We are Age UK York, a local independent charity which exists to support the older people of York and those around them. For over 50 years our team of staff, volunteers and supporters have helped us to offer a wide range of services providing vital and trusted support so often when it is needed most.
Our vital work is needed today as much as ever and we ever welcome people to join our team as together we realise our shared mission of making a positive difference to the lives of the older people of York.
Job Summary:
Would you like to make a life changing difference in support of local people and communities in need here in York? Can you bring financial management expertise to support a team effort and help shape the future of our long standing charity?
Age UK York is offering an exciting senior leadership opportunity to join our fantastic team and support our vital work here in York. Could you be our Head of Finance and help lead our team, ensure our effective financial arrangements and the vital part it plays in realising our mission in the positive difference we can make in helping others.,
We are looking to find for our new Head of Finance who can bring their experience, expertise and passion to support our local York charity, our team and those we are here to help each and every day.
You will manage our brilliant team with a focus on strong financial management. With both internal and external focus the role will lead on our financial management and helping our charity make every penny entrusted to us count, as we develop, manage and realise our financial goals and the difference the enable Age UK York to make in supporting older people and those around them across York.
You will be part of our energised senior leadership and management teams helping to shape our charity and the continued positive difference we make whilst working closely across our teams in their role together with our Board of Trustees.
The opportunity offers an excellent benefits package and support for your own personal development and aspirations. The opportunity would not only empower you to take forward the strong legacy from our current team though bring your own identity, ideas and strengths to the fore in our collective efforts to be there tomorrow and beyond.
Key Responsibilities:
We are looking for an experienced financial manager with a keen eye for detail and drive for high performance, continuous improvement and team work. With an ambition and drive to make a telling contribution and strengthen our charity and the difference we can together make in supporting older people and communities.
We would love to hear from you if you have:
· Experience and success in leading the financial management for an organisation.
· Experience in providing leadership within an organisation; an eye for detail and a driver of standards in continuously learning and strengthening working practices and outcomes.
· Managed a team providing support, motivation and nurturing talent and opportunity
· The ability to readily transfer your existing experiences and skills to a new challenge;
· Understanding of your strengths and areas for continuing development and proactively build your knowledge and skills
We would love to hear from you.
We’re looking for someone who:
· Is successful in providing financial management for an organisation and effective in collaborating and supporting non-financial colleagues in our shared financial goals and successful practice.
· Demonstrates wider leadership qualities including contributing to overarching organisational strategic priorities.
· Skilled, including an excellent communicator, in building and maintaining successful relationships across internal teams and external partnerships.
· Able, and experienced, in delivering in meeting outcomes and targets whilst supporting a performance and continuous improvement organisational approach.
· Highly organised, adaptable, and comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment;
· Strong attention to detail, analytical and critical thinking qualities, and able to apply and be energised to meet organisational challenges and opportunities in continually strengthening our organisation to help us realise our vision, mission and priorities.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
· Ability to prepare, manage, monitor and report on budgets.
· Previous experience in one or more, management or financial accounting roles delivering day to day finance functions.
· Experience of line management and support, motivation and development to colleagues and collective team.
· Experience of supporting the development and delivery of high quality services through financial management and support to operational colleagues.
· Effective understanding of financial statistics and accounting principles.
· Strong interpersonal, communication and presentation skills. Including interpreting and communicating financial information to non-finance function colleagues and in support of decision making; a facilitative and accessible approach; ability to manage remote communications and diplomacy and conflict resolution skills.
· Passion and commitment to work within a not-for-profit organisation and support a team approach in working to help others.
· Decision making – ability to make decisions based on an analysis of data and insights, including financial, performance and needs based data.
Salary and Benefits:
- £17.75 per hour, £32,391 (FTE) per year, pro rata
- Flexible working options within our 21 hour per week role
- A genuinely friendly and supportive environment
- Generous holidays – 26.5 days plus bank holidays (pro rata for part-time employees). Additional leave – an extra day of long service.
- Birthday day off
- Enhanced sick pay after 6 months of service
- Flexible work schedule
- Potential for funding towards professional qualifications
- Employee discounts including Blue Light Scheme eligibility
- BUPA Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
- Free eye test
- Free flu jab
- Free DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service)
Who we are
IPSEA (Independent Provider of Special Education Advice) is a national charity working to ensure that children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) receive the educational support they are legally entitled to. Since we were formed in 1983, we have helped to improve the education experience of thousands of children and young people across England. We do this by providing free and independent legal advice and casework support for families, undertaking policy work and delivering training on the SEND legal framework.
What you’ll do
Reports to: Chief Executive
Location: Home-based or Hybrid (with frequent travel for events and meeting with parliamentarians and other stakeholders)
We are seeking a Policy Manager to lead IPSEA's policy and influencing work to achieve positive change for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their families. Working closely with the Chief Executive, Head of Legal and Training, trustees and colleagues across the organisation, you will set strategic policy priorities and develop evidence-based influencing plans that support IPSEA's mission and long-term objectives.
Drawing on insights from our advice and tribunal services, legal expertise and the experiences of families, you will identify systemic issues within the SEND system and develop policy solutions that improve children and young people's access to the support and education to which they are entitled. You will ensure that IPSEA's policy positions are credible, legally robust and informed by the lived experiences of those we support.
You will lead IPSEA's engagement with government, Parliament and other key decision-makers, identifying opportunities to influence legislation, policy and practice at both national and local level. This includes overseeing responses to consultations, parliamentary inquiries and calls for evidence, as well as preparing briefings and strategic advice to support senior-level engagement and advocacy.
Working collaboratively with colleagues across legal, communications, fundraising and training teams, you will ensure IPSEA's policy, campaigning and public affairs activities are aligned and maximise the organisation's impact. You will also monitor developments across the political, legal and policy landscape, helping IPSEA respond proactively to emerging opportunities and challenges affecting the rights of children and young people with SEND.
This role offers the opportunity to make a real difference as part of a small, friendly, and dedicated team. If you are passionate about helping children and young people with SEND and have the skills and experience needed, we would love to hear from you.
Who are we looking for?
You will have significant experience in a senior policy and campaigning/public affairs role and have good knowledge of local and national government structure including the legislative process.
You the ability to build and maintain relationships with a range of stakeholders including MPs, civil servants, campaigners and parents. You exhibit tact and diplomacy and can be impactful with people of varying levels and experience.
Your research and critical thinking skills enable you to analyse policy and data to produce relevant reports and position papers. You have experience of drafting organisation responses to government consultations and parliamentary calls for evidence.
IPSEA should also reflect the communities we support. We would particularly like to hear from candidates from ethnic minority backgrounds, LGBTQIA+ people, under-served communities and disabled people, as well as those with lived experience of the SEND system, either as a child or as a parent/carer.
What we can offer you
- 5% employer pension contributions
- Healthcare cash plan
- Flexible working arrangements
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays plus an additional day off for your birthday (pro-rata if part-time).
To apply
Visit our website to download a recruitment pack and application form.
Deadline for applications: 9am on 7 September 2026.
First-round interviews: on 15 September 2026 in our offices in Takeley, Essex, with second-round interviews (online) on 18 September 2026.
NO AGENCIES PLEASE.
We help children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) get the education they are entitled to by law


The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.