic vision and hands-on leadership style can help guide the organisation through its ambitious growth while maintaining its core values.
Showcase Collaborative Leadership: Emphasise your collaborative approach to leadership in both your CV and cover letter. Provide examples of how you've successfully worked with senior stakeholders and cross-functional teams to achieve organisational goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Peridot Partners
✨Understand CALM's Mission
Before the interview, make sure you have a deep understanding of CALM's mission and the impact of suicide prevention. Familiarise yourself with their campaigns and initiatives, as this will show your genuine interest in the role and alignment with their values.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Experience
Be prepared to discuss your previous leadership roles and how they relate to the responsibilities of a Chief Operating Officer. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully led teams, managed operations, or implemented strategic initiatives that align with CALM's goals.
✨Showcase Your Collaborative Style
CALM values a collaborative and values-led leadership style. Be ready to share examples of how you've worked effectively with senior stakeholders and cross-functional teams, especially in high-pressure situations. This will demonstrate your ability to complement the CEO's creative leadership.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and decision-making process. Think about challenges you might face in this role and how you would approach them, keeping CALM's mission and values at the forefront of your decisions.
