Project Operations Manager

Project Operations Manager

• Hours: Part time 21 hours
• Location: Hybrid Portsmouth area (officially office based but welcome to work hybrid/remote with regular local community-based meetings and local travel)

This is an exciting opportunity for a Strategic Project Operations Manager to build, operationalise and lead key projects, focusing on designing an impactful, scalable volunteer-led befriending/support system and embedding strong referral partnerships.

Free To Fly is a registered charity supporting mums-to-be to leave abusive relationships and create safe, stable futures for themselves and their children. A Christian-ethos charity Free to Fly are rooted in partnership, community engagement, and deep respect for the dignity of survivors.

The Project Operations Manager will demonstrate:

• Proven charity operations and project management experience, with strong planning, organisational, and problem-solving skills.
• Experienced in recruiting, leading, and developing volunteers, with the ability to build effective teams and foster a collaborative culture.
• Strong communicator and ambassador, confident engaging with media, stakeholders, partners, and referral agencies.
• Safeguarding and trauma-informed expertise, with experience applying safeguarding practices and supporting survivors of domestic abuse.
• Financially and operationally capable, managing budgets, administrative systems, and setting up new services or processes efficiently.

The Project Operations Manager will be a flexible, practical problem-solver and people-focused leader with charity operations and volunteer engagement experience, confident building systems that deliver impact. You ll work closely with partners, volunteers and referral agencies to deliver services and grow capacity sustainably.

For more information, please contact Louise Portnall, Recruitment Consultant, Charisma Charity Recruitment.

Your application should be submitted through the Charisma website and include your CV (with any gaps explained,) and a supporting statement that explains your fit for the role (highlight relevant experience, previous fundraising achievements, and commitment to values). Please specifically outline experience of supporting grass roots/early stage startup nonprofits, if you have this, and how you successfully supported their growth.

You will be based in Portsmouth, willing to travel and work occasional unsociable hours, with your own vehicle covered by business use insurance.

This role is subject to an enhanced DBS check, which will be carried out by the employer.

Please note that in accordance with paragraph 1 of Schedule 9 to the Equality Act 2010, this role within the charity is subject to an occupational requirement to recruit only an individual who is biologically female, due to the specific nature of the duties involved.

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, or other category protected by law.

Closing date: 13th March 2026

Applications are being reviewed by Charisma on a rolling basis, so please apply without delay to avoid disappointment.