Director of student services jobs in south east london, greater london

About the job

Over the past decade Pembroke House’s activities in Walworth have grown considerably, with annual turnover rising from £200k to £1 million. Further growth is expected as a result of a new strategy anchored around five 10-year commitments to the neighbourhood, consolidation of our activities across two community buildings and continuing to build wide-ranging partnerships in Walworth.

We are looking for an experienced and skilled financial professional who can steward us through this crucial period of development.  You will be someone who combines a passion for our mission, a keen eye for detail and a flair for interpreting financial information and supporting non-specialists to make sound financial decisions. 

Days will be varied spanning everything from helping budget holders report to funders; preparing accurate financial reports and management accounts; to creating the budgets and frameworks for long-term financial planning. The rest of the core finance team comprises a Bookkeeper and a pro bono Payroll Officer based in Pembroke College, Cambridge. Other members of the team manage petty cash, look after the room hire business (including invoicing and credit control) and administer pensions. 

The trustee’s Finance and Risk Subcommittee formed two years ago and a new trustee position of Treasurer is currently being recruited. The Finance Manager will service and attend the subcommittee’s quarterly meetings and be the main contact point with the Treasurer between meetings.

As a new role there will be plenty of opportunity to mould finance operations across the organisation. Finance systems are currently in place, and have satisfied the auditor over the past few years, but there remains scope for improvement, including through automation and upskilling of the wider team.

Key duties and responsibilities

• Foster a culture of financial responsibility, in conjunction with the Leadership Team.
• Draft the audit file and schedules and assist the auditor with follow up questions and queries.
• Lead on the preparation of the charity's annual budget.
• Prepare fundraising budgets, financial claims and invoices for funders in line with (grant) agreements.
• Approve and act as signatory to all contracts for services issued and received.

About Pembroke House

Pembroke House is a centre for social action and residential community in Walworth, south-east London. 

We were founded in 1885, by students from Pembroke College, Cambridge, as one of the first settlement houses. Shocked by growing poverty and inequality, the pioneers of the settlement movement sought a new approach: taking up residence to live, work and solve problems alongside local communities. We continue to share a building with St Christopher’s church, which has its routes in the same student settlement.

For over 130 years, we’ve been working to bridge traditional divides and unite people – whatever their background or walk of life – in building a better Walworth.

We’re looking for a passionate and relationship-driven Partnerships Lead to grow and manage our organisation's impactful collaborations with schools, communities, and corporate partners.

About Khulisa: 

Khulisa, meaning 'nurture' in the Zulu language of South Africa, is an award-winning charity dedicated to providing therapeutic support to young people. We focus on reaching those who are most at risk – young people from deprived communities who are often marginalized, vulnerable to exclusion, and at heightened risk of becoming involved in crime.

Our approach centres on safe, exploratory methods that aim to understand behaviour and experiences often rooted in trauma, abuse, and neglect. We deliver intensive therapeutic programs within educational and community settings, empowering young people to confront the underlying causes of their emotional distress and work toward healing. To create lasting, sustainable change, we also work to establish trauma-informed environments around young people by equipping parents, caregivers, educators, and other professionals with the tools they need to offer effective, supportive care. Currently, our services are active in London and Manchester. 

About the role: 

The purpose of this role is to build and manage Khulisa's high-impact partnerships with schools, communities, and corporates that generate income and expand the reach of our therapeutic programmes. This includes, but is not limited to: 

• Identifying, initiating, cultivating and managing relationships with schools, Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs), Local Authorities
• Working closely with Khulisa's Head of Programmes and Participation to develop, implement and regularly review our schools engagement plan
• Developing and maintaining relationships with corporate partners to generate financial support, sponsorships, and other forms of engagement
• Maintaining a record of and report on partnership pipelines, engagement outcomes, and income forecasts and actuals

For a full list of duties and responsibilities, please see the attached job description below. 

The post holder will be required to work from home permanently but be willing and able to easily travel to various locations across the London and the North West as necessary to fulfill the requirements of the role and to engage with stakeholders and colleagues.

What we're looking for:

Abilities/Experience 

• Experience of generating new partnership engagements from schools and/or other youth spaces and to secure their participation in social impact projects where resources are pooled.
• Ability to identify new opportunities for partnerships and initiate engagements, including knowing when to bring in senior colleagues to maximise the chance of success.
• Experience of manage multiple and diverse stakeholder groups, to recognise shared values, and secure commitment to joint-working.
• Experience of creating compelling digital presentations for a variety of audiences, using PowerPoint or similar software. • Ability to buy strongly into strategic objectives and reflect passion for Khulisa’s work with young people.
• Willingness to work evenings and weekends as the job requires, and to travel.
• Commitment to inclusive, wellbeing-led approach to supporting young people.

Knowledge/Skills

• Strong verbal and written communication skills and to engage others in a compelling manner to securer their ongoing interest.
• Deep understanding of the education sector, secondary schools in particular, and the factors that could contribute to young people becoming excluded or marginalised.
• Sound knowledge of the various stakeholders in the education sector, including the complexities of building relationships with multi-academy trusts and understanding of the relationship between schools and local authorities.
• Good understanding of the realities of delivery to young people and able to build the knowledge base necessary to engage others convincingly on the effectiveness of therapeutic practices in ensuring young people’s wellbeing.
• Advanced knowledge of safeguarding legislations, policies and practices relating to children and young people.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: We are actively looking to recruit a diversity of talent. We embrace, respect and value the difference in our employees and believe that we and our work is better for it. We are committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive environment that consists of fairness, dignity, and caring for everyone, and one that enables every employee to flourish and realise their potential.

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.