Head of Operations

Job description

The Good Food Institute is an international network of nonprofit think tanks working to make the global food system better for the planet, people, and animals. Alongside scientists, businesses, and policymakers, GFI’s teams focus on making plant-based, fermentation-enabled, and cultivated proteins delicious, affordable, and accessible. Powered by philanthropy, we are advancing alternative proteins as an essential solution needed to meet the world’s climate, global health, food security, and biodiversity goals.

As Head of Operations, you will lead and mentor the Operations team to ensure seamless, well-connected systems and processes across general operations, people & culture, and finance. Reporting to the CEO, you’ll build and maintain the operational foundations that enable every team to do their best work, driving process improvements, financial discipline, and compliance that support GFI APAC’s long-term growth and impact.

How you will make a difference

You will:

• Lead and optimise GFI APAC’s core operational areas, including:
  • People & Culture: Oversee the Operations Specialist on HR, recruitment, onboarding, performance systems, and culture initiatives; ensure compliance with employment policies; maintain team handbooks and records.
  • Finance: Partner with the CEO and the Regional Compliance and Governance Lead and oversee the Head of Finance to coordinate annual budgets, monitor expenditures, and ensure timely reporting and audits in collaboration with global counterparts.
• Provide strategic leadership and direction to the Operations team, including:
  • Team Leadership: You will oversee and mentor the Head of Finance and the Operations Specialist, providing guidance, support, and performance management. As GFI APAC grows, you’ll shape and resource the evolving Operations team, defining a realistic and sustainable growth plan. You’ll cultivate a collaborative, high-performing culture built on accountability, continuous improvement, and shared ownership.
  • Strategic Operations: Partner closely with the CEO to provide insights on capacity, resourcing, and process optimisation, overseeing key operational projects to ensure effective execution and alignment with GFI APAC’s strategic objectives. Represent the Operations function in leadership and cross-functional discussions, serving as the primary liaison for all operations-related matters across the organisation.
• Drive regional alignment and collaboration by:
  • Providing strategic oversight of regional budget planning, forecasting, and long-term resource allocation to the CEO.
  • Representing GFI APAC externally or within GFI’s global network on operational, financial, or governance matters and collaborating with GFI’s global colleagues as needed.
  • Leading APAC-wide change management or cross-functional initiatives to improve resource management and long-term sustainability.
  • Collaborating with the APAC leadership team to shape GFI APAC’s annual calendar and team rhythm, ensuring operational alignment across key periods such as OKR planning, budget planning, and the annual team retreat.
  • Aligning regional operations with global frameworks and governance standards, ensuring consistency while adapting to local contexts.
  • Providing advisory support to the Operations Managers in GFI Korea and GFI Japan to strengthen systems, ensure alignment with APAC-wide standards, and share best practices.
  • Driving APAC-wide change initiatives and cross-functional projects that improve collaboration, streamline systems, and strengthen organisational performance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

The Head of Operations must have:

• At least 7 years of experience in two or more of the following fields: operations, people operations, administration, finance, recruitment or legal/compliance.
• Proven experience in project management, workflow optimisation, vendor management, logistics, contract administration, is strongly preferred.
• Strong financial and IT literacy, with excellent attention to detail and a willingness to learn new software. Proficiency in Google Workspace, Asana, Salesforce, and Slack is preferred.
• A deep commitment to GFI APAC’s mission.
• Ability to work independently and use sound judgment in decision making, including setting and managing priorities and meeting competing deadlines.
• Fluency and strong written and verbal communication skills in English. An additional Asian language would be a plus.
• A proactive, self-starter mindset with the initiative to take ownership of the Operations team’s impact.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent people skills and the ability to foster an inclusive, collaborative and supportive team environment. 
• Comfort working remotely within a growing and evolving nonprofit organisation.

We want the best people and we don’t want biases holding us back. We strongly encourage people of every colour, orientation, age, gender, origin, and ability to apply. Because we value a diverse workplace, we prioritise an inclusive climate absent of discrimination and harassment during the application process and after you join the team.

The fine print

• Terms of Employment: Full-time 
• Reports to: CEO, GFI APAC 
• Location: APAC region
• Salary: Annual salary between SG$150,000 – 155,000 based on qualifications and experience. If candidates are based outside of Singapore, the annual salary will be adjusted in accordance with the local rate.
• Benefits: Working from home, flexible working hours, opportunity to create real impact, respectful managers and supportive colleagues.
• Application deadline: 10 December 2025
• Application process: Please complete this short form, upload your CV and cover letter. Your cover letter (of 1-2 pages) should set out:
  • What motivated you to apply for this role?
  • How do you meet the requirements listed in the job description?
  • Which bit of the job description energises you the most?