Business support manager jobs in sandbach, cheshire east

A well-established Housing Association in East London is looking to take on a Rent and Service Charge Accountant for an initial 12 Month FTC.  This association has a big impact in its community and creates an inspiring, inclusive place to work.

They are looking to bring someone into their collaborative team who comes from a housing association or property background with experience in both Rent and Service Charges (mainly Service Charges).  This role is an interesting balance of Business as Usual and project work as they look to automate their processes and move from excel.

Responsibilities:

• To lead on end-to-end processes, including estimates, actuals and liaising with auditors
• Support on year-end service charge and rent calculations and speak to customers about their queries
• Assist in moving from excel based work to using a Service Charge Module and helping with the integration
• Managing a Service Charge Assistant and helping them improve performance

Requirements:

• Rent and Service Charge candidate, ideally from a Housing Association background
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail
• Happy with day-to-day work and willing to get involved with the project to help automate and streamline their processes
• Good excel and system skills

If this role sounds of interest, please apply ASAP as the opportunity is moving fast.

Interim Head of Finance & Operations

Career Ready is a social mobility charity that believes that every young person deserves the opportunity to enjoy a rewarding future.

We were founded in 2002 by leading business figures with a mission: to boost social mobility by empowering young people and giving their talents a platform from which to flourish. Since then, we’ve grown in England and Scotland to support young people in areas of need.

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced, qualified Finance professional to lead our Finance & Operations function.

About the Role

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer the Interim Head of Finance & Operations leads on and assumes day to day responsibility for providing high quality, strategic financial management for Career Ready.

You will lead on business operations to ensure the ongoing effective functioning of the charity and drive sustainable growth.

The Interim Head of Finance and Operations plays a key role in leading greater organisational efficiency and simplifying processes and will continue the delivery of a project plan reflecting the 2025-30 strategy.

You will play a critical role in driving the increased quality of Career Ready’s offer to our stakeholders in line with our strategy, vision and values.

Member of our SMT, comprising of the CEO, Director for Scotland, Director of Programme and Partnerships and Heads of functions.

This is an interim role to cover a period of maternity leave.

Main responsibilities and accountabilities

· Lead, direct and manage the finance and operations functions, overseeing two direct reports, ensuring they deliver a high-quality service to all internal and external stakeholders and are seen as adding value, in enabling Career Ready to achieve its vision and strategic objectives through its people. 

· Continue the delivery of a project plan reflecting the 2025-30 strategy, ensuring that activities happen at pace, are deadline-driven and achieve a high level of impact.

· Assume overall responsibility for the financial management of Career Ready, working with the SMT to ensure high quality and effective use of charitable funds.

· Input into and review the financial elements of funding applications and ensure that fund accounting processes align with funders’ requirements for project reporting.

· Produce financial reports for various stakeholders, as well as leading on financial modelling.

· Have oversight of all financial and accountancy matters including month end reports, management accounts, cash flow management, compliance, tax liability, presentation of management information and KPIs. Ensure that the CEO and Trustees are provided with accurate, timely information and analysis. 

· Oversee and coordinate the fully managed payroll services with the external bureau for all Career Ready employees and for some internship students (Jun to Aug during the Summer)

· Administration of the Staff Opt-In Pension Scheme, including onboarding new staff (Royal London)

· Act as a role model in our ‘one team’ culture. Lead in the development of efficient working practices across the charity, creating momentum and supporting motivation within the charity. 

· Lead risk management strategies and internal control procedures to minimise the risk of loss, or damage to, Career Ready’s assets. 

· Prepare and submit annual operational budgets and annual accounts to the CEO for review and approval.

· Draft and deliver papers for Trustees and Finance and Fundraising Committee (F&FC) meetings. 

· Attend Board and F&FC meetings to present papers and answer questions related to areas of expertise. 

· Provide day to day line management of the Senior Finance Officers and support their ongoing growth and development.

· Management of organisational governance and compliance activities, including policy management.

· Oversee and manage the organisation’s risk management register and process, with input from SMT.

· Oversee reviews and renewals of all insurance policies that affect the organisation.

· Lead on the compliance of statutory and charity regulatory reporting, giving guidance to colleagues where required.

· Ensure any changes to processes and procedures across the function are clearly documented.

Person Specification

Essential skills and experience

•  Belief and commitment to Career Ready’s mission and values
• Qualified (ACA/ACCA/CIMA/AAT) accountant with at least 5 years’ experience in financial management including budgeting, preferably in the charity sector.
• Significant experience in producing management and financial accounts
• Skilled in financial reporting and producing VAT returns
• Preparing for and ensuring a successful year-end audit, and demonstrable knowledge of UK Charities SORP and other reporting standards
• Experience in budgeting to support strategic decision making.
• Financial dexterity and strong analytical skills.
• Strong IT skills, including advanced MS Excel skills and extensive of using an accounting software, preferably Xero
• Excellent organisational and prioritising skills and ability to work independently and with autonomy
• Strong starter finisher with ability to lead and drive projects
• Knowledge of charity governance and compliance requirements
• Ability to build excellent relationships and have effective engagement with stakeholders
• Good communication skills and ability to communicate financial concepts to non-finance staff
• Attention to detail
• Ability to present financial information to various audiences
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and sensitivity of financial information
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to cope with competing demands to deadlines
• Honest and dependable

Desirable skills and experience

• Experience of leading a team, strong team building skills
• Line management experience
• Experience of using MS Planner or other project management tools
• Genuine interest in the work done by the Charity
• Experience of using a CRM (Salesforce)
• Degree in financial management or accounting

Full details are provided in the candidate pack

Salary and Benefits

Salary: £52,000 to £54,000 FTE (salary will be pro-rata for part time hours)

28-35 hours per week.  Career Ready is committed to supporting condensed/flexible working patterns.

Permanent and remote.  Travel to London required on an occasional basis

You will be rewarded with the following benefits:

· 6% contribution to personal pension plan, subject to 3% employee contribution.

· Annual leave: 27 days per annum plus bank/public holidays (pro rata for part time). The charity is also closed between Christmas and New Year. Career Ready also allows flexible use of some Bank & Public Holidays

· Cycle to Work Scheme

· Access to both our Reward Gateway Portal and an Employee Assistance Programme.

· Flexible working

· Work from home allowance and paid travel expenses.

We regret that Career Ready is unable to offer visa sponsorship and candidates must be able to demonstrate their right to work in the UK. In accordance with our commitment to safeguarding, offers of employment are subject to completion of a DBS check. 

Timetable

Applications close at 9am on Monday 21 July 2025 

Please note that the closing date may be brought forward if we receive strong applications.

This is an interim role to cover a period of maternity leave, with a provisional start date of late September for a handover period.

Location: Working remotely from home across the four nations of the UK, occasionally co-working spaces, with occasional travel.

Start date: As soon as possible (Autumn 2025)

Salary: £69,080 (F/T pro-rated for 0.6FTE to £41,808) 

Benefits: 30 days Annual holiday (18 days pro rata). Pension Scheme. Flexible working arrangements. Access to co-working budget

Hours of work: Part Time at 0.6 FTE worked flexibly around business needs at 21 hours per week

Contract type: Permanent contract

Do you want to play a vital role in supporting a charity who are reshaping the systems that support children and young people across the UK? Are you a values led finance and operations leader who thrives on both strategic thinking and hands-on problem solving? Can you help steward a high performing, mission driven organisation through its next phase of growth and impact?

Dartington Service Design Lab is a national charity that harnesses experience, cutting edge evidence and design to tackle the challenges children and young people face today, securing thriving futures for tomorrow. As we move forward with our refreshed strategy, we are looking for a new Director of Finance and Operations to join our Senior Leadership Team.

This is a unique opportunity to lead the Lab’s operational heart; from finance and governance to people, culture, IT and compliance. You'll work closely with the CEO and leadership team to ensure our infrastructure is not only effective and efficient, but enabling of bold, systemic work across the UK. The role balances high level financial strategy and organisational leadership with routine financial reporting, oversight of day-to-day operations and actively supporting team wellbeing. It will suit someone confident operating strategically at an Executive and Board level, but who’s also comfortable rolling up their sleeves in a small, agile organisation.

We are seeking someone with significant experience in finance and operations leadership, ideally in a non-profit, consultancy or values driven setting, who is committed to equity, anti-racism, and social justice. This is a 0.6 FTE role (21 hours/week) and we welcome applications from those looking for flexible or part-time senior leadership work that makes a real difference. To support the removal of barriers to colleagues contributing fully as employees and to address equity considerations, we have a flexible working policy that trusts individuals to manage their time, working flexibly to deliver against our commitments, for example the 21 hrs can be condensed over 3 days or worked over 4-5 days.

As a team, we operate remotely across the UK with regular project-related travel. Our staff work from home or when appropriate, together in local co-working spaces, and normally, a few times a year we meet as a whole team for a few days to develop and connect. 

Don’t meet every single requirement outlined in the Job Description? Studies have shown that women and racially minoritised groups are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single requirement. Dartington Service Design Lab is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace for everyone. So, if you’re excited about this role but your experience or qualifications don’t match the job description exactly, we encourage you to apply anyway. You might just be the right person to help us achieve our impact for children and young people.

Candidates should be aware that, in line with our commitment to equity, we have made the decision not to negotiate regarding salary on appointment or progression. The evidence shows that negotiation of salary is an inherently inequitable process that marginalises women and those from racially minoritised communities. We do, however, have a transparent grade and scale structure for all those in the Lab which, based on organisational affordability and satisfactory performance in role, will result in an increase to salaries every two years up until the ceiling of that particular role’s banding. 

The post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service certificate and pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed.

If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you. Find out more in the Candidate Briefing Pack. 

Respect 

Director of Programmes 

£62,756 (+plus LA of £3,299 for employees living in London), + 6% pension 

Full time, 35 hours per week, permanent 

Home-based with travel to projects/HQ in London (2-3 days per month) 

Respect is a pioneering UK membership organisation in the domestic abuse sector. Founded in 2000, we have built our expertise over the last 25 years in what was then a fledgling sector. We have seen rapid growth over the last few years and now have 60+ staff running a range of projects and core activities and have ambitious plans for further growth and influence. 

We work with our members, partners, and allies to stop the harms done by those who perpetrate domestic abuse. With innovative practice, robust research, and quality data, we build evidence of what works, promote safe, effective practice and drive high standards. We use our voice, in collaboration with others, to call for a response to domestic abuse that matches the scale of the problem.

We will not stop, until domestic abuse stops.

This is a pivotal new role which sits firmly on the Executive Leadership Team and oversees the strategic direction, financial accountability, and best practice of our portfolio of projects and programmes.

Managing a team of highly skilled Heads of programmes, you will be responsible for providing strategic oversight of 50+ practice-focused staff, for developing and implementing systems that support collaborative working, shared best practice, donor compliance, and robust communication.

The successful candidate will also collaborate with senior colleagues to help Respect implement its overall strategy to grow sustainably and realise the opportunities that the growth in interest in our work is bringing. To this end we are looking for an experienced senior leader with an extensive track record in leading multiple and complex workstreams while always being conscious of risk. Your experience is likely to also include acting as a senior representative for Respect externally, particularly with funders, national and local government stakeholders, and with the perpetrator and wider domestic abuse sector.

How to apply: 

Application is via CV with a Supporting Statement.

We would particularly welcome applications from people from a wide range of backgrounds and across all protected characteristics, particularly people from the following under-represented groups on our staff team: Black and minoritised people, Deaf and disabled people. 

Closing date: Midnight Sunday 27th July 2025 

First interview: Week commencing 4h August 2025 

Final interview: Week commencing 11th August 2025