Director of Finance and Operations

Location: Working remotely from home across the four nations of the UK, occasionally co-working spaces, with occasional travel.

Start date: As soon as possible (Autumn 2025)

Salary: £69,080 (F/T pro-rated for 0.6FTE to £41,808)

Benefits: 30 days Annual holiday (18 days pro rata). Pension Scheme. Flexible working arrangements. Access to co-working budget

Hours of work: Part Time at 0.6 FTE worked flexibly around business needs at 21 hours per week

Do you want to play a vital role in supporting a charity who are reshaping the systems that support children and young people across the UK? Are you a values led finance and operations leader who thrives on both strategic thinking and hands-on problem solving? Can you help steward a high performing, mission driven organisation through its next phase of growth and impact?

Dartington Service Design Lab is a national charity that harnesses experience, cutting edge evidence and design to tackle the challenges children and young people face today, securing thriving futures for tomorrow. As we move forward with our refreshed strategy, we are looking for a new Director of Finance and Operations to join our Senior Leadership Team.

This is a unique opportunity to lead the Lab’s operational heart; from finance and governance to people, culture, IT and compliance. You'll work closely with the CEO and leadership team to ensure our infrastructure is not only effective and efficient, but enabling of bold, systemic work across the UK. The role balances high level financial strategy and organisational leadership with routine financial reporting, oversight of day-to-day operations and actively supporting team wellbeing. It will suit someone confident operating strategically at an Executive and Board level, but who’s also comfortable rolling up their sleeves in a small, agile organisation.

We are seeking someone with significant experience in finance and operations leadership, ideally in a non-profit, consultancy or values driven setting, who is committed to equity, anti-racism, and social justice. This is a 0.6 FTE role (21 hours/week) and we welcome applications from those looking for flexible or part-time senior leadership work that makes a real difference. To support the removal of barriers to colleagues contributing fully as employees and to address equity considerations, we have a flexible working policy that trusts individuals to manage their time, working flexibly to deliver against our commitments, for example the 21 hrs can be condensed over 3 days or worked over 4-5 days.   

As a team, we operate remotely across the UK with regular project-related travel. Our staff work from home or when appropriate, together in local co-working spaces, and normally, a few times a year we meet as a whole team for a few days to develop and connect.

Don’t meet every single requirement outlined in the Job Description? Studies have shown that women and racially minoritised groups are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single requirement. Dartington Service Design Lab is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace for everyone. So, if you’re excited about this role but your experience or qualifications don’t match the job description exactly, we encourage you to apply anyway. You might just be the right person to help us achieve our impact for children and young people.

Candidates should be aware that, in line with our commitment to equity, we have made the decision not to negotiate regarding salary on appointment or progression. The evidence shows that negotiation of salary is an inherently inequitable process that marginalises women and those from racially minoritised communities. We do, however, have a transparent grade and scale structure for all those in the Lab which, based on organisational affordability and satisfactory performance in role, will result in an increase to salaries every two years up until the ceiling of that particular role’s banding.

The post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service certificate and pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed.

If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you. Find out more in the Candidate Briefing Pack (via the 'Apply' button above).