Interim Operations Manager

Employment Type: Contract, Freelance

Location: Hybrid · Brixton, UK - 1 day in the office, on Wednesdays, occasionally more.

Salary: Up to £250 (GBP), Day Rate

Seniority: Mid-level, Senior

Closing: This role has no specific closing date.

As Interim Operations Manager, you’ll be the connective tissue of Chefs in Schools — the calm, resourceful presence at the centre of a growing organisation that keeps everything moving and everyone supported. Reporting directly to the COO, you’ll take ownership of the operational, HR and IT functions that underpin our work, while acting as the trusted go-to for colleagues when things aren’t working and the confident external face with our suppliers and partners. You’ll work across a range of cloud-based systems (including Google Workspace and Breathe HR), manage our people processes end-to-end, coordinate IT procurement and software, and help maintain the data integrity that keeps us well organised. But above all, this is a people-first role — and the relationships you build will define how well we function as an organisation.

Key Responsibilities

• People & Relationships
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for the whole organisation — managing the central inbox, incoming calls and post, and ensuring colleagues always know where to turn.
  • Build trusted relationships across the team, acting as a reliable and approachable first port of call when operational issues arise — finding solutions calmly and quickly.
  • Manage and develop relationships with external suppliers, contractors, building managers and other partners, representing Chefs in Schools with professionalism and warmth.
  • Support the COO and Senior Leadership Team with diary management, administrative queries and ad-hoc research — anticipating needs rather than waiting to be asked.
  • Coordinate logistics for team and Trustee meetings, including room bookings, agenda preparation, and accurate minutes and action tracking.
• Office Management
  • Manage all day-to-day administrative and office management activities.
  • Monitor and maintain office provisions, stationery and supplies — keeping an eye on cost-effectiveness and availability.
  • Support the implementation of organisational policies and procedures, helping the team understand and follow them in practice.
  • Manage the administrative side of the Pleo expense platform, including onboarding new staff and providing clear guidance on receipt capture.
• HR Administration
  • Take ownership of our HR platform (currently Breathe HR), ensuring records are accurate and the team is well supported in using it.
  • Manage the end-to-end administrative side of recruitment, onboarding and offboarding, including drafting employment contracts and letters of variation.
  • Maintain up-to-date DBS records for staff and Trustees, coordinating refreshes and ensuring adherence to safeguarding and GDPR policies.
  • Coordinate and track staff training sessions and maintain the central training log.
  • Manage visa sponsorship administrative requirements as needed.
• Data & Systems
  • Work confidently across our cloud-based operational systems (including Google Workspace and Breathe HR), supporting colleagues in getting the most out of them and troubleshooting basic issues.
  • Maintain our central digital and physical filing systems, ensuring records are securely stored and easy to navigate.
  • Coordinate insurance cover renewals and maintain related documentation.
  • Support the COO in reviewing and maintaining internal policies, procedures and organisational templates.
• IT
  • Manage the procurement and setup of IT hardware (laptops, phones) for office-based and remote staff.
  • Source and manage software licences and IT contracts, ensuring we benefit from charity discounts where available.
  • Oversee the secure and responsible disposal of IT hardware.

Essential Skills and Experience

• At least five years’ experience in a varied administrative, operations or office management role.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills — you’re the person colleagues naturally turn to, and you build trust quickly with people at all levels, both inside and outside the organisation.
• A confident, solutions-focused approach: you don’t wait to be told what needs fixing, and you stay calm and constructive under pressure.
• Strong digital confidence and proven experience working across cloud-based operational systems (such as Google Workspace, HR platforms and similar tools).
• Outstanding organisational skills and the ability to juggle a varied workload, prioritise effectively and follow through on commitments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills — you can explain processes clearly to non-expert colleagues and represent the organisation confidently with external partners.
• A collaborative, honest and low-ego working style — you care about the team succeeding, not just your own piece of it.
• Commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion in how the organisation operates.
• Interest in and belief in our mission to improve kids’ health through better food and food education in schools.

Desirable Skills and Experience

• Experience working or volunteering in a charity, school or community setting.
• Familiarity with HR administration, including onboarding, contracts and DBS processes.
• Experience managing supplier or contractor relationships.
• Knowledge of GDPR and data protection best practice.

IR35 Status: This contract engagement has been assessed as outside IR35. Contractors engaged through their own limited company will be responsible for managing their own tax affairs and will not be subject to PAYE deductions by the client.