Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Are you an experienced operational leader looking for the opportunity to help shape the future of a growing, ambitious and values-led charity? Project 21 is looking for its first Chief Operating Officer to join us at an exciting point in our development, strengthening the organisation behind our services and helping us achieve even more for people with Down's Syndrome and their families.

Project 21 is a growing charity providing opportunities, support and experiences for people with Down's Syndrome across Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire. Our work includes community-based learning, performing arts, residential trips, employment opportunities and family support, all underpinned by our belief that people with Down's Syndrome should have every opportunity to belong, believe and achieve.

As Project 21 continues to grow, we are looking for an exceptional Chief Operating Officer to work alongside our CEO & Founder and provide strategic and operational leadership across the organisation. This is a newly created role and a genuine opportunity to help shape the next chapter of Project 21. The COO will lead our day-to-day organisational operations, providing oversight across people, services, finance, systems, governance, compliance and organisational development.

You will lead and support our Senior Leadership Team, strengthen systems and processes, develop leadership capability and ensure our growing organisation remains safe, effective, sustainable and true to its values. Crucially, the role will create greater capacity for our CEO to focus on Project 21's long-term future, including strategic partnerships, fundraising and our ambitious Big Build vision.

We are looking for someone who combines strong operational and organisational leadership with excellent people skills. You will be comfortable moving between strategy and delivery, developing senior leaders, making decisions, improving systems and bringing clarity to a busy and evolving organisation. You do not necessarily need to have been a COO before. We are interested in experienced senior leaders who can demonstrate the skills, judgement and leadership capability required to step into an organisation-wide role. Experience within charities, social care, SEND, education or another people-focused organisation would be particularly valuable.

This is an office-based leadership role at our Clubhouse in Suffolk, reflecting the importance we place on visible, accessible leadership and being connected to our members, families and colleagues. The role will also involve travel across Project 21 locations and to external meetings. As the role involves regular travel, applicants must be able to drive.

We'd particularly love to hear from someone who:

• Is an experienced and confident senior leader
• Is an excellent people manager who enjoys developing others
• Can translate strategy into effective operational delivery
• Has experience of organisational growth and change
• Understands good governance, HR, finance, risk and compliance
• Can develop effective systems and improve organisational efficiency
• Is comfortable making decisions and taking accountability
• Can build strong relationships with colleagues, families, trustees and external partners
• Shares our commitment to inclusion and person-centred practice
• Is excited by the opportunity to help build something, rather than simply maintain what already exists

Above all, we are looking for someone who understands that strong operations are ultimately about people. Someone who can bring structure without unnecessary bureaucracy, accountability without losing warmth, and professional leadership while protecting the culture that makes Project 21 special.