Salary: Circa £60k – £70k
A unique opportunity has arisen for an experienced and versatile professional to join a respected Muslim faith-based charitable organisation as their Head of Foundation. This senior position offers the chance to lead the day-to-day operations of a multifaceted organisation, overseeing governance, finance, HR, property management, school business operations, and broader organisational compliance.
The Role:
The Head of Foundation is the central operational leader, responsible for ensuring the charity and its subsidiaries run efficiently, lawfully, and in alignment with the strategic direction set by the Trustees. The role involves overseeing both the internal functions of the charity and its faith-based schools, as well as managing physical assets and development projects.
Key responsibilities include:
- Overseeing daily operations across finance, HR, property, and administration.
- Ensuring legal, policy, and regulatory compliance across the organisation.
- Leading property maintenance and development projects, including refurbishment and leasing.
- Managing budgets and financial plans, and advising on income generation opportunities.
- Providing HR and staffing oversight, supporting professional development, and upholding standards.
- Supporting and line-managing the Headteacher in business and compliance matters related to the Foundation’s schools.
- Preparing timely reports for Trustees and contributing to strategic planning.
- Ensuring IT systems and resources are secure, cost-effective, and support service delivery.
The Organisation:
This is a values-driven organisation rooted in the principles of Muslim faith and charitable service, with a strong focus on education, community engagement, and responsible stewardship. The Head of Foundation plays a key role in upholding its ethos while enabling growth, stability, and long-term impact.
The Candidate:
The ideal candidate will have proven leadership experience in operations, finance, or property management, and an understanding of governance in the charity or education sectors. They will be a confident communicator, able to manage cross-functional teams, report effectively to Trustees, and uphold the integrity and reputation of the organisation.
Essential skills and attributes include:
Qualifications & Training
- Relevant training or professional development in management/administration (essential).
- Management or business course attendance (desirable).
- Project management training or certification (e.g. PRINCE2, PMP) (desirable).
- Knowledge of charity governance, regulatory compliance, or equivalent experience in a non-profit setting (desirable).
- Familiarity with health & safety or facilities compliance frameworks (desirable).
Experience
- Proven management experience with budget oversight (essential).
- Experience managing multi-disciplinary teams across different service areas (essential).
- Experience in business operations and property management (essential)
- Experience working with or reporting to Boards or Trustees (desirable).
- Experience leading organisational or systems change (desirable).
- Experience in stakeholder engagement or communications (desirable).