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- Tasks: Lead CALM's mission against suicide, overseeing operations and strategy.
- Company: Join CALM, a charity dedicated to preventing suicide and supporting mental health.
- Benefits: Enjoy a collaborative culture, impactful work, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Why this job: Be part of a passionate team tackling urgent issues with creativity and optimism.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in operations, finance, or governance is essential.
- Other info: Applications close at 9 a.m. on Monday 21st July.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Join CALM as Chief Operating Officer and lead the strategic delivery of a bold, creative, and life-saving charity — turning vision into action and helping save lives across the UK.
Who we are
We’re Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), a suicide prevention charity on a mission to reduce the devastating impact of suicide in the UK. Suicide is the single biggest killer of men under 50 and the cause of thousands of deaths every year. Each one affects around 135 people — family, friends, colleagues, neighbours, acquaintances and communities. That’s why we do what we do. We take a stand against suicide in the UK — loudly, boldly and with purpose. We run a life-saving helpline and webchat service offering free, confidential support to anyone struggling or in crisis. Our website is packed with tools, guides and resources to help people take action and find support.
We run powerful, award-winning campaigns to challenge stigma, spark conversations, and shift attitudes around mental health and suicide. We use everything from sport, music and comedy to social media and street art to reach people in unexpected places and get them talking. From Project 84 to The Invisible Opponent and Missed Birthdays, our campaigns make headlines, drive awareness and change lives. Working with major brands and organisations, we’ve helped put suicide prevention on the national agenda, including the appointment of the UK’s first-ever Minister for Suicide Prevention.
CALM is powered by a passionate, creative and committed team. We fundraise, campaign, design, share stories, write code, organise events, build partnerships, and everything in between — all united by a shared goal: standing together against suicide. We believe in hope, humour and human connection. We support each other, champion individuality, and work hard to make CALM a place where you can be yourself, grow, and make a real difference.
About the role
As CALM’s Chief Operating Officer, you’ll play a critical role in leading the organisation to deliver on its bold mission to stand against suicide across the UK. Reporting to the CEO, this is a key leadership position that balances operational excellence with strategic delivery, ensuring CALM’s people, services and systems are set up to deliver maximum impact, today and in the future.
You will:
- Lead the delivery of our current two-year strategy and help shape the next phase of CALM’s long-term vision
- Oversee Operations, Finance, People, and Services – ensuring each area is high-performing, values-led and impactful
- Champion CALM’s internal culture and employee experience
- Ensure strong planning, budgeting, governance and reporting across the organisation
This role is a true partnership with the CEO, complementing their creative, campaign-led leadership with strategic clarity and operational rigour. You’ll bring confidence, calm, and collaboration to everything you do, helping CALM through ambitious growth while keeping our values, people and purpose at the centre.
Who we are looking for
We’re looking for a strategic and grounded leader; someone who can bring structure to ambition, turn vision into action, and guide CALM through complexity with clarity and care, all without losing the heart, humour and hope that define who we are.
You might come from a charity, commercial, or mixed-sector background. What matters most is that you know how to run an organisation with purpose, focus, and impact. That includes understanding how to operate within a charity’s governance framework and working confidently with a CEO, board and senior stakeholders.
You will bring:
- Senior leadership experience across operations, people, finance, governance and/or delivery
- A strong track record of building effective teams, systems and processes that scale impact
- Experience in a high-growth or mission-driven organisation
- Confidence working with senior stakeholders, the board, and cross-functional teams
- A collaborative, values-led leadership style — calm under pressure and clear in decision-making
You’ll need to be strategic and hands-on, values-led and results-driven. Most of all, you’ll be passionate about CALM’s mission and culture, ready to help lead an organisation tackling urgent issues with creativity, energy and optimism.
Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Monday 21st July.
Chief Operating Officer employer: Peridot Partners
Contact Detail:
Peridot Partners Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Operating Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with CALM's mission and recent campaigns. Understanding their approach to suicide prevention and how they engage with the community will help you align your vision with theirs during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the charity sector, especially those who have experience in operational roles. This can provide insights into the challenges and opportunities within organisations like CALM, which can be beneficial in interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how it aligns with CALM's values. Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully led teams through change while maintaining a strong organisational culture.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the governance frameworks relevant to charities in the UK. Being knowledgeable about these frameworks will demonstrate your readiness to operate effectively within CALM's structure and work closely with the CEO and board.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Operating Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand CALM's Mission: Before you start writing your application, take some time to understand CALM's mission and values. Reflect on how your experience aligns with their goal of reducing the impact of suicide in the UK.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant leadership experience, particularly in operations, finance, and governance. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to lead teams and drive strategic initiatives.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for CALM's mission. Discuss how your background equips you to contribute to their goals and provide examples of how you've successfully managed complex projects or led teams in the past.
Proofread and Edit: Before submitting your application, carefully proofread all documents. Check for spelling and grammatical errors, and ensure that your writing is clear and concise. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.
How to prepare for a job interview at Peridot Partners
✨Understand CALM's Mission
Before the interview, make sure you have a solid grasp of CALM's mission and the impact it has on suicide prevention. Be prepared to discuss how your values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their goals.
✨Showcase Leadership Experience
Highlight your senior leadership experience, particularly in operations, finance, and governance. Prepare specific examples of how you've built effective teams and processes that have scaled impact in previous roles.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
Be ready to discuss your approach to strategic planning and execution. Think about how you would lead CALM through its current strategy and help shape its long-term vision, providing clear examples from your past experiences.
✨Emphasise Collaborative Leadership
CALM values a collaborative and values-led leadership style. Prepare to share instances where you've successfully worked with senior stakeholders and cross-functional teams, showcasing your ability to remain calm under pressure and make clear decisions.
