Finance internship jobs

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.

About the Role

We are a hardworking organisation, seeking to promote the positive contributions and achievements of young people through the grants we make and the programmes that we run.

We are looking for a dynamic, highly organised, enthusiastic and efficient person to join us to provide effective administrative and database support for the organisation and to help to ensure the smooth running of JPF’s grants programmes. The post holder will be a member of the Operations Team and will be required to work closely with colleagues across the Foundation.

Purpose of Job

To provide comprehensive administrative support to the Operations Team at the Foundation, with a focus on maintaining accurate records, coordinating administrative processes and database management, supporting financial operations, and ensuring the smooth running of the office.
This role is essential to the delivery of the Achievement Award Scheme and other JPF grants and programmes.

Main Areas of Responsibility:
The Operations and Database Administrator will be responsible for supporting the Operations Team.

The primary duties are:

1. Administrative support for JPF’s Achievement Award Scheme and other associated grant programmes
1.1 Support the Operations Officer to prepare and send Achievement Award (AA) materials to all new joiners and organise the general AA mailouts twice a year.
1.2 Manage the JPF general email accounts ensuring that all emails/correspondence are forwarded to the relevant staff member.

2. Database and information management
2.1 Maintain accurate records on JPF systems, particularly the Salesforce database.
2.2 Support the Operations Officer to run periodic data checks on the database and correct identified errors.
2.3 Generate lists and reports from Salesforce, as required, deleting those that are no longer required.
2.4 Assist the Operations Officer with other database tasks e.g. setting up and amending other grant processes in our database such as online application forms, report forms, requirements from grantees, amending email templates, setting up automations, etc.
2.5 Support Head of Operations with maintaining up-to-date organisational policies and procedures.
 

3. Finance and payment support
3.1 Process weekly payments under the guidance of the Finance and Operations Manager.
3.2 Reconcile company credit cards for senior management approval.
3.3 Ensure that bank details for organisations are correct within Salesforce.
3.4 Respond to general finance enquiries and support the Grants Officers recording returned payments accurately.

4. Programme administration
4.1 Assist in the administration of the Internship Programme, other partnerships, IGFV or Open Grants programmes as required.
4.2 Ensure accurate records of all grant applications and reports for all programmes.
4.3 Lead the coordination and distribution of partner programme materials to JPF partners ahead of the academic year.
4.4 Maintain stock control of all JPF AA materials, advising the Finance and Operations Manager when stock requires replenishment.

5. General IT and administrative duties
5.1 Liaise with JPF’s IT providers to ensure seamless IT support for staff and onboarding/offboarding processes.
5.2 Maintain sufficient office cover and manage staff attendance using the Microsoft Teams calendar.
5.3 Distribute daily post and manage general incoming communications efficiently and update contact information in Salesforce.
5.4 Maintain a tidy and well-functioning office environment, including shared spaces and meeting spaces.
5.5 Organise refreshments and ensure room set-up, including technology requirements, for meetings and events as required.
5.6 Arrange for staff photos to be updated on the staff noticeboard and JPF website.
5.7 Complete stationery orders and ensuring that supplies are maintained.
5.8 Maintain inventory of AA and LA medallions and coordinate reorders with the Events Team.
5.9 Oversee the circulation of staff birthday cards, collections and staff celebrations where required.

6. HR and onboarding support
6.1 Support recruitment administration and onboarding processes, including office set up for new staff.
6.2 Lead induction and office set up for work experience placements and other volunteers or contractors.
6.3 Maintain the JPF telephone directory, ensuring staff mobile numbers are current and accurate.
6.4 Administer DBS checks for new staff as required.
6.5 Monitor Cyber Security Training completion and report non-compliance.
6.6 Purchase the weekly supply of fruit, milk, coffee, tea and other supplies for the JPF kitchen.

7. Other Responsibilities
7.1 Attend and actively contribute to Operations and wider JPF Team meetings.
7.2 Provide telephone and email support to enquirers on JPF funding streams.
7.3 Adhere to the Foundation’s policies and procedures, including Safeguarding, Health and Safety, Data Protection, and Publicity Consent.
7.4 Provide cover for reception as required.

These duties represent the typical responsibilities associated with this position. However, flexibility is essential, and all employees may occasionally be required to undertake additional tasks as directed by the Foundation.

We are recruiting for a new Operations Manager to take on a broader and more strategic version of an existing role, with overall responsibility for the operational delivery of our services across three office locations.

The successful candidate will oversee HR, facilities management, IT, and our volunteer programme. You will lead a small but dedicated administrative team and work closely with colleagues at all levels as part of our Senior Management Team (SMT).

We are seeking a practical, solutions-focused and detail-oriented individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys improving systems, processes and ways of working— especially within a charity context and with limited resources. You will be confident working with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, including major City law firms who support our pro bono work.

To apply, please share your up-to-date CV together with a cover letter of no more than two pages of A4, setting out how you meet the person specification and why you would like to work with South West London Law Centres.

Please note that applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

The closing date for the post is 29 July 2025 by cob 5 pm with interviews soon after. If you would like to have a brief informal chat to discuss the role, please contact us.

Do you want to make a difference to the lives of students and equip them to put their faith into action?

SCM is looking for a recent graduate to spend a year working with us to help us to continue to build on the work of our successful Faith in Action project. 

Run in partnership with Project Bonhoeffer, a small charitable trust, the project began in 2012 with a vision that Christian students in Britain would have a greater awareness and understanding of Bonhoeffer’s radical approach to faith and discipleship, and its implications for Christian living in the modern world. 

The project has helped to run over a dozen campaigns from Food Poverty to Peace, and had an immeasurable impact on thousands of students through blogs, resources, and relationships. All of this is bringing to light many ‘Bonhoeffers’ of today negotiating the implications on Christian living in the world.

In 2021 we developed the Faith in Action project as a graduate scheme by employing two graduates to work on the project; one to lead on theology bringing a depth of learning and theological refection, and the other to be a campaigns lead, taking us always back out into the world to make a difference.

The project has been very successful, and now we are looking to grow it for further. We are looking for a passionate graduate to join the project for the 2025-26 academic year.

In this role, you will be a theologian to make other theologians, and will provide the framework for students to be able to reflect theologically on their life and modern Christian Living. You will be responsible for growing the breadth of SCM’s Faith in Action resources, and discovering new ways of connecting with the current membership via the trends of social media or engaging in face-to-face reflections. An activist to make other activists, you will coordinate social action for SCM, engaging the membership in social justice projects that maximise our impact in society and the world.

You will work to build relationships between SCM communities and members to equip students with the skills they need to become faith-filled agents of social and political change and lead them in theological reflection to discern their involvement in local and national campaigns. You will also work to develop relationships with other Christian social justice and campaigning organisations to create opportunities for students to put their faith into action. In all of this, you will be supported by our small but perfectly-formed team, who will share your values and fully understand your aims in this project.

The role will require some travel within Britain, as well as semi-regular visits to the office in Birmingham, which may also include an overnight stay. All reasonable expenses for travel and accommodation will be reimbursed. Some evening and weekend work may be required for which time off in lieu will be given.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic and LGBTQ+ individuals who are currently underrepresented in the organisation. Due to the nature of this role and the responsibilities of the successful post-holder, a genuine occupational requirement to be a committed Christian is in place for this role in accordance with the provisions of the Equality Act 2010.

Please use the forms provided; CVs will not be accepted. Applications should be submitted electronically in Word format by email to the address provided in the application pack.

Student Christian Movement is a registered charity in England and Wales, number 1125640, and in Scotland number SC048506