Central operations administrator jobs in Bristol

About the organisation

Curieus Games CIC is a UK Community Interest Company, in the process of converting into a CIO (Charitable Incorporated Organisation). Our mission is to raise energy literacy through play. We make energy and climate education fun and accessible. Our vision is to inspire and attract young people to work in the energy sector.

Our flagship programme, Megawatt, consists of an energy-based educational card game supported by a series of workshops. The object of the programme is to engage students on energy and sustainability through gamification and ethical debates.

By transitioning into a charity, the potential grants we can apply for increases significantly. This role has been created to take ownership of this grant pipeline as Megawatt scales up across the UK.

You can see more about our organisation here: www.megawatt.game

Job summary

We're looking for an organised, proactive individual to own the day-to-day running of our grant pipeline. This will range from researching grant opportunities and drafting applications, through to managing compliance, tracking grant finances, and delivering funder reports. You’ll be working closely with the Founder and School Engagement Manager.

If you have experience in grant administration or charity operations, are highly organised, and want to play a central role in a small mission-driven organisation, we want to hear from you.

Job outline

Grant applications

• Research new grant opportunities and maintain accurate records of live grants and deadlines.
• Draft and submit grant applications, with support from the Founder.
• Coordinate with the School Engagement Manager to identify eligible schools and handover successful grants for delivery.

Grant administration, finances and compliance

• Manage grant conditions, compliance and funder reporting from award through to close.
• Monitor spend against grant budgets and flag underspend or overspend.
• Support the development of improved operations and processes for grant management.
• Identify new income streams and fundraising opportunities.

Essential criteria

• Organised, detail-oriented and independent.
• Experience in grant administration, fundraising support, or charity operations.
• Confident written communicator.
• Comfortable managing finances at the level of budget tracking and reporting.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently in a remote, small-team environment.
• Proficient with digital tools.
• Must be a UK resident with the right to work in the UK.

Desirable criteria

• Experience writing grant applications, particularly for charitable trusts, foundations, or public sector funders.
• Experience working in or with the education sector.
• Familiarity with restricted fund management and charity finances.
• Knowledge of or interest in energy, sustainability, or climate education.
• Experience building or improving operational systems and processes.

Salary and benefits

• £36,000 gross FTE (pro rata)
• Around 22.5 hours per week, fully remote with flexible working hours, with an option to work term time only
• Workplace contributory pension
• 6 weeks holiday including bank holidays (pro rata)
• Regular performance reviews with the opportunity to increase your salary as the role and organisation develops

How to apply

To apply, please send a CV and a one-page cover letter via Charity Jobs by 19th August.

In your cover letter, tell us why this role appeals to you and give some examples where you have demonstrated the essential and desirable criteria listed in the job description.

We are committed to flexible, family-friendly working and welcome applications from people returning to work after a career break. We look forward to hearing from you.

Location: Bristol office, hybrid (minimum three days a week onsite)

Salary: £50,285 per annum

Job Type: Fixed term maternity cover, approximately 15 months. Minimum 30 hours a week, up to full time (37.5 hours)

The role:

This role covers the current post-holder's maternity leave for an anticipated 15 months. As Financial Controller you will lead CSE's finance team, directing and overseeing the finance function in compliance with appropriate accounting standards and practices, company and charity law.

You will provide timely, accurate financial and management information to support strategic decision-making and effective budgetary control by our Senior Leadership Team, Trustees, project managers and other budget holders. You will line manage the Finance Manager and Finance Assistant and be a member of CSE's Senior Management Team.

Reporting to the Director of Finance and Operations, you will work alongside the wider Operations Team to provide operational support that underpins delivery of our charitable mission. This is a fast-paced role and we need someone who can get up to speed with minimal delay.

Specific responsibilities

An applicant appointed to the role will be expected to:

• Take responsibility for day-to-day accounting, invoicing, payroll, VAT returns, payments and banking, credit control and cash management, including timely monthly management accounts.
• Line manage the Finance Manager and Finance Assistant.
• Co-ordinate the annual budget cycle and mid-year budget refresh alongside the Director of Finance & Operations and SLT.
• Attend monthly SMT meetings to share the previous month's financial results and handle related queries.
• Prepare accurate, accessible reports on organisational, team, staff and project financial indicators to support timely decision-making.
• Maintain the organisation's financial records to appropriate accounting standards and prepare documentation for the annual audit and other statutory reporting.
• Liaise with CSE's auditors to enable an effective and timely annual audit.
• Support project managers to plan and manage project budgets, providing financial data for reporting to clients and funders.
• Provide expertise on financial costing and monitoring approaches for new project funding proposals, reflecting funder requirements.
• Provide finance support to Retrofit West CIC, including financial reporting, statutory obligations and payroll as required.

To see a more detailed list of responsibilities please see the supporting documents attached. These documents are also available to download from our website.

About you:

Essential attributes for this role include:

• Fully qualified ACA, ACCA or equivalent accountant.
• At least seven years' post-qualification experience, including at least five years in a financial management role.
• Working knowledge of accounting standards, VAT and HMRC regulations in England, including requirements applicable to a UK charity with a trading subsidiary.
• Experience of leading the preparation for an annual audit.
• Experience of preparing routine financial and management information reports for senior executives and staff.
• Experience of using timesheet software to track allocation of staff time to different cost centres.
• High level competence with Sage accounting software and MS Excel.
• Able to analyse, structure and sense-check financial data to produce clear, informative reports, with excellent attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with proven management skills.
• Self-motivated and organised, able to work with limited supervision and manage conflicting priorities.

Please note, the above is an overview of the skills required for this role. To see the full list of essential and desirable skills please see the attached job description.

Benefits:

CSE offer a range of other benefits including:

• You will be entitled to 25 days' paid holiday (plus statutory holidays)
• Company pension scheme with 8% employer and 6% employee contributions
• Subsidised bike purchase and Tech Scheme
• Life Assurance
• Health Cash plan
• Retail discounts
• Discounted breakdown cover and many more.
• We will pay fees and expenses on relevant training courses.
• We are flexible with working hours and will discuss this openly if you are invited to interview.

How to apply

To apply, please download and complete the application form available from our website and send it to our Jobs email (available in the candidate pack). Your application should demonstrate your suitability against the criteria in the person specification and job description. CVs and supporting letters will not be considered.

The closing date for applications is 5pm Sunday on 16 August 2026.

First interviews are expected online on Thursday 3 and Friday 4 September 2026, with final panel interviews at our Bristol office on Thursday 10 and Friday 11 September 2026. The earliest start date is early October 2026.

This role requires a basic DBS check. If invited to interview, we will ask for evidence of eligibility to work in the UK.