Head of finance jobs in Manchester, greater manchester

Head of Finance and Operations

Salary: £50,000 – £54,000 per annum (depending on skills and experience)

Location: Manchester (Hybrid working with regular office attendance: 2 days a week)

Contract: Permanent, Full Time

About CLES

CLES is an independent economics think tank and charity dedicated to tackling the UK’s most pressing economic challenges. For over 40 years, we have collaborated with local governments, the NHS, national government, universities, and communities to create impactful, practical solutions. Our expertise in community wealth building has gained international recognition, and we embody our progressive ethos by offering a four-day full-pay working week. At CLES, we foster a deeply collaborative and flexible environment where strong relationships are valued, reflected in our regular social activities and annual residential gatherings.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a proactive and detail-oriented Head of Finance and Operations who will play a crucial role in steering our financial and operational functions. Working closely with our senior management team, you will combine strategic insights with hands-on delivery, ensuring the efficient management of our financial systems, governance, and HR processes. You will be supported by a dedicated Finance and Office Administrator, allowing you to focus on higher-level financial oversight and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage day-to-day finances including cash flow, financial controls, and oversight of bookkeeping tasks.
• Prepare and present quarterly and annual management accounts, VAT returns, and payroll submissions.
• Lead the administration of governance, working closely with the board of trustees on compliance and regulatory filings.
• Oversee daily office operations, including IT infrastructure and health and safety.
• Administer HR processes such as recruitment, onboarding, and the management of employee records.

About You:

• You possess a recognised accounting qualification (ideally ACA, ACCA, CIMA) or AAT Level 4, with substantial senior-level charity finance experience.
• Demonstrated experience in financial management, including preparation of management accounts and familiarity with accounting software such as Sage.
• Strong understanding of governance and compliance within a charity context, alongside experience in HR administration.
• Excellent organisational skills and a proactive, solutions-focused approach to work.
• Proven ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, building trust and collaboration.

Our Offer to You:

• A four-day working week with full pay for a 30-hour commitment.
• Flexible and hybrid working options, promoting a healthy work-life balance.
• Generous holiday entitlement, starting at 20 days (the equivalent of 5 full weeks off) and rising to 24 days (6 weeks) with service, plus additional leave for birthdays and Christmas.
• A robust pension scheme with an employer contribution starting at 6% and increasing with tenure.
• A supportive learning and development culture, with a dedicated budget for professional growth and annual team retreats.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

CLES is committed to fostering an inclusive workspace and welcomes applications from diverse backgrounds. We actively encourage candidates from all sections of the community to apply.

How to Apply

Click apply and you will be redirected to our careers page which has instructions on how to submit your application.

Please note, we are operating a rolling recruitment process, so early applications are encouraged. Initial application cutoff is Monday, 24th of August 2026 at 9:00am. Interviews are scheduled for Wednesday, 2nd of September 2026. If we do not fill the position, the advert will remain open for ongoing applications.

We look forward to welcoming you to our team at CLES!

The National Biodiversity Network Trust is the UK charity dedicated to making biodiversity data accessble and useful. We co-ordinate the National Biodiversity Network, develop the NBN Atlas, support iNaturalistUK and are developing the NBN Record Manager. Our work connects biological recording, digital infrastructure and better decisions for nature across the UK. 

Our vision is Nature thriving everywhere, in all its diversity,.Our mission is Making data work for nature. 

This is a senior and pivotal role. The Head of Finance & Operations is the Chief Executive Officer's trusted strategic and operational partner on finance, governance, people systems, risk and organisational operations. They provide calm judgement, clear information, early warning and reliable follow-through. The role will turn strategy into affordable and deliverable plans, protect the Trust's financial resilience, and ensure that its core systems and controls enable colleagues to do their best work. They will combine strategic leadership with a willingness to enage in the practical detail when needed. 

More details, including on how to apply and a Recruitment FAQ, are available on our website. 

Hours: Full-time

Pay: Up to £52,890 GBP gross per annual (dependent on experience)

Duration: Permanent

Location: UK-Med Office, Manchester, UK with hybrid working (approximately 30% on-site)

Do you have the expertise to ensure strong financial systems, compliance, and controls in a growing humanitarian organisation?

UK-Med is a frontline medical aid charity. Born of the NHS, we’ve been working for over 30 years towards a world where everyone has the healthcare they need when crises or disasters hit.

As UK-Med continues to expand its global reach and strengthen its international operations, we are investing in the financial leadership that underpins our humanitarian impact. In this context, the new Head of Finance (International) will play a pivotal role in ensuring the integrity, effectiveness, and resilience of UK-Med’s global financial management.

You’ll oversee financial governance, compliance, and grant management across our international programmes, ensuring that systems and reporting are robust, efficient, and aligned with donor and statutory requirements. Based in the UK, you’ll work closely with colleagues across Finance, Operations, and Programmes to strengthen financial controls, manage risk, and support sound decision-making that enables UK-Med to respond rapidly and effectively to humanitarian crises around the world.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who thrives on supporting operational delivery, ensuring high-quality financial reporting, and strengthening systems. You’ll bring together technical excellence and strong leadership skills, working collaboratively and effectively in a complex, fast-changing environment. Your contribution will directly enable UK-Med to respond rapidly to emergencies and make a tangible impact on people affected by crises.

We offer a competitive salary and benefits, a collaborative and supportive working environment, and the opportunity to make a real difference through humanitarian work.

UK-Med is a growing and ambitious organisation with a passionate team of staff, members, and volunteers. This is a truly exciting opportunity to shape the future of our financial function and support our mission to provide healthcare in emergencies worldwide.

How to apply

We strongly recommend that you read the Candidate Information Pack - Head of Finance (International) - August 2026 before applying for this role.

To apply, please submit a current CV and a supporting letter (2 pages) through our online jobs portal.

Please apply below, as soon as possible and no later than Monday 24th of August 2026.

We welcome applications from candidates based in the UK and internationally. While being based in the UK would be advantageous due to the role’s close collaboration with UK-Med’s Manchester-based teams, it is not an essential requirement, and internationally based candidates will be fully considered.

UK-Med is committed to safeguarding of our personnel and beneficiaries and has a zero-tolerance approach to sexual exploitation and abuse. We conduct thorough vetting before any appointment is confirmed.

UK-Med is committed to the principles of diversity, equality, and inclusion. We strive to provide an inclusive and supportive environment where employees feel respected and supported to be able to fulfill their potential.