Chief Operating Officer: Job Description and Person Specification
This vacancy for an Edinburgh-based position arises as our General Manager approaches retirement, and the Trustees of the Banner of Truth prayerfully seek to recruit a wise and dedicated Christian leader to guide the work into its next chapter.
As Chief Operating Officer you will provide senior leadership across all areas of the organisation, guiding the Trust’s global ministry, and ensuring the effective implementation of the strategic direction set by the Trustees. The following is a detailed job description, followed by a person specification of what we would expect the successful candidate to demonstrate in terms of skills and experience.
Job Description
Position
Chief Operating Officer for The Banner of Truth Trust, and The Banner of Truth Building Fund Trust. Director, The Banner of Truth USA.
Responsible to
The Board of Trustees
Responsible for
World-wide day-to-day operations of the Banner of Truth to ensure that the strategy set by the Trustees is being implemented.
Location, term and travel
This position is a full-time, permanent position based in our Edinburgh, UK, offices. There will be a requirement to travel inside and outside of the UK.
Direct Reports
General Editor; Personal Assistant; Warehouse Manager (UK); Accountant (UK); Communications and Digital Products (UK); Production (UK): Sales and Marketing/Operations Manager (USA).
Equalities Act 2010
In accordance with the Equalities Act 2010, the Trustees have determined that there is an occupational requirement for this post to be held by a committed Christian who is aligned with the doctrinal position of the Banner of Truth. It is expected that the post holder will be a member in good standing of an evangelical church and that their life displays the character, integrity, and Christ-like witness befitting a leader in Christian ministry. Information about our mission and reference to doctrinal statement can be found here.
Responsibilities
- General Operations
- Lead day-to-day operations in the UK and, through the US Manager, oversee operations in the USA in line with the strategic directions set by the Trustees. A brief statement of our mission can be found on the Banner of Truth website here.
- Recommend operational policies, organisation structures, and staffing arrangements for Trustee approval.
- In the UK, appoint, manage, develop, review, and, where appropriate, dismiss staff. (Appointment of the General Editor remains the responsibility of the Trustees; the COO supports practical aspects of the appointment).
- In the USA, recruit and appoint the US Manager and support and oversee US staff through the US Manager.
- Work with the US Manager to set personnel policies and procedures for the daily operation of the Banner of Truth USA.
- Perform financial review and authorisation for US payments and expenses.
- Oversee the efficient publication of all literature approved by the Trustees, including book design approval, print run decisions, and reprint evaluations.
- Oversee development of eBook, audiobook, and new product policies and production processes.
- Set pricing for Banner of Truth products and prepare special sale quotations for key customers.
- Approve sales and marketing strategies, ensuring that social media, email, and web activities are effectively maintained, developed, and integrated across UK and US operations.
- Working with the conference committee of Trustees, oversee arrangements for the Trust’s conferences (UK. USA. Australia), including publicity, facilities booking, bookstall arrangements, and speaker liaison. Attend conferences and contribute to their running as required.
- Administer the affairs of the Bookfund. See here for more details of the Bookfund work.
- Manage overseas translation rights, including responding to requests, setting contract terms, and monitoring royalties and reporting.
- Prepare and negotiate author contracts and oversee the calculation and payment of royalties.
- Monitor developments in publishing and media technology, consider how developments could affect the Banner of Truth business and make recommendations to the trustees for future action.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of charity and accounting law, health & safety legislation, employment law, and general business law to ensure ongoing compliance.
- Ensure compliance with GDPR (data protection) and GPSR (EU product safety).
- Review IT needs and ensure systems are in place for efficient, secure operation.
- Oversee the administrative processes for the monthly magazine and contribute to content where appropriate
- Financial Management
- Ensure proper financial records and controls are maintained, and oversee the preparation of budgets, management accounts, and audited financial statements.
- Regularly review financial performance and provide reports to the trustees.
- Work with the Accountant and Auditors to ensure that the Trust’s financial affairs comply with all legal requirements, including Charity Commission, OSCR, and US 501(c) reporting.
- Ensure adequate insurance coverage is maintained.
- Manage bank account access, payment processes, and financial authorisations.
- Manage the staff pension scheme and staff death-in-service scheme to ensure full legal compliance.
- Conduct annual reviews of UK and US salary levels and make recommendations to the Trustees; ensure that monthly payroll is processed on time.
- Periodically, research, review, and propose Auditors to the trustees.
- Trustee liaison
- Prepare regular reports and updates for the Trustees on operational progress and organisational performance, making recommendations for improvements where appropriate.
- Prepare special reports and policy or organisational proposals for the Trustees as required.
- Act as secretary to the Board meetings, liaising with the Chair of Trustees regarding meeting agendas, arrangements, and minutes.
- Maintain the register of Trustees and related parties.
- Liaise with the Charity Commission, OSCR, and other regulatory bodies as required.
- Public liaison
- Respond to general enquiries about the work of the Trust and promote its mission.
- Attend relevant conferences and exhibitions to represent and promote the work of the Trust.
- Visit and develop relationships with customers, supporters, and donors.
- Facilities and asset maintenance
- Ensure the proper maintenance of buildings and land and oversee the development of the Banner of Truth Building Fund Trust property portfolio.
- Ensure all buildings are suitable for the needs of the Banner of Truth Trust and Banner of Truth USA.
- Work with the Trustees to identify, purchase, or rent appropriate facilities as required.
- Miscellaneous
- Undertake additional tasks necessary to ensure the smooth running of the organisation, in accordance with Trustee directives.
Person Specification
The big question is: Are you a Banner person?
- You will be enthusiastic about the work and mission of the Banner of Truth – ideally a committed reader with a reasonable knowledge of Banner books, and able to talk personally about the impact of Banner books.
- You will be a member in good standing of an evangelical church and your life will display the character, integrity, and Christ-like witness befitting a leader in Christian ministry. You will be able to provide spiritual leadership to staff appropriate to their work.
- You will have worked at a management level, providing management and leadership, probably in a small to medium business.
- You will have experience of taking strategic goals and translating them into actionable plans and processes.
- You will be a leader with a ‘can do’ attitude who thrives on challenges and has demonstrable analytical problem solving skills.
- You will be skilled in staff leadership, able to lead the recruitment of suitable staff, and review and monitor staff performance, taking action as necessary. You will have good listening skills to be able to deal with staff concerns.
- You will be able to demonstrate the ability to lead and manage multi-disciplinary teams.
- You will have a working knowledge of employment law as it applies to a small to medium business.
- You will have experience of giving financial oversight, preparing and monitoring budgets, and working with the external audit process.
- You will have high standards of literacy and numeracy and be able to communicate honestly and clearly to the Trustees and staff.
- You will be able to interpret business information and prepare summary information for Trustees along with proposals for new business practices, products, and services.
- You will be a clear communicator able to represent the Trust publicly and build strong relationships with external stakeholders.
- You will be proficient in using workplace technologies to enhance effectiveness of yourself and the staff team, and support timely, informed decision-making. You will have strong digital literacy and ideally have an understanding of how AI technology could be employed in a business context.
- You will have a willingness to learn and be able to demonstrate how you keep informed of advances in technology, management practices, and relevant legislation.
- You will be able to effectively multi-task and move rapidly from one area of operation to another, managing competing demands for your time and deadlines.
- Knowledge of product marketing and product pricing will be helpful. In particular, experience of the range of modern marketing media will enable you to provide meaningful oversight of the sales and marketing function.
- Experience in publishing or charity management would be helpful as would an understanding of how a multi-national business operates.
- You are likely to be qualified to degree level or able to demonstrate equivalent experience.
How to Apply
If you are excited by this opportunity and share our commitment to the reformed faith, please email your CV and a covering letter describing your suitability for the post and your interest in the ministry of the Banner of Truth Trust to: jobs@banneroftruth.co.uk.
The closing date for applications is Friday 16 January 2026. It is expected that interviews will be held in Edinburgh in the week of 26 January 2026.