Senior Operations Manager

Lumos is entering an exciting period of strategic transformation to strengthen our operational foundations, refine our systems, and enhance our capacity to deliver on our mission to realise every child’s right to a family. The Senior Operations Manager plays a pivotal role in building the operational foundations and risk-aware culture needed for success both now and as the organisation prepares for the future.

As a delivery partner to the Director of People & Operations, the Senior Operations Manager leads the implementation of agreed operational priorities, strengthens country office and partner capability, and ensures that operational standards, policies, and practices are consistently embedded across existing and new geographies. The role provides independent oversight and assurance across operational risk, safety, security, and safeguarding, working closely with delivery teams while retaining the authority to challenge, escalate, and inform senior decision-making.

This is a senior, hands-on role for someone who thrives on systems thinking, coordination, and execution, and who is motivated by turning risk awareness, data, and lessons learned into practical organisational improvement that strengthens organisational resilience and impact.

Primary responsibilities

Operational leadership & delivery

• Act as a senior delivery partner to the Director of People & Operations, leading the implementation of agreed operational priorities.
• Coordinate cross-functional operational delivery across Operations, Safeguarding, and Security.
• Deputise for the Director of People & Operations in internal and external forums as appropriate, with delegated authority.

Global safety, security & incident management (focal point)

• Act as Lumos’ organisational focal point for safety, security, and travel risk, coordinating risk management frameworks, systems, and oversight across the organisation.
• Work closely with, and oversee the delivery of, Lumos’ global safety and security consultant(s), ensuring clear scope, quality outputs, and effective follow-through.
• Monitor safety and security incidents across the organisation, ensuring appropriate recording, escalation, follow-up, and learning.
• Coordinate incident response in line with agreed protocols, working closely with country teams and external security specialists.
• Lead lessons-learned processes following incidents and ensure recommendations are embedded into systems, guidance, and practice.
• Support the implementation and monitoring of safety and security standards across country offices and partners.

Safeguarding & PSEA (operational oversight)

• Provide operational oversight and coordination of safeguarding and PSEA frameworks, working closely with specialist safeguarding focal points, leads, and consultants while the recruitment and scoping of a Global Safeguarding Lead is planned across 2026.
• Monitor implementation of safeguarding and PSEA standards, policies, and training across country offices and partners.
• Support incident tracking, information management, and follow-up actions, ensuring confidentiality, proportionality, and appropriate escalation.
• Contribute to organisational learning and continuous improvement in safeguarding practice.