Chief Operating Officer Beyond Reflections Charity supporting trans and gender questioning adults

About Us

We are a community-led charity dedicated to supporting trans+ and gender-questioning adults across England and Wales. Through affirming peer support, advocacy, and community-building, we aim to create spaces where people can explore and live their identities with dignity and support. Our values are rooted in compassion, autonomy, and collective care, with a strong focus on centring the voices and experiences of those we serve.

Role Overview

We are seeking a dynamic, values-driven Chief Operating Officer (COO) to report to the CEO and play a pivotal role in the strategic and operational management of the charity. The COO will oversee day-to-day operations, manage staff and key projects, and ensure we continue to deliver high-quality support and services to our community.

This is a hands-on role requiring strong management, empathy, and a passion for grassroots work. Ideal for someone who is just as comfortable rolling up their sleeves to facilitate a support group or provide 1:1 support to a community member as they are leading team meetings or managing budgets.

The COO will deputise for the CEO as needed and act as a key member of the leadership team, playing a central role in ensuring the organisation is run with integrity, compassion, and accountability.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Lead and oversee the day-to-day operational running of the charity, ensuring services and projects are delivered effectively and sustainably.
• Ensure robust systems, policies, and processes are in place and followed, with a focus on safeguarding, inclusivity, and accessibility.
• Monitor key performance indicators and lead on continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support CEO with strategic planning, impact measurement, and reporting to funders and the Board.

Line Management & HR

• Provide direct line management to staff across services, administration, and communications.
• Foster a supportive, inclusive, and empowering workplace culture aligned with our community values.
• Lead recruitment, supervision, appraisals, and professional development of staff.
• Support wellbeing, manage performance issues sensitively, and ensure HR policies are upheld.

Strategic & Financial Oversight

• Assist with financial oversight including budget monitoring, forecasting, and reporting.
• Work with CEO to ensure contracts, grants, and funding agreements are well managed and deliverables are met.
• Contribute to income generation efforts, including funding applications, contract management, and reporting to funders.

Deputising for CEO

• Act as second-in-command where needed and represent the charity at external meetings, networks, and events.
• Act as a key point of contact for stakeholders, funders, and partners in the CEO's absence.
• Contribute to strategic planning and development as a senior leader.

Direct Service Delivery

• Facilitate or co-facilitate peer support groups and community workshops for trans and gender-questioning adults if needed.
• Provide 1:1 support to members as needed, including emotional support, signposting, and practical assistance.
• Work alongside service delivery staff to ensure our work remains community-led and responsive to emerging needs.
• Step in to support or cover frontline roles where capacity is limited or in times of crisis.

Person Specification

Essential:

• Demonstrable experience in an operations or management role, preferably within the charity or voluntary sector.
• Strong leadership and line management experience, including managing multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent organisational, planning, and project management skills.
• Lived experience of or strong understanding of the issues affecting trans and gender-diverse people, particularly adults.
• Deep commitment to equity, inclusion, and trauma-informed practice.
• Confident communicator with the ability to build relationships at all levels, both internally and externally.
• Flexible, proactive, and comfortable working in a small, hands-on team.
• Experience working directly with trans and/or gender-diverse people in a support, advocacy, or community capacity.
• Willingness and ability to deliver frontline support (e.g. facilitate support groups, provide 1:1 member support).

Desirable:

• Experience managing, delivering or developing services in mental health, advocacy, or peer support contexts.
• Knowledge of relevant legal and regulatory frameworks for UK charities.
• Experience working with communities facing multiple marginalisations.
• Experience of deputising for a CEO or senior leader.

What We Offer

• A chance to work at the heart of a growing and deeply needed grassroots organisation.
• Supportive, collaborative working environment.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• Opportunities for professional development and leadership growth.

How to apply

Please submit a covering letter answering the following questions, together with your CV, to

• 1. Why do you want to work for our organisation?
• 2. How do you see the role of a COO in furthering our impact?
• 3. Describe your management style.
• 4. Can you give an example of how you've driven organisational improvement or change, and what impact it had?

Please also outline your salary expectations for this position. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to have an informal chat with our CEO in the first instance. This position will remain open until we find the right candidate to join our team.

Beyond Reflections is funded by The National Lottery Community Fund