Finance and hr officer jobs

Earliest Start Date: 1st December 2026

About the Role

We are looking for a Chief Operations Officer to lead the operations team, join the management team and support the CEO. Your priorities will be to oversee all fundraising, including campaigns, major donors and grant applications. You will oversee the HR of the organisation, including recruitment and disciplinaries. In partnership with the CEO and finance officer you will be jointly responsible for finance within the organisation. You will manage the facilities manager and administrator, ensuring that processes are followed appropriately and the building is maintained in good condition, ensuring we fulfil all legal requirements.

About You

You will be a senior manager who has energy and drive as well as sound judgement. On top of a strong track record in an operational position, you will have the breadth of experience to lead HR and systems, finance, monitoring and evaluation and fundraising. You will have experience in fundraising and funder management and be able to lead on making funding applications and reporting to funders. You will be a clear, analytical thinker who will strengthen the leadership of our charity. You will be an excellent manager of people. Finally, you will be excited about working in an organisation with a unique mission that strives to make a difference in the lives of some of the most disadvantaged young people in London.

Job Title: Chief Operating Officer (with CFO responsibilities) 

Location: Rugby or Hybrid/ Home with ability to travel to meet the charity’s needs
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Salary: £68,000 - £75,000  
Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent
Closing Date: 21st August 2026

About HCPT

HCPT is a UK-based charity that provides life-changing pilgrimage experiences to Lourdes for children and adults with disabilities, complex medical needs, and social challenges of all faiths, and none. Every Easter and Summer, HCPT brings together thousands of volunteers, medical professionals, and chaplains to support pilgrims in a joyful, inclusive, and faith-filled environment. Our work is rooted in Christian values, community, and the belief that every person is uniquely gifted and loved.

Role Overview

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a key member of HCPT’s Senior Leadership Team, responsible for the effective delivery and high performance of all operational and business support aspects of the charity’s work. This includes leadership of all business support functions; Finance, HR, IT and Governance, working with and through internal teams and external business partners.  As such we are looking for an experienced chartered accountant who is also astute in leading the wider business operation of medium sized charity.

The postholder will have oversight of the quality and efficiency aspects of all that we do in planning and execution of pilgrimages, care & safeguarding, compliance and infrastructure and will support the CEO to develop a culture of accountability and high impact, whilst staying true to our values of: Compassion, Faith, Inclusion, Community and Celebration.

The COO will ensure that HCPT’s operations are safe, efficient, and aligned with our Catholic ethos and mission of inclusion and care, and that our performance is optimised to deliver excellence, which is:  THE BEST pilgrimage experience we can offer as defined and measured by our beneficiaries and volunteers.

This is a senior role in volunteer-led organisation and as such the successful postholder will be required to exercise flexibility with evening and weekend work to meet the business needs of the charity, given the availability of our volunteer leaders who have professional commitments during the day. The role also requires the post holder to travel to and work in Lourdes for two weeks over Easter each year, leading operational delivery of our largest annual pilgrimage.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Operational Leadership

• Work closely with the CEO to implement HCPT’s strategic plan and vision.
• Lead and line manage internal business support functions and outsourced partners across; finance, HR and IT delivering excellence in our infrastructure.
• Support the CEO to realign the resources of the charity to improve performance, build capacity and increase impact, utilising the best in digital and AI tools to simplify complexity and create capacity.
• Lead on the development and tracking of departmental KPIs and dashboards, developing a culture focused on personal accountability, performance, quality management and continuous improvement.
• Support CEO to develop Operational Risk Register, Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity Plans.
• Line manage our Head of Care and Safeguarding, ensuring compliance with policies, procedures, and working as part of the wider care and safeguarding committees to anticipate legislative and other changes to how we deliver our mission in partnership with the CEO and Board of Trustees.
• Support CEO in project management of system migration and development of AI tools which drive efficiency and quality of service delivery.
• Support CEO in quality management and articulation of impact for all stakeholder groups.
• Deputise for the CEO as required.

Finance & Business Support Function Management

• Own and lead all financial strategy, planning, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting across the organisation. 
• Lead the internal finance team and external partners to deliver accurate, timely monthly and quarterly management accounts and financial insights. 
• Develop and implement HCPT’s long-term financial strategy, including reserves policy, sustainability planning, and scenario modelling. 
• Oversee cashflow management and liquidity planning in line with appropriate reserves levels, ensuring the financial resilience of the organisation. 
• Ensure robust financial controls, policies, and compliance with all statutory requirements, including VAT, Corporation Tax, and charity regulations. 
• Lead the organisation’s annual audit process and act as the primary finance liaison with auditors. 
• Drive value-for-money, cost optimisation, and financial efficiency across all operations and pilgrimage programmes. 
• Provide strategic financial insight, analysis, and challenge to the CEO and Board of Trustees, including leading financial reporting to the Board. 
• Partner with fundraising teams to support financially robust grant applications, pricing strategies, and impact reporting. 
• Oversee financial governance and reporting alignment across UK and French operations. 
• Lead and manage all business support functions, including HR, IT, and governance, ensuring effective integration with financial planning and control.

Performance Management & Growth

• Support the CEO with development and implementation of HCPT’s strategy for growth, ensuring all departments understand their roles and responsibilities, demonstrated by high performance.
• Lead on the development of HCPT-wide KPIs in the UK and French organisations and support the CEO to deliver the step change in a culture of accountability and leadership at every level.
• Devise and develop reporting frameworks and a dashboard for operational management reporting which links into the quarterly Board pack.

Governance & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with UK charity law, care & safeguarding regulations, data protection requirements, and health & safety standards.
• Maintain risk registers and lead on safeguarding and incident response protocols, working with and through the Head of Care & Safeguarding.
• Support the CEO and Board of Trustees with operational reporting and risk management as the key point of contact with our volunteer leaders relating to the business operations of the charity.
• Assume Company Secretary duties and ensure all legal and fiscal records and annual returns are prepared on time to our regulators, working in partnership with our professional services advisers, CEO, SLT and Board of Trustees.

People & Volunteer Management

• Lead and support a team of staff and volunteers, fostering a culture of compassion, professionalism, and collaboration.
• Oversee HR policies, recruitment, training, and wellbeing.
• Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion across all operations.

Systems & Infrastructure

• Ensure our systems and infrastructure are fit for purpose and can enable positive customer service approaches and develop SLAs internally and externally and which include what the organisation needs from our volunteers.
• Oversee the development and maintenance of systems for group registration, medical records, safeguarding, and volunteer management, including disposal in line with information lifecycle management and legislation governing this.
• Ensure data security, operational efficiency, and user-friendly processes for data management in line with GDPR and applicable data protection law.

Person Specification

Essential

• Significant experience in a senior operational leadership role, ideally within a UK charity or faith-based organisation.
• Strong demonstrable financial leadership and management of a medium sized charity with a turnover of £4m plus, and a recognised accountancy qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA).
• Strong experience of developing and delivering improvement methodology in change management programmes.
• Strong understanding of UK charity governance, safeguarding, and financial management.
• The ability to travel to Lourdes for two weeks each Easter to deliver the largest annual event for the charity.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• An understanding of HCPT’s spirituality, mission and values.

Desirable

• Experience working with Lourdes pilgrimages or Catholic diocesan structures.
• Familiarity with medical or care provision in a group travel context.
• Experience working in cross-cultural environments.

N.B. Please note the duties listed are not exhaustive and the charity may require different or additional duties to be undertaken depending on changing business needs.

What We Offer

• A meaningful leadership role in a mission-driven charity
• Flexible working arrangements and generous annual leave
• Up to 5% employer pension contributions, based on employee contributions
• Group life cover and healthcare benefits
• Opportunities for spiritual and professional development
• The chance to make a lasting impact on the lives of children and adults with additional needs

HCPT is committed to safeguarding children and adults at risk. The successful candidate will be required to complete an Enhanced DBS check before appointment, and references will be taken up prior to confirmation

Tandridge Learning Trust is seeking to appoint an exceptional Director of People & Culture to join our Executive Board.

The successful candidate will build on the positive foundations already established across the Trust and bring the vision, expertise and creativity needed to further develop our people strategy and organisational culture. You will inspire and bring out the best in our staff, demonstrating resourcefulness, resilience and drive, together with a proven track record of delivering effective workforce and organisational improvement.

Working collaboratively as part of a cohesive and high-performing Executive Board, you will provide strategic leadership across all aspects of people, culture and organisational development. You will help ensure that the Trust attracts, develops, supports and retains a skilled, motivated and inclusive workforce capable of delivering the highest standards of education for every pupil.

We are looking for an outstanding individual who will shape and deliver the Trust’s People Strategy, strengthening leadership capacity, staff engagement, wellbeing, performance and professional development across our schools. You will promote a positive and inclusive working environment in which colleagues feel valued, supported and accountable for delivering the Trust’s strategic priorities.

You will possess extensive and well-informed knowledge of effective human resources practice, employment legislation, organisational development and evidence-based approaches to workforce improvement. You will be confident in leading the quality assurance of HR policies, procedures and practices across the Trust, ensuring they are legally compliant, consistently applied and aligned with our values.

You will also lead the analysis of workforce information, including recruitment, retention, turnover, sickness absence, employee relations, performance and staff engagement. You will identify trends, risks and areas for improvement, benchmark the Trust’s performance against comparable high-performing multi-academy trusts and use this intelligence to inform strategic decision-making and targeted interventions.

The ideal candidate will:

• Be a visionary leader, one that can empower others to achieve at the highest levels.
• Demonstrate significant, effective and evidenced improvement expertise.
• Be capable of challenging, as necessary, and backing that up with knowledge and data.
• Be a confident, strategic thinker who can work with the schools, trust leaders and the board.
• Lead by example in demonstrating our vision and values in everyday work and practice.

 The successful candidate will benefit from:

• A committed and collaborative Executive Board that will welcome you to the team.
• The opportunity to shape and lead the Trust’s People Strategy and operating model.
• A flexible working arrangement and bright, modern office space with off street parking.
• Workplace pension, through the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• A Trust-wide focus on wellbeing and support, including an EAP.
• Opportunities for continuous professional development.
• Staff benefits package, including lifestyle & retail discounts, staff sports and social events.

If you are excited by the prospect of this position and believe you can make a difference then we would like to hear from you. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any queries and you are welcome arrange an informal discussion with our HR team about this position prior to applying.

This is a part time role working in the region of 4 days per week over 52 weeks per annum.

Employment Details: 

• Location: Haringey (N17), London, UK. (This is an In-Person role with optional one day working remotely) 
• Job Title:  Director of Operations 
• Reporting to: CEO, with accountability to the Board of Trustees 
• Line Manages: Operations Co-ordinator and Finance Officer
• Employment Type: Full-Time (40hrs Per Week)
• Start date: October 2026 (Ideally, or later if you have a notice period) 

Benefits:

• Annual Leave: 25 days (Exclusive of Bank Holiday)
• 1 x WFH/flexi working as per policy
• CPD Budget: £1000
• Group Life Insurance
• Discount on Food (Specific Restaurants)
• Free Brunch every Thursday
• Company Well-being Events
• Pension Contribution

Summary of the role:
The Director of Operations is a pivotal senior leadership role at Sister System, responsible for strengthening the people, culture, systems and organisational foundations that enable our mission to thrive. Working closely with the CEO, Senior Leadership Team and Board of Trustees, the postholder will play a central role in delivering our current strategic priorities and shaping the next chapter of Sister System as we develop our future strategy beyond September 2027. 

This is a significant opportunity to help shape a growing, values-led organisation founded on co-curation, sisterhood, race & gender equity and the belief that girls and young women should be active architects of the services, systems and opportunities designed for them. With oversight of financial management, people and culture, compliance, risk and organisational infrastructure, the Director of Operations will lead on empowering & ensuring that our internal culture and ways of working reflect the same care, accountability, ambition and empowerment that sit at the heart of our model. 

The role will be instrumental in translating our founding vision into strong, sustainable practice, ensuring Sister System is equipped to grow its impact while remaining deeply connected to the voices, experiences and leadership of the girls and young women we exist to serve. 

Our Charity:
Sister System exists to ensure that care-affected girls and young women are not defined by the systems they have experienced, but are supported to recognise their strengths, shape their futures and access the same opportunities as their peers. 

Our culturally competent, co-curated model works alongside girls and young women aged 13–24 through a long-term journey of support, progression and leadership. Across three interconnected stages, we provide trusted relationships, mentoring, therapeutic support, education, leadership development and pathways into employment. Our approach recognises that meaningful change takes time, consistency and a community that continues to believe in her. 

Founded with girls and young women, not simply for them, Sister System places their voices, experiences and ambitions at the heart of everything we do. Through our growing hub-and-spoke model, we are expanding our reach while also influencing the wider systems, services and institutions that shape their lives. 

Our ambition is not only to improve individual outcomes, but to demonstrate a better way of working with care-affected girls and young women—one that is relational, culturally responsive, asset-based and built around what they tell us they need to thrive. 

As Sister System enters its next phase of growth and prepares to shape its future strategy, we are seeking an experienced and values-led Director of Operations to join our Senior Leadership Team. This is an exciting opportunity to strengthen the people, culture, systems and infrastructure that will enable our organisation—and the girls and young women alongside us—to achieve even more. 

Our Vision: 
A world where empowered girls reach their potential through equitable opportunities.

Our Mission: 
To bridge the gap between care-affected girls and young women within mainstream society by working alongside them to ensure they have the same opportunities that everyone else has – at home, school, work and within our communities. 

Our Values: 

• COLLABORATIVE 
  We co-curate programmes with our Sis-Stars. We seek powerful partnerships. 
• EVIDENCE-BASED 
  We build trust and respect within our sector. 
• MASTERFUL 
  We aim for excellence as standard and share our learning. 
• SOLUTION-FOCUSED 
  We innovate to overcome challenges with a long-term goal in mind. 
• TENACIOUS 
  We are not afraid to take a stand and push for change. 

 
Key Responsibilities 

Strategic Leadership and Implementation 

• Work closely with the CEO, Senior Leadership Team and Board of Trustees to translate Sister System’s strategy, theory of change, operational model and financial plans into clear organisational priorities and coordinated action. 
• Play a central role in shaping Sister System’s next strategy ahead of the September 2027 refresh, ensuring it reflects our founding commitment to co-curation, the voices of girls and young women, our evolving three-stage model and our future growth ambitions. 
• Lead the development of proportionate planning, monitoring and review processes that enable the Senior Leadership Team to track progress, reflect on performance, identify barriers and remain accountable for delivery. 
• Monitor progress against agreed strategic goals and KPIs, ensuring that risks, dependencies and areas requiring leadership attention are clearly identified and addressed. 
• Support senior leaders to turn strategic priorities into realistic plans, with clear ownership, timescales and measurable outcomes. 
• Ensure that learning from delivery, impact data, staff experience and the voices of girls and young women inform strategic decision-making and organisational improvement. 
• Cultivate a strong shared sense of purpose across Sister System, helping colleagues understand how their roles contribute to our mission, values and long-term ambitions. 

Financial Strategy and Audit 

• Work closely with the CEO, Senior Leadership Team and Board of Trustees to shape, implement and regularly evaluate Sister System’s financial strategy, ensuring it supports our mission, strategic ambitions and long-term sustainability. 
• Provide clear, financial recommendations to the CEO, helping the organisation navigate the balance between delivering high-quality, meaningful impact for girls and young women, achieving value for money and maintaining financial resilience. 
• Translate Sister System’s strategic priorities, delivery model and growth ambitions into realistic financial plans, forecasts and scenarios that support timely and well-informed decision-making. 
• Lead financial scenario planning and ensure that the CEO and Board have a clear understanding of the financial implications, risks and trade-offs associated with key organisational decisions. 
• Lead and oversee the annual audit process, working effectively with external auditors, the finance team, senior leaders and the Board to ensure a robust, timely and transparent process. 
• Ensure that learning and recommendations arising from audits, financial reviews and assurance activity are translated into clear improvements and strengthened organisational practice. 

Financial Management 

• Lead the development, monitoring and management of annual budgets, reforecasts and longer-term financial plans, ensuring resources are aligned with Sister System’s strategic priorities. 
• Hold and actively manage the tension between quality, impact, affordability and value for money, ensuring financial decisions protect the integrity of Sister System’s model and the experience of the girls and young women we serve. 
• Provide the CEO, Senior Leadership Team and Board with clear, accessible and timely financial information, insight and recommendations to support effective leadership and governance. 
• Produce high-level financial reports and analysis covering budgets, cash flow, reserves, forecasts, strategic KPIs and other relevant performance indicators. 
• Maintain and continuously strengthen proportionate financial systems, controls and processes that reflect Sister System’s size, stage of growth and evolving operating model. 
• Ensure that robust financial and performance-reporting infrastructure is in place, with clear accountability, reliable data and appropriate oversight across the organisation. 
• Support Directors and budget holders to understand their financial responsibilities, manage resources effectively and make informed decisions within agreed parameters. 
• Identify emerging financial risks, pressures and opportunities for greater efficiency, advising the CEO on appropriate actions and ensuring these are monitored and addressed. 
• Oversee high quality bookkeeping practice to ensure reporting is accurate and up to date. 
• Work with the fundraising team to develop budgets for proposals and create timely financial reports for funders and donors 

Culture and Operational Effectiveness 

• Work closely with our People and Culture consultant, CEO and Senior Leadership Team to shape and embed a progressive, inclusive and high-performing organisational culture aligned with Sister System’s values: Collaborative, Evidence-based, Masterful, Solution-focused and Tenacious. 
• Champion a culture of regular, honest and constructive feedback, helping managers and colleagues to hold crucial conversations with clarity, care and accountability. 
• Ensure that Sister System’s internal culture reflects the relational, empowering and values-led approach that sits at the heart of our work with girls and young women. 
• Review existing organisational processes and workflows, identifying practical opportunities to improve clarity, consistency, collaboration and efficiency. 
• Develop and embed proportionate ways of working that support Sister System’s current size, evolving operating model and future growth. 

People Planning and Management 

• Lead the development of a clear and forward-looking people plan that ensures Sister System has the right structure, capacity, capabilities and leadership in place to deliver its strategic ambitions. 
• Support managers to build high-performing teams through effective objective-setting, regular feedback, performance management and professional development. 
• Foster an environment in which people are supported to grow, appropriately challenged and held accountable for delivering against agreed expectations. 
• Facilitate professional learning, career development and progression across the organisation, ensuring that opportunities are transparent, equitable and aligned with organisational need. 
• Oversee workforce and succession planning, ensuring that the organisational structure remains appropriate, affordable and responsive to Sister System’s development. 
• Work with the CEO and relevant advisers to ensure fair and appropriate pay, benefits and working conditions. 
• Oversee recruitment and the end-to-end employee experience, from attraction and onboarding through to development, retention and exit. 
• Ensure that people policies, practices and management approaches are legally compliant, consistently applied and reflective of Sister System’s values. 

Compliance and Risk Management 

• Ensure that Sister System meets its legal, regulatory and governance responsibilities as a charity and employer. 
• Lead the development and maintenance of a proportionate organisational risk-management framework that protects Sister System’s people, assets, reputation and ability to deliver its mission. 
• Ensure that key organisational risks are clearly identified, owned, monitored and reported to the CEO, Senior Leadership Team and Board of Trustees. 
• Promote a culture in which risk is understood and actively managed without limiting thoughtful innovation, learning or ambition.

Governance, Communications and Facilities 

• Facilitate clear, timely and effective communication and cooperation between the Board of Trustees, CEO and Senior Leadership Team. 
• Support the development of strong governance systems, ensuring that trustees receive the information, insight and assurance required to fulfil their responsibilities effectively. 
• Work closely with trustees through the Finance and Audit committee 
• Oversee the organisation’s IT infrastructure and digital systems through external providers, ensuring that they remain secure, reliable and appropriate for Sister System’s needs. 
• Oversee the effective operation of Sister System’s physical workspace within a fully managed office environment, working with building management and relevant external providers where required. 
• Ensure that Sister System provides a safe, welcoming and accessible environment for girls and young women, staff, volunteers, visitors and partners across its hub, spoke locations and external activities. 
• Ensure that appropriate health and safety systems, procedures and responsibilities are understood, implemented and regularly reviewed. 

Person Specification 
We are seeking an experienced, dynamic and values-led operational leader to join Sister System’s Senior Leadership Team. You will combine sound judgement and strong organisational skills with a warm, collaborative leadership style and a genuine commitment to improving outcomes for care-affected girls and young women. 

You do not need to be a specialist in every area of the role. You will, however, need the confidence and experience to lead across a broad operational portfolio, work effectively with professional advisers and external providers, and provide clear, practical advice to the CEO, Senior Leadership Team and Board of Trustees. 

Essential Experience and Knowledge 

• Significant experience in a senior operations, finance, people, governance or organisational leadership role within a charity, social enterprise or similarly values-led organisation. 
• Experience of translating organisational strategy into clear priorities, plans, systems and measurable outcomes. 
• Experience of developing and managing organisational budgets, forecasts and financial reporting, with the ability to balance quality, impact, affordability and value for money. 
• Experience of supervising or coordinating an external audit process, working effectively with auditors, finance colleagues and the Board. 
• Experience of people planning, performance management and supporting managers to build capable, accountable and high-performing teams. 
• Experience of developing or improving organisational systems, processes and ways of working during a period of growth or change. 
• A sound understanding of charity governance, organisational risk, compliance and the responsibilities of senior leaders and trustees. 
• Experience of working collaboratively with a CEO, senior leadership colleagues, trustees, consultants and external professional advisers. 
• A strong understanding of equity, inclusion and anti-discriminatory practice, and the ability to embed these principles within organisational culture and decision-making. 

Skills and Leadership Approach 

• An approachable, emotionally intelligent and credible leader who can build trust, motivate others and develop effective working relationships across an organisation. 
• The ability to lead with both care and accountability, supporting open feedback and helping colleagues to hold constructive and sometimes crucial conversations. 
• Strong strategic thinking, with the ability to understand the wider organisational picture while maintaining oversight of important operational detail. 
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present complex financial, people or operational information clearly and accessibly. 
• Strong organisational and project-management skills, with the ability to prioritise competing demands, meet deadlines and maintain momentum. 
• Sound judgement and the confidence to provide constructive challenge, identify risks and offer clear recommendations to the CEO and Board. 
• A practical and solution-focused approach, with the ability to move from discussion and planning into coordinated action. 
• The ability to handle sensitive, confidential and personal information professionally and in accordance with Sister System’s policies, data-protection responsibilities and GDPR. 
• Energy, curiosity and enthusiasm for strengthening an ambitious organisation as it prepares to shape and deliver its next strategy. 

Values and Commitment 

• A demonstrable commitment to Sister System’s mission and to improving the opportunities, experiences and outcomes of care-affected girls and young women. 
• The ability to model and champion Sister System’s values: Collaborative, Evidence-based, Masterful, Solution-focused and Tenacious. 
• A commitment to co-curation and to ensuring that the voices, experiences and leadership of girls and young women inform organisational planning and decision-making. 
• A commitment to continuous learning, reflective practice and personal and professional development. 

Desirable 

• Lived experience of the care system, or a strong professional understanding of the experiences of care-affected girls and young women. 
• Experience of working within a founder-led organisation or alongside a founder CEO. 
• Experience of supporting an organisation through growth, restructuring or the development of a new strategy. 
• Knowledge of culturally competent, trauma-informed or relational approaches to working with young people. 
• A relevant professional qualification or equivalent experience in operations, finance, human resources, governance or organisational leadership. 
• Experience working with social care and educational service providers (statutory and third sector). 
• Knowledge of the Charity SORP, Charity Commission reporting requirements, and other third-sector financial regulation. 

Sister System is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

This post is subject to two satisfactory reference checks and DBS enhanced disclosure.

How to apply

Please apply via our recruitment platform Breathe by 31st August 2026. You will be asked to upload your CV and answer the following questions:

Values alignment 
Sister System's model is built on co-curation (working with girls and young women, not simply for them) and on being Collaborative, Evidence-based, Masterful, Solution-focused and Tenacious. Which of these values do you feel most aligned with, and which do you find hardest to live up to in practice?
 
People & Culture
Sister System is a founder-led organisation, underpinned by race and gender equity and a culturally competent, trauma-informed approach to working with girls and young women. Tell us about a time you strengthened internal culture of this nature within a team. What resistance did you meet, and what was different a year later?

Finance 
A key element of the role is monitoring income against budget for current and future years. Charity income can provide additional complexities, particularly with different types of grants. Please explain your understanding of these complexities, and how they impact on recording and reporting, including examples from your own experience if relevant. 

Timeline
Deadline for applications: End of day Monday 31st August 2026 
First round interviews: w/c 7th September 
Second round interviews: w/c 14th September
Decisions made: by 22nd September 

Thank you for your interest in joining Sister System in our mission to inspire and empower young women. 

This is an exciting opportunity to lead and develop Build Studios – a small and dynamic built environment charity – and Build Workspace – the charity’s central London co-working space in Waterloo.

This role could suit an experienced sector leader looking for a leadership role, or a rising leader ready to step up.

Working closely with our dedicated Board of Directors and our small team, you will lead the development of the charity, oversee development and delivery of projects and identify new opportunities, partners and funders.

You will also oversee the smooth running of the co-working space, delivering a high quality service to members and promoting a collaborative environment for a diverse group of small and start-up practices.

The role is a part time opportunity (2 days/week) with the potential to expand. Salary £60,000 FTE (pro rated to 2 days/week - £24,000 per annum)

About us

Build Studios is a charity that works to inspire the next generation about the built environment through collaboration and learning. We have been working from our central London base in Waterloo since we were established nearly ten years ago.

We work with our community to improve awareness, access and aspiration for young people to careers in the sector. This takes place through outreach work with schools, careers enrichment and events.

Our engagement with young people takes place at a number of points in their school journey – from our ‘Healthy Homes’ programme with primary pupils, built environment careers enrichment with secondary aged students and digital design for sixth formers – inspiring them about the importance of good city design to their everyday lives. We continue this engagement into the world of work through Alternative Practice, our community of students and young workers, who come together through events and activities, to collaborate with others from across the sector.

Our workspace company, Build Workspace, provides co-working space, support services and events for start-ups and small businesses in the built environment sector.

We aim to attract entrepreneurs, creative young businesses, self-employed specialists and freelancers, providing an affordable, collaborative workspace in a central location, right next to Waterloo and the South Bank.

Profits from the co-working space are ploughed back into the charity.

About You

You will be

- Passionate about the built environment and knowledgeable about the sector

- Experienced in managing people and projects

- Experienced in managing finance and budgets

- Willing to take a hands-on and proactive role across all aspects of the running of a small organisation

- Proficient in presenting and advocating for an organisation or cause

- Able to demonstrate successful fundraising and business development experience

You may also be

- Experienced in developing projects and programmes

- Experienced in working with boards or committees

We actively encourage applications from under-represented groups.

Job Description

The role will involve the following:

Line management: managing and developing Build Studios and Build Workspace’s small staff team, with access to retained HR support agency. Leading annual appraisals and regular 1:1s.

Governance : managing the annual cadence of quarterly board meetings, AGM and associated companies house and charity commission filing, liaising closely with the boards of directors of both companies.

Business Planning: annual business planning, working with the board, staff team and other stakeholders to develop an ambitious annual plan in line with Build Studios five year strategic plan.

Budgeting and financial management: production of annual budget, working closely with the Treasurer and Chairs of Build Studios and Build Workspace; quarterly monitoring of financial performance in liaison with accountants; day to day management of project budgets and payments.

Fundraising: Leading fundraising bids with relevant grant funding bodies, developing new programmes in line with their (and Build Studios’) strategic priorities. Approaching sponsors for financial support, making a compelling case for investment.

Project management: Taking a lead role in managing projects, ensuring delivery, reporting and impact measurement are conducted in line with funder requirements and our own standards.

Communications and marketing: Supporting the team with delivering strong communications and marketing through our various channels (website, LinkedIn, Instagram, newsletters). Engaging external agency/freelance support where appropriate. Working with the operational team to deliver timely and effective communications to members in the Workspace.

Operations: Working with operations team to ensure high quality management of the workspace, having oversight of health and safety, space management systems and software and landlord liaison, and maintaining a healthy pipeline of prospective members. Ensuring appropriate operational cover is in place for the workspace during staffed hours.

Engagement: Building positive relationships with Build Studios and Build Workspace members and partners, seeking mutually beneficial opportunities to develop profile and engagement, through events and collaborations.

Other information

The contract of employment will be with Build Workspace, but the post-holder will work across both Build Studios and Build Workspace.

We would expect at least one of the two days to be worked on site at Build Studios (Waterloo, London). The remaining day can be worked flexibly at the office or from home.

Build Studios is actively seeking additional funding from grants and sponsors to grow our outreach and engagement programmes. Future successful funding bids will enable this role to be extended to more days beyond the core 2 days/week.

The successful candidate will be required to undergo a full DBS check.

The role has 25 days paid annual leave (pro rated to 10 days for 2 day/week role) plus bank holidays. Additionally 5 days’ paid sick leave (pro rated to 2 days for 2 day/week role).

How to apply

Please apply with CV and covering letter, demonstrating how you would be well suited to the role, to Helen Santer 

Closing date for applications: Friday 21st August at 5.00pm

Interviews are scheduled for 1st and 2nd September.

We will offer written feedback to all candidates shortlisted for interview.

No agencies please.

About Medair UK 

Medair is a Christian humanitarian organisation that responds to conflict, disease, and disaster so that the world’s most vulnerable and hard-to reach people can live with dignity and hope. Medair UK is an affiliate of the Swiss-based humanitarian organisation, Medair International.   

Together, we work in some of the world's most remote and challenging environments. In 2025, despite significant pressures across the humanitarian sector, Medair supported more than 3.6 million people across 13 countries through life-saving health, nutrition, water, sanitation, shelter and cash assistance programmes. From responding to cholera outbreaks in South Sudan and supporting communities affected by conflict in Sudan, DR Congo and Lebanon, to delivering emergency relief following natural disasters in Madagascar and Myanmar, our teams continued to reach people in greatest need with compassion, professionalism and perseverance. 

About the Role/Role and Responsibilities 

An excellent opportunity has arisen to join the Medair UK team as we are seeking a part-time Head of Operations. The post holder will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight of Medair UK's finance, HR, IT and governance functions, ensuring robust systems, effective controls, and compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements. They will support the Medair UK Director and Board of Trustees to ensure effective governance and management of the charity in accordance with best practice and ensure a sustainable operational platform is in place to support all Medair UK’s functions. The Head of Operations will contribute to organisational strategy, culture and decision-making, while also taking a practical and proactive role in the day-to-day delivery of operational activities. They will help lead, support and develop the culture of Medair UK, promoting its values and Christian-distinctiveness internally and externally. 

About you 

You will be a highly organised and experienced, strategic and hands-on operational leader who can provide strong oversight of finance, governance, HR, IT and office management within a growing charity. You will have significant experience in financial and operational management, with a sound understanding of charity finance, governance and regulatory compliance and UK employment law. You will be an effective people manager and leader, with strong communication, planning and problem-solving skills. You will be adaptable, able to manage multiple priorities, work to deadlines, and demonstrate a genuine commitment to Medair’s Christian values, mission and humanitarian purpose. 

Key Activity Areas 

Financial Management and Reporting 

• Lead the charity’s financial management, ensuring accurate records, robust controls and effective financial processes.

• Oversee budgeting, forecasting and cash flow management, in collaboration with the Director to support strategic planning and financial sustainability.

• Manage reserves and organisational funds, ensuring effective stewardship, appropriate cost recovery, timely grant transfers and compliance with donor and regulatory requirements. 

• Prepare timely and accurate monthly management accounts, financial reports and performance analysis to support informed decision-making.

• Lead the production of statutory accounts and manage the annual external audit process.

• Ensure compliance and best practice with regard to legal and other regulatory bodies, including data protection and the timely submission of accounts and other returns. 

Human Resource Management 

• Lead and oversee all HR operations, including the recruitment, onboarding and retention of staff and volunteers.

• Ensure compliance with employment legislation and organisational policies through effective management and administration of contracts, HR records, payroll, pensions and employee benefits. 

• Manage employee lifecycle processes, including inductions, appraisals, performance reviews and professional development planning.

• Maintain accurate HR records and oversee attendance, leave, sickness and other employee-related processes in line with organisational policies. 

Leadership, Governance and Organisational Development 

• Lead organisational operational planning and risk management, ensuring Medair UK has the systems, processes and resources required to deliver its strategic objectives. 

• Maintain the corporate risk register and support the Board with governance, compliance and reporting requirements. 

• Support the Director and Board of Trustees through the provision of financial, operational and governance advice, contributing to organisational effectiveness and long-term sustainability. 

• Own the organisation’s policy framework, maintaining the policy register and ensuring the timely revision, review and compliance of all policies. 

• Foster a healthy organisational culture that reflects Medair's Christian values and supports staff wellbeing, engagement and development. 

IT & Office Management  

• Oversee the IT infrastructure, managing the procurement, installation and ongoing maintenance of IT hardware, systems and software liaising with the IT department at the Medair International Global Support Office (GSO) in Switzerland as appropriate. 

• Lead the development, administration and optimisation of Salesforce , other fundraising platforms and related system integrations to support fundraising, donor engagement and organisational objectives, liaising with the IT department in GSOSwitzerland as appropriate.

• Manage the Salesforce system configuration, enhancements, user access and upgrades, ensuring the platform remains effective and reliable. 

• Drive the continuous improvement of Salesforce systems, processes and data management practices, ensuring high standards of data quality, security and operational efficiency.Implement system enhancements, streamline processes and carry out regular data quality, integrity and cleansing checks to ensure accurate, consistant and reliable data. 

• Provide training, guidance and user support on Salesforce and Campaign Monitor to maximise staff capability and system adoption. 

• Ensure a fully functioning office base which enables Medair UK to deliver its operational activities in the most efficient and effective manner. 

Tasks common to all staff  

• Act as an ambassador for Medair UK at all times when liaising externally and internally 

• Ensure consistent implementation of the Medair brand across all relevant activities 

• Record information as necessary and comply at all times with requirements for handling personal / sensitive data 

Qualifications - DESIRABLE 

• Vocational qualification in business or financial management / administration desirable 

Languages 

• Excellent English (spoken and written). 

Experience / Competencies – ESSENTIAL 

• Significant experience in financial and office administration

• Understanding of UK finance and governance and employment law 

• Proficient in finance packages, ideally Quickbooks 

• Proficient in fundraising or other database(s), ideally Salesforce and Campaign Monitor

• Experience of Microsoft Office solutions, with proficiency in Excel, Word, Internet and email use. 

• Effective people manager and strong leadership skills 

• Ability to handle a wide and varied workload, with tight deadlines and competing priorities. 

• Capable planner, problem-solver and clear communicator.

• Inspired by and in full agreement with Medair’s Christian values and ethos 

• Willing to contribute to the spiritual life of the team including prayer meetings 

• Willingness to be flexible in terms of hours worked at occasional, but inevitable moments of crisis 

Experience / Competencies – DESIRABLE 

• Experience of charity leadership and governance 

• Experience in relief / development work 

• Understanding of Humanitarian Issues 

Salary: £47,000 - £52,000 

Closing date: Wednesday 12th August, 5pm. Interviews to be held on Wednesday 2nd or Thursday 3rd September. 

Workplace:Medair UK office is based in Kennington, London. There is possibility to adopt hybrid working, but with a minimum of 2 days/wk in the office. 

Contract Details: Part-Time (3 days 0.6 FTE), permanent 

Direct Reports: Operations Support Officer 

Only those eligible to work in the UK can apply. 

NOTE: In order to maintain the organisation’s Christian ethos, there is a genuine occupational requirement for the holder of this Medair UK position to be a committed Christian. 

About Woman's Trust

The charity was established in 1996 to meet the gap in specialist mental health services. Woman’s Trust is led by and for women and aims to ensure that women affected by domestic abuse can live a life free from further harm and abuse. Our approach is trauma-informed and person-centred, empowering survivors on their journey to recovery from the trauma. We are committed to a positive, inclusive and equitable environment for our staff, service users and volunteers.

Alongside delivering our existing 1-1 counselling, self-development workshops and therapeutic support groups for women who have experienced domestic abuse, we are focused on developing our innovative mental health services for young women and girls, delivering new peer-led support groups and providing therapeutic groups to children and their mothers. We are also committed to developing further awarenessraising workshops and training for professionals, building on our research and policy to improve systems nationally.

About the role

The Finance & Operations Officer provides high-quality finance, operational and organisational support to ensure the effective day-to-day running of Woman's Trust. Working across both Finance and Operations, the postholder will maintain accurate financial records, coordinate operational systems and provide administrative support that enables colleagues to deliver high-quality services to women affected by domestic abuse.

Hours: Part-time, 28 hours per week (0.8 FTE).

Location: Woman’s Trust premises including co-location with statutory partners and community partnership  locations.Woman’s Trust operates a hybrid working model with a minimum of 50% to be on-site.

In return, we can offer:

• 25 days' holiday + 3 days at Christmas + Public holidays
• Hybrid & flexible working - office based with minimum of 50% of working hours in Woman’s Trust London office, we also support mutually agreed flexible working arrangements
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Mandatory job-related training
• Individual staff professional development budget
• A caring, committed and highly collaborative environment
• Several social events/lunches per year
• Friendly, all women team

To find out more and apply with your CV, please visit our website via the apply button.  

Please note, CVs and cover letters should be sent in Word format.

Closing date: 14th August 2026.

Interviews will be held on a rolling basis.

Please note, this post is open to female applicants only – Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, Part 1 applies.

Switchback is an award-winning charity supporting young men to live life differently after prison. As we launch our next strategic plan to grow our impact even further, we are looking for a new Director of Finance and Operations who can bring both strategic thinking and hands-on operational expertise to help us turn our ambitions into reality.

The Director of Finance and Operations is a key role in the leadership team of a dynamic charity making a real difference in young people’s lives. Managing a small team, you’ll have responsibility for a range of essential business functions central to Switchback’s success as a charity: financial and business planning, HR processes, infrastructure (including IT), governance, risk management and compliance.

You’ll also support our business development and strategic partnership-building, helping us tap into exciting new areas of income and impact, including our plans to share our learning through training and consultancy.

Crucially, you’ll oversee and develop our systems and processes in a way that protects Switchback’s agile and human working culture. This is a fantastic opportunity to play a central role helping Switchback achieve our aims of reaching more young men while inspiring change across the justice system and beyond.

The right candidate will have great strategic judgement, proven financial and business acumen, practical knowledge of operations and good governance, and a strong understanding of creating and leading high-performing teams.

You will have a collaborative approach to working with colleagues and trustees, enjoying getting stuck into the day-to-day business of running a growing charity, as well as the ability to bring in new external partnerships and contractual relationships that serve our commitment to providing real opportunities for our Trainees.

You will be driven to achieve great value for money and use smart processes to enable others to do their best work for a vital social cause.

As well as technical expertise, this role acts as a key sounding board for the CEO and Leadership Team, so you’ll also bring excellent listening skills and the confidence to act as a thinking partner across both strategic and operational issues. As a member of the Leadership Team, you’ll also model our values in the way you work, collaborate and communicate.

If you are interested in using your proven financial and operations management skills to contribute to our exciting next chapter, we’d love to hear from you. In return we can offer the opportunity to work in an organisation with a strong history of personal and strategic impact, where each day you will witness the incredible steps that our Trainees make to change their lives.

The Inland Waterways Association (IWA) is the only independent, national charity supporting and regenerating Britain’s rivers and canals for leisure, living and business. We campaign both locally and nationally for the waterways; lobbying parliament, championing regeneration, promoting sustainability and the environment and raising waterways users concerns. We also love to roll up our sleeves and get involved with direct work on the waterways, both through local branch activities and through the hands-on activities of our Waterways Recovery Group. 

At its heart IWA is a membership organisation, with around 8,000 individual members and over a hundred affiliated waterways organisations, groups and businesses. Having just celebrated the 80th anniversary of our founding in 1946, we continue to build on our legacy of campaigning, action and delivery for the future. 

We are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic manager to co-ordinate the day-to-day operation of the charity. Reporting to the chair of the Trustees and with a small team of permanent staff focused on three areas – Campaigning, Restoration and Support, your prime responsibility will be to ensure the smooth running of the charity. 

As an experienced manager you will have experience of all areas of business management: marketing, finance, human resources as well as the myriad issues common to all small charities and businesses. An experienced communicator and active people manager, you will be able to bring your skills to both managing the staff and integrating their work with that 
done by trustees and other volunteers for the Association.  The role may involve some out of office hours work. 

Help shape the future of international development.

Location: Hybrid (minimum one day per month in our London office – with the occasional need to attend additional in-person meetings)

 Reports to: Chief Executive

Help shape the future of international development.

Location: Hybrid (minimum one day per month in our London office – with the occasional need to attend additional in-person meetings)

 Reports to: Chief Executive

Finance isn't just about numbers. It's about making change possible.

At Bond, we believe a more just and equitable world is possible.

As the UK network for organisations working in international development, we bring together more than 300 civil society organisations united by a shared ambition: to tackle poverty, inequality and injustice around the world. We champion the sector, influence policy, strengthen organisations and create the connections that enable our members to achieve greater impact together.

International development is changing.

Funding is becoming more complex. Expectations are growing. Organisations are navigating increasing uncertainty while responding to global crises that demand collaboration, innovation and resilience.

That is why we're looking for an exceptional Director of Finance & Resources.

This is a rare opportunity to join our Senior Management Team and help shape the future of Bond at a pivotal moment in our journey.

A leadership role with purpose

As our Director of Finance & Resources, you'll do far more than lead finance.

You'll help ensure Bond remains financially resilient, operationally strong and strategically focused so that we can continue supporting the organisations working to create lasting global change.

Working closely with our CEO, Trustees and senior colleagues, you'll provide the financial leadership, organisational insight and strategic challenge that enables confident decision-making across the organisation.

You'll oversee Finance, Planning, Operations, HR and IT, ensuring the systems, people and financial governance behind our work are as strong as the mission we exist to serve.

What you'll be doing

You'll lead:

• Our long-term financial strategy and organisational planning.
• Annual budgeting, forecasting and financial reporting.
• Financial sustainability across both restricted and unrestricted funding.
• Board reporting and support to our Finance, Audit & Risk Committee.
• Risk management, company secretarial and organisational compliance.
• Finance, Operations and HR leadership.
• Grant budgeting, reporting and organisational cost recovery.
• Strategic planning that enables teams to maximise their impact.

This is a role for someone equally comfortable presenting to Trustees, supporting colleagues with complex funding proposals, reviewing organisational risk, or rolling up their sleeves to solve operational challenges.

Who we're looking for

You're an experienced finance leader who understands that great organisations need both strong financial stewardship and ambitious thinking.

You'll be a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with senior leadership experience and an ability to balance strategic oversight with practical delivery.

You'll bring:

• Significant experience leading finance within a complex organisation.
• Strong understanding of charity finance and grant management.
• Experience working with Boards and Trustees.
• Outstanding planning, analytical and leadership skills.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams.
• A collaborative approach and the ability to build trusted relationships across an organisation.

Most importantly, you'll share our commitment to equity, inclusion and creating positive change. We're looking for someone who sees finance not as a control function, but as a catalyst for organisational impact.

Why Bond?

Everything we do is rooted in collaboration.

You'll join an organisation that believes lasting change happens when people come together, share expertise and challenge one another to do better.

Alongside meaningful work, we offer:

• Hybrid working with flexibility built around trust.
• 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, a day off for your birthday and additional Christmas closure.
• 7% employer pension contribution.
• Learning and development opportunities.
• Comprehensive health and wellbeing support.
• A welcoming, inclusive and values-driven culture where everyone can thrive.

Join us

This is more than a finance leadership role. It's an opportunity to help strengthen the organisations working to build a fairer, more sustainable world.

If you're looking for a role where your financial expertise can support meaningful change on a national and global scale, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply with your CV and a supporting statement explaining why you'd like to join Bond and what you'll bring to the role.

We are partnering exclusively with Bryony Thomas at Allen Lane. For an informal conversation about the role, get in touch via the agency website.

QCCA has served Camden’s communities for more than 40 years.

Today we support more than 3,000 local residents every year through:

• Youth Services
• Older People’s Services
• Advice & Advocacy
• Family Support
• Two successful children’s nurseries
• Community facilities
• Health and wellbeing programmes
• Employment and skills initiatives

With an annual income approaching £2 million, multiple community sites and exciting plans for further growth, we’re investing in a modern finance function that supports excellent decision-making and long-term sustainability.

Why This Role Is Different

This isn’t a traditional Finance Manager role.

Yes, you’ll oversee management accounts, budgets and audit preparation.

But you’ll also have the opportunity to:

• Transform our finance systems.
• Lead our migration from QuickBooks to Xero.
• Introduce smarter digital processes.
• Improve financial reporting.
• Build dashboards that help managers make better decisions.
• Work directly with the Chief Executive and Board of Trustees.
• Influence organisational strategy.
• Help shape the future of one of Camden’s leading community charities.

You’ll have the freedom to improve how we work—not simply maintain existing processes.

What You’ll Be Doing

You’ll provide strategic financial leadership while leading the modernisation of QCCA’s finance systems.

Working closely with our Chief Executive and Senior Management Team, you’ll:

• Lead the migration from QuickBooks to Xero (or an agreed cloud accounting platform).
• Produce insightful monthly management accounts and financial reports.
• Develop budgets, forecasts and financial models.
• Present financial information to Trustees and senior managers.
• Improve financial systems, controls and reporting.
• Introduce automation and digital workflows.
• Support commercial income generation and grant-funded projects.
• Lead the annual audit process.
• Line manage and develop our Finance Assistants.
• Help build a finance function fit for the future.

Who We’re Looking For

We’re looking for someone who enjoys making organisations better.

You’ll probably have experience of:

• Charity finance.
• Management accounting.
• Budgeting and forecasting.
• Audit preparation.
• Financial controls.
• Cloud accounting systems (Xero experience is highly desirable).
• Leading change and improving systems.
• Supporting non-finance managers.
• Working collaboratively with senior leaders and Trustees.

Most importantly, you’ll be someone who enjoys solving problems, embracing technology and helping organisations grow.

Make Your Numbers Matter!

We’re looking for a Head of Finance to help drive our mission of supporting mental health in Herefordshire. If you’re a skilled finance professional who wants to make a real difference, we’d love to hear from you

The Role

You’ll lead all aspects of our finance function, working closely with the CEO and senior team to:

• Lead day-to-day finance, payroll, and reporting
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning
• Ensure strong governance and compliance
• Deliver clear insights to support decision-making
• Line-manage the Finance Officer
• Develop future state planning and insight

What You’ll Bring

• 5+ years financial management experience.
• Strong accounting, reporting, and budgeting skills with ACCA qualifications.
• Knowledge of charity finance (SORP desirable)
• Great organisation and communication skills
• A passion for making a difference

Why Join Us?

• Meaningful, community-focused work
• Supportive and friendly team
• Flexible, part-time hours based in central Hereford

Closing Date: Monday 3rd of August 2026

This post will require an Standard Disclosure and Barring Service Check. Please note: This vacancy may close early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Who we are

Chefs in Schools is a young, ambitious charity that’s rapidly growing. Our mission is to improve kids' health, through improving school food & food education. Working in areas of high deprivation, we support and train schools and their kitchen teams to serve the best, freshest and tastiest food possible, alongside meaningful food education. We share our learning and resources freely, aiming to inspire and enable others to follow our lead.

We’re backed by some of the biggest names in food and have ambitious targets to ensure every child has access to incredible school food and food education, setting them up for life with the skills and knowledge to feed themselves well.

About you and the role

This is a pivotal role, at a pivotal moment for us. We are entering a critical growth phase, which includes rapidly expanding our own operations and managing significant external partnership. As Head of Finance & Systems, you will be accountable for ensuring we have the right systems and structures in place to grow at pace without detriment to good governance.

The purpose of this role is to lead on our finance strategy, and ensure all of our systems, reporting and processes are helping to drive forward the charity and deliver on our objectives at scale. You will work closely with the Chief Executive and Directors to ensure that financial planning is effective and supported by accurate data analysis. You will report directly to Trustees as required and ensure that the highest standards of transparency and probity are maintained. 

You will be joining the team during a period of growth in the size and complexity of our delivery. We currently have 24 employees and anticipate growing significantly in the next twelve months. You will have a crucial role in shaping our systems and processes to ensure we can scale effectively, both our existing programmes and a new membership-based programme that is in development. We’re looking for an experienced finance professional with an interest in effectively using technology and systems to drive efficiency, without compromising on accuracy or compliance. 

You will oversee all financial administration, ensuring this is carried out proficiently and in line with all legal and regulatory requirements, including ultimate responsibility for ensuring that all statutory filings are made accurately and on time. Your role will also encompass ensuring that we operate within legal & regulatory frameworks and stay up to date with changes in relevant legislation.

The responsibilities, skills and experience listed below are intended to give you an idea of what we need for this role. If you don’t meet every requirement, but feel as though you would be able to work with us to deliver the majority of them, we would urge you to apply anyway. We are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, and for us the most important ‘experience’ is passion for our mission. You may be just the right candidate for this, or other roles.  

We want to get to know you at the interview and understand we can do this best if you’re at ease. We’re an inclusive employer and work hard to create a welcoming working environment for everyone, including appointing a neurodiversity champion to help us identify how we can make our work environment work for everyone. If you need adjustments to the interview process please let us know.

As we work with children & young people, an offer of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and DBS clearance, in line with our safeguarding policy.  

Key responsibilities:

• Developing a comprehensive financial strategy that supports the delivery of the charity’s objectives and activities.

• Have ultimate oversight of the external audit and production of the statutory accounts, supported in delivery of this by the book-keeper.

• Produce the monthly management accounts and bespoke financial reports—including accurate forecasting, restricted fund tracking, and variance analysis—ensuring decision-makers have clear, actionable data.

• Forecasting cash flow and managing the treasury position.

• Manage the contract and performance of the bookkeeper  and outsourced payroll providers; setting strict monthly closing deadlines, enforcing data accuracy, and ensuring they deliver a clean trial balance for management accounting.

• Oversee sound financial administration, management and governance across the organisation, ensuring robust financial controls in place and operating effectively.

• Provide leadership and guidance to all things finance related, providing mentoring and support to the team, and coaching on financial awareness. 

• Accountability for monitoring that the organisation’s services are, and will, run to budget, supporting budget holders and reporting promptly on risks 

• Support the Partnerships & Impact team and Programme Managers with financial inputs to funding proposals and ensure restricted funds are used in compliance with grant conditions.

• Developing our systems strategy, including reviewing suitability of our current systems (Quickbooks for accountancy, Beacon CRM, PLEO for expenses management, Survey Monkey for data collection etc. ) and ensuring optimal use of systems, maximising automation, and using AI where appropriate.

• Constantly seeking to develop and improve the organisation’s financial systems, policies and procedures to promote dynamic, best practice and up-to-date application of tools, systems and approaches

• Supporting the organisation’s data governance by ensuring financial systems (e.g., Quickbooks, payroll, expenses) are secure, compliant, and integrated in line with data protection principles.

• Leading an effective risk management process.

• Ensuring the organisation’s compliance with charity law, in accordance with the Charity Commission in England & Wales and all financial reporting requirements.

Essential Skills & experience:

• Charity Finance Experience: Practical, senior-level experience working within a UK non-profit finance function, including a strong working knowledge of the Charities SORP and accounting for restricted vs. unrestricted funds.

• Hands-on Management Accounting: Proven experience independently producing monthly management accounts, cash flow forecasting, and variance analysis from scratch.

• End-to-End Audit Management: Experience preparing year-end audit files, reconciling balance sheet control accounts, and acts as the primary point of contact for external auditors.

• Accountancy Qualification: Full or partial qualification through an accredited body (ACCA, CIMA, ACA, CIPFA). 

• Tech Literacy & Data Reconciliation: Comfortable troubleshooting and navigating modern finance tech stacks (e.g., Xero, Pleo) and pulling financial data/reports from a CRM system (e.g., Beacon).

• Vendor & Staff Management: Experience supervising junior staff (or office managers) and actively managing the performance, timelines, and accuracy of outsourced providers (e.g., bookkeeping and payroll).

Desirable skills & experience

• Systems Implementation: Past experience project-managing a software migration or building native integrations/automations between a CRM system and accounting software.

• Broader Operations/HR Exposure: Basic familiarity with HR administration, GDPR workflows, or managing organizational risk registers in a small team environment.

• Sector Passion: A demonstrable interest in food education, children’s health, or food systems.

Benefits

You would be joining a friendly, supportive team who works hard but believe in a healthy work/life balance. We were voted one of CODE Hospitality’s happiest places to work in 2024. We seek a diverse range of perspectives, skills, experience and knowledge. Joining a small, collaborative team means you’ll be able to contribute to and draw on various projects and strategic insights.

We offer 33 days of holiday per year including bank holidays, 3 additional office closure days over the Christmas period as well as wellbeing days over the summer school holidays.  We also have a Cycle to Work scheme, hybrid working, enhanced parental leave, and free access to the CODE app for discounted restaurants & hospitality venues. We are committed to developing our team and will support you with relevant training opportunities including £250 towards elective training and development of your choice.

We also offer Bupa Dental Insurance, Income Protection Insurance, as well as access to the Aviva Smart Health Platform which offers health benefits including free rapid access online GP appointments, free counselling and wellbeing support.

Application process

In line with our commitment to ensuring a fair and unbiased recruitment process, we invite candidates to answer a series of questions related to their day-to-day job. 

We recommend that you develop your answers offline and copy them in when you’re ready to ensure you don’t lose your work if interrupted.

Your answers will go through our sifting process: all answers will be anonymised, randomised and then reviewed by a panel of reviewers. A long list of candidates will then additionally have their CVs reviewed. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a 30 mins online interview. Successful candidates will be invited to attend a second, in-person interview at our office in Brixton, London.

Expected duration of this application process: 7 weeks

First interviews will be held 1st -4th September

Join Mersey Rivers Trust and Help Make a Real Impact for Rivers, Wildlife and Communities! 

Are you a skilled finance and governance professional looking to use your expertise for good? Mersey Rivers Trust is seeking a Finance and Governance Manager to join our Senior Leadership Team and help shape the future of our environmental charity. 

We’re a passionate team working to protect and restore rivers across Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire — and we need someone like you to ensure our finances and governance are as strong as our mission. 

APPLICANTS MUST LIVE WITHIN OR CLOSE TO THE MERSEY CATCHMENT – APPLICATIONS FROM OUTSIDE THIS AREA CANNOT BE CONSIDERED.

The Mersey Rivers Trust (MRT) is an environmental charity focussing on the protection and enhancement of rivers and waterbodies in the Mersey Catchment. It operates in an area covering Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire. We have an annual turnover of c£1m and employ 19 staff delivering up to 30 projects per year. The Trust works with partners, local communities, and volunteers to deliver a wide range of projects including river restoration, reduction of flood risk by Natural Flood Management techniques, river monitoring, volunteer events (eg river clean-ups/invasive species control and citizen science), community engagement and education events, farm advice/plans and biodiversity net gain. The Trust continues to evolve to meet the increasing challenges of protecting and enhancing rivers and waterbodies in the catchment.

We are seeking a Finance and Governance Manager to join our Senior Leadership Team and lead the Trust’s finance, governance, and back-office functions. This is a pivotal role focused on ensuring financial integrity, regulatory compliance, and effective charity governance. While not involved in field-based project delivery, the Finance Manager plays a strategic role in supporting the organisation’s mission by enabling robust financial planning, reporting, and operational support. You will work closely with the Chief Executive Officer, Board of Trustees, and project teams to ensure the Trust remains financially resilient and well-governed.

As the Finance and Governance Manager, you should possess expertise in financial control and reporting, allowing you to effectively handle delegated responsibilities. Your numerical skills and critical thinking abilities will enable you to proactively address challenges and streamline processes. 

The role holder will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer and will be a member of the Senior Leadership Team. The role will also include direct line management responsibilities of the Administration Officer. 

If you are a motivated financial professional with a passion for driving organisational success, we invite you to apply and contribute to our team’s growth. 

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the management of the back-office function and Charity governance of MRT. 

• Act as the Company Secretary to ensure compliance with financial and legal requirements, as well as maintaining high standards of Charity governance. 

• Work with the Chief Executive Officer to prepare and manage budgets, provide input to the Trust’s business plan and strategic initiatives. 

• Contribute to the strategic direction of the Trust as a member of the Senior Leadership Team. 

• Provide financial insight and analysis to support strategic decision-making and long-term planning. 

• Support the development and implementation of organisational policies and procedures to ensure good governance. 

• Act as a key liaison with the Board of Trustees, preparing and presenting financial and governance reports to inform oversight and decision-making. 

• Lead on the development of internal controls and risk management strategies to safeguard the Trust’s assets and reputation. 

• Oversee all payments, manage cash flow, income and claims. 

• Support financial planning for grant funding applications to support delivery of our objectives. 

• Line management of the Administration Officer. 

• Renew the annual insurance policy ensuring adequate cover and value for money. 

• Maintain, oversee, and update all project management reporting systems on time and to budget (including timesheets, expenses and monthly reports). 

• Complete all necessary reports and keep suitable records in line with the funding requirements and document retention policy. 

• Highlight any new risks and issues identified whilst carrying out duties, and work with the team to manage and resolve them. 

• Fulfil duties as assigned by the Chief Executive Officer. 

• Any other reasonable duties as required by MRT. 

The post holder will be home based with travel throughout the Mersey catchment. The applicant will need to live within or close to the Mersey catchment to facilitate regular travel to meetings. Remote working from other parts of the country cannot be considered for this role due to the need for regular face-to-face interactions.

Candidate Profile

Essential 

• A financial control and reporting background with an accounting qualification (e.g. AAT, CIMA) or qualified by experience. 

• Experience of organisational governance, ideally with knowledge of UK General Accounting Practice and Charities regulations. 

• Experience of financial and management reporting within a small to medium-sized charitable or not for profit organisation. 

• Experience of liaising with accountants to prepare annual accounts and reports required by the Charity Commission. 

• Experience of cash flow forecasting. 

• Familiarity with Xero financial and project management software (or similar). 

• A confident and clear communicator with the ability to communicate financial information in an appropriate manner for non-financial trustees and staff. 

• Aptitude in problem-solving. 

• Self-motivated and able to work effectively from home with strong communication skills and with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail. 

• Ability to work flexibly across the working week when necessary. 

• Ability to prioritise and plan activities to meet strict deadlines. 

• Excellent literacy, numeracy and report-writing skills. 

• Excellent presentation and communication skills. 

• Strong negotiation and influencing skills. 

• Good computer literacy skills (e.g. with Excel, Word, PowerPoint and project reporting systems). 

• A reliable team player with good attendance and work performance. 

• Ability to set performance objectives and ensure these are achieved. 

Desirable 

• Experience in financial planning for funding applications. 

• Understanding of small-scale charitable trading. 

• Experience of commercial contract management. 

• Experience of managing an IT service provider.

• Knowledge of the Mersey Catchment.

• Experience in Human Resources

General Notes

• Some travel around the Mersey Catchment will be necessary therefore a current driving licence and access to a vehicle (insured for business use) is desirable or otherwise access to public transport networks. 
• This positive will from time to time requires work during some evenings, weekends and public holidays to meet the needs of the post. A time off in lieu system is operated by the Trust.

• We will also require the successful applicant to undergo a basic DBS check and provide satisfactory references from previous employers. 

Term and Conditions

The following terms and conditions are typically offered to Mersey Rivers Trust staff and are set out as a guide only. Terms and conditions may vary according to circumstances, and this summary does not form part of any subsequent employment

Annual leave: 25 days annual leave (pro rata) plus bank holidays that fall on working days and a 3 day shutdown between Christmas and New Year.

Location: Home Based