The future of parliamentary democracy is one of the defining questions of our time. At the Hansard Society, we are making the case for a Parliament that can meet the challenges ahead. We are looking for a Head of Operations to help turn that ambition into action.

You will join a small, ambitious charity with an international reputation as we launch a campaign for a more effective Parliament. To support that work we are developing training programmes that advance our educational mission and generate income; improving our website and digital communications so our work reaches and engages more people; and strengthening fundraising through individual giving to support our core work. This is a senior, hands-on role with considerable autonomy and the opportunity to shape how the Society works as it grows.

You will lead our internal operations, taking responsibility for the finances, people processes, governance and systems that support everything we do. We are looking for someone who enjoys solving problems, makes sound decisions and spots opportunities as well as risks. We are looking for someone who enjoys making things happen, thinks creatively about how to use limited resources and shares our commitment to independent, non-partisan work.

You will bring matters to the Director or Board, which require their authority, providing them with clear options and recommendations. You will work closely with colleagues and external advisers, while being ready to roll up your sleeves and handle practical tasks yourself when needed.

By taking ownership of day-to-day operations, you will give the Director and colleagues more capacity to pursue the Society’s mission, while helping us build the resilience and income to sustain it. 

As our Head of Operations, here is what you will do:

Finance and commercial administration

• Lead the Society’s day-to-day financial management processes, working with the Treasurer, outsourced accountants and a Finance and Administration Assistant. Monitor budgets and cash flow, maintain appropriate controls and approvals, and provide clear financial information to the Director and Board.

• Oversee invoicing, payments and reconciliations through the Assistant and external providers; monitor subscriptions, contracts and other earned-income renewals, and help ensure income is collected promptly.

• Develop the financial and operational arrangements for paid training and events, including pricing information, contracts, bookings, payments, delivery costs and reporting.

Governance, risk and compliance

• Co-ordinate the Board meeting cycle with the Director and Chair, including agendas and papers, meeting arrangements, decisions and follow-up. Attend Board meetings and advise on operational matters.

• Maintain the compliance calendar, risk register, and required Charity Commission and Companies House records and filings, obtaining professional advice and appropriate approval where needed.

• Review, develop and keep up to date the Society’s operational policies and procedures, including those covering equality, diversity and inclusion, health and safety, data protection and privacy, seeking advice from our external HR advisers or other specialists where appropriate.

• Co-ordinate finance and operational information for reporting to funders and sponsors, working with colleagues and trustees responsible for those relationships.

• Lead the Society’s operational data protection processes, including records, retention, supplier arrangements, staff guidance and responses to information requests, seeking specialist advice where necessary.

People and organisational management

• Manage recruitment administration, contracts, onboarding, leave and absence systems, staff policies and recurring HR tasks, drawing on external professional advice when needed.

• Line manage and support the Finance and Administration Assistant, with clear responsibilities and priorities reflected in their part-time hours.

• Help colleagues plan and co-ordinate work and improve how tasks and information are handed over.

Systems, suppliers and office

• Manage supplier contracts, procurement, renewals and service standards for IT, software, insurance and other services. Resolve problems and recommend improvements that offer good value for money.

• Oversee the office, equipment, facilities and health and safety arrangements. Liaise with the landlord and fulfil the Society’s tenant representative responsibilities.

• Improve systems for records, contacts, payments and reporting so that information is accurate, secure and available to the colleagues who need it.

Events, training and membership

• Put reliable arrangements in place for events and training, including venues, suppliers, bookings, speakers, attendees, budgets, payments and follow-up. Work closely with colleagues responsible for programme content and communications.

• Oversee the administration of the Society’s membership scheme and its associated CRM processes. Help improve the experience of members and co-ordinate members’ events, including the AGM.

Fundraising/income generation

• Work with the Director and colleagues to ensure that fundraising and earned-income plans are supported by sound budgets, accurate records, practical delivery arrangements and timely reporting.

• Identify opportunities to improve the financial sustainability of the Society’s activities, assess their likely costs and capacity requirements, and help turn viable ideas into workable services or processes.

• Support the administration and fulfilment of grants, sponsorships and other funding agreements. The Director will retain the lead on fundraising strategy and major external relationships.

This is a new role and you will help shape it. You will need to manage competing priorities, and work with the Director to set and review priorities as the Society develops. The post carries considerable responsibility and offers scope to develop and grow as the Society’s work expands.

Your skills and experience

You could be a strong candidate if you bring:

• Experience managing operations, finance processes or organisational systems, with the judgement to take responsibility across several areas of a small organisation.

• Examples of improving how an organisation works and seeing changes through to implementation.

• Confidence working with budgets, financial information and controls, and with and external accountants or finance specialists. Practical bookkeeping experience would be useful, but a professional accountancy qualification is not required.

• Experience of co-ordinating people processes, governance, compliance or contracts, and the judgment to know when specialist advice is need.

• Strong organisational and project management skills: you can set priorities, manage competing deadlines, pay attention to detail and work with limited supervision.

• The ability to make decisions and explain risks, options and recommendations clearly.

• Strong written and interpersonal skills, and the ability to work constructively with colleagues, trustees, suppliers and external partners.

• Confidence using everyday digital tools, including CRM systems, and the curiosity and creativity to explore how new tools could improve our processes, reduce routing work and help the team work more effectively.

• An enterprising approach to new income and delivery opportunities, grounded in a realistic understanding of costs, capacity and implementation.

• An interest in Parliament, political awareness, and a commitment to the Society’s independent, non-partisan values.

We welcome candidates whose experience was gained outside the charity or political sectors. We are interested in what you can do and how you approach problems; you do not need to have followed a particular career path.

Next steps

For full details about the role, the Hansard Society and the application process, please read the information pack which can be downloaded on our website.