Head of Operations | London (Vauxhall) | 5 days in-person | Reporting to CEO

Who this is for

You're an operations specialist.

You've probably worked in business operations, operations management, a hands-on Chief of Staff role, or a similar operational environment. You've worked somewhere small enough that there wasn't always someone else to solve the problem. You know how to take something messy and make it work. You've built processes, improved systems, coordinated projects, managed advisers or suppliers, handled governance or compliance and made sure things get done. You may have operated in a regulated environment such as financial services, fintech, payments, fundraising or charities. Or you've learned a complex regulatory or operational environment quickly and applied it accurately. You can read guidance, a contract or an unfamiliar process and work out what it means and what happens next. You're comfortable moving between levels. One hour you're discussing operational risk or governance with the Founder. The next you're building the spreadsheet, documenting the process or chasing a supplier. There is no large team sitting underneath you on day one.

You'll need to be comfortable doing the work yourself before building the capability around you.

You'll thrive here if: You start without a clean brief and work out what good looks like. You'd rather own a problem end to end than pass it around. You naturally bring structure, organisation and follow-through to messy situations. You think about risk constantly without becoming risk-averse. You're comfortable working across different parts of a business. You can challenge the Founder — and expect him to challenge you back. You're already using AI to make yourself more effective. You're ambitious about becoming a broader operational leader. You're motivated by building something meaningful, not a particular title.

You'll hate it here if: You need a defined scope, settled processes and a large team on day one. You want to work in one function. You'd rather advise than execute. You enjoy analysing problems more than fixing them. You're looking primarily for a strategy, commercial or business development role. You're at your best with a hybrid schedule and a quiet inbox. You'd rather be told the answer than be trusted to find it.

Working with the Founder A Note from Ismael:

I've spent my career at the intersection of tech and philanthropy, and I've built the platforms that have raised the £200 million above.

I'm at my best on strategy, product, partnerships and the bigger picture.

I'm looking for someone exceptional at turning decisions into execution, who brings structure, follows through on detail and ensures the business operates at the standard we're aiming for. You'll work closely with me. I'll give you context, access and responsibility, but I won't give you a perfectly defined job description every morning.

I want someone who can see a problem, work out what needs to happen and get moving.

What success looks like

30 days You understand how the group operates, have mapped key operational priorities, obligations and risks, and started structuring the areas that need it most. The Founder has greater visibility and fewer routine issues reach him unnecessarily.

3 months Core operational processes are documented and running properly. Governance, compliance and operational activities are managed proactively. Important projects are moving forward with clear ownership and follow-through. You've identified where systems, automation or resources will have the biggest impact.

Longer term The group operates with greater structure and consistency. Operational risks are identified before they become problems. Processes and systems scale without a corresponding increase in headcount. You've built enough capability that you're no longer simply solving operational problems — you're leading the function that solves them. And the conversation about broader operational leadership and a COO position becomes a natural one.

How the team actually works

People here work obsessively, without politics or hiding. They move between decisions with decade-long consequences and mundane fixes that simply need doing, and nobody treats one as more important than the other.

Where this goes

This is a COO-track role. We're looking for someone who wants to grow with the business and take on broader operational leadership as the group scales. The immediate focus is hands-on execution and strong operational foundations. As the business grows, this role can evolve into a broader COO position.

How we hire

Two to three weeks from application to offer. Five stages: **Screen with Talent (15-30 Mins Virtual) **A chat to get to know you and discuss the role A quick online survey (done on mobile or laptop) (15 mins) **A conversation with our Founder (15-30 Mins Virtual) **About your experience, the problems we're solving and whether the opportunity genuinely excites you. **Technical/operational stage (45-60 Mins, Virtual) **A real operational problem from the group, worked through with us. **Culture (London In Person 90 Mins) **With the team. Whether you'd fit how we work and whether we're right for you.

References

We'll speak to people you've worked with to understand how you operate in practice. To apply, skip the cover letter.

Location and values

London, Vauxhall, five days a week. We're in-person because of our speed, the role and collaboration required across the group. If that's a dealbreaker, we understand. We say we value five things: Meaning matters — the work is the point. Mop the floor — no task is beneath anyone. Forward momentum — progress over perfection. 1% better every day — nobody coasts. Delight our customers — donors and charity partners come first.

You'll see all five in how the team works.

If you think "give me a messy business, give