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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic initiatives and oversee operations to drive social impact.
- Company: Join the Association of Charitable Foundations, a leader in social purpose.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, commitment to equity, and a chance to make a difference.
- Why this job: Shape the future of charitable foundations and empower communities.
- Qualifications: Senior-level experience in values-led organisations and strong financial acumen.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
You will be a confident, emotionally intelligent leader with senior-level experience in a values-led organisation, bringing strong commercial and financial understanding alongside a clear commitment to equity, inclusion and good governance. You will be comfortable using data and insight to inform decisions and support others to do the same. Above all, you are motivated by social purpose and by the opportunity to help build an organisation that enables others to make a positive impact.
The Association of Charitable Foundations (ACF) is the leading membership organisation for foundations and independent grant-makers in the UK. Our 430 members collectively hold assets of around £75bn and distribute more than £4.4bn each year in support of charities, communities and individuals across the country. Foundations play a vital and distinctive role in social purpose. They move quickly in a crisis, fund what others cannot, back bold ideas and take a long-term view of change. ACF exists to strengthen trusts and foundations so they can rise to the challenges of our times. Our vision is for diverse, vibrant and effective foundations, working together for social good. Our values are simple and demanding: we care, we are open, we are evidence-based and we are ambitious.
ACF has recently completed a significant organisational redesign, creating a leaner, more agile organisation with clear ambitions for impact, influence and quality. This next phase is about embedding those changes and building strong foundations for the future. We are now seeking a Chief Operating Officer to play a central role in shaping that journey, working closely with the Chief Executive, Board and Executive Leadership Team. You will bring an enterprising, values-led approach to strengthening ACF's income model, membership recruitment and engagement, and commercial partnerships. You will ensure the organisation has the right systems, data, people and culture in place to deliver excellent value for members, while remaining financially resilient, well-governed and responsive to change. Crucially, you will provide strategic leadership across membership, marketing and brand, alongside oversight of core operational functions including finance, people, digital and governance, championing insight-led decision-making and continuous improvement.
In a small organisation with high ambitions, this role combines strategic leadership with hands-on organisational stewardship. You will line-manage a senior, multi-disciplinary team and play a key role in organisational planning, internal communications and Board reporting, helping ACF to show up with clarity and confidence for its members and the wider sector. As ACF embeds new ways of working in 2026 and looks ahead to its next strategy, the COO will play a vital role in shaping how we show up for our members and for the wider sector.
Responsibilities (illustrative)
- Provide strategic leadership across membership, marketing and brand, and oversee core operational functions including finance, people, digital and governance.
- Ensure data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement across the organisation.
- Strengthen ACF's income model, membership recruitment and engagement, and commercial partnerships.
- Line-manage a senior, multi-disciplinary team and contribute to organisational planning, internal communications and Board reporting.
- Embed new ways of working and ensure the organisation remains financially resilient and well-governed.
Qualifications and attributes
- Senior-level experience in a values-led organisation.
- Strong commercial and financial understanding.
- Commitment to equity, inclusion and good governance.
- Comfort with data and insight to inform decisions and support others.
- Motivation by social purpose and by building an organisation that enables others to make a positive impact.
Chief Operating Officer in City of Westminster employer: Peridot Partners
Contact Detail:
Peridot Partners Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Operating Officer in City of Westminster
✨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 current or former employees of ACF. Building relationships can open doors that applications alone can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for social purpose! When you get the chance to chat with someone from ACF, make sure to express why you care about their mission. Share your experiences and how they align with ACF's values – it’ll make you stand out as a candidate who truly gets it.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into ACF’s work. Familiarise yourself with their recent projects and challenges. This way, you can come armed with insights and ideas on how you can contribute to their goals, especially around membership engagement and financial resilience.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining ACF and are willing to take that extra step to be part of their mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Operating Officer in City of Westminster
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Values: Make sure to highlight your commitment to equity, inclusion, and good governance in your application. We want to see how your values align with ours at ACF, so don’t hold back on sharing your experiences!
Be Data-Driven: Since we’re all about using data to inform decisions, include examples of how you’ve used data insights in your previous roles. This will show us that you’re comfortable with the analytical side of things.
Tailor Your Application: Take the time to tailor your CV and cover letter to the specific role of Chief Operating Officer. We love it when candidates take the extra step to connect their skills and experiences directly to what we’re looking for.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at ACF.
How to prepare for a job interview at Peridot Partners
✨Know Your Values
Before the interview, take some time to really understand the values of the Association of Charitable Foundations. Think about how your own values align with theirs and be ready to share specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate this alignment.
✨Data-Driven Decisions
Since the role requires comfort with data and insight, prepare to discuss how you've used data in previous roles to inform decisions. Bring examples of how you’ve led teams in making evidence-based choices that resulted in positive outcomes.
✨Show Your Leadership Style
As a potential Chief Operating Officer, it’s crucial to convey your leadership style. Be prepared to discuss how you manage multi-disciplinary teams and foster a culture of inclusion and collaboration. Share stories that highlight your emotional intelligence and ability to motivate others.
✨Emphasise Social Purpose
Make sure to express your motivation for social purpose during the interview. Discuss why you’re passionate about the charitable sector and how you envision contributing to ACF's mission. This will show that you’re not just looking for a job, but are genuinely invested in making a difference.
