Chief Operating Officer

The Henry Jackson Society (HJS) is the UK’s boldest think tank and policy-shaping force, constantly ahead of the curve on the big issues of international and domestic importance. We are currently looking for a Chief Operating Officer to help lead us permanently on the next stage of our organisational journey, which has already taken us to the status of a household name in the international political and media constellation.

When HJS was founded back in 2005, the global environment was very different to what it has become today. Over that time, the threats to the free world internationally and to free societies domestically have multiplied, but there has been one constant: HJS’s willingness and ability to fight for the principles and alliances which keep societies free – working across borders and party lines to combat extremism, advance democracy and fundamental human rights, and make a stand in an increasingly uncertain world.

In order to meet our ambitious agenda and to augment our existing capabilities, we are looking for a COO to ensure smooth running of the organisation, projects, governance and daily office business, and maximise the exchange and availability of operationally critical information. The role will direct the internal activities of HJS while ensuring good financial forecasting and discipline, and make key operational decisions for the company while retaining accountability for those decisions.

In particular, the COO will lead on financial management and forecasting, supporting the Executive Director in strategic development, and taking charge of office management and ad hoc HR and legal matters. This exciting role provides the opportunity for strategic vision and organisation leadership on the macro level, together with a hands-on approach to micro issues. Working as a cohesive unit with the Executive Director and the Board of Trustees, the COO will lead the charity both by example and by line managing the Senior Management Team, providing guidance to all employees, and quality assure the charity’s work.  

This role requires an individual who is comfortable rolling their sleeves up to fix problems, foresee and prevent issues from happening within projects, knows how to manage multiple deadlines, projects, and contributing factors at once, and enjoys collaborating with and developing staff. We are particularly interested in candidates with previous knowledge of how to restructure internal operations with a view to improving corporate culture, and who have demonstrable people skills. The overall purpose is to provide consistent, strategic, financial and operational leadership with the Executive Director and the Board of Trustees, and create a platform for growth that will enable the organisation to reach its true potential.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an ambitious candidate to develop their skills and profile further and will suit people ready to take on a challenging and exciting role at an organisation that can offer profile development as it increases in size and scope, as well as those with existing management expertise looking for a new challenge at the leading edge of the public debate.

Above all though, we want you to be passionate about making a difference in the public policy world – recognising that this is not a normal 9-5 job where you switch off once you turn off your laptop because (a) you don’t want to and (b) you understand that this is not how the policy world works. The rewards, both professionally and personally are vast, as some of the stellar names who have passed through our ranks are now shining examples of, but they require dedication and commitment to achieve.

Join us – and help make history.

Responsibilities

Planning and Performance

1. Lead on business, logistical and operational planning.
2. Design, develop and implement the business and strategic plan for HJS and provide reporting  and strategic advice to the Executive Director and Board of Trustees on appropriate goals and their progress.
3. Oversight and responsibility for organisational wide project management, from assisting with conception through to post-project evaluations, including critical path analysis, troubleshooting, and cost-benefit analysis.
4. Oversight of the various internal teams to ensure that they are meeting agreed targets and working to the best of their abilities.

5.      Plan cost-effective business strategies for income growth and develop new ideas based on our market and industry that will lead to revenue generation.

Finance

1. Budgeting and forecasting including maintaining cash flow and profit & loss projections for the HJS Group, reporting quarterly to the Finance Sub-Committee, and the board of trustees.
2. Oversight of all financial administration and processing.
3. Lead the annual audit.

Governance and Operations

1. Overall responsibility for all governance meetings (board of trustees, finance sub-committee, Senior Management Team, and AGM).
2. Develop and oversee organisational policy and procedures.
3. Oversight and responsibility for compliance with all relevant legislation and data processing laws.
4. Oversight and responsibility for the organisation's IT systems and CRM operation.

Human Resources

1.      Lead on staff happiness by enabling and encouraging a positive, proactive and committed organisational culture. 

1. Responsibility for all HR bureaucracy and associated meetings and processes.
2. To directly line-manage the Director of Research, Director of Communications & Policy and Director of Development.
3. To directly line manage the Operations Manager and Events Manager.
4. Ensuring appropriate recruitment, training and opportunities are given to volunteers, and that the volunteer programme runs smoothly.

Such other duties may be assigned by the Executive Director or their nominee.

Health, Safety & Wellbeing Considerations

This role involves undertaking duties which include the Health, Safety and wellbeing issues outlined below. Please be aware of these, when considering your suitability for the role.

• Regular use of screen display equipment
• Occasional lifting/carrying of heavy equipment