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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operations, optimise systems, and coordinate delivery across impactful programmes.
- Company: Breakthrough empowers marginalised communities through digital skills and social innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, personal development funds, and high-impact coaching.
- Why this job: Join a mission-driven team making real change in the digital economy.
- Qualifications: Experience in operations or programme delivery, ideally in social impact or education.
- Other info: Be part of a rapidly scaling organisation with a focus on transformative stories.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Breakthrough is looking for an Operations Lead to join their team.
Overview:
- Full-time position
- Language: English
- Location: London-based with remote flexibility
- Salary: not applicable
- Applications closing: until filled
Job Description
Breakthrough is a mission-driven organisation led by changemakers with lived experience of systemic inequalities. We exist to bridge the gap between the people of today and the industries of tomorrow. Through our digital skills bootcamps, AI training, leadership programmes, and social innovation labs, we prepare people—particularly from marginalised backgrounds—for meaningful employment and entrepreneurial opportunities in the digital economy.
We’re at a pivotal point in our journey, scaling rapidly across prison systems, local authorities, and corporate partnerships while building a robust digital ecosystem. As ourOperations Lead , you’ll play a central role in ensuring that our backend systems match the strength of our frontline impact.
The Operations Lead is the operational engine of Breakthrough. You will own our internal systems, people operations, finance workflows, compliance structures, and cross-functional delivery coordination.
You’ll be responsible for transforming our operations into a scalable infrastructure that supports our learners, partners, and team across multiple programmes and geographies.This is a strategic and hands-on role—ideal for someone who thrives on problem-solving, process optimisation, and scaling social impact.
Responsibilities
- Systems and Processes: Oversee and refine internal workflows across project management, CRM (HubSpot), compliance, and evidence documentation.
- Team and People Operations: Lead hiring, onboarding, performance reviews, and professional development systems for staff, freelancers, and facilitators
- Finance and Compliance: Coordinate budget tracking, milestone-based invoicing, and grant reporting in collaboration with the CEO and finance partners. Ensure full compliance with DfE, ESFA, and prison service procurement and reporting requirements. Manage learner outcomes data, and quality assurance metrics
- Delivery Coordination: Serve as the operational lead across multi-stakeholder programmes, ensuring smooth execution from learner onboarding to certification. Liaise with delivery teams, prison liaisons, and partner organisations to maintain alignment and resolve issues quickly
- Strategic Input: Support fundraising, impact measurement, and commercial growth with operational insight and risk mitigation. Contribute to quarterly planning sessions and Scaling Up implementation alongside the leadership team.
Role Requirements
Essential:
- Experience in operations, programme delivery, or people management—ideally in a start-up, education, or social impact context
- Proven ability to implement and improve systems (CRM, task management tools, SOPs)
- Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail
- Strong communication and collaboration abilities across diverse teams
- Experience managing remote teams, contracts, or freelancers
- High emotional intelligence and comfort working in mission-led, trauma-informed spaces
Desirable:
- Familiarity with public sector contracts (e.g. DfE Skills Bootcamps, MoJ, ESFA)
- Understanding of the criminal justice, education, or employment systems in the UK
- Experience using HubSpot, Notion, Google Workspace, and AI Tools
- Lived experience of systemic barriers (e.g. justice involvement, exclusion, migration)
- What We OfferAn opportunity to shape the operations of one of the UK’s most innovative justice-aligned enterprises
- A purpose-driven and deeply supportive team environment
- Hybrid working with a mix of remote flexibility and in-person collaboration
- Personal development fund and access to high-impact coaching
- A front-row seat to transformative stories of liberation, learning, and leadership
How to apply?
To apply for this role, please fill in the application form .
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Operations Lead employer: Freelancingforgood
Contact Detail:
Freelancingforgood Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Breakthrough's mission and values. Understanding their focus on bridging systemic inequalities will help you align your experiences and motivations with their goals during any discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of Breakthrough. Engaging with them can provide insights into the company culture and operational challenges, which can be invaluable when discussing your fit for the Operations Lead role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've improved operational systems in previous roles. Highlighting your problem-solving skills and experience with tools like HubSpot will demonstrate your capability to excel in this position.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your emotional intelligence and ability to work in trauma-informed spaces. Given the nature of Breakthrough's work, being able to communicate your understanding of these environments will set you apart as a candidate.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the responsibilities and requirements of the Operations Lead position. Tailor your application to highlight relevant experiences that align with Breakthrough's mission and values.
Craft a Compelling CV: Ensure your CV is up-to-date and clearly outlines your experience in operations, programme delivery, or people management. Use bullet points to detail your achievements and how they relate to the role, particularly in social impact or educational contexts.
Write a Strong Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for Breakthrough's mission and how your background makes you a suitable candidate. Highlight specific examples of your problem-solving skills and experience with systems improvement, as these are crucial for the role.
Follow Application Instructions: Make sure to fill in the application form as specified in the job posting. Double-check for any additional documents required and ensure everything is submitted before the closing date to avoid missing out on this opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Freelancingforgood
✨Understand the Mission
Before your interview, take some time to really understand Breakthrough's mission and values. Familiarise yourself with their work in bridging gaps for marginalised communities. This will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Operational Expertise
Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've improved systems or processes in previous roles. Highlight your experience with CRM tools like HubSpot and any project management methodologies you've used to optimise operations.
✨Demonstrate Emotional Intelligence
Given the nature of the role, it's crucial to show that you possess high emotional intelligence. Be ready to share experiences where you've successfully navigated sensitive situations or worked effectively within diverse teams.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to manage multiple stakeholders. Think about past challenges you've faced in operations and how you resolved them, especially in a social impact context.
