Courses operations assistant jobs

Age UK Lambeth’s vision is to work closely with residents, closely to where they live, remain relevant and to respond locally to rising needs. We want to ensure that we are easy to access, working with local communities and providing the best support we can. The MYcommunity Gateway Team provides support across Age UK Lambeth’s three Neighbourhoods: North, South and Central. 

Age UK Lambeth and the MYcommunity Gateway team have partnered with Lambeth Adult Social Care in response to the redesign of their Initial Contact Service. Age UK Lambeth provides a busy, in-demand helpline to all new callers to Lambeth Adult Social Care. The helpline provides a triage service, dealing with enquiries, providing individuals the opportunity to discuss their issues and be provided with advice, information and guidance and potentially signposted to a range of services to provide them with support. Where appropriate, referrals are made to ASC for an assessment. 

Call operation times will be Monday – Friday 9am to 5pm, excluding bank holidays.

The service works closely with Lambeth Adult Social Care and we have a base working alongside them at the Civic Centre in Brixton. Staff work hybridly, with the opportunity to work from home at least two days per week.

What you’ll be doing?

1. The Helpline Worker will answer Lambeth Adult Social Care’s telephone line where the caller has selected a new caller to the service. 

2. Answer a range of queries and offer reassurance to all callers.

3. Refer clients to Adult Social Care for an assessment where appropriate.

4. Refer clients into external and partner services to provide support and refer clients to other Age UK Lambeth services.

What you’ll benefit from

• Flexibility - this is a full-time role Brixton based - close to good transport and vibrant town centre

• Generous pension provision - 7% employer contribution

• 26 days holiday a year rising to 31 days after 5 years

• A great staff team 

Imagine Independence is a leading third sector organisation, passionate about supporting people with mental illness, neurodiversity, learning disabilities, and behaviours that challenge. We offer a wide range of services, including supported living, employment assistance, and social inclusion programs, all aimed at empowering individuals to achieve their personal goals and live as part of their communities. Our work challenges stigma and promotes well-being by recognising the uniqueness of each person and the value of small, meaningful steps. Our dedicated staff give their best every day, enabling the people we support to live enriched, fulfilled lives.

Do you want to become part of this amazing organisation?  This is an exciting time to join Imagine Independence.  In this role, you'll be responsible for producing and delivering monthly management accounts, overseeing financial operations, and ensuring robust internal controls are in place. You'll also manage the year end audit, budgeting and forecasting, while leading a dedicated finance team.

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Head of Finance to join our team. If you have a strong background in financial management and a passion for driving organisational success, we'd love to hear from you!

Key requirements for this role:

• Qualified or near qualified ACCA, CIMA, ACA, CIPFA, or demonstrable equivalent experience

• At least 5 years’ experience in a relevant accounting or finance position, preferably within the charity or non-profit sector.

• Proven prior experience of leading and managing a finance team
 

• Solid expertise in budgeting, financial reporting, and financial analysis

• Strong understanding of UK charity accounting, including fund accounting and SORP

• A proactive attitude and the ability to ‘muck in’ with a broad range of duties sometimes outside the scope of the role

• Exceptional attention to detail and a strong commitment to accuracy, with the ability to identify financial trends and provide clear, insightful narrative analysis.
 

• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain financial information to non-financial staff and stakeholders

• Familiarity with housing management systems and practices, as well as of working with Sage 200 would be advantageous

Imagine is a values-based recruiter and so it will be seeking to ensure that the successful candidate will align with the following:

· Meaningful Living: Using empathy to bring together diverse people and resources, to put the everyday within reach of everyone.

· Nurturing Individuality: Creating conditions that support people to be true to themselves and express their truth.

· Focused Dedication: Showing up each day hungry to do our best to learn and develop. We never give up on people.

· Challenging Ideas: Keeping our efforts real and centred on what matters most, we do not settle for the ordinary when better is possible.

· Generous Sharing: Giving of ourselves, our experiences and knowledge, to promote and provide a great service.

To apply, please submit an up-to-date CV and a covering letter (maximum two pages) outlining how you meet the role’s requirements and what you can bring to Imagine Independence.If you would like an informal discussion about the role please contact Laura Codd on 0151  709  2366

Please note that CVs submitted without a covering letter will not be taken into consideration.

Closing date: Monday 2 June at 5pm*

An enhanced DBS will be required for this post.

*Please note that this job posting may close before the stated deadline if we receive a satisfactory response.   

Imagine aims to be an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community.

We are looking for an experienced and inspiring leader and adviser to join our Information and Advice Service and lead our wonderful advice team. Age UK Wandsworth is a local, independent charity that works to promote the wellbeing of all older people in the London Borough of Wandsworth. Our Information and Advice Service aims to improve the quality of life of older people and their carers through the provision of independent advice and support.

Purpose of the role: 

· To lead and manage a team (staff and volunteers) to deliver an outstanding information and advice service to older Wandsworth residents and to retain our professional accreditations.

· To support older people with high levels of income deprivation and health inequality to successfully identify and access benefits, health and social care, and other services, such as scams awareness, as needed.

We are looking for an experienced leader with key skills in line management, bid-writing and safeguarding, preferably with a qualification in social work. Our ideal candidate will be emotionally resilient, compassionate and empathetic with a proven background in managing people and overseeing service delivery.  You will be responsible for service quality, operational strategies and policies, providing high-level support to a small, dedicated team of staff and volunteers and bid writing to secure long term funding for the charity to continue its vital work. 

The charity provides support to vulnerable parents with pre-school aged children living in the borough of Gravesham, supporting up to 85 families at any given time.  Waterside offers 1:1 support, peer group sessions, structured family sessions, access to local agency clinics, counselling services, and courses, 5 days a week, 50 weeks a year.

Reporting to the Chair of Trustees, you will work with the team, trustees and external providers to ensure the delivery of impactful services and cultivation of strong partnerships in order to respond to the local needs of our families. 

The Centre Manager role will be expected to work from the centre the majority of the time as it is important to have a presence with the families and staff. On occasion, when it is required to meet key deadlines, working from home is supported but this is on an ad-hoc basis and not part of a regular working pattern. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead, manage and co-ordinate the work of Waterside Parents’ Centre to ensure smooth running of the service. 

• Designated Safeguarding Lead.

• Manage day-to-day operations, ensuring high-quality service delivery and adherence to best practices.

• Lead and support a dedicated team, providing supervision, training, and professional development opportunities.

• Ensure you are visible and approachable to the families we engage with specifically in family sessions. 

• Effective bid writing to secure crucial funding for the charity

• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, funders, and commissioners.

• Develop and implement strategic plans that align with the organisation’s goals and values.

• Manage all policies and procedures ensuring that they align with appropriate legislation and regulatory requirements.

• Work with the Finance Officer to ensure accuracy of financial recording and reporting.

Skills and Experience:

Desirable

• Experience in a social work environment.

Required

• Experience of leading services in the charity or social care sector.

• Non judgmental approach ensuring focus is on acceptance and understanding.

• Proven ability to manage diverse funding contracts and reporting requirements.

• Strong team leadership, with a focus on collaboration and staff development.

• Excellent communication and partnership-building skills.

• A commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.

What we are offering you:

Waterside is a family-centric employer and we provide our employees with a supportive and engaging environment. 

As well as ongoing development and training, we offer a generous annual leave entitlement, flexible working and hybrid working on occasion.  We offer a contributory pension scheme and free on-site parking.

Waterside is committed to safer recruitment and equality of opportunity and diversity.  This role is subject to DBS checks

This part-time role is at the heart of our creative and administrative operations. The successful applicant will be responsible for ensuring the smooth running of production weeks, supporting creative planning and delivery, and providing administrative support to the Artistic Director and the wider team. They will help manage productions, support volunteers, maintain systems, and contribute to the ongoing success of our acclaimed playwriting programmes for children.

Candidates should be:

· Exceptionally organised, efficient and detail-oriented

· A strong communicator who thrives in a collaborative team

· Calm and capable under pressure, especially during busy production weeks

· Confident managing logistics, paperwork, and people simultaneously

· Enthusiastic about theatre and working behind the scenes

· Friendly, approachable and great at working with volunteers, children and creatives

· Flexible and dependable, with a can-do attitude and a love of problem-solving

The Production Administrator & Assistant to the Artistic Director is responsible for:

· Coordinating all logistics and administration for courses and productions

· Managing communications and documentation for volunteers and creative teams

· Acting as Production Manager during show weeks and supporting technical teams

· Assisting the Artistic Director with administrative and scheduling duties

· Maintaining systems including Salesforce CRM and managing merchandise stock and sales

· Helping to ensure a welcoming, well-run studio environment at S&H HQ
 

The Production Administrator & Assistant to the Artistic Director reports to the CEO & Artistic Director and collaborates closely with all members of the staff team.

To reflect and celebrate the rich variety of heritages, backgrounds, and orientations represented in London and beyond, we strive to build and maintain a staff team and volunteer base that is as diverse as the communities we serve.

Payroll & HR Assistant

Are you an organised, detail-oriented professional with a passion for serving others through excellence in payroll and HR?

We are seeking a Payroll & HR Assistant to support our vital back-office functions, ensuring all employees are paid accurately and on time. This is a great opportunity to contribute to a mission-driven organisation that combines professional standards with a heart for faith-based service.

We are a growing charity that values and invests in our people. We believe in developing our employees and actively support career progression. You’ll join a team where your contributions are recognised, your development matters, and where you can grow professionally while helping us fulfil our mission.

As a Payroll & HR Assistant, you’ll play a crucial role in processing monthly payroll for over 700 staff, responding to pay queries, and supporting recruitment and HR administration.

If you have experience in payroll, a working knowledge of HR processes, and a desire to make a real difference, we’d love to hear from you.

For more information, please read the job description.

Responsibilities:

• Accurately process monthly payroll using Sage Payroll for all care homes and schemes.
• Ensure all statutory and voluntary deductions are correctly applied.
• Handle queries from staff and managers regarding pay and benefits.
• Support recruitment processes and general HR administration.
• Ensure compliance with HMRC, pension providers, and payroll-related legislation.
• Assist in annual payroll processes, including year-end and P11D submissions.
• Play a key role in keeping internal systems up to date and in line with best practice.
• Regularly attend Head Office prayer times.
• Support the HR team, especially in matters related to the organisation's objective of advancing the Christian faith—such as advising managers or supporting recruitment for roles that require the post holder to be a practising Christian under an Occupational Requirement.

Skills/Experience:

• At least 1 year of payroll experience, including PAYE knowledge.
• Familiarity with Sage Payroll (or similar system).
• Strong organisational and time management skills.
• High attention to detail and data accuracy.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Comfortable using Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Creative thinker and problem-solver.

This role has an Occupational Requirement to be filled by a Christian under the provisions of the Equality Act (2010)

Hours:

Full-time, 35 hours per week

Benefits:

• Remote/hybrid working (Head Office: Tower Bridge, London)
• 5 weeks’ paid holiday per year, plus bank and public holidays
• Pension scheme
• Ongoing training and support
• Team events
• Medicash
• Perkbox – including an Employee Assistance Programme
• Care Friends referral scheme
• Long-service and birthday rewards

— What our staff say about us: …“It is a friendly and welcoming place to work” … —

Pilgrims’ Friend Society is a registered charity. Our Christian ethos is central to everything we plan and do. We are committed to having a diverse senior management team and we encourage applications from disabled and Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic candidates, as these groups are underrepresented on our senior management team at present.

Please note: this vacancy may close sooner if sufficient applications have been received so please apply as soon as possible if interested.

Home-Start Epsom, Ewell and Banstead is a voluntary organisation committed to promoting the welfare of families and children.  Staff and Volunteers offer regular support including emotional and practical help to families in their own homes and specialist projects within the community.

We are recruiting for a part-time Administrator/ Finance Assistant who will work with the Manager and a small team to ensure the organised and efficient operation of the charity. You will need excellent administrative, organisational, IT and finance skills to provide administrative and financial support for all aspects of Home-Start’s work.  Experience of running payroll and using online accounting/payroll software would be beneficial.  Ideally suited to an excellent administrator who can develop into the finance role.  Training will be provided.

A good standard of education (GCSE, and relevant administration/ finance qualifications and/or experience), together with sensitivity and excellent communication skills are essential. You should understand and be committed to the role of the voluntary sector, be able to work in a small team, and demonstrate the ability of taking initiative.  An enhanced disclosure check will be required.

The closing date for applications is Monday 2nd June (11:59pm)

Interviews will take place during the weeks of 9th & 16th June 2025

For an informal discussion or for more information, please contact the office at the details on our website and our CharityLog profile.

Please note: Following Safer Recruitment standards, we do not accept CVs. Home-Start Epsom, Ewell and Banstead is committed to safer recruitment practice as an important part of safeguarding and protecting children and adults at risk.

Home-Start is committed to equality of opportunity and diversity and actively encourages applicants with different backgrounds and experiences.

Home-Start Epsom, Ewell and Banstead is a Company Limited by Guarantee No 8765689 and Registered Charity No 1156539

To further develop, deliver and strengthen CSE’s Human Resources function, ensuring that the organisation complies with all relevant legislation and guidance while recruiting and retaining good quality staff. Instilling a collaborative culture of high performance where staff are encouraged and supported to perform at their best and we collectively achieve outstanding results.

Pay and conditions

• The role is full-time, permanent role (37.5 hours per week).

• The salary for the role will be £47,508 - £55,954 (starting salary is expected to be at the lower end of the range)

• You will be entitled to 25 days paid holiday (plus statutory holidays).

CSE offer a range of benefits including, subsidised bike purchase and Tech Scheme, Life Assurance, Health Cash plan, retail discounts and discounted breakdown cover and many more.

We will pay fees and expenses on relevant training courses.

Specific responsibilities

An applicant appointed to the role will be expected to:

• To deliver all aspects of CSE’s Human Resources function, from recruitment, staff welfare, wellbeing and associated support, staff records, training and professional development, oversight and advice on any conflicts or disciplinary matters; and to include the development and maintenance of all appropriate staff policies and processes, including performance management and staff appraisals, remuneration, role progression and all staff benefits.

• To ensure the Staff Handbook remains regularly updated, and to lead on all amendments / updates to this key document for staff. Additionally, working alongside the Director of Finance & Operations, the Chief Executive and other directors to ensure all HR-related policies and procedures across CSE are reviewed regularly and remain updated accordingly, supporting staff needs as effectively as possible while also reflecting the needs and strategic objectives of the whole organisation, its charitable status and mission.

• To maintain the organisation’s personnel records in accordance with appropriate data protection standards and recognised good practice (utilizing the Cezanne HR system). To provide overall ownership of this system – in terms of data contents, security and ongoing operations for the system. The postholder will also act as primary contact for the Cezanne software supplier, liaising with the Director of Finance & Operations and other interested parties where necessary.

• To maintain oversight of staff welfare and working with line managers and other relevant staff, provide and promote access to support and advice to sustain good staff mental and physical health and wellbeing.

• To play an integral role supporting both the Employee Voice (EV) group and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) group and take a lead on related operational functions including administrating the 6-monthly Staff Survey and highlighting issues and trends in staff feedback.

• Provide oversight and guidance in respect of staff recruitment, onboarding, induction development and training, supporting and advising other relevant staff across all associated processes.

• To issue accurate and timely employment contracts, offer letters, job descriptions, pay review letters for all internal changes. Manage and oversee internal paperwork flows from relevant managers, relating to any changes to individual employee terms of employment. Support the SLT in reviewing and amending standard terms of employment contracts to ensure CSE’s practices reflect current best practice.

• To ensure that all payroll documents such as starter forms and payroll amendment forms are completed and saved in the correct location and sent to the payroll bureau where appropriate, and support the Finance team with the administration of our payroll and payroll records and pension scheme contributions and other employee benefits. To accurately track all staff absence and ensure that self-certification and return to work meetings are completed in a timely manner. Update the Bradford factor grid to monitor score against policy and, support line managers and employees in understanding how CSE uses this as a tool at all stages of process.

• To maintain an up-to-date knowledge of applicable employment, equity and diversity, and Health and Safety laws (with support from professional advisors where appropriate), standards, guidance, and good practice, advising the SLT how these can best be reflected in the organisation’s policies and practices as they apply both to individual members of staff and to the organisation as a whole.

• To prepare accurate and accessible reports for the Senior Leadership Team and Trustees on relevant organisational, team, and individual staff HR matters to enable informed and timely monitoring and decision-making, principally on a set cycle to feed into a routine schedule of meetings and occasionally to meet an ad hoc need.

• To work with the Senior Leadership Team and other staff as appropriate to support change management processes. This may include reviewing remuneration policies, job evaluation and salary benchmarking, skills audits, EDI Practices and line management practices.

• To identify opportunities to improve CSE’s Human Resources processes and practices, informed by a sound understanding of our mission and strategic objectives and our operating context and by keeping up to date with advances in personnel management and human resources practices. To see a more detailed list of responsibilities please see the supporting documents attached. These documents are also available to download from our website.

Essential attributes for this role include:

• CIPD qualification (Level 5) or equivalent Human Resources qualification.

• At least 5 years’ post-qualification work experience, including at least 2 years’ proven experience in an advisory role.

• Experience of developing and implementing effective HR policies and practices across an organisation, including managing any associated change processes.

• Experience in supporting both the organisation as well as individual employees through challenging employee relation conflicts and issues.

• Applied knowledge of employment legislation and good HR practices.

• Experience in overseeing the maintenance of a live HR system.

• Experienced in developing and supporting line managers in managing challenging situations.

• Excellent interpersonal skills with well-honed listening skills and an empathetic manner.

• Ability to explain often complex HR matters in a clear and concise manner, to audiences at all levels of seniority and experience across the organisation.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and act with discretion, tact and diplomacy.

• Ability to maintain and organise effective electronic and manual filing systems.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Good organisational and time management skills, with experience of working to tight deadlines and budgets.

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

How to apply

To apply, please download and complete the application form available from our website.

Your application should demonstrate your suitability for the role against the criteria outlined in the person specification.

To apply, please download and complete the application form available from our website and send it to our Jobs email address.

Your application should demonstrate your suitability for the role against the criteria outlined in the person specification and job description. To be considered for this role an application form must be sent directly to our Jobs email address. 

The closing date for applications is 5pm on Wednesday 21 May 2025.

Interviews are expected to take place Tuesday 3 June and Tuesday 10 June 2025 though this is subject to change. If invited to interview, we will ask you to provide evidence of eligibility to work in the UK

Finance Manager

ABOUT US – THE GESTALT CENTRE

We are the Gestalt Centre, an established therapy not-for-profit organisation, supporting the mental and psychological well-being of individuals, groups, and organisations. We are a dynamic charity that runs, accommodates, and supports a number of counselling, psychotherapy, personal and professional development courses, and a range of therapeutic practices that enhance mental and psychological wellbeing.

As Gestalt Centre, our relationship with people who work for the centre starts from a place of trust. We see our structure as an organisational shape that we use to organise ourselves. What matters for us is how we all work together. We prioritise collaboration and ‘horizontal’ consultative decision making with individual and collective responsibility and accountability.

OUR VISION is a world were meaningful and fulfilling relationships lead to wellbeing and positive change in people’s lives.

OUR PURPOSE is to promote the mental and psychological well-being of individuals, groups and organisations through Gestalt education, training, and practice.

Gestalt is a life-changing approach to life, counselling, and psychotherapy. It enables people to develop meaningful relationships, navigate change and lead fulfilling lives by creatively utilising their own resources, skills, and strengths.

OUR VALUES

• Awareness and personal responsibility.
• Diversity, equality, inclusion and anti-discrimination.
• Kindness and respect for each other and the space we cohabit.
• Collaboration and community: every person matters and so does the collective.

Ready to make a difference? Join us!

We are seeking to appoint a highly motivated and experienced Finance Manager with strong background in charity finance to join our Executive team. A key role working closely with the CEO, the Executive team and Trustees.

✔ join a highly committed, experienced and collaborative team in a dynamic organisation, with strong collaborative and human-centric practice, growing and changing in innovative ways

✔ deliver a diverse role with opportunities to grow as a professional

✔ join the Gestalt Centre, a beacon of excellence in the therapy world

✔ support people develop emotional and psychological wellbeing and create a world where meaningful relationships lead to wellbeing and positive change in people’s lives

✔ flexible working and hybrid with home working and convenient office location when you’re in the office.

ABOUT THE ROLE

FINANCE MANAGER JOB DESCRIPTION

Role Purpose

The Finance Manager will proactively plan, manage and oversee the financial strategy, operations, and compliance of our dynamic and growing organisation. The role contributes directly to the organisation’s strategic planning and has hands-on oversight of financial transactions, operations, compliance and reporting.  

As the Finance Manager, you will be a member of the Executive leadership team working closely with the CEO on matters of financial strategy and business development - contributing to strategic decisions and providing financial guidance.You’d also be supported by the Finance Manager Assistant and the Bookkeeper.

Main Objectives

• Provide leadership, in-depth knowledge and financial expertise to support the organisation’s strategy, business development and operations. 
• Manage the day-to-day financial operations including payroll, payments, controls and cash flow to ensure sound financial management and accuracy around all financial routines and procedures. Also ensure compliance and accurate reporting.
• Lead on and manage financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting - working closely with the CEO.
• Lead on enhancing procedural efficiencies and streamlining in finance operations.
• Prepare statutory and management accounts. Manage the annual financial audit and implement recommendations.
• Provide and manage sound financial reporting and conduct financial analysis and financial modelling for business development.
• Work with and manage the Finance Manager Assistant and Bookkeeper.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

The role works closely with the CEO and is assisted by the Assistant Finance Manager and the Bookkeeper.

Financial Planning

• Lead on financial planning, budgeting and forecasting.
• Conduct financial analysis to support decision-making, highlighting key trends, opportunities and risks. Also scenario planning and financial modelling for growth and sustainability.
• Provide sound financial advice to the CEO, Executive and Trustees also assisting with business planning and strategy and business development.

Financial Management

• Lead on and manage the annual financial audit, including preparation, responding to auditors queries and implementation of recommendations, effectively and in a timely manner. Also filling with the Charity Commission and Companies House.
• Lead on the day-to-day management of financial operations to ensure sound financial management and accuracy of all financial routines and procedures.
• Monitor performance of actuals in relation to budget, income generation targets, approved expenditure and in relation to forecast. Note, analyse and comment on variations and propose adjustments.  
• Prepare quarterly management accounts and reports for decision-making and planning.
•  Advise on and manage investments and cashflow.

Governance: Policies, procedures and financial controls

• Ensure compliance with all requirements and standards in respect to Insurance, Companies House, Charities Commission and HMRC.
• Proactively lead on process improvements as we grow. Includes writing, reviewing and updating finance procedures and policies, in collaboration with the CEO and Executive colleagues.
• Ensure governance documents are up to date. Including Trustees appointment and resignation records, conflict-of-interest forms, and relevant submissions to Companies House.
• Monitoring and mitigating financial risks while maintaining robust internal controls. Also manage credit control and ensure that payments are received on time.
• Ensure financial procedures, policies and reporting systems are updated as required and maintained thereafter.

Accounting

• Supervise and review accounting tasks and records processed by the bookkeeper and the Finance Manager.
• Ensure timely, up to date and accurate accounting practice including journal entries, accruals, phasing and reconciliation.
• Ensure accuracy of income and expenses allocation and coding, including deferred income and monthly reconciliations.
• Review and update coding structures and nominal coding, clearing accounts and reconciliations in collaboration with the CEO and finance colleagues.

Payments and Payroll

• Manage effectively payroll, tax and pension submissions, banking and associated procedures.   
• Ensure all payments are made, received and acknowledged in an accurate, compliant and timely manner.
• Maintain up to date records of financial calculations regarding payments and fees for tutors, assessors and other stakeholders.

Contracts Management

• Ensure that operational, building, insurance and supplier contracts are up to date and renew them as required. Includes utility bills, IT and telephone.
• Prepare and issue employee contracts (working with the CEO/HR).

Support service delivery

• Calculate and prepare courses fees and other financial information for reviews and to support decision-making
• Liaise with students to offer and manage payment plans
• Ensure financial queries by colleagues, collaborators, students and practitioners are dealt with effectively and in a timely manner.
• Support the integration of financial and operational systems.

People Management

• Supervise, manage and support the Finance Manager and Bookkeeper, ensuring and supporting high performance and wellbeing.
• Recruitment, induction and professional development of the finance team. Also ensuring team members understand and adhere to organisational policies and procedures.

ABOUT YOU

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Qualifications and experience  

• Qualified or part-qualified (final stage), for example ACA, ACMA, CIPFA, CIMA.
• Minimum 3 years relevant financial management experience working with a charity/not for profit.
• Good experience of sound accounting and financial management in the charity/not for profit sector. Good knowledge of charity accounting and the Charity SORP.
• Sound knowledge and experience of leading and managing the audit process.
• Thorough practical up-to-date understanding of management accounting principles and techniques.
• In-depth knowledge and experience with payroll and pension processes and management systems for accounting functions, including QuickBooks.
• Sound knowledge and experience providing monthly management accounts, year-end statutory accounts and financial reporting.
• Extensive experience of contributing to the strategic, organisational and financial planning processes and leading on budgeting and forecasting.
• Extensive experience in balancing competing complexities of a busy role and prioritising effectively, forward planning and working to tight deadlines.
• Sound experience working effectively with confidentiality and GDPR in mind and in line with organisational policies and practice.
• Good experience with organisational realities, challenges and opportunities in the charity sector.
• Experience of working well within a multidisciplinary team (desirable).
• Experience facilitating or leading change and growth (desirable).

Qualities

• Awareness of self and others alongside a learning and growth mindset
• Leadership and management with kindness, integrity and collaboration
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills including ability to communicate financial concepts and information in accurate, simple and clear ways and work collaboratively across teams and at a senior level
• Proactive dynamic leadership and project management skills and ability to apply big picture thinking. 
• Excellent numeracy skills with attention to detail, sound analytical and problem-solving skills. 
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable in a dynamic organisation.
• Ability to receive and provide feedback, learn and grow as a professional
• Creativity, resourcefulness and an open mind to be able to see opportunities, embrace challenges and facilitate resolution of any issues.
• Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines.
• Passion and commitment to the Gestalt Centre values, work and direction
• Commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and anti-discrimination.
• Excellent IT skills, including advanced Microsoft Excel skills and accounting software systems
• Competency using MS Office, email, online platforms and learning management systems

Assistant Finance Business Partner x 2

(SEO)

£41,055 - £44,415 (National)

+ £5,000 Accountancy Allowance or £2,500 Part Qualification Allowance

The Government Property Agency is the largest property holder in government, with more than £2.1 billion in property assets and over 50% of the government's office estate. We are transforming the way the Civil Service works by creating great places to work, leading the largest commercial office programme in the UK, working towards halving carbon emissions from government offices, and achieving greater value for taxpayers.  We are looking for innovative, solutions-focused people to join our team.

Representing the best covenant in the UK - His Majesty's Government - we are leading ground-breaking programmes such as the Government Hubs Programme, Whitehall Campus Programme and Net Zero Programme, as well as delivering modern and cost-effective real estate service solutions. 

Innovation and progress are at the heart of our behaviours. We foster a culture of lifelong learning, where curiosity and self-improvement are encouraged, and we're dedicated to becoming a leading, inclusive employer both in the external market and throughout the Civil Service.  Our strong emphasis on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) is not just about driving inclusion across our organisation, it is also about ensuring our services meet the needs of government departments and the civil servants who use our spaces. 

Join our dynamic and diverse team that leads with purpose, improving sustainability, nurturing social value, driving inclusivity and flexibility, and kickstarting economic growth.  We are driven by purpose, and you can be part of it too: where you make a meaningful impact; where you influence; where your voice really matters; where you help to shape our future direction.

We are recruiting for two positions into the Workplace Projects department. These positions sit within their LCR (Lifecycle Replacement) and CRP (Client Requested Projects), supporting project managers by monitoring project progress and providing insightful management information to allow for accurate forecasting against budgets.

The responsibilities of the Assistant Finance Business Partner(s) will include:

• Producing management accounts for relevant budget holders and contributing to GPA's client budget process
• Partnering with the LCR and Net Zero / CRP programme managers and external partners to ensure that all expenditure has been accurately assessed based on project completion and integrity is applied
• That regular reconciliations and sampling of the project accounts are completed including timely project closure assessments
• Provide advice on financial treatment of project costs to ensure that all items are correctly assessed for capitalisation, and that the treatment of abortive costs and feasibility works are appropriately treated as RDEL, while being allocated to the correct projects
• Attendance at monthly stakeholder meetings to support the management of projects, supply chain and client relationships
• Supporting any client discussions as required to ensure recovery of billed amounts, keeping accrued income minimal and controlled
• Building a network internally with other finance teams to ensure smooth transition of data and knowledge between interlinked processes, and contributing as part of the wider finance team
• Preparing balance sheet reconciliations including accruals and prepayments
• Take ownership of key financial processes, including the preparation and processing of journals, while supporting both internal and external audits.
• Play a proactive role in facilitating forecasting and reporting activities, and use your analytical skills to identify trends, risks, and opportunities within the financial data to inform strategic decision-making.

Key Skills & Experience 

• CCAB or equivalent part-qualified or finalist-level candidates required, full qualification desirable.
• Experience in facilities management or estates-related roles (e.g. property management, construction projects) is preferable, however candidates from other backgrounds will be considered.
• Understanding of project accounting fundamentals is essential; experience with subcontractors or procurement for facilities management is advantageous.
• Strong month-end management accounting experience required.
• Confident communicator, able to engage effectively with stakeholders from varied backgrounds.

The GPA is com

Assistant Finance Business Partner

(SEO)

£41,055 - £44,415 (National)

+ £5,000 Accountancy Allowance or £2,500 Part Qualification Allowance

The Government Property Agency is the largest property holder in government, with more than £2.1 billion in property assets and over 50% of the government’s office estate. We are transforming the way the Civil Service works by creating great places to work, leading the largest commercial office programme in the UK, working towards halving carbon emissions from government offices, and achieving greater value for taxpayers.  We are looking for innovative, solutions-focused people to join our team.

Representing the best covenant in the UK – His Majesty’s Government – we are leading ground-breaking programmes such as the Government Hubs Programme, Whitehall Campus Programme and Net Zero Programme, as well as delivering modern and cost-effective real estate service solutions. 

Innovation and progress are at the heart of our behaviours.  We foster a culture of lifelong learning, where curiosity and self-improvement are encouraged, and we’re dedicated to becoming a leading, inclusive employer both in the external market and throughout the Civil Service.  Our strong emphasis on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) is not just about driving inclusion across our organisation, it is also about ensuring our services meet the needs of government departments and the civil servants who use our spaces. 

Join our dynamic and diverse team that leads with purpose, improving sustainability, nurturing social value, driving inclusivity and flexibility, and kickstarting economic growth.  We are driven by purpose, and you can be part of it too: where you make a meaningful impact; where you influence; where your voice really matters; where you help to shape our future direction.

The responsibilities of the Assistant Finance Business Partner will include:

• Producing management accounts for relevant budget holders and contributing to GPA’s client budget process
• Provide advice on financial treatment of project costs to ensure that all items are correctly assessed for capitalisation, and that the treatment of abortive costs and feasibility works are appropriately treated as RDEL, while being allocated to the correct projects
• Contributing to property reconciliations to ensure all expenditure has been fully recovered from tenants
• Attendance at monthly stakeholder meetings to support the management of projects, supply chain and client relationships
• Supporting any client discussions as required to ensure recovery of billed amounts, keeping accrued income minimal and controlled
• Building a network internally with other finance teams to ensure smooth transition of data and knowledge between interlinked processes, and contributing as part of the wider finance team
• Promote continuous improvement by developing and improving accounting processes and procedures relating to projects and other expenditure
• Preparing balance sheet reconciliations including accruals and prepayments
• Analysing financial performance to identify variances and ensuring transactions are accounted for correctly
• Take ownership of key financial processes, including the preparation and processing of journals, while supporting both internal and external audits.
• Play a proactive role in facilitating forecasting and reporting activities, and use your analytical skills to identify trends, risks, and opportunities within the financial data to inform strategic decision-making

Key Skills & Experience 

• CCAB or equivalent part-qualified or finalist-level candidates required, full qualification desirable.
• Experience in facilities management or estates-related roles (e.g. property management, construction projects) is preferable, however candidates from other backgrounds will be considered.
• Strong month-end management accounting experience required; finance business partnering experience is advantageous.
• Confident communicator with proven stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ambitious and driven, ideally from a fast-paced or client-focused environment.

The GPA is committed to representing the communities we serve by making Diversity, Equality and Inclusion part of everything we do. To ensure that we are always recruiting and retaining a diverse mix of talent, we are particularly inviting applications from candidates who are disabled, ethnically or gender diverse, and people who identify as being part of the LGBTQ+ community. 

We are recruiting a General Advice Officer to support with the delivery of advice and welfare support to vulnerable guests who access the Community Wellbeing Service, a local support hub offering relief from the rising cost of living for local families. The General Advice Officer will support our guests on a range of areas including benefits, immigration, housing, money management and access to training and employment services. The postholder will provide high quality welfare advice and guidance through weekly one-to-one advice sessions, undertake case work, work with partners to facilitate referrals, and provide support to advice volunteers. 

The successful candidate must have at least two years’ experience delivering effective advice or in a similar capacity, demonstrate empathy, an understanding of the issues facing vulnerable people, and have in-depth and up-to-date knowledge of welfare benefits and housing policies/legislations, with a strong focus on achieving tangible outcomes for our guests.

Advice Work

• Carry out assessments to identify urgent needs and appropriate support pathways for members at the Community Wellbeing Service.
• Support outreach or community engagement activities as needed.
• Provide holistic and person-centred advice and casework on the main enquiry areas, particularly welfare benefits, housing, employment, health and wellbeing, immigration and money management.
• Maintain Sufra’s Advice Quality Standards and meeting tangible outcomes.
• Produce detailed case records on our case management system for the purpose of continuity, statistical monitoring and report preparation
• Apply for funds from trusts and foundations to support individuals and families with essential costs such as housing deposits or white-goods and/or cancellation of debts;
• Develop and maintain good working relationships with external stakeholders for joined up working, including statutory and voluntary service providers, making referrals for guests where appropriate.
• Enable and support guests to act for themselves, wherever appropriate.
• Monitor the progression of all cases to the point of resolution.
• Conduct follow-up calls with guests where needed and track outcomes
• Support volunteers who are working on delivering Advice Services e.g triage volunteers and pathways volunteers
• Provide advice to the General Advice Service as and when required

Case Management

• Manage own caseload and work independently to support guests
• Use of Case Management System (AdvicePro) as well as Microsoft Office for communication and document production.
• Support with developing case studies and gathering guest feedback
• Collect statistical information as requested for reporting purposes.
• Feed into the development of monitoring reports for funders and other stakeholders

Other Responsibilities

• Maintain and update the charity’s record of referral and signposting agencies;
• Ensure data protection regulations are adhered to, and that sensitive data is handled in accordance with relevant legislation and organisational procedures.
• Keep informed of new and changing legislation relevant to the post, and of local issues and policies
• Be committed to the aims, procedures and policies of Sufra’s advice service in every aspect of service delivery.
• Take part in supervisions, personal development training, team meetings and appraisals
• Undertake any other reasonable duties to support the operations of the charity.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys being at the heart of an organisation’s operations—helping to keep the corporate services team running smoothly, so that our Education and Supporter teams can focus on delivering impact through our programmes. 

Both nationally and internationally, public discussion and political debate are increasingly polarised and divided. Social media, fake news and new technologies such as AI can create echo chambers, where claims pass unchallenged, and different views are hard to find. The English-Speaking Union shows that there is a more constructive and collaborative path.  The ESU was founded in 1918 to build greater understanding and friendships between people and nations. We are an educational charity with international reach, with an ESU in over 50 countries. Today our work is focussed on training young people in oracy – speaking and listening skills, in critical thinking and self-expression - to build skilful communicators and engaged citizens and leaders.  

The English-Speaking Union and our work is more important now than ever.  

The Corporate Services team provides essential strategic and operational support across the organisation. Our governance function oversees compliance, risk management, and performance frameworks. The finance team manages budgets, financial planning, and reporting. All of this contributes to effective decision making. We are also responsible for looking after our properties, which includes maintaining oversight of two commercial leases, and maintaining Dartmouth House which is a grade II* listed events venue and our Head Office in Mayfair. 

Purpose of this role  

The Business Support Administrator will provide high quality support to the Board of Trustees and its sub-Committees, and the Chief Operating Officer. This role will work closely with the Executive Assistant to the Director General. 

Responsibilities and Expectations  

• Provide high-quality administrative and organisational support to the Chief Operating Officer, helping to ensure smooth day-to-day operations. 

• Coordinate the preparation and timely circulation of agendas, papers, minutes and action logs for Board and Committee meetings. 

• Monitor and report on progress against Board and Committee actions, ensuring timely follow-up and delivery 

• Support the delivery of the annual Board effectiveness review, gathering feedback and helping to implement improvements. 

• Assist with the planning and delivery of the annual external audit, working with colleagues and auditors to meet key deadlines. 

• Maintain key registers including the Gift & Hospitality Register, Declarations of Interest, and compliance trackers. 

• Facilitate due diligence checks as needed, liaising with legal advisors to ensure accuracy and compliance. 

• Maintain the organisation’s contract register, tracking review dates and supporting internal contract reviews and renewals. 

• Deliver one-off projects and provide flexible support across the Corporate Services team as required. 

Skills and Experience  

• A track record of providing secretariat support, including minute taking. 

• Excellent administrative skills, highly organised with very good attention to detail. 

• A tactful and conscientious individual who can navigate through complex situations 

• Understands the importance of maintaining confidentiality

• A good understanding of charity governance. 

• Strong written and oral communication skills. 

• A motivated self-starter who can quickly translate issues into solutions. 

• A team player who can quickly build trusted relationships at all levels. 

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills. 

• Can confidently and professionally challenge and hold people to account. 

• The ability to manage several projects simultaneously whilst working at a high standard.

• Excellent IT skills including Microsoft Office. 

Start date:  Mid-August 2025 (subject to Enhanced DBS Check and satisfactory references).

Salary: £36,411 - £38,261 per annum, pro rata.

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

Contract: This is a 9 month maternity cover contract, with possibility of extension to 12 months

Place of work: To work flexibly at CARA premises across mid and north Essex, including Braintree, Chelmsford, Clacton, Colchester, Harwich and Dunmow, with some remote home working.

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:  10am, Monday 2nd June 2025 

Interviews:  Monday 9th June 2025 

Start date: Mid-August, subject to receipt of satisfactory references and enhanced DBS check.

Mandatory Training Dates: To be confirmed.

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

Job Description

The role of CARA’s Child and Young Person’s Practice Manager is to lead CARA’s teams of Young Person’s Practitioners and Child and Family Practitioners and manage the provision of specialist sexual violence counselling for young people, play therapy and support for parents and carers.  The post holder may hold a small caseload of clients and undertake some assessments, but the main emphasis of this role will be on the management, support and coordination of the team.

This is a varied and interesting role, giving the post holder opportunity to lead a talented and committed team of practitioners.   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 the CEO and Deputy CEO.   The post holder will work with our sister centres, SERICC and SOS Rape Crisis to gain an understanding of Child and Young Person’s services across Essex and coordinate these as appropriate.   

Main Responsibilities

Leadership and Management

• To manage all operational aspects of CARA’s Child and Young Person’s Practice, including overseeing the delivery of our specialist young person’s counselling service, play therapy and support for parents and carers.    This may also include managing any new Child and Young Person’s Practice projects that CARA develops.

• To work in accordance with CARA’s policies and procedures and embed a feminist approach in CARA activities.

• To co-ordinate, review and develop effective processes within the Child and Young Person’s Practice, working closely with the Deputy CEO, the Young Person’s Practitioners and the Child and Family Practitioners.

• To line-manage a team of Young Person’s and Child and Family Practitioners, 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.

• Work with our Adult Practice Manager to oversee the work of a wider team of sessional counsellors, including supporting Practitioners in line managing sessional and volunteer counsellors and identifying training needs. This will include helping to co-ordinate a monthly sessional and volunteer counsellor meeting. 

• To support practitioners and sessional counsellors in maintaining up-to-date client records and ensure that gaps in data are proactively addressed, as required.

• To work with CARA’s Deputy CEO to recruit and train new staff and sessional and volunteer counsellors, as required.

• To lead regular Young Person’s Practice and Child and Family Practice meetings, producing notes to share with team members and with senior management.

• To maintain an overview of waiting lists, working closely with practitioners and with the Deputy CEO and CEO to ensure that staff and resources are deployed effectively.

• To keep up to date with relevant legislation, policy and practice issues, including BACP and child safeguarding guidance and ensure the practitioners are aware of changes.

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

• To liaise with external agencies, including children’s mental health and social care, ensuring CARA is represented at meetings as required and developing effective relationships to ensure our services co-ordinate with statutory and voluntary services.

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

Counselling and client support

• To oversee client work within the teams, working closely with all team members to resolve client issues and ensure high quality service provision.

• To undertake client assessments and make appropriate arrangements for support.

• To provide specialist counselling for young people and/or play therapy for children and support for their parents, holding a small caseload of clients.

• To keep client records up to date. 

• To work flexibly at CARA centres across mid and north Essex, providing face-to-face and remote sessions, as required.

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 Deputy CEO, CEO and Trustees as required, including the production of regular written reports and verbal reports.

• To undertake any other related activities as required by the Deputy CEO, CEO 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 and we work closely with South Essex-based SERICC 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.