Chief executive jobs

Martingale Postgraduate Foundation (Martingale) exists to fund and support the next generation of talented researchers. We believe that family income should not be a barrier to the pursuit of excellence, and our mission is to enable and nurture talented individuals from low-socioeconomic backgrounds to thrive within world-leading postgraduate research.

Martingale’s flagship programme is the Martingale Postgraduate Scholarship, which supports students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds to pursue and excel in postgraduate degrees, by providing:

• A fully-funded Living Wage Scholarship to pursue a one-year Masters degree or a four-year PhD.
• All tuition fees and research expenses, including a tax-free stipend for living costs.
• Tailored support to apply for Martingale courses at our partner universities.
• Access to Martingale programmes, including leadership training and connections with top academic and industry professionals.
• Membership of a pioneering community of talented researchers.

In the three years since Martingale launched, we are now supporting over 100 Scholars to undertake postgraduate degrees across our ten partner universities and have committed over £7.7m in Scholarships. We are continuing to expand our offer, bringing on new partners each year.

We are seeking an experienced, strategic and collaborative Head of Communications and External Engagement to join our Senior Leadership Team and play a pivotal role in shaping Martingale’s external profile, strategic partnerships, and policy influence.

As Head of Communications and External Engagement, you will join our growing senior management team, overseeing several critical aspects of Martingale’s work: communications and recruitment; partnerships and fundraising; and policy and advocacy. Working closely with the CEO, you will oversee all aspect of Martingale’s external communications and engagement to ensure Martingale’s success.

You will set the strategic direction of Martingale’s external positioning, working closely with the CEO on a day-to-day basis to ensure that our communications, partnerships and policy activity is aligned and meeting Martingale’s mission. You will ensure that Martingale’s messaging is consistent, with a bold brand presence and strong collaboration with various external stakeholders including funders, universities, media, and government.

We are looking for a strong communicator with extensive leadership experience including line management, partnership management and external relations. You will bring excellent organisational skills, strong attention to detail, a proactive mindset, and a strong alignment with Martingale’s mission. We welcome applicants from a range of career paths who are excited to be part of a growing, fast-paced charity delivering meaningful impact.

Martingale Foundation is incubated by Purposeful Ventures who provide operational and strategic support. The Head of Communications and External Engagement will be employed by Purposeful Ventures.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and deliver a clear, bold strategy for communications, policy, and partnerships aligned with Martingale’s vision and growth.
• Lead the development of Martingale’s voice, ensuring consistency across all external channels and stakeholder interactions.
• Act as a senior leader within the organisation, contributing to overall strategic planning.

Communications & Brand

• Oversee all external communications, campaigns and media engagement, strengthening Martingale’s profile and influence.
• Manage content strategy, digital channels, storytelling and brand evolution.
• Ensure high-quality and accessible communications across print, digital, and in-person events.

Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement

• Maintain and grow relationships with Martingale’s university, philanthropic, and other partners.
• Collaborate with the CEO on fundraising engagement strategies and impact storytelling.
• Oversee ambassador engagement and support Martingale’s national and regional events.

Policy & Advocacy

• Lead Martingale’s policy and advocacy work to shape the future of postgraduate access and equity.
• Along with the CEO, represent Martingale in external forums, responding to consultations and influencing key stakeholders in research and education policy.
• Collaborate with researchers and partners to generate evidence and drive systems change.

Team Leadership & Management

• Line manage team leads across communications and partnerships, with oversight of a team of four.
• Support the professional development of the team, ensuring alignment with Martingale’s values and goals.
• Foster a collaborative, agile, and inclusive culture within and across teams.
• The post holder will carry out any other duties as are within the scope, spirit, and purpose of the role as requested by the line manager. 

Key Requirements:

Essential Criteria

• Right to work in the UK

Experience and skills

Essential

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to effectively communicate with diverse audiences including senior stakeholders.
• Significant senior-level experience in communications, policy, or external relations within a mission-driven organisation.
• Proven experience line managing a multi-person team, including managing people who manage others.
• Strong track record of developing and delivering high-impact external engagement strategies.
• Excellent communication skills — strategic thinking combined with hands-on content expertise.
• Experience managing and cultivating high-value partnerships or donor relationships.
• Understanding of UK education, social mobility, or research funding landscapes.
• Proven experience in account management, managing multiple external stakeholder relationships and partnerships successfully.
• Advanced IT proficiency: Spreadsheet, Word Processing, CRM or Databases, Email, Web-based applications.

Desirable

• Experience working with or within higher education or research organisations.
• Familiarity with charity fundraising or philanthropic communications.
• Experience delivering communications in a startup or scale-up environment.
• Experience in working with governance boards and/or trustees.
• Experience delivering / overseeing ambitious recruitment campaigns.

Personal Characteristics

• Excellent interpersonal skills: able to build rapport and trusting relationships, able to work co-operatively in a multidisciplinary setting.
• A commitment to Martingale’s mission to support postgraduate students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Comfortable working in a rapidly growing and changing organisation with a degree of ambiguity – confident to create processes and ways forward where they might not yet exist.
• Creative and innovative: willing to think outside the box to maximise reach.
• Resourceful, able to act on initiative, hardworking, detail-oriented, and systematic.

Benefits:

• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays, rising to 29 days after two years of service and to 30 days after three years of service. This entitlement is pro rata for part-time employees. This entitlement excludes bank holidays.
• Full office closure between Christmas and New Year.
• A flexible approach to working with understanding and consideration for work-life balance and personal commitments.
• As a Purposeful Ventures employee, you will have the opportunity to be part of the TPT (The Pension Trust) scheme, our workplace pension scheme, where we make an 11% contribution; you are not required to contribute towards this scheme unless you choose to.
• Access to Charlie Perks, offering discounts and rewards at over 30,000 brands and retailers.

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced and highly organised Accountant to oversee the charity’s day-to-day financial management and reporting.

Reporting directly to the CEO, the Accountant will play a key role in maintaining accurate accounts, preparing management reports, and supporting the annual audit and budget processes. This is a hands-on role suited to someone who enjoys working across all aspects of charity finance, from daily transactions to strategic financial planning.

About The Child Beale Trust

The Child Beale Trust operates Beale Wildlife Park, a 350-acre charitable wildlife park and estate near Pangbourne. The charity’s objectives are the advancement of recreation, conservation, education and biodiversity. The Park welcomes thousands of visitors each year and is home to a wide range of animals, gardens and visitor attractions.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate financial records using QBOL.
• Prepare monthly management accounts and capex/cashflow forecasts.
• Administer and submit VAT returns, liaising with our external VAT advisor where required.
• Oversee budget tracking and forecasting for all departments, working closely with budget holders.
• Prepare year-end accounts and liaise with external auditors.
• Support the CEO and trustees with financial reporting and board papers.
• Manage payroll and pension administration (payroll itself is outsourced).
• Oversee the purchase order and approval process (using ApprovalMax).
• Ensure compliance with all charity and statutory financial regulations.
• Support the development of financial systems and processes to ensure on-going overall efficiency.

Person Specification

Essential:

• Qualified or part-qualified accountant (ACCA, ACA, CIMA or equivalent) or qualified by experience.
• Strong experience in management accounting and financial reporting.
• Good working knowledge of QBOL (or similar accounting software).
• Experience preparing year-end accounts and working with auditors.
• Excellent Excel skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities.
• Strong communication skills and ability to explain financial information clearly.
• Ability and desire to contribute to positive work environment.

Desirable:

• Experience in the charity or not-for-profit sector.
• Knowledge of charity VAT and restricted/unrestricted fund accounting.
• Experience in fund raising and Gift Aid management/optimisation.

Working Arrangements

• Option of a hybrid role with flexibility to work from home, but a minimum of 50% of hours must be worked on site at Beale Wildlife Park.
• Immediate start available, with a handover from the current Accountant to ensure a smooth transition.

Start Date: Immediate – full handover provided

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and early applications are encouraged.

Prospectus is delighted to be partnering with a historic theatre in the heart of Oxfordshire to recruit for a new Operations Director. Our client produces and presents world-class theatre for many thousands of audience members each year, along with enriching creative learning opportunities for all ages and communities. As they launch their vision and strategy for the next five years,  the theatre looks to hire a new Operations Director to lead day to day operations, as well as working on an exciting capital project.

The Operations Director is responsible for effective day-to-day operations of the organisation’s buildings and systems and for supporting team members through strong HR. They will lead on health & safety, HR, facilities, contracts, and capital projects, ensuring the theatre remains safe, accessible, and welcoming for all. As a member of the Senior Management Team, they will also play a vital role in shaping long-term organisational strategy, with particular emphasis on environmental sustainability, equality, diversity & inclusion (EDI), heritage conservation, access, and workforce professional development.

The selected candidate will have proven senior management experience in operations with some exposure to buildings/facilities management and HR. You will bring a strong understanding of health & safety practice and risk management, as well as strong leadership and team management skills. You will be an excellent problem solving with strong communications skills, and bring a passion to drive efficiency and new ways of working. You will also demonstrate a commitment to environmental sustainability, equity, diversity and inclusion.

At Prospectus we invest in your journey as a candidate and are committed to supporting you with your application. We welcome all candidates to apply, regardless of age, sex/gender, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status or pregnancy/maternity. If you have any disability and require reasonable adjustment/s to any part of the process then please contact Steven Fraser at Prospectus.

If you feel you meet some of the criteria but not all, we really hope you'll enquire and learn more. Prospectus can advise and support on each part of the role and hopefully your application, so we look forward to hearing from you.      
 
In order to apply please submit your CV only in the first instance. Should your experience be suitable, we will arrange for a meeting to brief you on the role. You'll then have all the information you need to formally apply. We are looking forward to connecting with you soon.

Back Up is an organisation that has inspired and supported people affected by spinal cord injury to get the most out of life for almost 40 years.

Today, the organisation is leading the way in helping people adjust positively to life after a spinal cord injury. The organisation's services are delivered by people who've been there, who understand the journey, and know how to support others. Whether it's building practical skills through wheelchair skills training, boosting confidence via participation in life-changing courses, or supporting families through challenging times, Back Up is there for everyone affected by spinal cord injury.

Charity People is delighted to be supporting this incredible organisation to recruit for a part time Director of Communications and Marketing who will join the team at a key point in the early stages of their new strategy, as they launch a new brand and head into their 40th birthday year with the vision to ensure everyone affected by spinal cord injury can reach their full potential - no matter their age, background, injury level or any other factor.

Part time Director of Communications and Marketing
Contract: Permanent role
Hours: Part time, 21 hours per week
Salary: £60,000 to £70,000 per annum FTE (pro-rata for 0.6 hour week to between £36,000 and £42,000)
Location: Hybrid - home based with at least one day per week in the charity HO in Wandsworth, South London
Closing date for applications: Monday 15th December at 9am
Interviews: first stage interview held remotely on Wednesday 7th January, with second round being held in person on Tuesday 15th January

The Director of Communications and Marketing will combine strategic leadership with a readiness to get hands-on where needed, building sustainable systems, processes, and team capacity that set Back Up to achieve long-term success.

Your core responsibilities will include:

* Building on existing plans develop and deliver a comprehensive 2030 communications and marketing strategy aligned with organisational and departmental plans.
* Serve as strategic communications advisor to the CEO and SLT on reputation, brand positioning, and stakeholder engagement; and lead cross departmental collaboration to deliver shared objectives
* Build and nurture strategic partnerships with key media, influencers, and sector organisations.
* Oversee the successful phased launch and roll-out of Back Up's new brand across all channels from January 2025.
* Ensure storytelling is compelling, authentic, and inclusive, reflecting the lived experience of people with spinal cord injury.
* Oversee creative strategy, commissioning, and content planning, ensuring quality and alignment with Back Up's mission.
* Champion accessible communications that reach and resonate with diverse audiences.
* Provide strategic oversight of digital marketing and online engagement, including social media, to grow reach and impact.
* Champion the ethical use of AI and emerging technologies in communications, ensuring robust governance and responsible practice.
* Introduce systems and processes to measure digital performance and optimise engagement.
* Line manage a team of five in total with direct line management responsibility for two Communications and Marketing Managers, ensuring clarity, accountability, and professional development.
* Model a creative, ambitious, and positive culture in line with Back Up's values.
* Build long-term team capability in brand, digital, and storytelling.
* Manage external agencies, freelancers, and suppliers to deliver high-quality outputs.
* Maintain strong financial management and risk controls within agreed budgets, and report clearly and regularly to CEO, SLT, and Board on communications impact, reputation, and reach.

We'd love to hear from candidates with the following skills and experience:

* Previous Director-level leadership experience of communications and marketing functions (charity or comparable sector).
* Proven track record in developing and delivering successful communication and marketing strategies.
* Strong expertise in brand management, digital engagement, and integrated campaigns across multiple channels.
* Experience leading a significant brand roll-out or website redevelopment project.
* Understanding of digital transformation, including CRM/data integration, marketing automation, and analytics.
* Knowledge of accessibility standards and inclusive communications practices.
* Familiarity with the ethical application of AI and emerging digital tools in communications.
* Strong financial and risk management skills.
* Outstanding storytelling, presentation, and influencing skills, with gravitas to act as an organisational ambassador.
* Ability to lead through change, build effective partnerships, and inspire teams.
* Alignment with Back Up's values: we embrace challenge, we have fun, we build inclusive communities, and we are ambitious for each other.

Additionally, we're particularly keen to speak to anyone who has lived experience of disability or spinal cord injury, however this is in no way essential.

If you're interested in hearing more about this opportunity, please send your CV to Alice at Charity People in the first instance.

Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.

Drive Growth. Build Partnerships. Empower Young People

Are you an ambitious, strategic leader with a passion for growth and innovation?
Do you thrive on developing partnerships that drive real social impact?

If so, this is a rare and exciting opportunity to join Young Enterprise (YE) as our first Director of Income and Development — a pivotal new leadership role shaping the future of our organisation.

Who We Are

We’re Young Enterprise, a national charity with a bold mission: to give every young person the opportunity to learn, to work, and to thrive.

For over 60 years, we’ve empowered more than 7 million young people with the skills, confidence, and enterprising mindset they need to succeed in life and work. Whether launching a student company, learning financial skills, or developing leadership and resilience, we help young people unlock their potential and build brighter futures.

We’re now entering a dynamic new chapter — and we’re looking for a confident, visionary leader to help us grow our income, strengthen partnerships, and expand our impact.

Why Join Us?

We’re proud of our people-first culture and the passionate, collaborative team behind our mission. Here’s what you can expect:

• A strategic, high-profile leadership role with the scope to shape national impact
• A creative, ambitious environment where new ideas are encouraged and celebrated
• Flexible hybrid working, generous holiday allowance, and wellbeing support
• A strong commitment to equity, inclusion, and belonging
• The opportunity to build and lead growth that changes young people’s lives
• Being part of the global Junior Achievement Network, with peers in 140 countries worldwide and the opportunity to develop partnerships with global/multi-country funders

About the Role

This is a key senior position within our organisation — ideal for a strategic thinker with entrepreneurial flair and the drive to deliver transformational results.

As Director of Income & Development, you’ll lead our income generation strategy, securing and diversifying funding across corporate partnerships, trusts and foundations, individual giving, and commercial ventures. You’ll be at the forefront of growing our resources and influence, ensuring we have the means to deliver our Transforming Futures Strategy.

You’ll:

• Develop and lead a forward-thinking income growth strategy, driving innovation and results
• Build new, high-value partnerships while nurturing long-term funder relationships
• Identify emerging opportunities and trends across the fundraising landscape
• Work closely with colleagues across programmes, impact, and operations to create fundable, evidence-led propositions
• Represent YE externally at senior levels, building visibility and credibility across sectors

It’s a role for someone who sees opportunity where others see challenge — and who can turn bold ideas into sustainable results.

You’ll Love This Job If You Are…

• An ambitious, strategic, results-driven leader with a track record of income growth
• A creative and entrepreneurial thinker, unafraid to innovate and challenge the status quo
• An exceptional relationship-builder, confident engaging at board and CEO level
• Experienced in securing six- and seven-figure partnerships across multiple income streams
• Skilled in translating data, insight, and impact into compelling investment cases
• Passionate about youth opportunity, education, and social impact
• Collaborative, resilient, and motivated by the power of teamwork and purpose

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Growth

• Develop and deliver an ambitious income generation strategy to grow and diversify funding.
• Lead with innovation, aligning income strategy to YE’s Transforming Futures vision.

Partnership Development

• Build and sustain high-value partnerships with corporates, trusts, and individuals.
• Champion best-in-class relationship management and stewardship.

Innovation & Market Insight

• Identify new funding models, trends, and opportunities across sectors.
• Position YE as a thought leader in enterprise and financial education.

Collaboration & Alignment

• Work closely with programme and impact teams to create compelling, fundable propositions.
• Actively contribute to the Senior Leadership Team and Board-level discussions.

Performance & Compliance

• Lead financial forecasting and income reporting, ensuring compliance and transparency.

Keeping Young People Safe

We are deeply committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. All successful applicants will undergo an enhanced DBS check before starting and will receive ongoing safeguarding training throughout their employment and be expected to uphold excellent safeguarding practice at all times.

How to Apply

If you’re ready to take on a strategic leadership role where your creativity, drive, and influence can transform young lives, we’d love to hear from you.

Please send your CV and instead of a traditional cover letter, please answer these three questions, using up to 250 words per answer. Please note, applications without answers to the three questions will not be considered. Interviews will be held either in person or via Teams, and may take place before the closing date. Applications must be received by 23:30 on 10 December 2025. First round interviews earmarked for 17 December 2025 at our office near Russell Square which will involve a presentation.

Questions (250 words max per answer)

1. Personal Contribution:
What are the top three strengths, skills, or experiences you bring to the Director of Income and Development role, and how will they help you grow Young Enterprise’s income, partnerships, and impact?

2. Vision and Ambition:
If appointed, what would you most want to achieve within your first 12 months in this role, and why are these priorities important to you and to Young Enterprise’s mission?

3. Motivation and Values:
Why does leading income generation and development at Young Enterprise matter to you personally? How does your motivation and approach align with our transforming Futures Strategy and our values of unlocking potential, one team, enterprising and resilient, and creating great impact?

Full details can be found in the Job Description.

At YE we are passionate and committed to keeping your data safe and secure.  Full details can be found in the YE People’s Privacy Notice.

Lead Growth. Build Impact. Inspire Futures.

As the Director of People & Culture, you will lead the People Directorate teams of HR, Education & Reception, as well as supporting the organisation through significant organisational change as we launch our 2025 - 30 strategy.

You will contribute as a member of the Senior Management Team to the corporate management of the Hospice and to decision-making processes to enable effective day-to-day management of the Hospice. This role will play a role in driving culture development, change and improvement, translating the charity’s strategy into HR plans to be designed and executed.

Hours: 37.5 hours per week; Hybrid role - up to 2 days from home.

Annual Leave: 27 days + Bank holidays.

Key Responsibilities - Strategic Leadership

• Provide guidance and challenge at executive leadership team level to ensure that the organisational design and resources are aligned to the efficient delivery of objectives
• Provide assurance to the Board of Trustees that St Joseph’s is fully compliant in how we manage our people, representing the senior Management Team on the HR Subcommittee, Remuneration Committee and attending Board meetings
• Support and lead on development and implementation of key organisational change initiatives
• Translate our organisational strategy into multi-year HR operational plans with enhanced reporting and analytics capabilities to support senior leadership in making more evidence-based decisions
• With the other SMT members, contribute to and take responsibility for maintenance of the organisational risk register

Further information about the role, and our excellent benefits, can be found in the Vacancy Information Pack.

To apply, please visit our website via the apply button.

Closing date: 30 November 2025

This newly created role offers a unique opportunity to shape a positive, inclusive, and engaging workplace culture. You'll be an experienced, values-led HR professional who thrives in a role that blends strategic thinking with hands-on operational support—building trust, strengthening policies, and empowering staff across the organisation.

About us 

We are the leading charity led by, run by, and working for disabled people. Our mission is to create a society where everyone can participate equally. We champion lived experience, challenge inequality, and co-create solutions that work. 

About the role 

We’re looking for an experienced, values-led Head of People to lead our HR and volunteering functionsand shape a positive, inclusive, and engaging workplace culture. You’ll report to the Chief Executive and work closely with our leadership team and trustees to deliver a people strategy rooted in lived experience, equality, and co-production. 

This stand alone role will support our people strategy and HR operations including employee engagement, compliance, and workplace culture. You’ll lead on policy development, training, health and safety, and inclusive workplace practices, ensuring our people practices reflect our values and the diverse access needs of our team. You will be comfortable in providing hands on advice and support alongside progressing strategic projects. 

We’re looking for someone who brings HR expertise, inclusive leadership, and a commitment to co-production. You’ll be adaptable, solutions-focused, and comfortable navigating change in a dynamic charity environment,

Following a period of outsourced HR, this newly created role is an exciting opportunity for you to help lead transformational change at a time of real ambition and momentum.  

Main purpose of job:

To manage three key aspects of CARA’s service: 

· New referrals into CARA

· Counselling waiting lists and allocation to a counsellor

· CARA’s client database

Start date:  As soon as possible (subject to Enhanced DBS Check and satisfactory references).

Salary: £37,411 – £39,261 per annum, pro-rata.

Hours: 35 hours per week, with some flexibility possible.  

Contract: This is a permanent contract.

Place of work: CARA premises in Colchester and some remote home working.  Some travel to other locations in Essex may be necessary.

Holiday: 25 days per year pro-rata, plus additional closure days between Christmas and New Year.

To apply: Please complete the application form, which can be downloaded from our website, explaining how your skills and experience relate to the person specification.

Applications must specifically address each essential and desirable criteria, giving evidence from previous experience or qualifications. 

Application deadline:  9am on Wednesday 26th November 2025

Interviews:  Tuesday 2nd December 2025

This post is restricted to women applicants under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, Part 1.

Job Description

This is an exciting and varied role, and we are looking for a proactive post holder who will manage three key aspects of CARA’s service provision:

- Manage new referrals into our service, overseeing the work of our team of First Contact Navigators and our Information and Referrals Co-ordinator.

- Manage our counselling waiting lists and the allocation of clients to a counsellor, overseeing the work of our Allocations Team.

- Act as the main lead and point of contact for managing CARA’s client database and resolving any data queries.

This role will lead a talented and committed team of six, supporting their work and assisting them to develop their key roles. As well as overseeing day-to-day operations of the team, the post holder will be part of CARA’s management team and will have the opportunity to play a key role in CARA’s wider development, working closely with CARA’s Senior Leadership Team and Team Managers.

The First Contact Navigator project is a shared project with our sister centres, SERICC and SOS Rape Crisis, so the post holder will liaise closely with colleagues in those centres.

Main Responsibilities

Line management and team support

· To line manage CARA’s Information and Referrals Co-ordinator, First Contact Navigators and Allocations Co-ordinators, providing day-to-day support, monitoring performance and identifying training and development needs. This will include keeping up to date notes of line management meetings and conducting and recording annual staff appraisals.

· To support CARA’s Information and Referrals Co-ordinator, First Contact Navigators and Allocations Co-ordinators, working alongside them where necessary, and covering these roles during annual leave and other absences.

· To work with CARA’s Head of Operations to recruit and train new staff and volunteers, as required.

· To liaise with CARA’s other teams and more widely with Synergy East teams, resolving problems and ensuring good communication and mutual understanding of respective roles and ways of operating.

· To be part of the CARA management team and attend regular management team meetings, contributing to CARA’s ongoing development.

Service development

· To work with CARA’s Information and Referrals Co-ordinator, First Contact Navigators, Allocations Co-ordinators, Head of Operations, CEO, and our four team Managers to refine and develop CARA’s referrals and allocations processes.

· To oversee and update CARA’s counselling waiting lists, working with the Allocations Co-ordinators, and leading regular meetings to review waiting times, pushing forwards actions to reduce these wherever possible.

· To oversee and update the CARA map of service delivery ensuring we have an accurate picture of client sessions across our therapy teams.

· To develop expertise in our purpose-designed client database, ensuring the team are fully trained in its use and working with the Senior Leadership Team and Synergy Partners to ensure client data is kept up to date.

· Working with the CEO, Head of Operations and Information and Referrals Co-ordinator to represent CARA at meetings, making presentations about our work.

General 

· To work flexible hours, including some evening work and occasional weekends.

· To participate in CARA team meetings, supervision, training and development. 

· To provide specialist advice to other workers and agencies, including participation in delivery of training sessions.

· To raise awareness of sexual violence and its impact in the community and within other agencies.

· To keep appropriate records in accordance with CARA policies and procedures.

· To adhere in full to all CARA’s organisational policies and procedures, including safeguarding procedures.

· To be administratively self-servicing.

· To report to the Senior Leadership Team and Trustees as required, including the production of regular written reports and verbal reports.

· To undertake any other related activities as required by the Senior Leadership Team or the Chair of the Board of Trustees.

· To undertake any other related activities as required by the Senior Leadership Team or the Chair of the Board of Trustees.

About CARA

CARA (Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse) works with victims and survivors of sexual violence and child sexual abuse, providing independent, specialist support and promoting and representing their rights and needs. 

CARA is a registered charity working with adults of all genders, young people and children from across mid and north Essex.  We have a head office in Colchester and outreach premises in Braintree, Chelmsford, Clacton-on-Sea, Great Dunmow and Harwich.  We also provide remote services.

CARA seeks to be an inclusive organisation that actively encourages, supports and values diversity amongst both our service-users and our workers.  We wish to create a culture in which discrimination, in all its forms, is recognised and addressed.

You can read more about CARA’s commitment to diversity and inclusion here. We encourage and welcome applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds.

About Synergy East

CARA is part of Synergy East. We work closely with SERICC Rape and Sexual Abuse Specialist Service and Southend-on-Sea Rape Crisis (SOS Rape Crisis) to deliver the contract for the Office for the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex for services for victims and survivors of sexual violence and child sexual abuse across Essex.

At Hestia, we are guided by our core values and are dedicated to fostering an equitable, diverse, and inclusive organisation. Our mission is to empower individuals to rebuild their lives and achieve independence. Right now, we are looking for a Business Support Manager to play a pivotal role in our CEO Office in London.

Sounds great, what will I be doing?

We are seeking an experienced and proactive professional to support the Chief Executive and Head of the CEO's Office. The role involves managing and improving reporting systems, drafting briefings, coordinating communications, and providing timely management information. You will oversee internal and external communications, support governance and budget management, line manage the Executive Office Coordinator, and ensure the smooth running of the CEO's Office. This role requires excellent analytical, organisational, and communication skills, with the ability to represent the organisation and respond to queries effectively.

This position would be particularly well suited to someone with Executive Assistant experience who is looking to broaden their skills and step into a more strategic, cross-functional role. It offers the opportunity to build on existing strengths in organisation, stakeholder engagement, and operational support, while gaining exposure to governance, reporting, and leadership-level decision-making.

What do I need to bring with me?

You'll need to be able to demonstrate the core skills this role requires as well as match our values and mission. You don't have to tick all the boxes right away; the important thing is that you're willing to learn. We also value lived experience of the areas we support, so if you feel comfortable, please do mention this on your application.

Here's what the team will be looking for:

We are looking for a candidate with a minimum of five years' experience as Executive Assistant or office management within a complex organisation, including proven line management experience. The ideal person will have excellent interpersonal skills, with the confidence and tact to influence and interact effectively at all levels, alongside strong written communication abilities. They should be a proactive problem solver, capable of multi-tasking and consistently delivering high standards in a fast-paced environment.

Interview Steps

We keep our interview process simple, so you know exactly what to expect.

• Shortlisting call: We have a team of dedicated recruitment specialists who will speak to you about your experience, motivations and values. They will also tell you about all the great work we do!
• Face to face interview: Now you will have face to face interview with the hiring manager. Our interviews are value and competency based.

Don't be alarmed if there are other stages in the process, it's all part of the plan for some of our roles.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Our services users come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes us stronger. We are committed to creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workforce and value the skills, abilities, talent and experiences, different people and communities bring to our organisation.

We are a disability confident employer

Hestia is proud to be a disability confident employer, dedicated to the employment and career development of individuals with disabilities. We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for all applicants with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria for the role they have applied for. We also provide reasonable adjustments during the selection and interview process, and throughout your employment with us.

Safeguarding Statement

Hestia is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults, children and young people who are potentially at risk, and we therefore expect all staff and volunteers to do the same. We require all staff to undertake internal and external safeguarding training throughout their employment with Hestia.

Important Information for Candidates

If your application is successful, please be aware that you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks before a formal offer of employment can be confirmed.

We reserve the right to close this job advert early should we receive a high volume of applications or if the position is filled before the closing date. We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible to ensure their application is considered.

About the role

You will be home based and will need to travel in the UK, Eire, Europe and further afield as the role develops. 

You will need some storage space available for Charity materials.

If you are self-driven, motivated, and want to help others achieve something amazing in support of Histiocytosis UK, we would love to hear from you.

You are likely to be in a similar role at another charity or have the right experience and transferable skills from another sector. You’ll be confident, enthusiastic, and an exceptional influencer with great customer care and communication skills.

There will be ample opportunity to shape the role, lead on specific projects and put your ideas into action.

The role will be mainly remote working so your experience and motivation will be key in this role so that we can achieve tangible results. 

Who we need?

You will be an excellent communicator, face to face, online, phone or email. You know the importance of listening, and you are the sort of person that brings focus and calm to difficult situations. Prioritising your workload is second nature. Perhaps most importantly of all, you’re energised and driven by a passion for learning and making life better for those with a long term and/or serious illness.

A degree is not essential, but a communication and fundraising skills qualification is desirable. It is important that you have a high standard of writing, and that you are on good terms with your computer, particularly MS office, email and maybe even Mailchimp, Zoom, Sage Accounting, Spreadsheets etc.

Job Title: Programme & Project Manager - Transformation

Reports to: Managing Director - Transformation

Employment Type: Full-time

Grade: Manager - Senior

Salary: £60,000 to £67,000 per annum

Contract: 18 - month fixed term contract with possibility of becoming permanent

Location: Hybrid - London, EC1Y and remote split

About Better Society Capital (BSC):

Better Society Capital (BSC) is the UK's leading social impact-led investor. Our mission is to grow the amount of money invested in tackling social issues and inequalities in the UK; we do this by investing ourselves and enabling others to invest for impact too. 

Since 2011, we have helped the social impact investment market grow twelve-fold to over £10 billion. This capital has financed social purpose organisations tackling everything from homelessness to mental health and fuel poverty.  BSC manages £634m of its own investments as well as acting as portfolio manager for the Schroder BSC Social Impact Investment Trust (SBSI) managing its £83m portfolio. BSC is about to implement its next five-year strategy in 2026, which will offer new opportunities to target social issues at a national scale.

The opportunity:

We are looking for an enthusiastic individual with proven programme and project management experience to support delivery of a series of organisational change projects that are central to equipping BSC to deliver our mission in the future.

Our organisational development has three main pillars: - Embedding a new strategy and effective decision-making around its implementation - A programme to transform our digital and data capabilities - Embedding new organisational values and a re-energised common approach to people management and development

This is a varied role that requires a logical and thoughtful approach to multiple work streams with rigour and purpose in a timely and professional manner. We celebrate innovation and this role would suit someone who is excited by making systems work well, suggesting recommendations for adaptation and improvement, and who is comfortable with working across multiple teams, stakeholders and deadlines.

We are committed to every team member’s learning and development which makes this role well suited to someone who is keen and curious to learn new things and develop new skills.

What you will do:

Effective project management of key elements of the “Essentials” data and digital transformation programme:

o Support the Managing Director – Transformation in the standing up and continuous operation of a Minimum Viable Governance framework, ensuring adherence to the protocols you establish.

o Drive Iterative Planning & Adjustment: Maintain and continuously update the integrated programme plan, rapidly facilitating adjustments in project direction and scope as learnings emerge from Workstream Leads and the investment team.

o Act as the dedicated PMO Execution Lead for the entire Essentials Programme, providing centralised control, reporting, and rigour across all five Workstreams.

o Supporting the Managing Director – Transformation and the leads of all the programme workstreams in co-ordinating activities and keeping the whole programme on track

o Establishing and operating systems to track the realisation of benefits from the programme

o Ensuring that key choices and decisions are escalated to the right forums at the right time

o Establish effective technology and systems to support programme management

Effective project management of strategy implementation:

oSupporting the Managing Director – Strategy operationalising key aspects of our 2026-30 strategy

oEstablishing and embedding systems within teams to track and the progress of priority projects and cross-BSC initiatives aligned to our new strategy

oEstablishing and operating a quarterly process for reviewing progress against goals for priority projects to support effective prioritisation and allocation of resources in line with organisational priorities  

oWorking with the Strategy MD to ensure effective communication around strategy implementation, progress and decision making across the senior team

Effective management of people initiatives:

o Supporting the Managing Director – People and Talent in the roll-out of a revised “BSC Way” of people management and new BSC values – helping co-ordinate and sequence activities

o Supporting the People and Talent team in implementing effective tracking and management systems for reporting on progress

o Supporting the Senior Management Team EDI Champion in leading the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group to drive our EDI work and report on its progress

Integration Management & Investment Alignment:

o Serve as the central liaison and integration manager Investment Team projects

o Enforce Transformation Standards: Proactively ensure the cross-company project delivery aligns with the Essential Programme strategy to maintain programme coherence.

What you will bring:

Qualifications & Experience

Essential:

• Experience operating within a rapidly maturing PMO environment, specifically acting   as the execution support function for a senior transformation leader.

• Demonstrable experience of end-to-end project management across multiple complex projects and programmes of delivery at pace

• Experience of supporting change management processes and projects

• Demonstrable commitment to improving people’s lives in the UK.

• Demonstrable experience of strong stakeholder management and interpersonal skills

• Experience and confidence using technology (and AI tools) to enable effective project delivery.

• Confident and competent use of Microsoft Office

Desirable:

• Experience of working within the financial services, charity or social enterprise sector

• Experience of technology-enabled change programmes and/or HR/people development programmes

• Experience of broader software platforms, for example Salesforce CRM and project management tools

Skills, Abilities and Attributes

• Excellent project management, time management and organisation skills

• Operational Rigour & Governance Execution: Proven ability to implement and enforce project controls (risk, issues, decisions, reporting) defined by senior leadership, ensuring compliance across workstreams.

• Data-Driven - Exceptional skill in collecting, synthesising, and visually representing project data (progress, risk, benefits) to support effective leadership team decision-making.

• Influence without Authority: Superior skill in managing senior stakeholders, including the five Workstream Leads and the Investment Project Manager, to ensure adherence to standards and timely delivery of inputs

• A collaborative team player with strong communication skills and ability to establish excellent working relationships internally and externally

• Enthusiastic, proactive and curious to learn new things and develop new skills

• High levels of accuracy and attention to detail

• Strong research and analytical skills

• Good at finding innovative solutions to problems

• Excellent judgement, discretion and utmost integrity

• Excellent written and oral communication skills

• Prioritises effectively and takes ownership of tasks

• Flexible & thrives in a dynamic and varied role

Embody Better Society Capital core values:

Ø  Purposeful –We are passionate and energetic in our work to bring about our long-term vision of a thriving social investment market that enables positive social impact.

Ø  Pioneering Spirit - We give our team the autonomy and flexibility to be entrepreneurial and creative. We have the courage to push boundaries and a restless drive for change

Ø  Openness - We listen, learn, experiment and collaborate.  And we are adaptive and flexible in responding to what we learn.

Ø  Rigorous - We take a rigorous approach in all we do.  We expect the highest standards and continually strive for excellence

Ø  Respectful - We are genuine in both our approach and aspiration.  We value each member of our team and our partners for what they bring.

Don’t meet every requirement? Studies have shown that women and people from racialised communities are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Other terms

Location: We are a UK-based business with an office in the Old Street area of London, accessible via a number of public transport links. Colleagues typically spend 40% - 60% of their working hours in the office, and the remainder from home. However, the exact requirements for this role can be discussed at interview. We hope that this working pattern encourages Better Society Capital employees to achieve a healthy balance between work and personal life, as we adapt to the needs of our diverse workforce.

Right to work: Candidates need to have the existing right to work in the UK

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: Better Society Capital is committed to being a diverse organisation that is truly representative of the communities we serve. We therefore welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, particularly those under-represented in the social impact investment sector (e.g. people from LGBTQIA+, racialised, disabled, or under-served communities).

We are an equal opportunities employer with an inclusive environment where all employees can contribute to their fullest potential. We want every colleague to be able to deliver their work with dignity, equality, comfort and independence. Our office is fully accessible with step-free access and an open-plan set up. We are open to accommodation requests regarding assistive technologies, accessibility tools, flexible working or any other reasonable adjustments that will make working or visiting here more accessible for you. If you have a disability or other access needs and require any support to assist you through the recruitment process, please get in touch.

How to apply:

Closing Date:  11.59pm on Sunday 7th December 2025

Please apply via Applied which is designed to minimise unconscious bias in recruitment. You will be asked some work-based questions which are reviewed anonymously by the hiring panel. Please note, while you will upload your CV, it will not be viewed by panel members at this stage, so we ask that you give full consideration to each answer.

NB we screen for answers generated by Gen AI. To get a 5 star score, we ask that your Applied answers are authentic and reflect your own knowledge, skills and motivations.

Interviews

• Round 1 interviews will be held w/c 15 December 2025

• Round 2 interviews will be held w/c 5 January 2026

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an initial telephone interview for all candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria for the job. We are defining a disability in accordance with the Equality Act 2010, as a person who has a physical or mental impairment, and the impairment has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. You will be asked in your Applied application whether this applies to you.

If you have a disability or other access needs and require any support to assist you through the recruitment process, please get in touch.

You can find out more about our recruitment approach here

At Hestia, we are guided by our core values and are dedicated to fostering an equitable, diverse, and inclusive organisation. Our mission is to empower individuals to rebuild their lives and achieve independence. Right now, we are looking for a Business Support Manager to play a pivotal role in our CEO Office in London.

Sounds great, what will I be doing?

We are seeking an experienced and proactive professional to support the Chief Executive and Head of the CEO's Office. The role involves managing and improving reporting systems, drafting briefings, coordinating communications, and providing timely management information. You will oversee internal and external communications, support governance and budget management, line manage the Executive Office Coordinator, and ensure the smooth running of the CEO's Office. This role requires excellent analytical, organisational, and communication skills, with the ability to represent the organisation and respond to queries effectively.

This position would be particularly well suited to someone with Executive Assistant experience who is looking to broaden their skills and step into a more strategic, cross-functional role. It offers the opportunity to build on existing strengths in organisation, stakeholder engagement, and operational support, while gaining exposure to governance, reporting, and leadership-level decision-making.

What do I need to bring with me?

You'll need to be able to demonstrate the core skills this role requires as well as match our values and mission. You don't have to tick all the boxes right away; the important thing is that you're willing to learn. We also value lived experience of the areas we support, so if you feel comfortable, please do mention this on your application.

Here's what the team will be looking for:

We are looking for a candidate with a minimum of five years' experience as Executive Assistant or office management within a complex organisation, including proven line management experience. The ideal person will have excellent interpersonal skills, with the confidence and tact to influence and interact effectively at all levels, alongside strong written communication abilities. They should be a proactive problem solver, capable of multi-tasking and consistently delivering high standards in a fast-paced environment.

When will I be working?

You will be working between the hours on 9am - 5.18pm, Monday to Friday. 

Interview Steps

We keep our interview process simple, so you know exactly what to expect.

• Shortlisting call: We have a team of dedicated recruitment specialists who will speak to you about your experience, motivations and values. They will also tell you about all the great work we do!
• Face to face interview: Now you will have face to face interview with the hiring manager. Our interviews are value and competency based.

Don't be alarmed if there are other stages in the process, it's all part of the plan for some of our roles.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Our services users come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes us stronger. We are committed to creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workforce and value the skills, abilities, talent and experiences, different people and communities bring to our organisation.

We are a disability confident employer

Hestia is proud to be a disability confident employer, dedicated to the employment and career development of individuals with disabilities. We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for all applicants with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria for the role they have applied for. We also provide reasonable adjustments during the selection and interview process, and throughout your employment with us.

Safeguarding Statement

Hestia is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults, children and young people who are potentially at risk, and we therefore expect all staff and volunteers to do the same. We require all staff to undertake internal and external safeguarding training throughout their employment with Hestia.

Important Information for Candidates

If your application is successful, please be aware that you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks before a formal offer of employment can be confirmed.

We reserve the right to close this job advert early should we receive a high volume of applications or if the position is filled before the closing date. We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible to ensure their application is considered.

OVERVIEW OF THE ROLE 

The Office Manager will be a key member of the Helen Bamber Foundation Group. This is a broad role working with a wide range of staff and contacts within and outside the group. The postholder will be responsible for coordinating and ensuring that our office space and facilities are maintained in a safe, clean, and secure environment. They will have overall ownership of the office with regards to the day to day running and ensuring health and safety compliance, and with the support of their team. They will ensure our staff and clients are able to enjoy a safe and comfortable environment. They will be the main point of contact for I.T, Facilities and clients services across the group.

They will act as Site Safety Officer for the premises ensuring compliance with Health and Safety Procedures, as directed by the CEO.

The Office Manager will manage the Client Services Team including volunteers. This role will also oversee freelance interpreters working with Helen Bamber Foundation Group.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

Facility Management: 

· Act as site manager ensuring that the office is in a state of operational readiness. This will include procuring and organising premises maintenance , cleaning services, communication systems and other support services as required to meet local needs.

· Responsible for local premises security and liaison with fire and police services and local alarm providers

· Managing local contractors, landlords, suppliers, and other agencies as necessary; identifying improvements and ensuring best value in procurement.

· Working effectively with the landlord’s facilities team in relation to building related issues and for any building repair and maintenance issues.

· Ensure that office equipment is operating effectively and efficiently and maintain a sufficient level of office furniture, resources, supplies and stationery

· Oversee and manage the documentation of minor repairs, renovations and decorations.

· Ensure core facilities like water and heating are maintained.

· Manage, monitor, and maintain the room bookings system for all users at the office.

Office Management and IT:

· Supervise and approve contracts and providers for services such as consumables, minor office renovations and cleaning.

· Lead in the procurement and ordering of office equipment and stationery, office and IT equipment and consumables in the most cost-effective manner.

· Track staff issues and requests about the building, office facilities, fixtures, and fittings, and ensure they are responded to in a timely manner.

· Act as a main point of contact for our outsourced IT support services supplier, providing onsite support for IT upgrades and installation of hardware and software

· Assist staff and volunteers across the group with local IT needs including set up for meetings and local diagnostics of minor IT issues

· Manage local IT assets and ensure the allocation or devices for new starters across the group and partnerships

· Conduct annual review in liaison with IT Support Service provider of the health of devices and carry out any necessary action as a result.

· Create, develop and maintain appropriate office administrative and business support systems, in conjunction with other teams to ensure consistency of systems and procedures across the service

· Financial Management:

· . Oversee the processes of petty cash payments, staff and client expense claims, invoices and other project related expenses

· Working with Finance to ensure accurate financial records are kept and compliance is achieved

· Work with the Finance team to ensure that invoices related to office and facility management are processed.

· Managing the group’s budgets for items such as stationery, refreshments, equipment, cleaning, and maintenance

· Managing monthly collation and processing of timesheets and associated paperwork for all freelance interpreters used by the Helen Bamber Foundation team, including interpreters’ timesheets and agencies invoices

· With the Finance team, organise weekly trips to the bank to get cash for client expenses for the Group, on occasion collecting the cash from the bank personally.

Health and Safety & Security: 

· Ensure compliance with Health and Safety procedures, in liaison with the Director of People and the CEO

· Act as Site Safety Officer (SSO) for the group, ensuring the office complies with all relevant health and safety and fire safety regulations and standards. 

· Oversee the health and safety responsibilities within the office premises, staying updated on changes in health and safety legislation.

· Review and maintain documentation of risk assessments, health and safety checks and fire evacuation plans.

· Ensure the office has on site first aid provision, designated trained first aiders and fire warden/s

· Organise the delivery of relevant H&S training such as first aid and fire marshal training

· Undertake weekly, monthly and annual checks and tests of office facilities including fire alarm sounder and panic alarm checks.

· Ensure staff across the group receive sufficient H&S inductions including the completion of relevant forms and documentations

· Ensuring all equipment and furniture is compliant with Health and Safety regulations at the office

· Ensure all employees are aware of all relevant health and safety office procedures.

· Ensure the office is kept clean, tidy, and free from hazards and maintain safe working conditions for all employees and clients. 

· Manage Eyecare Vouchers Procedure in line with the DSE regulations

· Manage the group’s annual Winter Flu Vaccination Programme

· Act as one of several office KeyHolders by being responsible for locking up the office two (no less than two times a week) when the office closes at 6pm.

· With the CEO, act as an emergency contact for any emergency security / building related issues out of hours.

Line Management and other:

• Have line management responsibility for a Client Services Team.

• Support the delivery of events in the building as and when necessary.

• Oversee the access and booking of our Group meeting room by others in the sector.

• Support the wider team in ensuring staff working in our partnership programmes have sufficient resources and that their sites are safe and secure for them to work.

• Carry out any other duties as required, consistent with the post and level.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential

• Understanding of, and commitment to, the values and mission of the Helen Bamber Foundation Group.
• Understanding of the key issues facing asylum seekers and refugees in the UK

· Good interpersonal communication skills and the ability to create a welcoming and hospitable office environment for clients and staff.

· Premises management and office maintenance, to be able to identify problems and troubleshoot as required

• Excellent administration skills, detail orientated and systematic, with the ability to prioritise competing demands

· Demonstrate ability to exercise initiative and judgement to take decisions without supervision

· Understanding of Health and Safety policy and procedures and other relevant Health and Safety issues including an understanding of the Equality Act and its relevance for facilities and premises management

• Ability to problem solve and work well with others
• Experience of handling and managing confidential data

· Excellent IT skills, including word processing, spreadsheets, and database packages

· Liaising, developing, and maintaining relationships with a wide range of people and stakeholders

· Financial management, including monitoring and managing budgets, reporting and petty cash controls

· Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment

· Commitment to and understanding of equal opportunities and its application in practice

Desirable

· Experience of working in a setting which provides a service to vulnerable individuals

· Understanding of safeguarding in a vulnerable client group

· Experience in line managing staff

· Experience with procurement processes

· Knowledge of a range of project management tools

APPLICATION PROCESS

The first stage is to complete on our online application form on our website by 10am on Thursday 4th December 2025.

The website form will ask you to:

1. Upload a short covering letter. Please tell us why the position appeals to you, and how your

relevant skills and experience, including any voluntary experience and lived experience, matches the listed responsibilities and person specification. Please also state in your covering letter when you would be available to start the role.

2. Upload your current CV

3. Complete an online Equal Opportunities monitoring form – completion of this form will help us ensure that our recruitment procedures operate in such a way as to provide genuine equality of opportunity. The questions are entirely optional and this information will not be available to members of the selection panel.

SELECTION PROCESS

We will invite candidates to an initial 15-minute online screening meeting on either Wednesday 10th December or Thursday 11th December 2025 followed by shortlisted candidates attending in-person interview on Tuesday 16th December. We will also ask you to complete a short exercise on the day.

At Helen Bamber Foundation Group we want to be transparent about what kind of qualities we are looking for and build trust from the very beginning of your journey with us. The first step is your interview, and we mean ‘your’ interview so we will provide you with your interview questions ahead of the interview. This will allow you time to prepare, and ensure you have your best examples in mind.

ELIGIBILITY

Please note that the successful candidate must have the right to work in the UK (as a small charity we do not have the capacity to sponsor work visas).

Successful candidates will also be subject to a DBS check. If appointed, you will also be required to give your consent to the charity to receive regular updates on your criminal records status throughout your employment and to disclose any relevant convictions incurred during your time with us.

ADJUSTMENTS

We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we’ll always endeavour to be as accommodating as possible. If you require a different format of the application form, such as large print or Word format, or if you would like to discuss any specific requirements, please get in touch with us.

EXPERTS BY EXPERIENCE SUPPORT

We are also proud to be a member of the Experts by Experience Employment Network,which aims to increase representation of people with lived experience in the charitable sector.

If you are an expert by experience, you can ask for an independent and confidential support for your job application from the Experts by Experience Employment Network.

Purpose of the Role

The Finance Manager is a key member of Ark T’s operational team, responsible for ensuring accurate financial management, reporting, and compliance. The role supports strategic decision-making through the provision of timely and reliable financial information. Working closely with the CEO, senior staff, and external accountants, the Finance Manager ensures the smooth running of all financial processes and systems, with particular attention to the needs and context of a small but ambitious arts and mental health charity.

Key Responsibilities

1. Financial Systems and Bookkeeping

• Manage Ark T’s accounting system (Xero), ensuring accurate and timely recording of all transactions
• Reconcile bank accounts, process payments, and track income
• Maintain accurate records for restricted and unrestricted funding, ensuring correct allocations
• Manage Ark T’s bank accounts, including maintaining up-to-date records of authorised users, login permissions, and password security protocols

2. Budgeting and Financial Planning

• Work with senior staff and programme leads to develop annual and project budgets
• Monitor actual spend against budgets, identifying variances and providing explanations
• Update Ark T’s multi-year financial planning spreadsheets
• Support budget development for funding applications

3. Management Accounts and Reporting

• Prepare and review monthly and quarterly management accounts in collaboration with Ark T’s accountants
• Present financial reports to the CEO, Board of Trustees, and funders as required
• Prepare cashflow forecasts and support financial modelling for new initiatives

4. Payroll

• Work with external accountants to process monthly payroll and ensure all staff are paid correctly and on time

5. Pensions (if required)

• Support the monitoring of pension contributions and liaise with the pension provider, if necessary
• Ensure compliance with relevant pension regulations where applicable

6. Grant and Funding Monitoring

• Maintain the funding tracker, ensuring grant income is correctly recorded and restricted funds are monitored
• Track expenditure for individual grants, ensuring spend is aligned with budgets and deadlines
• Prepare financial reports for funders and support monitoring returns

7. Gift Aid and Donations

• Maintain accurate Gift Aid records and process Gift Aid claims in line with HMRC regulations
• Work with the CEO and Fundraising team to ensure donor records are up to date and claims are maximised
• Ensure appropriate audit trails are in place for donations and declarations

8. Compliance and Financial Controls

• Ensure financial policies and procedures are followed and regularly reviewed
• Ensure compliance with HMRC, Charity Commission, and other relevant statutory bodies
• Liaise with the independent examiner/auditor for the annual accounts and support audit preparation, if necessary

9. Systems and Administration

• Maintain and improve financial templates, tools, and spreadsheets to support efficiency
• Maintain secure records of financial system passwords and ensure appropriate access control
• File and manage financial documentation for easy access and transparency
• Work collaboratively with senior staff to improve data collection for financial impact and evaluation

10. Administrative and Operational Support

• Provide cover for key financial processes in key staff's absence, including logging into the bank account to tick the “authorise” button for payments such as payroll and expense reimbursements
• Provide general finance-related administrative support as required by the senior staff or wider team
• Help ensure smooth financial operations during periods of staff absence or leave
• Contribute to wider organisational processes such as document filing, internal communications, and coordination where needed

Essential Skills and Experience

• AAT Level 3 or 4 (Association of Accounting Technicians)
• Experience using Xero accounting software
• Strong Excel skills and ability to maintain and analyse complex spreadsheets
• Experience preparing or reviewing management accounts and budgets
• Understanding of charity finance, including restricted funding and funder reporting
• Familiarity with Gift Aid regulations and processes
• Excellent attention to detail and organisational skills
• Ability to manage time effectively and prioritise workload
• Ability to work independently and problem-solve
• Strong communication skills.
• Ability to be professional, polite, and welcoming when interacting with funders, visitors, and external partners
• Commitment to the values and mission of Ark T

Desirable

• Part-qualified or fully qualified accountant (ACCA, CIMA, or CIPFA).
• Certificate or diploma in charity accounting or finance management (e.g. through Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy – CIPFA or Charity Finance Group – CFG).

Other Information

This job description outlines the key responsibilities of the role, but it is not exhaustive. As Ark T continues to grow and evolve, the Finance Manager may be expected to take on additional responsibilities in line with the organisation’s needs. The successful candidate will be adaptable, flexible, and able to work independently while communicating clearly with internal and external stakeholders.

Ark T is a small, dedicated team working in a fast-paced and responsive environment. While everyone has their own focus and areas of responsibility, we value a collaborative spirit and mutual support. From time to time — particularly during periods of change, funding deadlines, or unexpected challenges — team members are expected to pitch in and help wherever needed. This might mean assisting with logistics, supporting community events, or stepping outside the usual remit to keep things running smoothly. A willingness to muck in and a solution-focused mindset are essential qualities for success at Ark T.