Head of Operations and Administration

Contract: Fixed term (24 months), continuing as permanent subject to funding.Hours: Full time (37.5 hrs/week); open to negotiating a shorter week.Salary: Circa £ pa, depending on skills and experience.Benefits: Contributory pension; 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays; family friendly culture; weekly wellbeing time; birthday day off; remote working by agreement.Location: Home-based, with one day (Wednesday) coworking in central LB Camden (Gospel Oak), plus visits to other ACAVA sites as required.Closing date: Midnight Sunday 16 August. Reviewed on a rolling basis; we may close early if a suitable candidate is found – early application recommended.Interviews: In person, 24-28 August, London.Start date: ASAP, ideally by end of September 2026.Purpose of the role The Head of Operations and Administration will work alongside the Chief Executive, sharing responsibility for steering ACAVA through a period of strategic transition and helping build an organisation that is resilient, efficient and well-positioned for the future. You'll provide hands-on operational and occasional project management, financial oversight (liaising with our outsourced accountants), support for our human-centred culture, and governance administration – ensuring operations run effectively, finances are well stewarded, people are well supported, and governance meets the standards expected of a registered charity and, since 2023, an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation (ACE NPO).Key areas of responsibility Creative workspaces and company operations

• Oversee our portfolio of 15 studio buildings and community spaces across London (13), Essex and Stoke-on-Trent, supporting our operations team, Studios Operations Manager and Property and Studio Communities Manager
• Hold oversight of IT/digital systems (via our remote IT specialist). Not primarily an estates brief, but you'll engage daily with the studios and property team.

Finance

• Act as key connector with our external accountants (8 years' service), maintaining strong internal controls and accurate, timely reporting.
• Oversee budgets, cash flow, expenditure approval, payroll and audit support, and work with the CEO on budgets for funding applications and tenders.

People, culture and HR

• Own ACAVA's employer obligations (contracts, HR records, policies, recruitment, onboarding, legal compliance) and help sustain our collaborative, equitable, caring culture.

Governance and compliance

• Ensure governance best practice: high-quality board papers circulated in good time, well-run board/sub-committee meetings, and up-to-date statutory filings, trustee records and regulatory requirements.
• Manage organisational insurance arrangements (with external advisers as needed) and oversee our policy framework (data protection, safeguarding, health & safety, equality and inclusion), keeping policies fit for purpose and embedded in practice.

Supporting the Chief Executive

• Act as the CEO's primary operational collaborator: a reliable sounding board, engaged in governance processes, representing ACAVA with confidence, and taking meaningful ownership of operational health with composed, discreet leadership.

Programmes stewardship

• Provide operational stewardship during a period of change across our programme portfolio, working with the CEO and programming team to manage change carefully and ensure delivery meets the standard beneficiaries and funders expect.

What you need to be successful We expect most, if not all, of the following:

• Operational experience in a property context, including leases and health & safety compliance.
• Strong financial acumen: analysing budgets, interpreting management accounts, maintaining internal controls and presenting information clearly.
• Excellent interpersonal skills: a clear, warm, adaptable communicator who builds trust with colleagues, occupiers, trustees, advisers and partners.
• Sound judgement and discretion with sensitive matters, and confidence exercising autonomy responsibly.
• Project management: organising or overseeing diverse project workflows collaboratively.
• A collaborative, people-centred leadership style.
• Governance literacy (charity/company governance, compliance, board support), or aptitude to learn quickly.

Arts, culture or charity experience is desirable but not essential; what matters most is the attitude, capability and character to be a significant partner in an influential senior role in a small organisation.How to apply Please submit an up-to-date CV and a covering letter stating why you're a strong candidate, with examples against the requirements above (max two sides of A4, 12pt font).About ACAVA ACAVA is a leading arts education charity that evolved from artist-led initiatives in the early 1970s. For over 50 years we've been among the UK's most progressive affordable studio and workspace providers, managing 15 studio buildings, exhibition spaces and workshops across eight London boroughs, one Essex building, and a heritage building on the former Spode Works site, Stoke-on-Trent – supporting over 400 creative practitioners, cultural/community organisations and creative SMEs.Equality, diversity and inclusion ACAVA is committed to equality of opportunity, diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from people of all races, religions, genders, national backgrounds and sexual orientations and particularly encourage those from disabled and global majority backgrounds, currently underrepresented in our organisation.