Tree Aid
Chief Operating Officer
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Contract type: Permanent Contract
Hours: Full time, 35 hours a week
Application deadline: 18 October 2026
About Tree Aid:
At Tree Aid, we believe trees and people are deeply connected. More than just nature’s gift, trees are a lifeline — vital for survival, resilience and opportunity.
Our mission goes beyond just planting trees, as we work to create lasting change for both people and the planet. Since 1987, we’ve partnered with communities across Africa, harnessing the power of trees to improve lives and advocate for those most affected by poverty and the climate crisis.
Through our work, we restore ecosystems, build sustainable livelihoods, and drive positive climate action. By working hand in hand with local communities, we prioritise their knowledge and needs to make an impact that lasts for generations.
About the role:
This is a fantastic opportunity for a senior leader to join a dynamic and growing organisation based in Bristol as Chief Operating Officer, delivering transformational change for some of the world’s most vulnerable people, living on the frontlines of the climate crisis.
Leading our Finance, People, Governance, Risk, and Compliance functions, you will play a pivotal role in shaping our future direction and ensure we continue to grow our impact and deliver for communities across Africa.
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You will provide strategic and operational leadership across Tree Aid, working closely with the Chief Executive, Board and Senior Leadership Team to ensure the organisation has the people, resources, systems, processes and infrastructure required to deliver its strategy and charitable mission effectively.
Main duties:
- Provide strategic leadership across our global operations for finance, people, governance, risk and compliance functions.
- Ensure Tree Aid has robust financial management, planning, forecasting and controls that support long-term organisational sustainability.
- Develop and continually improve Tree Aid's operating model, systems and processes to enable effective, efficient and collaborative ways of working.
- Lead organisational transformation and improvement, ensuring that people are engaged and supported through change.
- Act as a trusted adviser to the Chief Executive, translating strategic ambition into organisational capability and delivery.
About you:
You bring significant leadership experience in previous operational roles with a strong understanding of financial management. You lead with high emotional intelligence, fostering an environment of accountability, continuous improvement, and cross-functional collaboration. You are a decisive problem solver. When processes break or performance stalls, you diagnose the root cause quickly and implement firm, effective interventions. You have extensive experience managing complex logistics, financial systems and decentralized teams across multiple regions or countries.
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Benefits:
- Optional benefits of working at Tree Aid include:
- A contributory pension scheme (you contribute at least 2% and we will contribute 6%)
- 33 days holiday (inc bank holidays) +1 more day per year up to 38 holiday days
- Flexible, hybrid working
- Quarterly social events
- Opportunity to take free weekly French lessons to support communication with our colleagues in West Africa
Key documents:
- Chief Operating Officer description and person specification
How to apply:
To apply, please send your CV and a supporting statement setting out how you meet the person specification to recruitment@treeaid.org
Our approach to recruitment:
We recruit with openness and transparency. We employ people on the basis of their ability to carry out the role being recruited for. We ensure that no applicant receives less favourable treatment than any other on the grounds of disability, gender, race, religion or belief, age, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, caring responsibilities or hours of work.
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