Finance manager jobs in Birmingham

The Opportunity 

The Finance and Operations Manager will provide financial expertise and support the Head of Finance & Operations (HFO) to deliver high quality financial management in budgeting, forecasting, and monthly reporting.

The role will also support the HFO in the organisation's operations functions, ensuring that legal and operational governance is delivered on time and to a high standard, that SMF is is compliant in Health & Safety (H&S), General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), insurance and other operational matters. The role holder will provide support leadership on the organisation's IT function and deliver training to all teams in matters concerning finance and operations. 

Location: We operate a hybrid model of work i.e. a combination of in-person and remote, with flexible days in the office depending on business need and your preferences. We would typically expect in-office attendance an average of one day per week.

When in the office you will be based in one of our regional offices (either Birmingham, Glasgow, Liverpool, London, Manchester or Newcastle – depending on preference and accessibility). This is where you will usually attend in-person events, training sessions etc. though some travel, to other offices and other locations, will occasionally be expected.

Contract: Full-time, Permanent

Hours: We are looking for the right candidate and while we envisage this being a full-time role (37.5 hours per week) we are open to flexible working arrangements such as part-time, compressed hours, flexitime and job-shares. 

Occasional/frequent evening or weekend work may be required, for which time off in lieu (TOIL) will be given. 

Key Responsibilities:

1. Finance:

• Oversee the day-to-day financial management and cash flow of the Social Mobility Foundation (SMF) working closely with the HFO, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Operations team. 
• Ensure that our accounting software is consistently up to date with the correct information.
• Work with the HFO on management information to enable the SMT and trustees to monitor progress and performance, make effective decisions and plan for the future.
• Financial information to support income development including budgets, income tracking and analysis and funder reports.
• Support the development of the annual organisational budget with the HFO, in liaison with the CEO and management team and provide support in developing departmental / project budgets as relevant.
• Manage how the organisation applies and reports on VAT. 
• Alongside our appointed accountants prepare Year End accounts, end of project accounts, and work with the appointed accountants to ensure the Accounts are completed, approved, and filed on time.
• Manage and improve our financial systems and procedures, streamlining internal processes to ensure they are effective and safeguard the finances of the organisation.
• Devise and implement effective and efficient procedures, including the introduction of a purchase order system and a new ethical procurement policy.
• Maintain the payroll function of the organisation and be the lead point of contact with our external payroll provider. 
• Conduct reviews and evaluations for cost-reduction opportunities.

2. Operations:

• Support the Data Protection Officer (the HFO) for the organisation, in liaising with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) appropriately, ensure that all staff and volunteers are aware of and trained in the relevant Data Protection policy and procedures, and ensure that the organisation meets its Data Protection requirements.
• Support the HFO in overseeing operational matters such as insurance, H&S, buildings maintenance and asset register; work closely with the management team to ensure awareness, compliance, and procedures that are effective and efficient for staff and volunteers. Where appropriate, escalate concerns and issues to HFO.

3. Strategic Responsibilities:

• Work closely with management and trustees to provide and develop financial and operational expertise; contribute appropriately to the development and management of organisational strategies, service proposals and development of the organisation.
• Lead on the appropriate understanding and training at each level of the organisation on how operational and financial systems work and support their role.
• Ensure that financial and operational policies and procedures meet the highest standards, reflect the charity’s ethos effectively and support the organisation’s strategic development; champion inclusivity (including Equity Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)) and sustainability (in the widest sense).

4. Line Management

• Day-to-day people management
• Outline outcomes to be achieved, considering individual skills, capabilities, and workload to ensure a balanced distribution of work
• Review work outputs, monitor and quality assure work
• Manage and report on performance; deliver performance reviews
• Identify training and development needs; employ a coaching approach, and clarify opportunities for skill enhancement and career growth
• Recruit and induct new team members  
• Reasonably support well-being: provide a supportive work environment, and address any issues that may impact the well-being and morale of your reports

See attached job description for more detail on the key responsibilities in the role

Person Specification:

We need someone who will demonstrate our organisational skills-based competencies - as listed below: 

1.  Leadership
2.  Communication
3.  Adaptability
4.  Professionalism 
5.  Decision-making

Technical knowledge, understanding and experience required:

Essential:

• Part/fully qualified as an Accountant, or equivalent relevant experience
• Significant experience of working in a finance role in an organisation with a turnover of £1m or more  
• Hands on experience of maintaining a financial software package 
• Experience of working with financial systems to prepare financial reports and management accounts
• Experience in managing the operational aspects of an organisation, including risk assessments, GDPR etc.  
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of bookkeeping and general financial and accounting principles  
• Numerate and able to use an accounting software package  
• IT Literate, including experience of Microsoft Office software and excellent skills in using Excel and Word  

Desirable:

• Experience of working in a finance role for a charity
• Experience of Accounts IQ accounting package
• Experience of preparing finance reports relating to project grants/restricted funding from a range of donors 
• Knowledge of charity accounting and the Charities SORP (Statement of Recommended Practice) 
• Knowledge of Salesforce CRM

See attached job description for more detail on the person specification

Ways of working:

• Most of our work is office based, but you will spend a lot of time collaborating with other teams and clients via email, telephone and other communications channels such as Teams or Zoom. 
• Some travel will be required as part of this role to other offices and locations, as needed for events, work placements and meetings. 

Benefits

• 36/37 days' annual leave (England & Wales and Scotland respectively - includes bank and public holidays), with 3 of these days reserved for the annual end of year office closure.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• 5% Salary sacrifice pension scheme with enhanced matching employer contributions
• Employee Assistance Programme available to staff and their family
• Flexible work options such as hybrid working, flexitime, part-time
• Regular staff team building and business planning “away days”

How to Apply

If you are interested in applying for this role, please head over to our website by 23:59, Sunday 22nd February and answer the following questions:

1) Why would you like to work at the Social Mobility Foundation? (250 words max.)

2) What makes you a suitable candidate for this role, including specific examples from your experience and skills? (500 words max.)

3) Tell us about a time when you managed an important relationship with a corporate partner, client or external stakeholder. What was your role in maintaining the relationship, and what did you learn about effective account management from the experience? (500 words max.)

Are you a finance manager wanting to make a difference?

Are you passionate about migrant and climate justice?

Do you want to support the largest student network in the country?

If so, come and work wth us!

Dig Deep is an award-winning international development charity working to secure clean water, safe sanitation and good hygiene for the one million people of Bomet County, Kenya - half of whom are children.

This is a new position, created at a pivotal moment for the charity. Over the last year, the combined turnover of Dig Deep and our trading subsidiary (Dig Deep Challenges) has grown by over 50%. Our impact, our partnerships and our responsibilities have grown with it. To sustain this progress well, we now need dedicated leadership across international finance and governance.

The Finance & Governance Manager will play a central role in making this work possible. By ensuring strong financial management, robust governance and clear reporting, you will help ensure every pound & Kenyan shilling is used well and every decision is well-informed.

This role is home-based and open to candidates living in the UK. You will work closely with colleagues across the UK and Kenya, with monthly travel for team meetings in the UK and occasional travel to our Kenyan office.

If you care about impact, value rigour, and want your work to make a real difference, we would love to hear from you.

ROLE SUMMARY

Organisation: Dig Deep (Africa)

Role: Finance & Governance Manager

Reporting to: Chief Executive

Key responsibilities:

• International Finance: Day-to-day international financial management of the charity and trading arm, incl. procurement, timely payment of invoices and production of management accounts
• International Governance: ensuring all statutory returns and other critical governance deadlines are met and internal governance procedures are adhered to
• Business Intelligence: developing and producing financial reports for staff leadership team and trustees
• Act as Secretary to the Board: ensure the smooth scheduling and preparation of regular board meetings
• CRM & Data Protection: Maintaining/developing CRM and ensuring compliance with data protection regulations

Contract type:

• Full-time (37.5 hours per week)
• Permanent

Salary and benefits:

• £40,000-45,000 per annum
• Mentoring, coaching and professional development support available from highly experienced trustee finance & governance committee & staff team
• 33 days annual leave (incl. Bank holidays)
• Home working with flexible hours

Location:

• Home working in UK
• Travel required once per month for team meetings in Sheffield/across Midlands/London (expenses paid)
• Possible travel required to East Africa on exceptional basis (approx. once every 2 years)

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential

• At least 3 years of experience in finance, governance, or a closely related role
• Experience managing day-to-day financial processes, including payments, procurement and reporting
• Good understanding of governance requirements, statutory returns and board processes
• Experience producing clear financial reports for senior staff and directors
• Experience of managing audits
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Confidence managing systems, records and sensitive data
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently in a home-based role
• Alignment with Dig Deep’s values and commitment to ethical practice

Desirable

• Experience of working with QuickBooks
• Experience of multi-currency accounting
• Experience working in the charity or international development sector
• Experience supporting or acting as secretary to a board or committee
• Familiarity with CRM systems and data protection compliance
• Experience working across multiple countries or jurisdictions
• Experience supporting a growing organisation through a period of change

HOW TO APPLY

We encourage applications from all backgrounds, ages and ethnicities. If you think you could be a valuable asset to Dig Deep but are unsure about your suitability, or have any other questions, please contact us.

To apply, please attach a one-page cover letter and CV (max two sides) before 17.00 on Wednesday, 4th March 2026

First round Zoom interviews are scheduled to take place on Monday 16th March 2026

Second round in-person interviews are scheduled to take place on Monday 23rd March 2026

*** IMPORTANT: HDF will only consider applicants with the existing right to reside and work in the UK. ***

Background

Human Dignity Foundation (HDF) is a private, philanthropic foundation which was established to enable children to live with dignity. In recent years, we have focussed on funding organisations who help protect and safeguard children from sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA). HDF is a spend down foundation which expects to complete the funding of its international partner projects by the end of 2033.

In 2023, HDF updated its strategy to drive the expansion of our portfolio of projects and maximise the foundation’s future impact – to support more children affected by or at risk of CSEA. To support this strategy, HDF is in the process of setting a UK registered charity, which is expected to be operational by end of Q1 2026.

Job Purpose

The Finance and Operations Manager will oversee and support the operations of the UK charity, working closely with the HDF team based in Dublin, to ensure its smooth running and compliance with UK laws and charity regulations.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

The Finance and Operations Manager role will be dynamic and diverse given the small nature of HDF’s team. The role will be expected to build on the processes, policies and tools already in existence within HDF Switzerland and adapt them to the UK context. Core responsibilities of this role will include:

Finance

•  Process and record payments and other transactions in the accounting system;
• Maintain financial records and prepare monthly management accounts, reconciliations, etc. for review by the Director of Finance and Operations;
• Support payroll processes and liaise with external providers;
• Manage required filings with HMRC as required (expected to be minimal);
• Prepare annual financial statements and coordinate/ support the annual audit/ financial verification of the charity;
• Prepare the annual budget and produce quarterly cashflow forecasts, ensuring timely drawdowns of funds from HDF Switzerland as needed.

Operations & Administration

• Produce and oversee the submission of reports and/or required filings to the Charities Commission and ensure broader compliance with its requirements;
• Produce reports and filings to Companies House as needed, and coordinate with the Company Secretary for their timely submission;
• Maintain the charity’s risk register to ensure risks are appropriately understood and mitigated;
• Produce and update internal policies, procedures and tools (templates to be provided where available);
• Set up and oversee the UK pension scheme, life assurance/ health insurance schemes as required with the relevant providers;
• Support the planning and delivery of meetings of the Board of Trustees and other internal and external meetings as needed;
• Organise travel arrangements for UK based staff(s) and Trustees as needed;
• In time the role may take over Company Secretary duties from our external provider;
• Conduct procurement, liaise with suppliers and manage their contracts as needed;
• Conduct other administrative tasks to support the running of the charity as needed, including but not limited to IT and HR;
• Support the charity’s Executive Chair of Trustees with tasks as may be reasonably required.

Grant Administration

• Support the development and amendment of grant agreements with partners as needed;
• Track and reconcile grant payments against agreements and perform required follow up with grantees as needed;
• Update and maintain HDF’s grant management information and filing system to ensure HDF’s records are accurate and up to date.

Person Specification

Experience

• 5 years’ experience in finance, accounting, office management
• Minimum 2 years’ experience working for a charity/NGO sector

Qualifications and skills

• Part-qualified ACA/ ACCA/ CIMA, or other bookkeeping/ accounting qualification
• Accurate worker with strong numerical skills
• Excellent written, verbal communication and interpersonal skills
• Computer literate – strong Excel, Word skills
• Proficient use of accounting software (e.g. Xero, Sage)
• Good organisational skills, ability to prioritise and meet deadlines
• Ability to work independently and on own initiative

Qualities

• Flexible
• Self-starter and pro-active
• Team player who enjoys working in small team environments

Common values

• Accountability to HDF’s Board and partners
• Innovative, entrepreneurial, and dynamic in our approach
• Openness to admitting our mistakes and learning from them
• Excellence in all that we do
• Passion for our work and mission

Terms & Conditions

• Part-time 3 days a week
• Between £40,000 - £50,000 per annum pro-rata, salary is commensurate with experience
• 25 days of annual leave pro-rata
• Remote, travel to London, Dublin and within Europe may be required
• Pension, provision of health cash plan or equivalent, life assurance, bike scheme