Interim Chief Operating Officer

ScreenSkills is the industry-endorsed strategic skills body for the screen sector. The charity aims to develop an agile, inclusive, highly skilled workforce in the UK. It encompasses five skills investment funds (film, HETV, unscripted, animation, and children’s) and supports a pan-creative industry careers initiative for DCMS, Discover Creative Careers. We have published a new 5-year strategy and are finalizing a review of our governance to enhance transparency, accountability, and data-driven decision-making.

The Board of ScreenSkills is seeking an Interim Chief Operating Officer to work with the CEO to deliver the next phase of our transformation journey. The Interim Chief Operating Officer must demonstrate strong leadership skills and extensive experience in managing and delivering transformational change. Prior responsibility for project management, finance, operations, and HR is required. We seek an individual with a blend of business development, management, and financial expertise, along with understanding of the practices, policies, and procedures within the screen and creative industries. Experience in the charity or not-for-profit sector is desirable.

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Direct reports: The funds’ management leads and Director of Finance and Operations

Contract type: Fixed Term (6-7 months), 4 days per week (0.8 FTE)

Ideal candidate will have:

• Proven experience in strategic and transformational change
• Significant experience in executive leadership roles
• Strong communication, people management, and emotional intelligence skills
• Understanding of business planning and regulatory issues affecting charities and not-for-profit organizations
• Data analysis and performance metrics supervision
• Advanced project management skills and software proficiency
• Experience in developing KPIs and reporting systems
• Problem diagnosis and foresight skills
• Ability to galvanize teams and lead system and procedure re-evaluations
• Experience with operating model and organizational structure development and communication
• Knowledge of income modeling and future income generation strategies

Preferred qualifications:

• Fundraising and charity governance experience
• Understanding of the skills, training, and education landscape and non-profit operations within this sector
• TV production and business experience
• EdTech experience and business development skills
• Basic AI understanding and proficiency with web tools for workflow and efficiency
• Experience in creating and implementing reporting systems
• Partnership evaluation and modeling skills

ScreenSkills offers the following benefits:

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for wellbeing support
• Season Ticket Loan
• Eye Care scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Access to Reward Gateway discounts
• Life Assurance

To apply: Submit a CV and cover letter outlining your interest and suitability to (email protected). Early applications are encouraged as we review throughout the posting period and may close early. We are committed to support and reasonable adjustments; please contact us if needed at (email protected). We value diversity and encourage applications from under-represented groups, including returning parents or carers, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, minority ethnic groups, people with disabilities or impairments, those with caring responsibilities, and individuals from diverse socio-economic backgrounds.