We are hiring – Chief Operations Officer
About Bristol Parent Carers
Bristol Parent Carers (BPC) is a parent carer-led charity bringing together families of children and young people aged 0–25 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Bristol. We work with local services and partners to improve support, influence decision-making and ensure the voices of families shape the services they rely on.
Our vision is a Bristol where children and young people with SEND, and their families, are valued, supported and able to thrive.
As BPC continues to grow in scale and influence, we are looking for an experienced Chief Operations Officer (COO) to help strengthen our organisational foundations and support the delivery of lasting impact for SEND families across the city.
About the role
Working closely with the CEO, the Chief Operations Officer (COO) will play a key leadership role in ensuring the organisation operates effectively as it continues to develop and grow.
The COO will focus on translating strategy into delivery, embedding strong systems and ways of working, and providing organisational leadership across people, processes and governance. The role will support the team to deliver the charity’s development priorities while ensuring BPC remains values-led, inclusive and well-run.
This is a senior role suited to someone who enjoys bringing clarity to complexity, strengthening systems, and supporting teams to do their best work.
Key responsibilities
The Chief Operations Officer will:
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Provide strategic operational leadership across the organisation
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Translate organisational strategy into clear plans, priorities and delivery
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Ensure strong systems, policies and processes support effective working
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Oversee organisational risk, compliance and governance support
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Support teams to deliver the key strands of the charity’s development plan
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Act as a senior point of coordination across teams and programmes
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Lead on organisational improvement, learning and development
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Work in partnership with other SEND and community organisations to ensure diverse voices shape BPC’s engagement and parent-carer voice work
About you
We are looking for someone who has:
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Proven experience in a senior operational or organisational leadership role within a charity, social enterprise or similar values-led organisation
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Experience leading and supporting staff teams and overseeing complex priorities
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Strong understanding of HR management, governance, risk and organisational compliance
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Experience managing budgets, systems and organisational resources
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The ability to think strategically and translate agreed priorities into effective delivery
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Excellent organisational, interpersonal and communication skills
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A calm, solutions-focused approach under pressure with strong attention to detail
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A clear commitment to inclusion, co-production and amplifying the voices of families with lived experience
Why join us?
Bristol Parent Carers is a respected parent-led organisation with growing influence across Bristol’s SEND system. This role offers the opportunity to help shape how the organisation operates at an important stage of development, working alongside a committed team and CEO to strengthen systems, support staff and deliver meaningful change for families.