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 equal opportunity employer and support our team to succeed in their roles through training, adaptations, flexibility in working, access to our Employee Assistance Platform, and a range of policies to support people in their personal, family and care responsibilities.
We are an accredited Great Place to Work – and have additionally been recognised as a Great Place to Work amongst small Charities and a Great Place to work for Women.
We seek to challenge discrimination and are committed to our values of kindness, togetherness, integrity, and innovation. We are on an organisational journey to achieving our EDI vision and welcome any questions about our progress and aspirations.
We especially welcome applications from anyone with lived experience of being on a low income or working with smaller charitable organisations.
We will meet all reasonable expenses that will support anyone invited to interview to be able to participate.
We’ll do our best to provide any support or adjustments you may need to take part in the recruitment process fully and comfortably. Sharing this information will not affect your application in any way.
How to apply
The deadline for applying for this role is 6th March 2026.
We aim to complete first stage interviews in the week/s of the 16th and/or 23rd of March.
To apply, please submit your CV and a brief supporting statement (max. 500 words) through our online application portal.
Applications submitted without a supporting statement may not be considered.
You may have experience of: Strategic Planning, Charity Governance, Risk & Compliance, Organisational Development, Stakeholder Management, Not for Profits, Charities, Operational Efficiency, Accountancy.
REF-(Apply online only)