Chief Operating Officer

The New Economics Foundation (NEF), one of the UK's leading progressive think tanks, is looking for an experienced strategic leader to help oversee its finance, operations and governance.

In recent years, NEF has worked hard to stabilise our finances, improve our systems, and promote an inclusive and productive workplace. We have a solid base to build from - whether it's the long lease on our premises on Albert Embankment or several long-term programmes of work - and are looking for a Chief Operating Officer (COO) to help us implement a new strategy and organisational structure, improve our business model and diversify our income, support excellent financial and operational support, and deliver excellent project management and resourcing.

Given that our current COO leaves us in mid-December and that the role itself may change over the long-term, we are looking for a COO to join us on a 12-month fixed-term contract beginning in January 2025.

NEF offers generous terms and conditions, including a salary in the range of £78-87k per annum for a 32-hour working week that can be worked flexibly.

Most colleagues work two days a week (usually Tuesdays and Wednesdays) in our office in central London, but that can be adjusted up or down depending on preferences. We offer 25 days leave, which increases the longer you are with us, a progressive pension/long-term savings scheme and a host of other useful benefits.

A note from the CEO
I applied to join NEF because it is one of the UK's largest and most-respected progressive think tanks, with a nearly 40 years track record of producing radical ideas and influencing policymaking to deliver a more just and sustainable world. From global debt justice to retrofitting homes, from the Happy Planet Index to campaigning for a 4 day working week, from promoting local economic development to championing the Green New Deal, NEF has been arguing for an economics as if people and planet mattered.

Since starting at NEF in January 2024, I have been impressed by the quality of our work and people, the influence we have on policymakers and opinion-formers, and the respect we are held in. That said, from climate change to rising inequality, the challenges the world faces are immense. We are finalising a strategy refresh that focuses on the areas where we think NEF can make the greatest difference.

I believe this is an excellent time to join the think tank sector. The world needs radical new ideas and workable solutions. I have found NEF to be an excellent place to work, full of bright and passionate people, who are equally good at influencing the Westminster policy agenda as they are building power in communities across the country.

If this is a challenge that excites you, please do let us know!

I look forward to hearing from you,

NEF wants to be an inclusive workplace with a diverse body of staff. We don't want to conform to the traditional think-tank model where people from certain backgrounds are hugely under-represented. We know we have some way to go in this and are therefore genuinely keen to receive applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic people; women; neurodivergent people; disabled people; people who identify as LGBT+; people with experience of mental health problems; and people who identify as working class or have done so in the past.

If you are disabled and have the essential skills and experience to do the job we will invite you to an interview. If you need information in a different format please let us know.

We will make use of positive action to select between candidates of equal merit as a way to address under-representation in our workforce.

As we are looking for someone to start in January 2025, we will be conducting this recruitment on a rolling basis and will close it when we have found a suitable candidate, so please apply as soon as possible. We expect the first round of interviews to be 27/28th November.

Staff are expected to spend two days a week in our central London office, but we will explore different arrangements with individuals where this is helpful to support making reasonable adjustments for those with protected characteristics and/or caring responsibilities.

You must be eligible to work in the UK; we are unable to sponsor visas.

To apply, please send your CV, Covering letter (no longer than 2 pages) outlining how you meet the person specification, and the Equality and Diversity Monitoring form in Word format to .