At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead impact measurement and management operations across global regions and initiatives.
- Company: Join Acumen, a global leader in social innovation and impact investment.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model, competitive salary, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Be part of a mission-driven team transforming lives through impactful investments.
- Qualifications: 8-10 years in operational management with experience in impact measurement.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Acumen is looking for an Impact Operations Lead with at least 8 - 10 years of experience to lead the operations of Impact Measurement and Management and help Acumen’s regional investment teams to deliver Acumen’s impact. This role reports to the Director of Impact and will manage impact leads and touchpoints across the organization. Acumen operates under a hybrid work agreement; we are in the office three days a week.
About Acumen: Acumen is a global force of entrepreneurs, investors, philanthropists, and social innovators working together to build a world based on dignity. We were founded by Jacqueline Novogratz on the radical idea that business, when cultivated with moral imagination, can break the cycle of poverty. We invest in transformational companies, build sustainable markets, and prepare leaders with the tools they need to create a more just and inclusive future. Since 2001, we have scaled companies and shaped markets in some of the hardest-to-reach communities on the planet, impacting over half-a-billion lives.
About the impact function: The impact function leads on impact strategy and alignment between Acumen and external funders, impact measurement and management and impact systems and technology. It is part of the CIO function that oversees and strengthens portfolio management, analytics, impact discipline and strategic coherence across Acumen's investment portfolio. The CIO function works closely with all regional investment teams as well as all the relevant departments, including office of the CEO, Development and Partnership, Legal, Finance, Communication.
About the Role: We’re looking for an Impact Operations Lead who will manage our impact measurement and management, across our regions and initiatives. In this role, you will lead the implementation of our updated impact toolkit to leverage information from our portfolio companies, via our systems and technology, with the aim to understand and improve Acumen’s impact across our various global regions and initiatives. You will ensure that Acumen builds the evidence, delivers quality reports to a range of funders, and drives learning based on our impact data. This is a role for a proactive operational professional applying technical impact expertise. Someone who can identify what’s most needed to evidence our impact, get things done, and bring internal and external stakeholders along. At Acumen we focus on measuring for action. We are not looking for someone to blindly apply industry best practice; we need a leader who can prioritize what matters most. You are someone who can think like an engineer, communicate clearly, and manage execution effectively. You can understand the impact frameworks and translate requests to those holding the information, as well as providing meaning to those needing to manage the impact. You thrive on collaboration, coordination, and cross-functional teamwork, allowing you to build our impact evidence while managing complex grants across multiple regions. This role will report directly into the director of Impact and collaborate closely with the other members of the Impact function. You will work closely with the regional investment teams and the Development and Partnership as well as finance teams. This role is expected to manage direct reports as we expand the impact function.
Accountabilities Include:
- Own Global Impact Operations: Implement frameworks and standards, maintain and optimize Acumen’s impact operations workflows. You will lead the deployment of all core impact tools, ensuring they are user-friendly and fully integrated into daily investment and reporting operations.
- Bridge Investment and Funding Lifecycles: Partner directly with Regional Investment, Development & Partnerships, and Finance teams to embed impact practices both per deal and across portfolio management.
- Govern Data Collection & Quality Assurance: You will collaborate with your direct reports and regional investment teams to manage and audit incoming data, resolve bottlenecks, and ensure data integrity across diverse geographies.
- Translate Data into Insights: You lead the analysis and learning processes and ensure that the evidence can drive insights and actions based on what we learn. Turn raw metrics into strategic assets by aggregating portfolio data and leading the analysis. You will build clear dashboards and data packages that deliver actionable internal insights and audit-ready external reporting.
- Support Funder Engagement and Communication: Serve as the technical expert alongside the Development and Partnerships team during grant management; you will directly shape impact reporting frameworks, renegotiate metrics with funders where adaptation is required.
- Enable Regional and Portfolio Impact Management: Build the frameworks, training, and tools that allow regional deal teams to independently manage their own impact targets, ensuring local ownership over data and performance.
Skills & Qualifications:
- 8-10 years of operational management in an international, cross-functional role.
- Experience in impact measurement and management and impact investment.
- Experience in private sector context.
- Self-reflective and aligned with Acumen values.
- Permanently authorized to work in the UK.
Location: London, United Kingdom
Deadline: Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis. Given the high volume of applications we receive, we kindly request that you refrain from submitting duplicative applications.
Impact Operations Lead employer: Acumen
Acumen is an exceptional employer that champions a culture of collaboration and innovation, empowering employees to make a tangible impact in the world. With a strong focus on professional growth, Acumen offers unique opportunities for career advancement while fostering a supportive environment that values moral imagination and social responsibility. Located in London, employees benefit from a vibrant city atmosphere, hybrid work flexibility, and the chance to be part of a global movement dedicated to creating a more just and inclusive future.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Impact Operations Lead
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Acumen.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Acumen.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Acumen.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Acumen. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Impact Operations Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Acumen. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Impact Operations Lead, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Acumen
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Acumen. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
