Are you passionate about people with lived experience of the justice system being at the forefront of its ongoing design and improvement? Do you want to play a pivotal role in successfully promoting and raising funds for our charity that puts lived experience front and centre of its leadership, operations and influencing work?
User Voice is a pioneering charity that works with people with convictions to support and develop their confidence, skills and mindsets. They then deliver our programmes to many more people who are impacted by the criminal justice system.
80% of our staff have convictions, meaning we’ve been there – in court, in prison, or on probation – we own our own pasts, so we understand the challenges first hand and use our own lived expertise to inform everything we do.
This exciting role will involve coordinating communications to promote our work and engage stakeholders, and assisting in the development and implementation of plans to secure financial support for the charity, by aligning fundraising and communication strategies.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Alexandra Palace is partnering exclusively with Robertson Bell in their search for a permanent Finance Director. Alexandra Palace is one of London’s most iconic destinations. For over 150 years, it has stood as a beacon of creativity, community and culture—home to world-first innovations, unforgettable entertainment and open access to green space across 196 acres of parkland in North London.
The Finance Director is a pivotal role within Alexandra Palace, one that combines strategic leadership with hands-on financial stewardship across a uniquely diverse and high-profile organisation.
The role:
- Partner with the CEO and Leadership Team to embed financial planning into every layer of organisational strategy, balancing the organisations objectives across conservation, commercial, community and climate resilience.
- Lead the financial strategy behind Alexandra Palace’s 10-year vision, aligning restoration, growth and innovation across both charitable and commercial activities.
- Act as the senior financial advisor to the Trust, Trading Company and Board Committees - providing clear, confident insight to guide performance, accountability and investment.
- Provide strategic, visible financial leadership that positions the Finance team as a proactive partner - driving innovation, sustainability and delivery across our charitable and commercial priorities.
- Build strong, trust-based relationships between Finance and other teams to enhance collaboration and accountability.
- Drive strategic financial planning, annual budgeting, and forecasting to present a clear, data-led view of organisational health. Ensure timely, transparent financial reporting, audit readiness, and compliance that strengthens trust and accountability with the Board, auditors, and stakeholders.
- Deliver cash flow, funding structures, and investment strategy to ensure long-term sustainability. Provide rigorous oversight of grant and fundraising compliance, unlocking the full value of both restricted and unrestricted income.
- Ensure full compliance with charity, company, trust and financial regulations, acting as Company Secretary for the Trading subsidiary and overseeing all statutory filings, governance obligations and legal responsibilities.
- Oversee VAT return processes and key administrative requirements, maintaining timely reporting and keeping the CEO and Board fully informed and assured.
The organisation:
Today, Alexandra Park and Palace Charitable Trust is the custodian of their extraordinary site. As a charity, they are committed to safeguarding its heritage while continually evolving their offer to meet the needs of today’s audiences and communities. More than 3 million people visit each year to enjoy a dynamic mix of live events, festivals, exhibitions, learning and engagement programmes and community initiatives. Their work is supported by a blended income model - combining commercial income, public funding and philanthropic support which allows them to reinvest in their buildings, our park, and their charitable mission.
Essential criteria:
- Qualified Chartered Accountant, with at least 10 years post qualification experience (ICAEW, ACCA, CIMA, ACA)
- Extensive experience working in a financial leadership role within the Charity and Not for Profit sector
- Experience working with charity trading subsidiaries and dealing with entities singularly and as a group
- Experience of delivering Annual Reports and Accounts process end to end
- Experience implementing new financial systems and processes
- Strong leader with an authentic approach, able to build and empower a team
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to present financial reports at Board level, and support non-finance manager with understanding financial information
The position will be based at Alexandra Palace and requires regular office attendance. The closing date for applications is 24th August with first stage interviews taking place on the week commencing 8th September.
Applications will be under constant review before the closing date, so please submit your application to our exclusive search agent, Robertson Bell. Apply now to be considered!
Registered Charity
101 - 500
Our mission is: To repair, restore and maintain the park and palace for the recreation and enjoyment of the public forever.
Thank you!
**PLEASE NOTE: To apply for this vacancy, please ensure you firstly download a copy of our application form from the documents section on our portal. Click the 'apply' button and fill out your personal details in the relevant sections. Once you have submitted these you will be asked if you would like to attach any documents. At this stage please submit the completed version of the application form.**
JOB PURPOSE
UK for UNHCR (UK4U), the UN Refugee Agency's national charity partner, is looking for a Philanthropy Officer. We are a small but high-performing team with big ambitions. You will support the stewardship of our Advisory Board and principle gift programme.
As a team player, you will work with colleagues across Private Partnerships and Philanthropy, Communications and UNHCR global.
Passionate about the refugee cause and UNHCR’s contribution, you will have prior experience of working with major donors and be someone who is externally focused and enjoys developing relationships. You will have experience of working with a variety of stakeholders at different levels. A problem solver, you will have strong organisation skills and be a confident and clear communicator verbally and in writing as well as able to juggle multiple projects at once.
We welcome applicants from minority ethnic and protected groups. If you think you have the relevant skills and crucially, the passion to support the refugee cause, please apply by completing our Application Form and submitting your CV.
WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO
United Kingdom for UNHCR is the United Nations Refugee Agency’s national charity partner for the United Kingdom. We generate public awareness of the plight of refugees and raise funds to help protect them through UNHCR’s humanitarian operations across the world.
Our supporters include UK private individuals, communities, corporate partners, trusts and foundations. The funds we raise help UNHCR deliver emergency relief such as shelter, medical care and basic supplies to people fleeing conflict and persecution, as well as healthcare, education and livelihoods opportunities for those who remain displaced over the long term.
Nobody chooses to be a refugee, but we can all play a part in their protection, and we want those who work with us to share our values and passion for the cause.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION AND BELONGING
We strongly value diversity and recognise that it is critical to our success and the cause that we serve. We are committed to providing an inclusive environment for all who work with us and strongly welcome applications from diverse backgrounds, particularly those with lived experience of being a refugee, asylum seeker, internally displaced person, or a stateless person.
UK for UNHCR is proud to have Diversity & Inclusion Working Group. The Diversity & Inclusion Working Group is a group of colleagues focusing on tasks that drive action in the implementation of our D&I Approach. The group also works to create safe spaces that brings colleagues together for events, discussions and learning experiences that celebrate and support diversity and tackle barriers to inclusion.
We are also open to flexibility in many ways, including an element of working from home and flexible hours. Please don’t be afraid to speak to us about this at the interview stage, so we can explore what’s possible.
ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES
Work closely with the Senior Advisor to steward donor relationship including Members of UK for UNHCR’s Advisory Board and principal gift prospects and donors. This will include:
- Supporting cultivation and stewardship. Involves working on account plans, preparing meeting briefings, writing of high-quality concept notes, proposals, reports, and other fundraising products.
- Supporting external Advisory Board members to develop and execute opportunities to raise the profile of UNHCR’s work. This may include researching, identifying and initiating new initiatives.
- Support with reporting back to the Advisory Board and regular stewardship ensuring the Board remains close to the charity and UNHCR – includes preparation of papers for quarterly Advisory Board meetings, monthly communications.
- Working with internal and external stakeholders to identify key networks and individuals capable of supporting UNHCR financially.
- Join portfolio meetings providing updates on the advisory board and relationships with key members.
- Supporting the coordination of the Intermediary Strategy to grow relationships with connectors in the private client sector and in collaboration with others.
- Support the Senior Advisor to maintain a focused new business pipeline.
- Support with management reporting, including keeping salesforce up to date for the portfolio and related KPI tracking.
- Other administration support with the portfolio
The above list is not exhaustive, and the post holder may be required to perform duties that are not detailed above.
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES AND EXPERIENCE
Essential Experience
- Experience of working within a high value fundraising team, supporting on the development of high-quality communications such as reports and proposals.
- Some experience of cultivating external relationships across major donors.
- Experience of working with multiple stakeholders on high value fundraising projects.
- Experience of developing project plans for key projects, keeping to milestones and deadlines and working as part of a project team.
- Experience of supporting the development of stewardship plans.
Essential Skills/Knowledge
- Confident communicator with the ability to effectively influence internal and external stakeholders.
- Ability to analyse reports and communicate complex themes and subjects to a variety of audiences, written and verbal.
- Ability to act proactively to identify new prospects and fundraising opportunities.
- Ability to juggle and prioritise multiple tasks and meet deadlines within a collaborative team environment.
- Good attention to detail and ability to proof-read a variety of texts.
- Able to demonstrate flexibility, with a willingness to respond quickly, particularly at times of humanitarian crisis and emergencies.
- Understanding of donor journeys and the importance of strong cultivation and stewardship plans.
- Understanding of the differences in approach between major donors, trusts, corporates and UHNWs donors and prospects.
- Excellent stakeholder and relationship management skills.
- Experience of working in a fast -paced complex environment.
- A flexible team player with service-oriented and problem-solving attitude.
- Proficient in using Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Project.
- Working knowledge of fundraising databases.
Desirable Skills/Experience (not compulsory)
- Knowledge of international development or related subjects would be helpful, but are not essential
WHY JOIN UNITED KINGDOM FOR UNHCR?
You will be part of a high performing agile team of talented people, all committed to build solidarity and raise funds for refugees and displaced people worldwide. You will be working in a flexible, supportive, and inclusive environment, where your work will be recognised and appraised.
What else?
Wellbeing
- 28 days’ annual leave per annum plus bank holidays.
- Employee Assistance programme providing 24/7 access to online GP, mental health support and virtual wellbeing.
- Access to 100s of perks with discounts on everyday purchases.
- Office wellness perks.
- Discount on gym memberships.
- Hybrid and Flexible Working.
- Staff socials.
Financial
- Pension scheme with an employer contribution of 8%.
- Non-contributory group life assurance scheme
- Non-contributory income protection scheme.
- One-off contribution towards homeworking set up.
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, shared parental, and adoption pay.
- Enhanced sick pay scheme.
Development
- Comprehensive training and continuing development opportunities.
- Individual training budget.
HOW TO APPLY
If you have the relevant skills and the passion to use them to support refugees, please apply by completing our application form which is available in the “Documents” section.
Closing date: 31 July 2025
Interviews date: Tentatively week of 11 August 2025
If you would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments to the application or hiring process that may better facilitate your participation, please contact us using the email address provided when you click through to our online portal. We will make every effort to respond to your request for assistance as soon as possible.
United Kingdom for the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) is registered with the Charity Commission (England & Wales), charity no. 1183415. It is the UK national partner of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN Refugee Agency.
Registered Charity
51 - 100
We stand with refugees – will you join us?
