Artist's Studio Company
Head of Operations Chief of Staff to the CEO
Get notified of more jobs like this · No spam, ever
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Artist’s Studio Company (ASC)
Artist’s Studio Company (ASC) is one of London's leading arts charities, celebrating over 30 years of supporting artists, makers and creative communities.
Our mission is simple: to enable artists and makers to build sustainable creative careers while making the visual arts more accessible to the public. We achieve this by providing affordable studio space, exhibition opportunities, business support, and creative workspaces across London. Today, ASC manages 13 buildings across six London boroughs, providing workspace for more than 850 artists and makers, alongside coworking facilities and gallery hire at our headquarters in Vauxhall. We are entering an exciting new phase of growth, having recently acquired two additional properties to expand our impact. As our organisation continues to evolve, we are looking for an exceptional Head of Operations & Chief of Staff to the CEO to play a pivotal leadership role in shaping our future.
The Opportunity
This is far more than an operational management position. It is an opportunity for an experienced operational leader to become the CEO's trusted strategic partner, helping translate vision into action while ensuring the organisation runs efficiently, compliantly and with excellence.
We're looking for someone who enjoys seeing the bigger picture whilst never losing sight of the detail. Someone who naturally anticipates challenges before they arise, identifies opportunities for improvement, and creates systems that enable people and projects to thrive.
You'll be equally comfortable leading people, improving processes, managing risk, supporting strategic planning, and representing the organisation when required.
If you are an experienced Head of Operations who enjoys building high-performing teams, solving complex operational challenges and making a lasting impact within a growing charity, we'd love to hear from you.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Act as a strategic partner to the CEO, helping deliver the organisation's long-term vision and objectives.
- Translate strategic priorities into practical operational plans.
- Identify emerging risks, challenges and opportunities, developing proactive solutions before issues escalate.
- Support organisational growth, change management and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Overseeing HR and the various charity’s departments including the functions of maintenance, compliance, finance, marketing and lettings.
- Deputise for the CEO when required, including representing ASC at meetings, presentations and public events.
Operations & Property Management
- Lead the day-to-day operations across ASC's portfolio of 13 buildings.
- Ensure all sites are safe, secure, compliant and operating efficiently.
- Oversee facilities management, maintenance programmes and operational projects.
- Continuously review systems and processes to improve efficiency and service delivery.
- Manage the smooth operation of ASC's Vauxhall headquarters.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Leadership & People Management
- Lead, mentor and develop operational and administrative teams.
- Foster a positive, collaborative and high-performing working culture.
- Oversee recruitment, onboarding, induction and HR administration.
- Champion staff wellbeing, learning and professional development.
- Support managers in developing effective teams and strong performance.
Finance & Organisational Performance
- Working alongside the CEO and Financial Controller, you will:
- Support budgeting, forecasting and financial planning.
- Monitor departmental budgets and operational expenditure.
- Help develop financial controls and organisational reporting.
- Support informed decision-making through operational analysis and performance monitoring.
Governance, Risk & Compliance
- Ensure the organisation maintains the highest standards of governance and compliance.
- Oversee Health & Safety, safeguarding, data protection, charity law, insurance and regulatory compliance.
- Lead organisational risk management, business continuity planning and policy development.
- Ensure compliance systems remain robust, proportionate and forward-looking.
Projects & Continuous Improvement
- Lead operational improvement projects across the organisation.
- Introduce systems and processes that enhance efficiency, resilience and organisational effectiveness.
- Support charity events and cross-departmental initiatives.
- Encourage innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement across the organisation.
About You
You are an experienced operational leader who combines strategic thinking with exceptional organisational skills. You enjoy creating structure from complexity, building strong teams and helping organisations grow sustainably. You don't simply respond to problems, you anticipate them. You have the judgement, commercial awareness and operational insight to identify potential issues early, assess risk, and implement practical solutions before challenges impact the organisation. You are calm under pressure, highly organised and confident working across multiple priorities. Most importantly, you enjoy supporting people and enabling others to succeed.
We're looking for someone who can demonstrate:
- Significant experience leading organisational operations within a complex environment.
- Proven success managing and developing multidisciplinary teams.
- Outstanding leadership, communication and relationship-building skills.
- Strong strategic thinking with the ability to see the wider organisational picture.
- Excellent lateral thinking and problem-solving ability.
- The confidence to make sound decisions using both data and professional judgement.
- A proactive approach to identifying operational risks and implementing preventative solutions.
- Experience improving systems, processes and organisational efficiency.
- Excellent project management and organisational skills.
- Strong financial understanding, including budgeting and forecasting.
- Experience supporting senior leadership and working at executive level.
- A collaborative, pragmatic and hands-on leadership style.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Desirable Experience
Experience in one or more of the following would be highly advantageous:
- Charity sector leadership.
- Property, real estate, workspace or facilities management.
- Governance and charity compliance.
- Health & Safety management.
- Safeguarding.
- HR systems and people management.
- Business growth, organisational development or change management.
- Risk management and business continuity planning.
An interest in the visual arts and creative sector is welcomed but not essential.
Qualifications
Essential
- MA or bachelor’s degree in business administration, Operations Management, Finance, Commerce, Real Estate or a related discipline.
Desirable
- MBA, Executive MBA or equivalent postgraduate qualification.
- Relevant professional qualifications in operations, project management, HR, property or Health & Safety.
Experience
Essential
- Minimum 5 years' experience in a senior operational leadership role.
- Minimum 5 years of experience in property management industry in managerial roles.
- Previous experience in HR management.
- Knowledge of the policies, procedures, and regulations governing the operation and management of workspaces and properties.
Ideal
- Significant experience (10+ years) as a Head of Operations, Operations Director, Chief Operating Officer or similar senior leadership position within the charity, property, workspace or real estate sectors.
- Extensive knowledge of the policies, procedures, and regulations governing the operation and management of workspaces and properties.
Why join ASC?
This is an opportunity to join an ambitious and respected arts charity at a pivotal stage of its development. You'll work directly alongside the CEO, playing a key role in shaping the future of an organisation that supports hundreds of artists across London. Your ideas will be valued, your leadership will have real influence, and your work will make a lasting impact on organisation and on the UK culture.
If you are an experienced operational leader looking for a meaningful role where you can combine strategic thinking, people leadership and operational excellence, we would be delighted to hear from you.
Salary: £50,000–£60,000 per annum (DOE)
Location: Vauxhall, London
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills
Location