About the job

About STAND   

STAND is a mission-driven, not-for-profit organisation mobilising third-level students and graduates to stand up for global justice, equality and sustainability. We work with a Global Citizenship Education approach that is grounded in critical engagement & design programmes that respond to the speed, scale and interconnectedness of the challenges shaping the lives of today’s students and graduates - including environmental breakdown, widening inequality, war and conflict, increasing political polarisation, threats to democratic processes and the growing influence of AI on society and public discourse. 

Today, STAND is Irish Aid’s strategic partner for embedding Global Citizenship Education within higher education in Ireland. Through values-driven programmes - including the STAND Festival, Global Issues courses, the Ideas Collective and the STAND Changemakers Academy - we support third-level students and graduates from across disciplines to engage critically with global issues. We also work in partnership with higher education staff, students’ unions and societies leaders across Ireland to strengthen the role of Global Citizenship Education within teaching & learning and campus life. 

Our organisational culture is grounded in hope, solidarity, equality, creativity and care - for our mission, for one another and for the communities we work alongside. We want STAND to be a workplace where people can do purposeful work while also sustaining balance and wellbeing in their lives. We offer flexible and adaptable working arrangements, ongoing learning and development opportunities, dedicated activism and reflection time, and a strong commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion across all areas of our work.  

About the role 

This central role is responsible for ensuring that STAND’s systems, structures and operations effectively support our mission, people and programmes. For the right person, this role offers the opportunity to contribute far beyond traditional operations management - helping strengthen systems, support strategic growth and play a key role in the future direction of STAND.  

This is a particularly exciting moment to join STAND. As the organisation enters a new phase of strategic development and growth, there is significant opportunity for the Operations Manager to help shape how STAND evolves in the years ahead. We are looking for someone who is ambitious, creative and deeply values-driven - someone excited not only by strong operational systems, but by helping build an organisation, culture and way of working that enables meaningful impact. 

This role sits at the heart of our small, passionate and collaborative teams. The Operations Manager reports to the Executive Director (ED) and works closely with all colleagues, particularly the Head of Programmes and the Irish Aid Centre Coordinator. 

The Operations Manager leads on the coordination and continuous improvement of office systems, operational processes and data management practices, while supporting HR processes and organisational policies. Working closely with an external Finance Service Provider, they oversee financial procedures, monitor income and expenditure, process accounts payable, prepare management accounts, support annual audits and coordinate donor financial reporting. The role also supports charity governance and compliance responsibilities, alongside supporting organisational development projects, fundraising and grant applications, and the development of policies, systems and operational tools that strengthen STAND’s effectiveness and impact. This role would suit someone who enjoys both strategic thinking and practical implementation someone comfortable moving between detailed operational work, relationship-building and creative problem-solving.      

Key responsibilities 

• Operations & admin: Develop and maintain seamless office systems and procedures, manage facilities and public enquiries, ensure GDPR compliance and data management best practices, and review and implement organisational policies 
• Finance: Working with an external finance provider to produce bi-monthly management accounts, track income and expenditure, manage accounts payable, procurement and banking, coordinate monthly payroll, and lead on the annual external audit process 
• Governance: Support the ED in maintaining CRA Governance Code compliance, prepare for board and finance committee meetings, and coordinate the development of the annual report 
• HR & people: Review and implement HR policies, systems and procedures, lead recruitment and induction processes, coordinate pension and staff benefits, oversee Health & Safety and insurance, ensure safeguarding and garda vetting requirements are met, and facilitate staff CPD 
• Office Management: Ensure the efficient operation and condition of the office, including the management of office facilities and coordination of reception and public enquiries. 
• Policy: Review, update, and implement organisational policies and procedures. Overseeing the monitoring and implementation of our financial policies and procedures and supporting their periodic review. 
• Fundraising: Support the Executive Director and Head of Programmes with fundraising efforts. 

 You'll bring 

• 3+ years in operations or organisational management 
• Financial management experience and comfort with Xero 
• Strong knowledge of MS Office and data management systems (ideally Salesforce CRM) 
• A proactive, detail-oriented and values-driven approach 

What we offer 

• €40,000–€55,000 salary (depending on experience) 
• Employer pension contribution 
• 25 days annual leave 
• Flexible/part-time working arrangements considered 
• Activism Hours
• A mission-driven, inclusive workplace with ongoing CPD opportunities