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Salary range £73,978 – £84,882* per annum
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Full time 35 hours per week (*subject to 25-26 pay award confirmation)
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Permanent
We are seeking an exceptional and passionate Chief Operating Officer (COO) to join our senior management team and drive operational excellence across the organization. As COO, you’ll be responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations, developing ways of measuring our impact, and aligning our teams to deliver the Commissioner’s vision, mission and strategic priorities. This is a high-impact role requiring strategic vision, hands-on leadership, and a deep understanding of Welsh civil society and the role of the Children’s Commissioner’s office within this. The ideal candidate will bring a strong track record of success in managing change, fostering cross-functional collaboration, and turning strategy into meaningful action.
If you’re a values-driven leader who thrives in dynamic environments and wants to shape the future of a critical children’s rights organisation, we’d love to hear from you.
About the Children’s Commissioner for Wales
Our mission is this: We listen to and speak up for children and young people in Wales so that children’s rights are protected, and we support, challenge and influence public services in Wales to make a positive impact on their lives.
The Commissioner plays a key role in Welsh civic life and is in a privileged position to be able to speak first-hand to decision makers, governments and national media outlets. We want to make sure we use that position to best effect.
Our ‘Purpose in Spades’ document gives you an insight into what it’s like to work for the Commissioner.
What will you be doing?
The Chief Operating Officer will support the Commissioner by leading on and being accountable for all internal operations of the organisation, including line management of all four Heads of function (Head of Engagement; Head of Policy and Public Affairs; Head of Advice and Assistance and Head of Finance and Core Services)
In this role, you will support the Commissioner in navigating complex political and social landscapes to advocate for children’s rights and ensure their voices are heard in policy-making processes. You will ensure effective planning, reporting and monitoring arrangements to support the smooth running of the organisation and to manage and demonstrate its performance against key strategic objectives, standards and budgets.
What skills and experience will you need for this role?
We are looking for an exceptional, passionate and driven leader, who is dedicated to making a positive difference to children’s lives and children’s rights.
You will have a proven track record of successful leadership and management in the third or public sector, and an in-depth understanding of policy and practice issues that affect children and young people in Wales, as well as of the social, political and legislative landscape of children’s rights in Wales.
You will use your strong people and management skills to focus and align the people and work of the Office of the Children’s Commissioner for Wales on delivering the Commissioner’s vision, mission and strategic objectives in line with the statutory remit of the organisation.
Is this post for you?
We know from research that some people are reluctant to apply if they cannot tick every box of the job description. So, if you think you have what it takes, but don’t necessarily meet every single point of the job description, please do call so that we can discuss this opportunity with you.
We are committed to continually improving the diversity of our team and provide strong role models for children of all ethnicities and backgrounds. Join us and celebrate our workplace culture where difference is valued and everyone is accepted for who they are.
We will guarantee an interview to people who meet the essential requirements of the role and have a lived experience that helps us to increase the representation of protected characteristics not currently represented in our Team.
If you wish to be guaranteed an interview, please indicate this on our application form.
A large print, braille or audio version of this advert can be obtained on request.
Documents and closing dates
Download Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form
Closing date for receipt of applications: 25th June 2025
Interviews for this post will take place on: 7th July 2025
If you have any queries about this opportunity, please email recruitment@childcomwales.org.uk or phone 01792 765600 and we will do our best to answer them.
The Children’s Commissioner for Wales is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to treating the English and Welsh languages equally. Applications may be submitted in Welsh and will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.