At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operations to support individuals facing homelessness and health challenges.
- Company: A charity dedicated to social justice and community support.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, impactful work, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a values-driven team committed to innovation and inclusivity.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while shaping organisational strategy.
- Qualifications: Extensive leadership experience in social care or community services required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) provides strategic and operational leadership across all frontline services, accommodation provision, organisational infrastructure, and compliance functions within the charity. The COO is responsible for ensuring safe, trauma-informed, financially sustainable, and outcomes-focused delivery for individuals experiencing homelessness, poverty, health exclusion, addiction, and crisis.
The role leads operations across the charity’s accommodation portfolio, including winter shelter provision, general needs accommodation, supported accommodation, and intensively supported housing. The COO also oversees the operational platform of the charity’s support programmes, including a community café, community supermarket, crisis drop-in provision, and integrated health clinics.
Working collaboratively with the CEO, Board, statutory agencies, housing provider partners, and wider stakeholders, the COO plays a key leadership role in shaping organisational strategy, strengthening operational systems, embedding trauma-informed practice, and developing innovative models of support that improve long-term outcomes for individuals experiencing multiple disadvantage.
The COO provides executive oversight of operational risk, health and safety, HR, operational systems, and service compliance, ensuring the organisation maintains robust standards of governance, accountability, and person-centred care across all services.
Key Responsibilities- Provide executive operational leadership across services and organisational functions.
- Lead the delivery, development, and continuous operational improvement of supported and temporary accommodation services, crisis and drop-in provision, food programme and social supermarket, and winter shelter provision.
- Translate organisational strategy into effective operational delivery plans.
- Drive organisational improvement, innovation, and sustainable service growth.
- Lead operational responses to emerging community need, organisational risk, and system pressures.
- Support strategic planning, organisational development, and long-term sustainability.
- Lead operational capital development initiatives across the organisation.
- Executive oversight of operational management, legal compliance, health and safety, quality assurance across all accommodation services.
- Lead strategic partnerships with housing providers.
- Manage delegated housing arrangements and supported housing pathways.
- Maximise occupancy, sustainment, and positive move-on outcomes.
- Oversee property-related risk management, maintenance coordination, and accommodation standards.
- Lead the transformation and redevelopment of The Gathering Place.
- Oversee operational development planning for the Bramwell Booth building.
- Lead organisational safeguarding strategy and systems.
- Ensure SOPs are in place to enable staff to respond effectively to complex needs.
- Oversee serious incidents, risk management, and quality assurance processes.
- Promote reflective practice, professional accountability, and safe service delivery.
- Support the organisation’s progression towards recognised safeguarding quality and excellence standards.
- Support development of innovative approaches addressing homelessness, substance use, poverty, and social exclusion.
- Provide executive oversight of organisational governance, operational compliance, and corporate infrastructure.
- Lead organisational responsibility for Human Resources, Health & Safety, Insurance and organisational risk, and operational systems and digital infrastructure.
- Ensure robust organisational policies, procedures, and assurance frameworks are developed, implemented, and maintained.
- Oversee compliance with employment legislation, health & safety standards, and contractual obligations.
- Lead organisational risk management processes, incident oversight, and business continuity planning.
- Ensure effective management of organisational insurance provision, liability protection, and risk mitigation.
- Support governance reporting, operational assurance, and organisational accountability.
- Develop quarterly Trustee and governance reporting packs in conjunction with Heads of Department and the CEO.
- Lead the development and implementation of operational systems, reporting frameworks, and service infrastructure.
- Design and embed systems that improve operational efficiency, safeguarding oversight, housing management, and service coordination.
- Use data, insight, and performance analysis to improve outcomes and organisational effectiveness.
- Support digital transformation, service modernisation, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Develop monitoring, evaluation, and impact reporting systems to support organisational learning and strategic decision-making.
- Foster a high-performing, inclusive, and values-led organisational culture.
- Oversee workforce planning, recruitment, retention, supervision, and staff development.
- Promote staff wellbeing, reflective practice, and psychologically safe leadership.
- Provide leadership oversight and strategic direction for volunteer services and volunteer programme development.
- Support the organisation’s progression towards recognised volunteer quality standards.
- Represent the organisation within strategic partnerships and multi-agency forums.
- Work collaboratively with commissioners, funders, housing providers, and community partners.
- Budget development and financial planning in conjunction with the CEO and Finance Team.
- Support organisational sustainability through efficient service delivery.
- Monitor operational performance, quality standards, and service outcomes.
- Ensure effective governance, accountability, and operational compliance across all services.
- Significant senior leadership experience within homelessness, housing, health, social care, community, or voluntary sector services.
- Extensive operational leadership experience across complex, multi-service environments.
- Experience leading services supporting individuals with multiple disadvantage and complex needs.
- Strong understanding of safeguarding, trauma-informed practice, and organisational risk management.
- Experience managing accommodation-based and community support services.
- Experience overseeing HR, compliance, governance, and organisational systems.
- Experience leading quality assurance, risk, and compliance frameworks.
- Strong partnership and stakeholder engagement skills across statutory and voluntary sectors.
- Experience managing operational budgets, compliance frameworks, and performance systems.
- Experience working within homelessness, substance use, or health inclusion services.
- Experience working within housing such as a registered housing provider.
- Understanding of public health approaches and health inequalities.
- Knowledge of housing legislation, supported housing models, and safeguarding frameworks.
- Experience with digital transformation, systems implementation, and organisational modernisation.
- Values-driven and strongly committed to social justice and health equity.
- Strategic thinker with strong operational leadership capability.
- Calm, resilient, and decisive in complex and high-pressure environments.
- Compassionate and emotionally intelligent leader.
- Strong communicator with the ability to influence across systems and sectors.
- Innovative, solutions-focused, and collaborative.
- Committed to continuous improvement, accountability, and inclusive leadership.
Chief Operating Officer (COO) in London employer: Happydaysuk
As a leading charity dedicated to supporting individuals facing homelessness and multiple disadvantages, we pride ourselves on fostering a compassionate and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth. Our team enjoys a range of benefits, including opportunities for continuous development, collaborative partnerships with community stakeholders, and the chance to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those we serve. Located in a vibrant community, our organisation is committed to innovative practices and trauma-informed care, ensuring that every employee feels valued and empowered in their role.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Operating Officer (COO) in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the sector. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential colleagues or mentors. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation thoroughly. Understand their mission, values, and recent projects. This will not only help you answer questions but also show your genuine interest in the role and the impact you can make.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate your experience and how it aligns with the COO role. Highlight your leadership skills and any innovative solutions you've implemented in past roles that could benefit the charity.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search and genuinely interested in joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Operating Officer (COO) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific skills and experiences that align with the COO role. Highlight your strategic leadership experience and how it relates to operational improvement in complex environments.
Showcase Your Impact:Use concrete examples to demonstrate how you've made a difference in previous roles, especially in areas like safeguarding and trauma-informed practice. We want to see how you’ve driven positive outcomes for individuals facing multiple disadvantages.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language to convey your ideas, ensuring we can easily grasp your qualifications and vision for the role. Avoid jargon unless it's relevant to the position.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. This ensures that your application is processed efficiently and allows us to keep track of all candidates effectively. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Happydaysuk
✨Know the Organisation Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into the charity's mission, values, and recent initiatives. Understanding their approach to homelessness and community support will help you align your answers with their goals and demonstrate your commitment to social justice.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles that highlight your operational leadership skills. Discuss how you've successfully managed complex services, improved outcomes for individuals, and led teams through challenging situations. This will show them you're ready for the COO role.
✨Emphasise Trauma-Informed Practices
Given the focus on trauma-informed care, be ready to discuss your understanding and experience in this area. Share examples of how you've implemented trauma-informed practices in previous roles and how they positively impacted service delivery and client outcomes.
✨Engage with Strategic Thinking
Think about the future of the organisation and be prepared to discuss innovative ideas for service improvement and growth. Show them you can think strategically about operational challenges and how to address emerging community needs effectively.
