Business & Project Operations Lead

At Centre for Evidence and Implementation (CEI), we use evidence to improve the lives of children, families, and communities — working with governments, What Works Centres, and practitioners across the UK and beyond. Our London team is conducting high-profile research across a range of policy areas, and we need someone who makes sure the operations behind that work run seamlessly, thoughtfully and with purpose.

We're approaching 10 years as an organisation and 6 years in the UK, and we're investing in the operational foundations our next phase needs. That means developing a function that's genuinely fit for where we're going — not just keeping up with growth, but getting ahead of it.

This is a newly created role that sits at the heart of that day-to-day. You'll work across office operations, people support, business development systems, and project reporting — the infrastructure that lets our teams do their best work. If you're someone who finds real satisfaction in creating processes that hold up under pressure, bringing clarity to complexity, and quietly making an organisation better, this is that job.

In practice, this role spans three connected areas:

• Tender & Submission Coordination — you'll manage the end-to-end process for UK tenders and proposals, keeping submissions compliant, coherent, and on time. You'll maintain our credentials and assets so we're ready to move at short notice, and keep leadership informed on pipeline and outcomes.
• Project Operations & Contracts — you'll own the operational set-up and running of UK projects, track utilisation and financial data, and make sure contracts are in place, obligations are monitored, and issues are flagged early. You'll be the go-to for our project management platform.
• Office, People & Executive Support — you'll be the face of the UK office, keeping day-to-day operations running smoothly and creating an environment where the team can do their best work. This includes organising team connection events, providing executive support to UK leadership, and working with our People & Culture team to support our staff as needed.

Across all three, you'll be looking for ways to improve how things work — not just keeping things ticking but establishing something that lasts.

We're not going to give you a long list of requirements to tick off. What we really want to know is whether you can tell us — clearly and with evidence — that you've done this kind of work before and done it well.

We're looking for someone who can speak to:

• What it looks like when operations in a small, busy professional organisation are working well — and what you've done to get it there.
• How you've supported or coordinated a competitive submission or tender process, and what your role was in getting it over the line.
• How you use data — not just maintaining it, but drawing on it to help people make better decisions.
• How you handle sensitive situations — people matters, compliance questions, difficult conversations — with discretion and good judgement.
• How you communicate across a team — whether that's walking someone through a new process, keeping stakeholders informed, or holding a calm and clear conversation with a funder or external partner. We need someone who can read the room, adapt their style, and bring people with them.

If you've worked in a research, consultancy, public sector, or not-for-profit environment and you recognise yourself in the above, we want to hear from you.

Life at CEI

We're a global team of 50 across Australia, UK, Norway and Singapore, with a close-knit London office of 15. You'll know everyone, your work will be visible, and you'll have regular contact with colleagues across all our offices.

Our London base is a beautiful co-working space with a rooftop terrace overlooking the River Thames. However, flexibility is here to stay — hybrid working with 2–3 days in the office and options for compressed hours.

We also make space for life's important moments. On top of your annual leave, you'll receive 5 festive closure days, a paid day off for your birthday, 2 days for marriage or civil partnership, 5 days examination leave, and enhanced carers and parental support.

You'll have an individual development plan, access to a learning budget, coaching and mentoring, and professional membership reimbursement.

A note on the contract

This role is offered as an 18-month fixed-term contract, with every intention of it continuing on past that for the right person. Our UK team has built something genuinely impressive over the past six years — we're looking for someone who is excited by where we're headed and wants to grow with us.

How to apply

To apply, review the full Position Description and submit your CV and a short cover note via the link below — we are interested in what you've done and how you think, not a lengthy application.

Applications open Tuesday 28 April 2026 — we will be progressing applicants as they come in. Applications close midnight Monday 25 May 2026.

For any questions please reach out to people@ceiglobal.org

CEI is committed to diversity and inclusion. We actively welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds and with lived experience of the social issues our work addresses.