Operations Director - Volunteer in London

Amazing growth opportunity to help run and grow a purpose-driven CIC supporting people into health & safety careers. Lead delivery, support volunteers and partners etc. Lead from the front, be hands-on, grow our team, manage key aspects and drive us forward. This role will be critical to how The Safety Net Foundation grows, operates, and delivers its mission.

By taking ownership of day-to-day operations, you will bring structure, coordination, and momentum to a fast-growing organisation that is driven by volunteers and purpose. Your leadership will ensure that our activities are not just well-intentioned, but consistently delivered, aligned, and impactful. You will directly enable us to scale.

By supporting and coordinating our volunteer leadership team, you will help create clarity, accountability, and direction across all areas of the organisation—from fundraising and partnerships to marketing and engagement. This will allow our volunteers to be more effective in their roles and ensure their time and energy translates into meaningful outcomes. Your involvement will also strengthen how we support people.

The Safety Net Foundation exists to help individuals access opportunities, mentoring, and support within the health and safety profession. By ensuring our programmes and platform are well-managed and continuously improving, you will play a key role in expanding our reach and improving the experience for those we support.

Externally, your contribution will help us build stronger relationships and increase our visibility. Through engagement with corporate partners, charities, and industry stakeholders, you will help unlock new opportunities, collaborations, and funding streams that will support long-term sustainability.

You will help create a well-run organisation that people trust—whether they are volunteers, partners, or beneficiaries. Your work will allow the Board to focus on strategy and governance, while you ensure that delivery remains consistent, professional, and effective. Ultimately, your impact will be seen in a stronger, more connected organisation that is able to reach more people, provide better support, and create lasting change.

We are looking for someone who can take ownership, bring structure, and make things happen. This is a senior, hands-on role, so the ideal volunteer will have experience leading, managing, or coordinating people, projects, or teams. You don’t need to have held a formal "Director" title before, but you do need to be comfortable stepping into a leadership position and working with senior stakeholders.

Strong organisational skills are essential. You should be able to manage multiple priorities, keep track of different workstreams, and ensure that things move forward without constant direction. We’re looking for someone who is proactive and self-driven—someone who spots gaps, takes initiative, and follows through.

You’ll need to be a confident communicator, able to engage with a wide range of people including volunteers, partners, and the Board of Directors. This includes being comfortable leading conversations, asking questions, and providing direction where needed. Experience in areas such as operations, programme delivery, project management, or organisational leadership would be highly beneficial. Experience working in charities, CICs, or volunteer-led environments is helpful but not essential.

Just as important are your personal qualities:

• Reliable and accountable
• Practical and solutions-focused
• Comfortable making decisions and taking responsibility
• Collaborative, but able to lead when needed
• Motivated by making a genuine difference

This role is best suited to someone who has the time and headspace to commit regularly (around 1-3 hours per day, with some daytime availability), and who wants to play a meaningful role in building and shaping a growing organisation. It’s ideal for someone looking to step up into a senior leadership role, build their experience, and demonstrate their ability to lead and deliver at an organisational level.

We are seeking a driven and hands-on Operations Director to lead the day-to-day running of The Safety Net Foundation, a growing social-impact organisation supporting people into careers in health and safety. The Safety Net Foundation is building a national platform that connects mentors, mentees, and organisations to create real opportunities for those who need them most.

As we grow, we need a central operational lead to bring structure, coordination, and momentum across everything we do. This role is about making things happen. You will take ownership of our day-to-day operations, ensuring that our activities, projects, and volunteer teams are aligned, supported, and delivering effectively.

You will work closely with the Board of Directors but focus on execution—turning ideas and strategy into tangible outcomes. A key part of the role is coordinating our volunteer leadership team, including those leading areas such as fundraising, marketing, partnerships, and engagement. You will help ensure everyone is clear on priorities, supported in their roles, and moving in the same direction.

You will also act as a central point of contact for volunteers—helping to guide, support, and direct them, while working alongside our Volunteer Manager to strengthen recruitment, onboarding, and retention. Externally, you will play an important role in representing the organisation. This includes leading conversations with prospective corporate and charity partners, attending events, and helping to build relationships that support our growth and long-term sustainability.

Alongside this, you will oversee key projects and ongoing initiatives, ensuring they are progressing as planned, delivering impact, and contributing to our wider mission. You will also have oversight of our digital platform and engagement activity, helping ensure a consistent and effective user experience.

This role sits just below the Board and is ideal for someone who wants to step into a senior leadership position, take real ownership, and help shape and grow an organisation with purpose. We are looking for someone who is proactive, organised, and comfortable taking the lead—someone who doesn’t wait to be told what to do, but instead brings structure, energy, and accountability to everything they take on.