Financial director jobs

Are you a strategic thinker with a talent for planning, inspiring others, and driving positive change? Zetetick Housing is searching for an exceptional Fundraising & Communications Manager to play a key role in shaping the future of our charity.

At Zetetick, you’ll do more than run campaigns—you’ll develop and implement forward-looking strategies that grow our reach and impact. You’ll bring clarity and purpose to fundraising and communications planning, set clear objectives, and ensure that every initiative aligns with our mission to support adults with learning disabilities and autism.

This is a role for someone who thrives on both big-picture thinking and operational delivery. You’ll analyse results, report on progress, and adapt your approach to achieve ambitious goals. As the champion of our story, you’ll inspire stakeholders, nurture lasting relationships, and empower your team to perform at their best.

We offer a flexible, supportive working environment that values wellbeing and personal development, with generous holidays and a true sense of purpose. Based in Lewes but we have offices in Croydon, Uckfield and St Leonards and our remit covers London and the South East.

If you’re ready to plan for impact, lead with strategy, and help shape brighter futures, we want to hear from you.

Apply now to join a team that believes in doing good—and doing it well.

We are looking for a highly skilled Programmes & Operations Manager with a minimum of three years’ administrative experience to provide professional, inclusive, and efficient administrative support across DanceSyndrome’s Community programme and operations. This role is responsible for overseeing and managing the weekly Community timetable, and all associated administrative processes, co-ordinating key systems, and ensuring the smooth running of day-to-day operations, particularly in relation to session bookings, CRM management, and team co-ordination.

This role is comprises of administration, and programme management.

1. POSITION IN ORGANISATION:

Reporting to the Head of Community

2. SCOPE OF ROLE:                                  

1. Administrative duties

2. Events administration

3. Programme management administration

4. Monitoring & evaluation administration

We particularly welcome applications from people from the Global Majority, people with disabilities, and older people.

This is an exciting new role to head up DanceSyndrome’s Community work across Lancashire developing, nurturing, growing, and managing our community workshops. At the heart of our organisation are our weekly bespoke Community Inclusive Dance Workshops; ‘Everybody Dance’. These workshops are co-delivered by a qualified Dance Leader with a learning disability, working side-by-side with a non-disabled Dance Artist. As part of our ambitious strategy, we will be establishing several new workshops across Lancashire over the next five years and co-delivering inclusive dance provision for all ages from early years through to adulthood by 2030.

As Head of Community, you will oversee several vibrant and active communities; build community engagement and cohesion; and to collect, collate and analyse key data to demonstrate impact and to drive forward strategic planning and decision making. This is alongside developing and managing both strategic and operational long-term partnerships & collaborations across communities in the North-West and building and executing an engaging and effective Volunteer Programme to support all Community workshops.

This role supports strand one of DanceSyndrome’s ambitious strategy; Vision 2023; ‘To deliver an outstanding, collaborative, and high-quality programme of co-produced and co-delivered inclusive dance across the North-West’.

We are looking for an exceptional, experienced, self-motivated, and enthusiastic individual to represent DanceSyndrome at the heart of our communities taking our inclusive person-centred offering to the next level.

You will pro-actively support our timetable of weekly Community inclusive dance workshops ensuring they operate to the highest standards of Quality & Excellence and making sure that all systems and processes are in place in relation to security, registers and payments.

You will line manage the Programmes & Operations Manager and Data & impact Manager and collectively drive forward all aspects of our Community work to the highest standards.  

You will manage key partnerships with Community Centres and be instrumental in engaging and onboarding new participants supporting DanceSyndrome’s ambitious Vision 2030 strategy to increase participation, and reach under-served and diverse communities, as well as executing our Children & Young People strategy working across all ages.

You will identify, understand and engage with key partners and Stakeholders who can support DanceSyndrome’s ambitions to be the ‘go to’ and ‘organisation of choice’ for people with learning disabilities, leadership opportunities and an inclusive unique co-led delivery model which doesn’t exist anywhere else. Through effective partnership working, you will work across sectors and reach under-served and diverse communities. You will also be able to identify key barriers to access, gaps in current provision across the region and seek valuable evidence to inform strategy and to feed back to funders.

You will be an extremely personable and approachable individual with a strategic mind, and persuasive manner who is able to reach and attract new participants, increase engagement in our Community workshops, and secure local community engagement to ensure the long-term sustainability of DanceSyndrome’s community offering.

You will turn leads in sales in a variety of ways from initiating unusual and impactful partnerships, growing the number of beneficiaries, increasing sales of our products and services, securing in-kind support and vital funding.

You will also develop and manage an engaging and rewarding Volunteer Programme across key communities including recruiting, training, onboarding and retaining volunteers.

We particularly welcome applicants from Global Majority, who identify as LGBTQIA+, People with Disabilities and Older People to apply for this role.

Are you an innovative and certified Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM professional who wishes to be a valued member of a busy and friendly fundraising team, taking responsibility for the management of the charity’s future Dynamics 365 CRM? 

The charity shall shortly begin the discovery phase of its CRM project, to deliver its future Dynamics 365 CRM.  The new Dynamics 365 CRM will be at the heart of the charity’s success, to deliver excellent supporter data quality for its fundraising and communication campaigns to supporters. 

Reporting to the Director of Fundraising, and collaborating closely with the Head of IT, CRM Project Manager and Data Analyst, the CRM Officer shall be a vital and visible role, fundamental to the charity’s fundraising success, to further its vision of a world where every horse is treated with respect, compassion and understanding.

Through your proven Dynamics 365 CRM skills and experience, you will also lead on the charity’s CRM business processes and data quality, collaborating with fundraising, communications, IT and finance stakeholders, colleagues and third party suppliers.

If you want to make real and positive difference to a leading charity’s fundraising and campaigns success, through your professional Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM management skills and experience, then we’d love you to apply.

Location

This position is based remotely.  But you must be a resident of the United Kingdom with all the necessary legislative ‘right to work’ documentation.  You will be required to attend the charity’s head office located in Norfolk a minimum of 6 times per year and this will be at your own expense for travel and accommodation.

About World Horse Welfare

World Horse Welfare is an international equine charity whose vision is a world where every horse is treated with respect, compassion and understanding. 

The charity’s work covers horses in need, sport and leisure, work and production within both the UK and abroad.  The charity runs four farm centres for rehabilitation and outreach work within the UK. The charity has four key strategic themes under which its programmes of work nationally and internationally are structured, these are: Care, Research, Education and Influence.

In 2023, the charity fundraised c. £15.6 million, including significant Legacy income.

Benefits include a generous pension scheme and cash health plan, paid employee sickness absence scheme, a minimum of 31 days’ holiday (including bank/public holidays and mandatory shutdown between Christmas and New Year) and death in service.

World Horse Welfare is committed to championing equality and diversity in all aspects of employment and in the services that it provides. We encourage applications from under-represented groups, particularly ethnically diverse communities, LGBTQ+ and disabled people.

In the spring of 2025, the Vivensa Foundation launched its new strategic framework and identity.  Formerly known as the Dunhill Medical Trust, it was back in the 1980s that our founder's niece recognised that the shifting demographics would drive a need for investment in a high-quality research base to improve our understanding of the mechanisms of ageing and ageing-related disease, together with the delivery of innovation to improve health and social care services for older people. 

Our charitable objects were never more relevant than they are today and the opportunities are immense to support our academic and clinical researcher community to make real systemic change. 

Today, we are the stewards of an endowment valued at around £170M, and have committed to distributing at least £30M over the next five years in in grant funding.  We have also ring-fenced a part of our endowment for social investment. You can read more about our Strategic Framework here.

We now have a full time, permanent vacancy for an aspiring grants management professional to help us to deliver our strategic plan. As a member of the Grants Team and reporting to the Director of Research, you will be a primary point of contact for organisations applying for funding for academic or clinical research, as well as working with the team to develop, implement and evaluate our funding streams.  As such, you will make key contributions to the development and delivery of our core services, reinforcing our reputation for high quality and support for the research community.  If you’d like to explore using your grants management experience or research training in a subject area relevant to the work of the Foundation in a slightly different context, identify with our values and have the great attention to detail, flexible “can do” attitude and restless curiosity essential to the success of a small, expert team, go to our website to download the full job description and person specification and find out how to apply.

An exciting position has arisen for a Head of Finance to join an excellent Community Foundation on a permanent basis. The postholder will be reporting directly to the CEO and will be part of the executive team, leading a team of 7.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead, manage and improve the Trust’s finance function and provide accurate, timely and relevant financial reports as required by the CEO
• Be the Executive Lead of the Finance Audit and Risk Committee, ensuring timely papers to the CEO and to the Committee and Board as required
• Ensure the provision and reporting of financial accounts, forecasting and large-scale project/programme budgets
• Oversight of the legal and financial statutory processes in line with the Charity Commission and Companies House requirements, including the annual audit
• Allocating tasks for timely responses and keeping all colleagues abreast of progress
• Monitor, cash flow, reserves, analysis of performance against the organisation’s annual business plan and dashboard as it relates to the finance function
• Contribute to the overall leadership of the Trust and to the Trust’s future strategic and operational planning
• Direct line management of 3 staff, indirectly manage 7
• Ensuring an excellent service to all budget managers, enabling them to make effective use of all systems and monitor and manage their income and expenditure
• To attend the Executive Team meetings and provide reports

Successful candidate profile:

• Qualified Accountant (ACCA/CIMA/ACA)
• Significant track record in a Head of Finance / FD role for a Charity
• Experience of implementing enhanced reporting tools
• Experience of cost-effective procurement in line with policy
• Extensive staff management experience

Salary: up to £80,000 per annum + excellent benefits

Working pattern:  on site

Hours: 35 per week

Location: West London

Duration: Permanent

Agency Reference Number: J81925

This vacancy will be actively shortlisted so early applications are encouraged to avoid missing out.

Venn Group is an equal opportunities employment business and employment agency and welcomes applications from all candidates.

A mission-driven and impact focused single programme NGO is seeking a Finance Business Partner with strong financial modelling skills for a part-time, fully remote fixed term contract for approximately 4-6 months. The role is to support the Finance Director, HR team, CEO and other stakeholders with business partnering, along with specific financial modelling projects.

The organisation’s mission is to get 3-6 year old children in rural Africa to thrive. They have developed an award-winning Early Childhood Development programme, proven its impact through rigorous evaluation, and scaled it with governments in both Ghana and Uganda. It is currently reaching over 300,000 children per year, and we aim to reach 1 million children per year by 2028. The programme benefits both preschool age children and unlocks the potential of marginalised rural parents.

You will work in a busy finance team based in the UK, Ghana and Uganda. The role can be done fully-remotely from within the UK, and the salary range on offer is circa £50,000 - £60,000 FTE (pro-rata). It is anticipated there will be around 2-3 days work per week for approximately 4-6 months.

Experience within a business partnering / modelling role within the NGO sector would be very useful, but is not essential.

Duties include:

• Work focused on adaptions for new contexts: The programme targets rural communities in Ghana and Uganda. This year the organisation plans to scale to a new country and to test ways to adapt it for this new context. They are also keen to explore whether the programme can be adapted for refugee settings.
• Financial modelling focused on selecting a new country to launch the programme
• Specific cost modelling and fundraising modelling around the corporate sponsorship of the organisation’s radio station project

• Develop and strengthen robust and flexible cost models (including sensitivity analyses/stress testing) to guide decisions around the pace and rate of scale, staffing & resource requirements (HR), ensure value for money and maximise cost efficiencies.
• Develop robust budgets for new and renewal funder applications, considering complexities around funder restrictions, currency exchange and forecast economic conditions.
• Analysis and modelling on organisational procedures & policies and capacity building projects

Requirements:

• Fully or part-qualified ACCA, CIMA, ACA or equivalent
• Demonstrable experience with finance business partnering to a range of stakeholders
• Strong financial modelling skills – ideally in things such as cost analysis, funding analysis etc
• Intermediate/advanced Excel and strong data analysis skills
• An understanding of international charity finance - donor reporting, programmes finance, foreign currency transactions is useful
• Experience juggling multiple projects at once
• Must be able to start the role quickly - ideally immediately available or with a short notice period

Closing date: Ongoing / ASAP

Interviews: Ongoing

Please send your CV for immediate consideration.

Senior Finance Manager (Part-Time)

24 hours per week | £50,000 per annum (FTE)​ | Hybrid (minimum 2 days/week in South London office)

A high-impact, award-winning charity working to improve health and wellbeing through a better food system is seeking a Senior Finance Manager to join its senior management team. The organisation influences policy, builds strategic partnerships, and raises public awareness around the links between food, health, and sustainability.

This is a crucial and hands-on role, responsible for overseeing the charity’s financial management. You will ensure accurate, timely financial and management reporting, while supporting the senior leadership team. 

We are looking for a self-motivated, adaptable, and approachable finance professional with excellent analytical and communication skills. You’ll thrive under pressure and be confident working across teams and with external stakeholders. The role includes line management of the Operations Manager and reports to the Executive Director.

This position offers the opportunity to play a key role in an organisation that is shaping the future of the UK’s food system and making a real difference to public health.

As a specialist Recruitment Practice, we are committed to building inclusive and diverse organisations, and welcome applications from all sections of the community. We invest in your journey as a candidate and are committed to supporting you in your application.

WaterAid is exclusively partnering with Robertson Bell in their search for a Senior Finance Business Partner to join their high-performing team on a permanent basis, in this newly revamped role. WaterAid is the largest international not-for-profit organisation, focussed solely on making sustainable clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene normal for everyone, everywhere.

This role will be a key strategic advisor and responsible for high-level planning conversations to WaterAid UKs largest income generating Directorate: Communications and Fundraising. As the Senior Finance Business Partner, you will be responsible for helping shape the strategic direction of fundraising team. This is a high-profile role, enabling Water Aid UK’s senior leadership to deliver and support the delivery of WaterAid’s ambitious programmatic activity.

The organisation:

Collaboration is at the heart of everything WaterAid does. They work in alliances. Over the next decade, together they will reach hundreds of millions more people so that whole communities can live healthy lives and build better futures. Together with their supporters and partners around the world – from the smallest neighbourhood groups to the largest multinationals – they have reached close to 30 million people with clear water and 30 million with decent toilets. Good hygiene is now a part of everyday life for 27.8 million people.

To make lasting change happen on a massive scale they show decision makers how it can and should be done by influencing them to act. WaterAid link policy makers with communities and local partners and change attitudes and behaviours. They persuade governments, donors and financial institutions to invest in basic services and rally support from people and organisations around the world. They will keep working towards their mission until they are no longer needed.

The key duties of the Senior Finance Business Partner are as follows:

• Owning relationships with key senior stakeholders within the Communications and Fundraising Directorate.
• Regularly engaging on strategic long-term decision making and providing relevant financial data to key decision makers.
• Work with the directorate to build realistic and detailed financial plans.
• Own directorate specific timelines for delivering financial forecasts and budgets.
• Work with Head of Management Accounting to build a consolidated picture for WaterAid UKs performance for the Executive Director Team.
• Collaborate on the building and maintenance of automated reporting for directorate on PowerBI.
• Regularly engage with budget holders to ensure that spending and income is on track against plans.
• Ensure CRM data is complete and accurately reflected in the month end close position.
• Oversee the monthly recording of both unrestricted and restricted income streams.

The successful candidate will have:

• Completed a professional accounting qualification or be part-qualified with relevant professional experience.
• Experience of strategic partnering senior stakeholders (ideally at Executive Director level) along with senior leadership teams.
• Ability to analyse large quantities of data with a view to identifying trends and key drivers.
• Adaptability to build effective working relationships with both finance and non-finance colleagues and work in a collaborative way.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
• Experience of managing finances within a fundraising directorate (Desirable).
• Knowledge of international development issues and the sector (Desirable).

Please note that this role required a minimum of 40% of working time to spent face-to-face in their Canary Wharf offices.

The deadline for applications is on Sunday 20^th July, with first stage interviews due to take place the week commencing 28^th July. CVs will be under continuous review in advance of this date so submit your application today via Robertson Bell to ensure you don’t miss out!

We’re looking for an ambitious, experienced fundraiser to lead our corporate partnerships. You’ll shape and deliver our strategy, secure new high-value relationships, and work across teams to build meaningful, long-term partnerships with like-minded companies. This is a fantastic opportunity to take ownership of an area with great potential. If you're proactive, strategic and confident working both independently and collaboratively, we’d love to hear from you.

Job Purpose
• Leading the development and growth of corporate fundraising and corporate partnerships
• Create, develop and deliver the corporate fundraising and partnerships strategy
• Identify, cultivate and steward corporate partnerships

Main Responsibilities
1. Develop and implement a corporate fundraising and partnerships strategy

2. Shape and implement the wider Fundraising Strategy in collaboration with the Director and SLT.

3. Lead income forecasting, budget setting, reporting and analysis, ensuring alignment with financial goals.

4. Lead a proactive acquisition approach and drive new business activity and secure at least five-figure partnerships and donations

5. Build and maintain a strong, diverse pipeline of corporate prospects

6. Work with teams across the organisation to develop and prepare tailored cases for support, proposals and reports and bespoke updates and communications to donors

7. Personally identify and manage a portfolio of key relationships

8. Monitor income performance and provide timely reports and analysis, including reporting to the BC board and the BC Trading Company Board

9. Negotiate and deliver partnership agreements ensuring delivery against agreed targets and a good return on investment for the charity.

10. Update and maintain records of all business and corporate approaches, communications and agreements on the CRM and appropriate files.

11. Where required develop and/or follow policies and procedures on due diligence, data management, account management, stewardship, and reporting.

12. Represent fundraising in the development and use of CRM systems and insight tools.

13. Collaborate with Finance to ensure accurate income coding, reporting, and regulatory compliance.

14. Line-manage and support the Corporate Fundraising Officer, driving performance and innovation through a solution focused approach.

15. Manage external agencies and ensure contracts meet compliance and strategic needs.

16. Actively contribute to SLT and organisational strategy, projects, and decision-making.

We are working in partnership with Emmaus Village Carlton (EVC), a flagship Emmaus community, who give hope and a sense of belonging to those who have experienced homelessness or social exclusion by creating a safe and supported community and opportunities to develop. They are a respected local charity and social enterprise with a unique self-funded model, and capacity for up to 45 Companions to live and gain work experience on site, who are supported by the staff team and volunteers.

They are now seeking a new Head of Finance, who will be a pro-active member of the Senior Leadership Team and actively contribute to the smooth running and ongoing development of the organisation. The Head of Finance will provide effective leadership of the financial management of EVC, across both the social enterprise and charitable objectives, as well as overseeing administrative and IT support, working closely with the IT support provider and the Administration Assistant to achieve good operational performance.

With a sharp rise in homelessness being seen across the country and the cost-of- living crisis heavily impacting local communities, this is a hugely exciting time to join a dynamic organisation with a strong purpose and unique approach to supporting people experiencing homelessness.

The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate the following:

• Fully qualified accountant (ACCA, ACA, CIMA) or part qualified with significant relevant experience.
• 3+ years’ experience in financial reporting, financial planning, strategic planning and budgeting.
• 3+ years’ experience in a senior management / leadership role.
• Experience of managing in house payroll systems, including HMRC and pension requirements. 

We are seeking an agile and resilient individual, who is highly self-motivated and demonstrates integrity, compassion and empathy. 

For more information, please contact Katherine Anderson-Scott, Associate Director of Charisma Charity Recruitment.Your application should be submitted through the Charisma website and include your CV and supporting statement.

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, or other category protected by law.

Location: Emmaus Village Carlton, Bedfordshire, MK43 7LQ / scope for occasional homeworking

Closing date: 17th July 2025

Charisma vetting interviews must be completed by the EOD on the 24th July prior to shortlisting on the 25th July

Interviews with Emmaus Village Carlton: TBC

The successful applicant will become part of a dynamic charity that is continuously learning and evolving, building on the foundations of over two decades of leading work to tackle prejudice and inspire community cohesion. You will join a small nurturing and committed team based in the centre of Bradford who are working with schools and communities across the country to make a difference. There is real scope for the successful candidate to shape their role alongside the Directors. For the right candidate we are open to exploring part-time and flexible working options.

The Linking Network inspires and equips schools to support children and young people to build meaningful connections across all forms of difference. We work with 25 Local Authority Areas to deliver a local Schools Linking Programme, collectively reaching 26,000 children, 850 classes in over 500 schools across England. We also work directly with 100 schools locally in Bradford and deliver Intergenerational Linking, reaching around 2,200 pupils in 110 classes and 1000 older people in the Bradford district. For more information on The Linking Nework, please visit our website.

‘My mum’s never going to believe I’ve got a new friend who is 100!’ Primary Intergenerational Linking pupil

Purpose

The successful candidate will be employed by The Linking Network (TLN) in Bradford and work collaboratively as part of a small team and a wide network of committed stakeholders who are working together to inspire community cohesion through schools across the UK. The Operations Manager will have an opportunity to help shape how the organisation runs, playing a pivotal role in ensuring smooth, efficient and compliant operations. The post-holder will have responsibility for the day to day operations and finances of our charity and offer vital administrative and organisational support to TLN’s team, Board of Trustees and wider network of partners across the country, helping them to plan ahead and enabling them to fulfil their responsibilities.

This role comes with substantial responsibility, as an integral part of a high-performing team working across the UK. We are a small team that achieves big things. The post holder will need to be versatile, dependable and thrive on working in a fast paced, dynamic and supportive environment. In all that we do, we aim to be thoughtful, collaborative, creative, up to date with national thinking, challenging where needed, action focused and to strive for excellence. The role requires an individual who can be a practical thinker with a flexible approach and attitude, with the ability to act on their own initiative as well as part of a team.

This role will have responsibility in three key areas of our work:

1. Supporting our team and network 
2. Managing our general operations
3. Managing our finances

The key responsibilities are described in more detail below; these are subject to change as the needs of the charity evolve over time. Training and support will be available for the successful candidate depending on experience.

Key responsibilities

Supporting our team and network

● Contribute to organisational planning and reporting cycles, in pursuit of our collective vision to inspire community cohesion across the country

● Assist the Directors through diary management, prioritising where needed and supporting preparation before meetings 

● Provide general administration support to the team such as booking meeting rooms, arranging travel and maintaining a comprehensive filing system

● Develop our internal processes and support our team meetings with clear agendas and actions

● Support the team to plan and deliver stakeholder meetings and events (e.g., celebration events with our schools and communities), including through sourcing the right venue, managing the guestlist and liaising with speakers 

● Help the team develop compelling presentations, training aids, handouts or other communications

● Provide general support to TLN’s Local Areas, for example booking training sessions, printing and posting key materials or following up on agreed actions

● Enable the team to plan effective Network meetings, ensuring the right materials are shared in advance and notes of key points and actions circulated promptly afterwards

● Request and organise accurate records for TLN’s local areas across the country so that we understand our collective work across schools and communities

Managing our general operations 

● Help foster a supportive, inclusive and values-driven working culture

● Support staff recruitment, induction, development and training, working with the Directors to manage HR records including annual leave

● Work with external providers to ensure the team have the right IT systems and support

● Maintain and update TLN’s website and web-based resources, working alongside the team and our contracted website developer

● Manage the office space and supplies to ensure that the team has the required resources to achieve their objectives

● Provide administration support to the Board of Trustees, including organising meetings, circulating board papers and taking minutes

● Coordinate the implementation of key policies - including Safeguarding, Health & Safety and GDPR - ensuring the policies are kept up to date with support from the Directors and Trustees and all relevant procedures are in place

● Ensure the charity’s insurance, Health & Safety and DBS certificates are up to date and maintain a single central record of safeguarding training and DBS certificates

Managing our finances 

● Monitor organisational spend against budget, ensuring the timely spending of restricted funds and value-for-money procurement

● Manage payroll and staff expenses and keep finance records up to date

● Administer grants to TLN’s Local Areas, ensuring all contracts are signed, invoices are requested and payments are made on time 

● With the support of the Directors and our contracted accountants, prepare monthly management accounts, the year end statutory accounts and budgets for the year ahead and funding applications

● Support the team to develop effective reports that communicate the progress of our work to funders and other key stakeholders

● Ensure all funders receive invoices and any reporting requirements within their deadlines

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

This hands-on leadership role combines operational excellence with strong interpersonal skills. Reporting to the Director of Design and Technology, you'll manage a team of Project Managers whilst working closely with senior leadership to oversee project delivery, financial planning, organisational systems and growth.

You'll implement best practices for data management, risk management, and compliance in a collaborative way that supports our mission-driven work.

About us

Act Build Change is a transformative organising school that makes community organising and collective care methods accessible to everyone who wants to end injustice.

Since 2019, we've supported over 150 collectives and organisations across the UK and Ireland, working with those with disabilities, migrants and refugees, young people, carers, working class communities, LGBTQ+ collectives, those living in poverty and the intersections across those identities.

Our work includes delivering training and resources, supporting communities to navigate difference and change, and providing coaching for organisers and movement leaders.

Key responsibilities

Project management

Oversee project delivery across our organisation, ensuring quality and efficiency:

• Develop frameworks for project tracking and reporting.

• Manage and develop a team of project managers, providing resources and support.

• Monitor budgets and timelines across internal and external projects.

Financial management

Ensure financial sustainability and responsible resource management:

• Support financial planning and reporting with our board and senior leadership team.

• Oversee invoices, expenses and budget adherence.

• Assess financial risks and manage potential challenges.

Systems and processes

Build and maintain operational infrastructure that enables our effectiveness:

• Develop strategies, policies and procedures with our senior leadership team.

• Maintain and oversee our systems for efficient project tracking.

• Ensure agreed standards are met across our team and resolve operational issues.

Organisational growth

Drive strategic growth and development:

• Develop business strategies for growth across products, services and recruitment.

• Analyse our data to support strategic goals and tracking.

• Support our recruitment efforts and staff policy development.

What we’re looking for

Essential experience and skills

• Proven operations leadership experience, including managing teams and complex projects.

• Strong project management and delivery track record across multiple initiatives.

• Financial management expertise including budgeting, forecasting, and resource allocation.

• Experience with recruitment, performance management, and policy development.

• Experience with data management, reporting, and operational systems.

• Comfortable learning and adopting new technologies and processes quickly.

• Excellent communication skills, including ability to navigate difficult conversations professionally.

• High attention to detail and meticulous approach to operational standards.

• Ability to work remotely and manage diverse responsibilities with autonomy.

What we’d love to see

• Experience across different organisation types and sizes.

• Flexibility to work with different methodologies and systems.

• Risk management and compliance background.

• Comfortable representing the organisation to external stakeholders.

• Track record of implementing operational improvements and efficiencies.

Personal qualities

• You approach challenges with patience and understanding, able to communicate directly when needed whilst maintaining positive relationships.

• You're confident in your expertise but remain open to different perspectives and collaborative problem-solving.

• You take personal accountability seriously and help build a culture where others take ownership of their work.

• You enjoy working in a collaborative team environment and building positive relationships across the organisation.

• You're aligned with our mission and values and are motivated by creating positive social change.

What we offer

Salary and benefits

• £49,500-£62,000 salary, depending on experience.

• Permanent contract with option for 4 or 5 days per week (salary and benefits will be pro-rated).

• Over 30 days of leave, including 25 days of annual leave, one day off for your birthday, one week off in August for learning and rest, plus Christmas close.

• Pension scheme and enhanced parental leave and sick pay.

Working arrangements

• Fully remote working (must be within 4 hours of central London).

• Access to office space in London when needed.

• Co-working space expenses available for those based outside London.

• Occasional travel to London may be required (up to twice a month), with expenses covered.

• Team away days around the UK (up to four times a year), with expenses covered.

• Full equipment and tech support provided.

Growth and impact

• Direct contribution to building people's power and making positive social change.

• Collaborative, mission-driven work environment with impact across the UK.

• Professional development opportunities including training and events (assessed on an individual basis).

• Clear growth pathway in an expanding team.

How to apply

Please note: this role is for UK-based candidates who have the right to work in the UK.

What to send

• Your CV (max. two pages).

• A supporting statement answering the questions below (max. two pages).

• Both documents as PDFs attached to your email.

Questions to address

• Describe a time you led operational improvements in a complex organisation. What was your approach and what were the results?

• How would you approach building operational systems for an organisation that values collaboration and accessibility?

• What attracts you to this role at Act Build Change specifically?

Next steps

• Submit your application by Fri 11 Jul 2025.

• First round interviews will begin from the week of 28 Jul 2025.

• The role will start from Oct/Nov 2025.

We are a neurodiverse and intersectional team. We’re committed to providing equal opportunities for everyone of all backgrounds. If there is anything you need us to do to support you in the application process please let us know as soon as possible.