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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.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Join Leeds Community Foundation and GiveBradford as Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships to lead the development and delivery of strategic income generation across Leeds and Bradford.
Applications close: 9 a.m. Monday 14th July 2025
Location: Leeds (regular travel to Bradford and to events, donor meetings and networking)
About Leeds Community Foundation and GiveBradford
Through flexible and responsive grant making, we enable and strengthen community organisations that are the backbone of our city, because when they thrive, so do our communities – and all of us benefit.
Leeds Community Foundation oversees four distinct charities, including Bradford District Community Foundation (GiveBradford). This means we have separate trustees responsible for our work in Leeds and in Bradford and can develop complementary but distinct strategies to make the most of partnerships at national and regional levels alongside appealing to donors with a specific passion of place.
For over 20 years, we’ve been helping donors invest and distribute more than £65 million to benefit communities across our city and the wider region where it can make the most difference, and we hold about £50m philanthropic capital on behalf of a wide range of donors at any one time.
As a trusted partner to businesses, foundations and professional advisors, we’ve delivered countless strategic giving programmes with life-changing outcomes.
Now, more than ever, our communities need us. With growing social, economic and climate pressures, grassroots community organisations have never been more vital, but with demand soaring and resources stretched, they’ve never been at greater risk. That’s why we’ll continue to develop partnerships, invest where it’s needed and build a fairer future, together.
About the role
Sitting on Leeds Community Foundation’s senior leadership team, the Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships will develop a new income generation strategy, focusing on high-value, sustainable philanthropy, and a new proactive Communications strategy showcasing the Foundation as the go-to place for philanthropy in Leeds and Bradford.
The role will be a strategic leader in the organisation, deputising for the CEO where needed and representing the charity externally, while also personally delivering 6- and 7-figure gifts from new and existing supporters.
Who we are looking for
- Senior-level experience in income generation through philanthropic and/or corporate partnerships.
- Proven success in securing significant gifts from individuals or institutions.
- Familiarity with professional advisory networks, corporate and private wealth giving.
- Experience developing and delivering cross-channel communications strategies, ideally within a values-led or mission-driven organisation.
- Experience of line management and/or leading cross-team workstreams with the ability to lead a high-performing team.
- Existing networks across Bradford and Leeds would be a real advantage.
- Strategic thinker with a focus on growth, innovation and influence.
- Skilled communicator with a confident, persuasive presentation style.
- Ability to craft compelling narratives and develop messaging that resonates with diverse audiences.
- Demonstrates strong judgement on critical matters and can make informed, timely and effective decisions.
- Committed to our mission and values, with a passion for equity and community transformation.
If you’re excited to join us on this journey, we can’t wait to meet you.
Please click 'Redirect to recruiter’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.
Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Monday 14th July 2025.
Registered Charity
11 - 20
To enable collective giving, unlocking flexible resources to start and strengthen community organisations, building a movement towards a fairer Leeds.
Thank you!
The Association for Cultural Enterprises (AfCE) supports over 500 member organisations across the UK and internationally, helping the cultural sector generate earned income through commercial activity. As an Arts Council England-funded organisation, AfCE delivers sector-leading training, benchmarking, data-led insights, events, and advocacy to drive financial resilience in arts, heritage, and culture.
AfCE runs a year-round programme of live training events around the UK and Europe, as well as its signature annual Cultural Enterprises Conference and Trade Show. We have ambitions to grow attendance at these events, as well as growing our membership.
The Association is a charitable organisation, which also has a trading company, Cultural Enterprises (Trading) Limited (CET).
We are looking for a new Finance Manager to join a small, friendly, and ambitious team, to review the day-to-day processes and policies and identify opportunities to improve reporting and make operational efficiencies. The Association is growing, so now is an exciting time to join our team and work with our members across the cultural sector.
Job Summary
The purpose of this role is to provide sound financial management for the Association and CET through:
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Statutory financial reporting in line with Charity SORP/UK GAAP, including annual returns to Companies House and the Charity Commission
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Management accounting, reporting and analysis to funders, management, staff, and Trustees/Directors
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Preparation and maintenance of budgets, forecasts and plans, including cashflows and project budgets
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Supervision and control of day-to-day accounting transactions, including oversight of the finance aspects of the Apprentice role
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Oversight and implementation of robust financial systems, policies, and procedures
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Responsible for financial queries, working with the Apprentice as first point of contact for external contacts
Main Duties
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Supervise day-to-day accounting operations and ensure accurate financial record keeping, including coding, allocations, reconciliations, and tax accounting
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Oversee invoice generation and debt recovery processes
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Process payments and staff expenses for authorisation
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Produce regular management accounts on an accruals basis, providing interpretation and advice to the Executive Team, Finance & Risk Committee, Trustees/Directors, and funders
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Lead on budget preparation and forecasting, including project-specific budgets; monitor and reforecast as needed
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Prepare statutory accounts in compliance with charity SORP and liaise with external auditors and the Treasurer
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Manage contracts with financial services providers, including bookkeepers, auditors, banks, and investment managers
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Attend AfCE and CET Board meetings
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Fulfil company secretarial duties, including:
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Filing confirmation statements and annual accounts for ACE and CET with Companies House and Charity Commission
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Filing changes in Trustees/Directors
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Complete Arts Council England (ACE) returns, including provision of financial information for quarterly payment processes when required
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Negotiate and implement insurance policies including:
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General insurance
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Cyber security
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Life assurance
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Staff sickness policy
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Trustees’ liability
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Conference insurance
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Oversee monthly payroll, including statutory payments to HMRC and pension providers, and liaise with bookkeepers for payroll updates or changes
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Review VAT returns for accuracy before submission to HMRC
Note on External Bookkeepers
External bookkeepers currently provide support limited to payroll and VAT processing.
Person Specification
Personal Qualities
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Self-disciplined, organised, proactive and self-motivating
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Logical and methodical approach to finance and administration
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Trustworthy, honest, reliable and conscientious
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Confident, professional, and personable, able to communicate easily within a small team and with external stakeholders
Professional Competencies
Essential
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Professional accounting qualification such as ACA, ACCA, or CIMA
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Strong knowledge of charity SORP and charity finance regulations, including VAT and Gift Aid
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Experience with Xero or equivalent cloud-based accounting systems
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Strong reporting skills
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Team player with excellent interpersonal skills
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High level of accuracy and attention to detail
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Experience producing management accounts and supporting senior leadership and boards
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Ability to interpret financial data for non-financial colleagues
Desirable
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Experience working in a small charity or business
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Understanding of the cultural or charitable sector
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Experience of remote working
Benefits
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Unlimited holiday policy
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5% employer pension contribution
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Life insurance
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Flexible working arrangements by agreement with the CEO
We are an inclusive, equal opportunity employer and value diversity. All employment is decided on the basis of experience, merit and organisational need.
Please note that interviews for this role will take place online on Thursday 31st July.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.