Operations Director in London

The General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches (GA) is the central charity that supports its member congregations, ministers and societies in England, Scotland and Wales. Its purpose is to promote free and inquiring religion, through inclusive, free-thinking communities that draw on wisdom from all sources, without doctrine or dogma. Our congregations are autonomous and locally led; the GA is not a hierarchical leadership body, but one that supports and leads alongside our members. As Britain’s religious culture and context has changed, so have Unitarian communities, and the GA is in a process of adapting to best meet these changing needs.

This is a new role, being the operational engine to strengthen the organisation at a time of change. Shifts in the wider Unitarian movement with patterns of innovation, rebuilding, and growth alongside congregational vulnerabilities and closures mean that the GA’s operational function must adapt. This role would suit someone who is excited to manage governance, systems, and data as strategic enablers in a values-driven organisation, who can drive change while delivering operational excellence. This is a role with real scope to shape how an organisation that is approaching its centenary works in the years ahead – including how good data, digital systems, and emerging tools can support a small team to make best use of its resources and build capacity for relational work.

The Operations Director will work closely with the Chief Officer, and will be a collaborative and proactive enabler to lead a transition to a future‑fit organisation that can better serve its members and have a greater impact. You don’t need to be Unitarian or a person of faith to apply. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and beliefs who are drawn to work within a values‑led organisation.

What you’ll be doing

• Strategy & organisational development — Partner closely with the Chief Officer to shape strategy, translate priorities into action, and build the systems that make us resilient.
• Governance, legal & compliance — Serve as Company Secretary, stewarding our transition to CIO and ensuring we meet our legal and regulatory obligations with confidence.
• Financial oversight — Ensure financial management arrangements (including outsourced providers) deliver accurate, timely information and sound controls; work with the Honorary Treasurer and external accountants on budgeting, fund oversight and audit support, escalating risks and holding providers to account.
• Systems, data & digital — Lead our information infrastructure, oversee our CRM migration, and champion a culture of good data practice — including thoughtful use of AI where beneficial.
• People & HR — Line manage two team members and keep our HR and supplier relationships running smoothly, with care and clarity.
• Unitarian relationships — Nurture collaborative relationships with key Unitarian bodies from an operational perspective, including governance support for affiliated organisations.
• Events & communications — Take operational ownership of the Annual Meeting and ensure the infrastructure behind our communications is solid and reliable.

What core skills and experience you’ll have

• Senior operations leadership experience in a purpose-led or membership organisation, with a track record of building capacity through periods of organisational change.
• Experience leading complex organisational change and systems transformation, including the people dimensions of change.
• Experience managing contracted delivery of services by third parties.
• Financial literacy sufficient to own management accounts, lead a budgeting process, and act as a critical friend to trustees on financial governance. Must be comfortable interrogating financial information and holding external providers to account; accountancy qualification not required.
• Experience of leading the implementation or significant improvement of CRM, financial management, or other organisational systems — including managing migration risk.
• Experience of people management, and good HR / employment practice.
• Substantial experience of charity governance and compliance.
• Solid working knowledge of UK charity law and Charity Commission requirements, including the ability to advise senior colleagues and trustees with confidence.
• Experience of property or building management, including leases, tenancy relationships, and facilities oversight.
• Experience of a CIO conversion or similar legal restructuring of a charity.
• Familiarity with Salesforce or similar CRM platforms.
• Experience of working in a faith, membership, or congregational context.
• Company secretarial experience.

Please note: We've listed essentials and desirables in good faith, but we know no one is the finished article. If you bring the right values, approach, and most of the experience, we would love to hear from you.

About the role

• LOCATION: Central London (Essex Hall, WC2) and home‑based hybrid. Minimum 2 days per week in the office.
• WORKING HOURS: Full‑time 35 hours a week. Part‑time applications (min. 4 days a week) considered.
• SALARY: £55,000 per annum.
• START DATE: ASAP.

Our benefits package includes

• Staff support budget for personal development and wellbeing.
• Membership of financial wellbeing programme (Maji).

Please submit a cover letter and CV via Charity Job to apply. In your cover letter, we would like to understand what it is that has drawn you to this role, what it is about the General Assembly’s work that resonates with you and what experience you have of implementing organisational change. Please note: Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. We are unable to sponsor visa applications. The deadline for applications is Wednesday 15th July 2026, 23:59 BST. Our initial first stage interviews will take place on Wednesday 22nd July 2026. These interviews will be in person at our Head Office, Essex Hall, in Central London and we will reimburse travel expenses (standard class public transport). Shortlisted candidates will then be invited to a final video interview taking place week commencing 27th July 2026. Please keep these dates free and be aware that there will be a short notice period before each interview. The interview process will include a prepared task, and you'll be given plenty of time in advance to work on it - we want to see your thinking, not test you under pressure. If you need any reasonable adjustments to support you through the interview process, please just let us know - we're happy to help.