Finance manager jobs in Leeds

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

The Stuart Hall Foundation is seeking an experienced Operations and Finance Manager to support the effective financial, operational, and governance management of the Foundation. Working closely with the Executive Director, team and Trustees, the role plays a key part in ensuring the smooth day-to-day running of the organisation and its long-term sustainability.

About the Stuart Hall Foundation

Inspired by the life and work of the eminent scholar and intellectual Professor Stuart Hall, the Stuart Hall Foundation (SHF) was launched in 2015 by his family, friends and colleagues to continue his life’s work and build on his unique and distinct legacy by attending to the urgent political, social, and cultural questions of our time. Our mission is to popularise critical thought by supporting the creative and intellectual development of a new generation of artists, academics and activists who are dedicated to challenging issues of inequality through their work. We pursue this mission by equipping underrepresented practitioners with the learning resources and research opportunities necessary to shape and expand public debates on politics, history and culture. We fulfil our mission by:

• Creating Opportunities - offering artist residencies, commissions, scholarships, fellowships, and other opportunities to underrepresented people from a variety of backgrounds, disciplines, and geographic locations.
• Convening Spaces - creating digital and physical spaces for the public, our network of artists, researchers, activists and other stakeholders to exchange and generate ideas together.
• Developing Digital Resources - creating free-to-access digital learning resources that encourage critical thinking and interdisciplinary approaches to address contemporary political and cultural issues (across arts, academia and cultural activism).

Role Description

The Operations and Finance Manager will play a central role in ensuring the effective day-to-day running of the Foundation. The postholder will lead on governance, administration, finance, compliance and organisational systems, ensuring the charity operates efficiently, meets its regulatory obligations and has the infrastructure required to deliver its strategic objectives.

Working closely with the Executive Director, team, Treasurer, and Trustees, the Operations and Finance Manager will oversee financial management, governance processes, organisational administration and operational planning, while also supporting fundraising activities to ensure the Foundation’s long-term sustainability and effectiveness.

Required Experience and Skills

Operations, Finance and Governance

• Proven experience in an operations or administrative management role within a charity, arts, or non-profit organisation.
• Understanding of charity governance and experience supporting Boards, Committees, or Trustees.
• Strong financial management experience, including budgeting and cash flow monitoring, invoice processing, payroll administration, project budget reconciliation, preparation of management accounts and financial reports, and coordination of year-end accounts preparation.
• Excellent attention to detail, with a track record of maintaining accurate records and ensuring compliance with organisational policies and procedures.

People and Organisational Management

• Knowledge of HR processes, including recruitment, payroll, and fostering positive work culture.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential staff and organisational information.
• Excellent organisational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

Communications and Digital Skills

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Highly IT literate, with proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (including Word and Excel) and the ability to quickly learn and use a range of digital collaboration and organisational tools, such as Zoom, Dropbox, Notion, and similar software.

Personal Attributes

• Proactive and adaptable, with the ability to take initiative, prioritise tasks, and respond effectively to changing circumstances.
• Collaborative and personable, with excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with colleagues, Trustees, stakeholders, suppliers, and partners.
• Passionate about organisational planning and supporting teams to operate effectively and efficiently.  

Desirable Experience

• Experience supporting grant management, fundraising administration, or donor reporting.
• Experience using cloud-based accounting software, such as Xero, to support financial management and reporting.
• Experience working remotely and managing priorities effectively within a distributed team environment.
• Interest in the work, legacy and impact of Professor Stuart Hall

 Application Process

To apply, please complete the online application form, available on the Stuart Hall Foundation's website.

As part of the application form you will be required to submit a CV (maximum two pages), a one-page A4 cover letter, and contact details for two professional referees.

We also encourage applicants to complete our Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form. This is optional and will not form part of the selection process.

The deadline for applications is 2nd August 2026 at 23:59pm. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept late applications.

Interviews will take place via Zoom on w/c 24th August 2026.

The appointment is subject to satisfactory previous employment references.

Diversity, social justice and access were central to Stuart Hall’s work in education and the arts, and are embedded in the Foundation’s values, programme and approach. The Stuart Hall Foundation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds.

The Woodlands Church Family has grown from one small church plant to over 2,000 people across eight sites, but we remain one church sharing one vision:

To see Bristol transformed by the love and power of God.

We have an exciting opportunity and are looking to appoint a Finance Manager to join our WCF Finance Team.

About the role
You will be working with our WCF Finance Committee to provide high-quality financial information and support to the senior leadership team, trustees and finance committee of Woodlands Church Family.

This role also manages the day-to-day record keeping and financial management of the charity, produces accurate and timely reports and oversees the key financial processes and controls of the charity. 

Candidates should be highly motivated, enthusiastic, able to take initiative, work well in a team and be sympathic to our goal to see the church community grow in their faith and reach the city for Jesus. 

What you'll be working on:

1.      Management reporting

2. Budget and Reconciliation of income and expenses for Conferences, Weekends Away and other events

3. Controls and Procedures

4. Restricted Funds

5. Audit and Year End

6. Payroll

7. Giving and Gift Aid

8. Investments

9. Budgets

10.  Line management of Finance Administrator

11. Governance support

Full Job Description available to view in the application resources below.

Terms

• Permanent, Part-Time contract
• Up to 4 days (30 hours) per week
• £35k to £40k pro rata, depending on experience
• Annual leave 25 days pro rata, plus 8 days bank holiday pro rata
• The role can be based at Woodlands Church in Clifton, Bristol or delivered remotely, with occasional in person meetings by arrangement.

The post is subject to satisfactory references. 

We have a legal responsibility to ensure that all our employees have the legal right to live and work in the UK. Therefore, please only apply if you are eligible to work in the UK as we will have to verify this before you can start work.

Reporting and Line management 
Accountable to the WCF Finance Committee and line managed by a member of that committee
 

Benefits 

• In-house training and support of personal and professional development 

• Cycle to Work Scheme

• Holiday Buy Back Scheme (up to one week's additional leave per year, pro rata)

Closing date: Thursday 6 August 2026.

Please note that we may close this vacancy earlier than the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We therefore encourage you to submit your application at the earliest opportunity.