Director of Operations
Red Pepper Media is recruiting for a Director of Operations – an important new leadership role to help RPM consolidate its place as a leading source of reliable, original journalism and movement-building support for the pluralist, internationalist left.
Red Pepper Media (RPM) is an independent, non-profit media project. We publish regular content online, provide training, contribute to movement-building events, and have published magazines since 1994.
We provide a space for debate on the left, a resource for social justice movements and a home for open-minded anti-capitalists. We are funded by readers who want compelling, trustworthy journalism grounded in anti-racist, feminist, green, abolitionist and anti-capitalist principles. No owner barons. No clickbait. No paywalls. No dodgy ads.
Our new Director of Operations will be responsible for day-to-day financial and operational management, including monitoring budgets and ensuring deadlines are met. They will be well-supported in their work by a dedicated team of staff and directors while contributing fresh perspectives, relevant experience and sufficient drive to deliver the team’s ambitious marketing, sales and network-building strategies – and help develop new ones. We will look to them for leadership as we use our online/print journalism base to move more expansively towards movement building.
We’re looking for someone whose values align closely with RPM: anti-capitalist, non-partisan, anti-racist, eco-socialist, abolitionist and trans-inclusive feminist. They will have robust and extensive links to left-wing campaigning organisations (for example trade unions and/or grassroots activist groups) and know how to build mutually beneficial relationships with potential business partners and supporters. They will have experience in developing, delivering and evaluating business plans, monitoring financial accounts and managing strategies for organisational growth. Experience in publishing is a plus, but not essential.
This role will be paid at £20 p/h for a 12-hour week. The role is being offered on a part-time, freelance basis in the first instance, with the potential to expand within 6-12 months (including becoming PAYE if desired) in line with growth.
This is a fully remote role, with the expectation of attendance at in-person events within the UK and access to office space in central London if required. Training, orientation and ongoing support will be provided. The appointee will report to colleagues and the board of directors. We are open to developing this role in collaboration with the right candidate, and invite you to highlight what you can bring to RPM in the application.
Responsibilities:
- Coordinate the organisation’s business development, sales and marketing activities, working with and supporting other core team members to deliver the RPM business plan
- Lead the review, development and delivery of new business strategies focused on growing revenue from subscriptions alongside other potential income streams (events, sales, partnerships, grants, institutional collaborations etc.)
- Monitor and manage budgets and accounts as co-lead of the RPM finance team
- Monitor and manage relationships with RPM suppliers and partners
- Manage one of four point-of-contact inboxes, responding to and/or redirecting requests to the appropriate team
- Work cooperatively with colleagues across the organisation, reporting to the monthly ‘whole team’ meeting, and the organisation’s board of directors
Person Specification:
The role holder will possess the following attributes:
Essential:
- Experience managing and/or holding a leadership role within a small team
- Experience reading accounts and managing budgets
- Self-starter able to work effectively on your own and as a supportive member of a small team
- Excellent knowledge of the organisations, networks and movements across the left in the UK, and beyond
- Experience and an effective track record in building collaborative partnerships for mutual benefit
- Willingness and ability to work flexibly
- Access to your own modern IT kit and network connectivity, and the skills to use it effectively. RPM currently uses Google Workspace
Desirable:
- Experience of coordinating funding bids managing relationships with grant-making bodies
- Experience of working with CRM systems
- Experience of working with website content management systems (for example WordPress)
To apply for this role, please submit your CV and a copy of the completed application form (available here) to editors[at]redpepper.org.uk. The closing date for applications is November 30th, 2026.
Board Members
1. Chair
Role: To lead the Red Pepper board, ensuring it focuses on its aims, manages its budget responsibly, and supports its workers and volunteers.
Key Responsibilities
- Ensure RP’s business plan, activities and spending align with its strategic aims and principles.
- Leadership: Facilitate inclusive, open discussions at its meetings and seek consensus among its workers and volunteers.
- Staff/Volunteer Liaison: Act as the primary point of contact and support for staff and volunteers.
- Advocacy: Represent the organization to local stakeholders, partner groups, and potential funders.
- Risk & Oversight: Work with the Treasurer to ensure RP’s income is managed prudently and risks to the organization are mitigated.
2. Treasurer
Role: To oversee the financial health of the organization, ensuring that income and costs are accurately tracked and funds are spent transparently and in line with its business plan.
Key Responsibilities
- Monitoring: Review income and expenditure statements to ensure the organization stays within budget.
- Reporting: Present straightforward, jargon-free financial updates at every trustee meeting.
- Year-End: Oversee preparation of annual accounts
- General: Act as a primary bank signatory and help maintain basic financial controls
3. Company Secretary
Role: To ensure the organization complies with company law, runs its meetings smoothly, and maintains clear administrative records.
Key Responsibilities
- Administration: Board meetings—schedule dates, circulate agendas and financial reports, and take concise minutes.
- Statutory Compliance: Ensure timely submission of annual returns, trustee updates, and accounts to Companies House
- Governance: Maintain the register of trustees and ensure key governing documents, safeguarding policies, and insurance details are up to date and safely stored.
- Induction: Ensure new local trustees understand their responsibilities and can access key documents.
Applications for the Board roles above should be sent to editors[at]redpepper.org.uk as a pdf or Word doc. The closing date for applications is November 30th, 2026.
