Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Interim Head of Finance & Operations
Career Ready is a social mobility charity that believes that every young person deserves the opportunity to enjoy a rewarding future.
We were founded in 2002 by leading business figures with a mission: to boost social mobility by empowering young people and giving their talents a platform from which to flourish. Since then, we’ve grown in England and Scotland to support young people in areas of need.
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced, qualified Finance professional to lead our Finance & Operations function.
About the Role
Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer the Interim Head of Finance & Operations leads on and assumes day to day responsibility for providing high quality, strategic financial management for Career Ready.
You will lead on business operations to ensure the ongoing effective functioning of the charity and drive sustainable growth.
The Interim Head of Finance and Operations plays a key role in leading greater organisational efficiency and simplifying processes and will continue the delivery of a project plan reflecting the 2025-30 strategy.
You will play a critical role in driving the increased quality of Career Ready’s offer to our stakeholders in line with our strategy, vision and values.
Member of our SMT, comprising of the CEO, Director for Scotland, Director of Programme and Partnerships and Heads of functions.
This is an interim role to cover a period of maternity leave.
Main responsibilities and accountabilities
· Lead, direct and manage the finance and operations functions, overseeing two direct reports, ensuring they deliver a high-quality service to all internal and external stakeholders and are seen as adding value, in enabling Career Ready to achieve its vision and strategic objectives through its people.
· Continue the delivery of a project plan reflecting the 2025-30 strategy, ensuring that activities happen at pace, are deadline-driven and achieve a high level of impact.
· Assume overall responsibility for the financial management of Career Ready, working with the SMT to ensure high quality and effective use of charitable funds.
· Input into and review the financial elements of funding applications and ensure that fund accounting processes align with funders’ requirements for project reporting.
· Produce financial reports for various stakeholders, as well as leading on financial modelling.
· Have oversight of all financial and accountancy matters including month end reports, management accounts, cash flow management, compliance, tax liability, presentation of management information and KPIs. Ensure that the CEO and Trustees are provided with accurate, timely information and analysis.
· Oversee and coordinate the fully managed payroll services with the external bureau for all Career Ready employees and for some internship students (Jun to Aug during the Summer)
· Administration of the Staff Opt-In Pension Scheme, including onboarding new staff (Royal London)
· Act as a role model in our ‘one team’ culture. Lead in the development of efficient working practices across the charity, creating momentum and supporting motivation within the charity.
· Lead risk management strategies and internal control procedures to minimise the risk of loss, or damage to, Career Ready’s assets.
· Prepare and submit annual operational budgets and annual accounts to the CEO for review and approval.
· Draft and deliver papers for Trustees and Finance and Fundraising Committee (F&FC) meetings.
· Attend Board and F&FC meetings to present papers and answer questions related to areas of expertise.
· Provide day to day line management of the Senior Finance Officers and support their ongoing growth and development.
· Management of organisational governance and compliance activities, including policy management.
· Oversee and manage the organisation’s risk management register and process, with input from SMT.
· Oversee reviews and renewals of all insurance policies that affect the organisation.
· Lead on the compliance of statutory and charity regulatory reporting, giving guidance to colleagues where required.
· Ensure any changes to processes and procedures across the function are clearly documented.
Person Specification
Essential skills and experience
- Belief and commitment to Career Ready’s mission and values
- Qualified (ACA/ACCA/CIMA/AAT) accountant with at least 5 years’ experience in financial management including budgeting, preferably in the charity sector.
- Significant experience in producing management and financial accounts
- Skilled in financial reporting and producing VAT returns
- Preparing for and ensuring a successful year-end audit, and demonstrable knowledge of UK Charities SORP and other reporting standards
- Experience in budgeting to support strategic decision making.
- Financial dexterity and strong analytical skills.
- Strong IT skills, including advanced MS Excel skills and extensive of using an accounting software, preferably Xero
- Excellent organisational and prioritising skills and ability to work independently and with autonomy
- Strong starter finisher with ability to lead and drive projects
- Knowledge of charity governance and compliance requirements
- Ability to build excellent relationships and have effective engagement with stakeholders
- Good communication skills and ability to communicate financial concepts to non-finance staff
- Attention to detail
- Ability to present financial information to various audiences
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and sensitivity of financial information
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
- Ability to cope with competing demands to deadlines
- Honest and dependable
Desirable skills and experience
- Experience of leading a team, strong team building skills
- Line management experience
- Experience of using MS Planner or other project management tools
- Genuine interest in the work done by the Charity
- Experience of using a CRM (Salesforce)
- Degree in financial management or accounting
Full details are provided in the candidate pack
Salary and Benefits
Salary: £52,000 to £54,000 FTE (salary will be pro-rata for part time hours)
28-35 hours per week. Career Ready is committed to supporting condensed/flexible working patterns.
Permanent and remote. Travel to London required on an occasional basis
You will be rewarded with the following benefits:
· 6% contribution to personal pension plan, subject to 3% employee contribution.
· Annual leave: 27 days per annum plus bank/public holidays (pro rata for part time). The charity is also closed between Christmas and New Year. Career Ready also allows flexible use of some Bank & Public Holidays
· Cycle to Work Scheme
· Access to both our Reward Gateway Portal and an Employee Assistance Programme.
· Flexible working
· Work from home allowance and paid travel expenses.
We regret that Career Ready is unable to offer visa sponsorship and candidates must be able to demonstrate their right to work in the UK. In accordance with our commitment to safeguarding, offers of employment are subject to completion of a DBS check.
Timetable
Applications close at 9am on Monday 21 July 2025
Please note that the closing date may be brought forward if we receive strong applications.
This is an interim role to cover a period of maternity leave, with a provisional start date of late September for a handover period.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Job Title: A level Group Tutor Contractor across Chemistry, Maths and Physics
Salary: £35 per tutorial
Reporting to: Group Tuition Manager
Contract: For the 2025/26 academic year with the option to renew at the end of the year
Job Location: UK (nationwide, remote)
Successful candidates must have the right to work in the UK by the time employment commences
Interview Date: May - July
Start Date: Between September and November depending on student demand for tuition subject
We are currently looking for Chemistry, Maths and Physics tutors. Recruitment is limited to these subjects as applications for all other areas have closed due to high demand.
About the Role
Are you an experienced A level tutor? Can you support under-resourced young people to reach their full academic potential?
We are looking for passionate and qualified A level tutors to deliver high quality group tuition to our cohort of almost 1,000 students. This is an exciting opportunity for experienced tutors with a love of learning to help bright students overcome barriers to academic achievement. Tutorials are delivered online to groups of up to 4 students via our bespoke online learning platform.
Tutorials generally take place between the hours of 3pm and 8pm on weekday evenings, with flexibility around the schedules of our tutors and students.
About the Organisation
We believe that every young person should have the opportunity to fulfil their potential and make the most of their education. We are passionate about reducing the educational barriers our students face, helping them to pursue a career in their chosen field and follow their dreams.
Our mission is to support students from under-resourced backgrounds to access top universities, through a unique combination of tuition and in-school mentoring. We work with them to make good applications, get the grades and transition to university.
The programme combats educational inequality and improves social mobility by raising students’ grades and supporting them to understand the pathway to a top university. Students who receive support from our programme are 50% more likely to attend top universities as statistically similar students, according to UCAS.
Role Responsibilities
- Lead weekly hour-long tutorials with your tutor group(s), via The Access Project’s online learning platform
- Responsively plan and deliver stimulating, high quality tuition in line with our Quality Assurance Framework
- Effectively monitor and assess student progress, providing feedback when requested
- Complete weekly attendance forms, supply monthly invoices, and complete other administrative duties as required
- Participate in our observation and feedback process, taking advantage of continuous professional development opportunities
- Follow The Access Project’s safeguarding policies, supporting the wellbeing of your students at all times
Person Specification
- At least two years A level teaching and/or tutoring experience
- Positive, engaging and flexible teaching style
- Familiarity with and strong knowledge of relevant exam boards and specifications
- Evidence of ability to tutor one or more of the following subjects to A level standard: Chemistry, Maths and Physics
- Ability to commit to weekly hour-long tutorials at the same time each week over the academic year
- UK based, with the right to work in the UK
- Passionate about The Access Project’s mission
Safeguarding Statement
The Access Project is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Why Work at The Access Project?
People who work at The Access Project are motivated by the desire to create a fairer society. We all play an active part in achieving the mission to help students from under-resourced backgrounds access top universities.
We engaged with staff across our organisation and co-created the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion vision and strategic objectives. Our work on this is ongoing to ensure The Access Project can foster an equitable place to work.
We value every individual who works at The Access Project, and we have a wide range of benefits that make this a rewarding place to work. In our last staff engagement survey, 90% said they are proud to tell people they work at The Access Project.
Our Values
Empowerment
We support students and our people to develop the skills and knowledge to accomplish their goals.
Courage
We encourage our students and our people to be authentic, innovative, and ambitious in order to reach their full potential and deliver our mission.
Impact
We evolve our programmes through an evidence-led approach, supporting our students to achieve their best outcomes.
Inclusion
We respect and value individuality and engage diverse voices to achieve our mission.
Ownership
We hold ourselves accountable in all our actions and efforts. We ask, “What can I do to improve my results?”
Equal Opportunities Statement
The Access Project aspires to represent the diversity of communities across the UK at all levels of the organisation and proactively takes steps to support this. We are committed to creating a culture where the experiences and voices of people from marginalised backgrounds are listened to and valued; where their skills are appreciated; and where their talents are nurtured and encouraged.
The Access Project is an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from people from all backgrounds. If you believe you have most of the skills to fulfil the role we encourage you to apply. Amongst staff at our organization, there is under-representation of people who are Black, Asian or people from ethnic minority backgrounds, disabled, care-experienced, from low socio-economic backgrounds, and who are LGBTQIA+. We particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience in reference to our mission.
We are proud to be a Level 1 Disability Confident employer. If you require any reasonable adjustments please contact us.
Disclosure of a Criminal Record
The Rehabilitation of Offenders 1974 (Exceptions) (Amendment) Order 1986 applies to posts where there is access to children. This means that applicants for employment that involves working with children and young people must disclose anything listed in their criminal record, with the exception of protected cautions and convictions. All Disclosures are carried out in the strictest confidence and are made only in connection with your application for employment and for no other purpose. The application for a DBS check at a level appropriate to the job role will be activated before your first day of work. Members of staff who are not eligible for a standard or enhanced DBS check are required to undertake a basic DBS check only in line with legal requirements. If you are selected for appointment to the role, you will be subject to this procedure.
Present or Most Recent Employment
It is important to give full information, including the organisation you work in, or most recent employment if not currently working, full dates, address, and explanation of any gaps in employment.
References
All appointments are subject to verification of employment and suitability of the candidate for the post applied for. We reserve the right to approach any previous employer for a reference and to verify their identity but will request your permission before doing so. If you have experience of working with children, please include this as one of your references.
Education, Qualifications and Training
- Ensure you give all the information requested, including dates, establishment where you studied and make clear the level of any examinations e.g., GCSE, GCE 'O' Level or 'A' Level or equivalents etc. and the grades you obtained. Also include any skills training you have had. You will be required to produce original documentary evidence of any qualifications relevant to the job, and these will be detailed on the person specification
- Proof of qualification is required before the appointment is confirmed
Registered Charity
51 - 100
We support young people from under-resourced backgrounds to raise their aspirations, access top universities and achieve social mobility.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.