National Energy Foundation: Operations Director

Contract:     Permanent, Full-time (4 days considered)
Salary:          £63,000 - £70,000 per annum (FTE)

Hybrid:         Two days at Milton Keynes office. 
With the remaining three from home, with some travel nationwide

About the National Energy Foundation
Charity People is delighted to be recruiting on behalf of the National Energy Foundation (NEF), an independent charity that has been improving the use of energy in buildings since 1988.  NEF exists to end fuel poverty and enable the low-carbon retrofit of homes across the UK.  Each year, the organisation supports around 30,000 households through practical interventions, advice, guidance and energy-efficiency measures, helping people live in warmer, healthier and more affordable homes.

The Opportunity
This is an exciting opportunity to join the Executive Leadership Team as Operations Director at a pivotal time for the organisation. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, you will oversee operational delivery across the charity, ensuring that ambitious organisational goals are translated into effective, high-quality services that deliver meaningful impact for people experiencing fuel poverty.

This is a hands-on and highly visible leadership role, requiring someone who can balance strategic thinking with operational excellence. You'll lead multidisciplinary teams, oversee key delivery partners and subcontractors, manage operational performance, and help shape the future direction of the charity. Working closely with the CEO, Board and senior colleagues, you'll ensure that systems, processes, budgets and governance frameworks are in place to support sustainable growth and exceptional service delivery.

What We're Looking For
- An experienced senior operational leader with a track record of delivering organisational objectives through effective leadership and performance management.
- Someone who can develop robust systems and processes, and drive continuous operational improvement.
- A collaborative executive-level leader who is comfortable influencing at Board level and building strong relationships with partners, funders and stakeholders.
- Strong commercial, financial and analytical skills, combined with excellent judgement and attention to detail.
- Experience within the sustainability, energy, housing or built environment sectors would be desirable, though candidates from other relevant sectors are encouraged to apply.
- An engaging and resilient leader who can inspire teams and successfully lead leaders.

Why Join the National Energy Foundation?
This is an opportunity to play a critical leadership role in an organisation tackling one of the UK's most pressing social and environmental challenges. You'll help shape the future of a respected national charity, lead talented teams, and drive operational excellence that directly improves the lives of thousands of households every year. If you're passionate about combining strategic leadership with meaningful social impact, we'd love to hear from you.

Closing Date:        Sunday 1^st November 2026
Interviews:             TBC (Early November)

Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.

Third-party job sites
We’ve noticed that there’s been an increase in our job ads being published on sites that we have no affiliation with. Please make sure you only apply via one of our legitimate and verified vacancies. A list of affiliated sites can be found on the Charity People website where you’ll also find some useful dos and don’ts when applying for jobs. If you have any concerns or would like to verify a vacancy, please contact Charity People directly.

Head of Fundraising
£50,000 | Full Time | London

Charity People are thrilled to be working with an ambitious, community-focused health charity entering an exciting new phase of growth and development. This is a rare opportunity to take ownership of a fundraising function with significant scope to shape strategy, build support and create sustainable income that delivers meaningful impact across communities.

We're looking for a hands-on fundraiser who enjoys leading from the front. You'll combine strategic thinking with practical delivery, building relationships, developing funding propositions, securing income and creating the systems, processes and supporter journeys needed for long-term success.

This is not a role where you'll inherit a large team or established fundraising machine. Instead, you'll have the opportunity to drive fundraising growth, develop new opportunities across corporate partnerships, trusts and foundations, community fundraising, and individual giving, and play a visible role across the organisation.

We're open to candidates from a range of fundraising backgrounds and income streams. What matters most is your track record of generating income, your ability to build strong relationships, and your enthusiasm for rolling up your sleeves and making things happen.

We're keen to hear from people who can demonstrate:

• Successful fundraising and income generation
• Strong relationship-building and stakeholder management skills
• Experience developing fundraising plans, campaigns or partnerships
• Confidence working autonomously and influencing at senior levels
• A proactive, hands-on approach and entrepreneurial mindset

Why apply?
This is an opportunity to build something special within an organisation committed to improving lives, reducing inequalities and strengthening communities. You'll have genuine ownership, significant visibility and the chance to help shape the future of fundraising within a growing and ambitious organisation.

Closing date: 12 October 2026

For an informal and confidential conversation this week and to request the full application pack, please contact Kevin Croasdale at Charity People directly.
If you're a fundraiser who enjoys balancing strategy with delivery and wants the opportunity to make a lasting impact, we'd love to hear from you.

Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.

Third-party job sites
We’ve noticed that there’s been an increase in our job ads being published on sites that we have no affiliation with.
Please make sure you only apply via one of our legitimate and verified vacancies. A list of affiliated sites can be found on the Charity People website where you’ll also find some useful dos and don’ts when applying for jobs. If you have any concerns or would like to verify a vacancy, please contact Charity People directly.