Chief Operating Officer in Bristol

The Chief Operating Officer will play a vital role in supporting the Chief Executive Officer, Board and Leadership Team to deliver Cerebra's vision and ambitious strategic aims. The Chief Operating Officer will provide strategic leadership and operational management across key areas within Cerebra including:

• Operational Systems
• Governance
• Compliance
• Finance and Growth

This is a pivotal executive leadership role, responsible for driving organisational performance, sustainability and growth. The COO will translate Cerebra's strategic ambitions into effective operational delivery, ensuring robust governance, financial stewardship and a high-performing, values-led culture.

As a trusted advisor to the CEO and Board, the COO will lead core operational services and commercial activity, enabling the charity to maximise impact and generate sustainable income in support of its charitable objectives.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Strategic and Executive Leadership
  • Partner with the CEO and Board to deliver strategic priorities, growth and long-term sustainability
  • Collaboration with the Director's Group to ensure strategic alignment across the charity
  • Provide expert advice on finance, operations, commercial performance and organisational risk
  • Lead organisational planning, business continuity, and operational resilience
  • Foster a culture of continuous improvement, accountability and inclusion
• Finance, Commercial and Sustainability
  • Lead financial strategy, planning and performance, ensuring long-term sustainability
  • Oversee budgeting, forecasting, cashflow and financial controls
  • Lead and develop Cerebra's strategy for commercial income, ensuring alignment with charitable objectives
  • Support funding growth through strong financial insight and business case development
  • Ensure robust financial governance, audit and compliance
• Operations and Infrastructure
  • Lead and strengthen operational functions including HR, IT, governance and administration
  • Ensure effective systems, processes and infrastructure that enable growth, efficiency and impact
  • Oversee procurement, contracts, facilities, and organisational compliance
  • Drive innovation and value for money across operations
• People and Culture
  • Champion a positive, inclusive and high-performing organisational culture
  • Oversee HR strategy, workforce planning and leadership development
  • Ensure compliance with employment law and best practice
  • Promote wellbeing, engagement and organisational effectiveness
• Line Management
  • Line management responsibilities for a small team, currently comprising of 3 staff
  • Be responsible for the day-to-day management of the team
  • Complete regular supervision and team meetings
  • Provide effective performance management to the team
  • Promote a positive and inclusive team culture aligned with Cerebra's values
• General
  • Monitor and evaluate the impact the areas of work that leading on
  • Support collaboration across the different Cerebra teams
  • Experience using Client Relationship Management (CRM) systems or similar digital tools for recording and tracking work
  • Uphold Cerebra's Data Protection Policy and all relevant confidentiality and safeguarding policies
  • Carry out any other reasonable duties in line with the needs of the team and organisation

Person Specification

• Criteria
• Essential
  • A professional accounting qualification and a detailed understanding of financial processes and business analysis
  • Sound understanding of contract processes
  • Strong financial literacy, including experience of budget management, grant compliance, financial reporting and working with a board finance function
  • Significant experience in leading teams (Finance/HR/IT) in a complex organisation, ideally within the charity or public sector
  • Significant experience in a senior operational leadership role, ideally as a COO, Head of Operations or Director of Operations in a charity, social enterprise or purpose-driven organisation
  • Demonstrable track record of building and improving operational infrastructure: systems, processes, policies and ways of working that make organisations more effective and resilient
  • Experience managing and ensuring effective cost recovery in a complex and competitive funding environment
  • Experience managing multiple income streams (e.g. Grants, contracts including statutory funding, donations)
  • Governance experience, including Board reporting and external bodies
  • Evidence of having added value in operational delivery beyond finance in a complex organisation
  • Proven ability to lead a team and effectively manage staff and resources from a variety of disciplines including the capacity to lead and manage change effectively, including good consultation and communication
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex operational information into clear, accessible reports and presentations for senior stakeholders
  • Experience of leading an organisation through a period of significant change, transition or growth
  • Willing and able to travel within the UK, with occasional overnight stays
• Desirable
  • Experience working within or alongside charities, research institutions, or government bodies
  • Familiarity with impact measurement and evaluation frameworks
  • Lived experience of neurodevelopmental conditions — whether as an individual, parent, carer, sibling, or through close community involvement

Application Process:

Please submit your CV and cover letter via the email application box below.

Closing date: Tuesday 7th July 2026 at 11.59pm

First stage interview (Virtual) - 14th and 15th July 2026

Second stage interview (in-person, London location tbc) - 22nd or 23rd July 2026