Chief Operating Officer

Salary: £95,000

Hours:

35 hours a week

About In Kind Direct

For 30 years, In Kind Direct has been the leading product-giving charity in the UK, ensuring that no-one misses out on life’s essentials. Founded by HM The King, we partner with leading brands and retailers to distribute everyday goods—hygiene items, household products, toys, clothing and more—to over 9,000 community groups. Every week, we reach nearly one million people in need. Yet, poverty and exclusion are growing challenges across the UK, and so we’re on a mission to double our reach to 2 million people each week by 2030.

We work with kindness, togetherness and integrity, driving innovation.

The opportunity

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) will play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering In Kind Direct’s strategic vision. This newly created position brings together leadership of our finance, HR, governance, support and organisational management functions, ensuring our plans and processes are efficient and aligned to our ambitious new strategy to double our impact by 2030.

The role is based out of our London Bridge office. We operate a hybrid working practice and expect our team to be in the office for a minimum of 2 days per week.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic and Cultural Leadership - Embed a culture which empowers people to act, that has clear accountabilities, and fosters the skills and environment that allow people to flourish

• Work with the CEO, Executive Team and Board to develop and deliver IKD’s strategic plan

• Lead annual cross-functional planning and performance management to ensure alignment with organisational goals

• Oversee a portfolio of strategic initiatives as required

• Undertake the role of safeguarding lead

Operational Management

• Accountable for the effective day-to-day operations of IKD, including finance, HR, IT & systems, governance, health & safety, risk and compliance

• Accountable for supplier contracts in areas of operational control, ensuring they are fit for purpose and meet IKD’s overall needs

Financial Oversight

• Work closely with the finance team to set and manage organisational budgets, forecasts, and financial reporting

• Ensure robust financial controls and risk management practices are in place across teams

Technology & Systems

• Drive digital transformation and data-led decision making

• Oversee the development and integration of sustainable systems that support IKD’s operations

To succeed in this role, you will be able to demonstrate:

Skills and knowledge

• Qualified accountant

• Knowledge of charity governance, compliance and regulatory requirements

• Knowledge of best practice HR and/or IT support in a charitable organisation

• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills

• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage multidisciplinary teams

• Being an approachable collaborator at all levels of an organisation

• Other corporate knowledge including health and safety, ESG and public policy impact on business and public organisations.

• Demonstrable interest in the charity sector, corporate responsibility, social enterprise and In Kind Direct’s area of work

Relevant experience

Essential

• Extensive experience in a senior operational leadership role, ideally within the charity or social enterprise sector

• Demonstrable track record of designing, implementing and evidencing robust operational control processes

• Proven ability to balance detailed oversight and understanding in areas such as governance, finance and compliance and broader strategic thinking and planning.

Desirable

• Experience in advising boards, managing stakeholder relationships, and translating complex issues into strategic actions

• Proven ability to implement new structures to adapt to shifting organisational demands.

• Strong leadership, negotiation, and team-building capabilities

Why In Kind Direct?

As well as having the opportunity to work in a dynamic, impactful charity that reaches nearly one million people per week, our team benefits include volunteering days, 25 days holiday each year (excluding bank holidays) and then 3 days between Christmas and New Year, an interest-free travel loan, and a generous pension scheme entitlement.

We are an…