Head of financial accounting jobs in westminster, greater london

Job overview

Becoming the Head of Principal Donors at the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women is a fantastic opportunity to be part of lasting progress for women across the globe, ultimately contributing to a fairer, more equal and prosperous world.

You will lead and manage the Foundation’s philanthropy programme, working closely with our senior leadership team, the CEO and our founder to personally cultivate and steward the Foundation’s principal donors. This includes overseeing our recently formed Accelerate Circle – a select group of visionary philanthropists who help drive the Foundation’s fundraising through their networks.

We are seeking an exceptional relationship manager who thrives on external engagement and networking with key stakeholders. You will have a proven track record of establishing and managing global communities of HNWIs and fundraising volunteers, raising high six figure or seven figure donations annually.

In this role, you will be responsible for over £1 million of unrestricted income critical to delivering the Foundation’s goal of reaching one million women entrepreneurs. You will deliver excellent stewardship of our existing donors and cultivate new prospects.

Are you a proactive finance professional looking for a role that makes a difference? This is an exciting time to join our Finance team as we continue to build stronger partnerships with our Country Support Offices and the Global Finance team.

As the Finance Manager (UK), you will play a pivotal role in managing the day-to-day finance function. You will oversee systems and procedures, ensuring high standards of financial management and service delivery. You will provide management and oversight of the UK Finance function at both an operational and managerial level, acting as the final point of contact for all UK finance matters for staff and budget holders.

In this role, you will also be a key member of the WfWI-Global finance team, managing the relationship between the UK office and the wider global finance network.

Background:

Women for Women International invests where inequality is greatest by helping women who are forgotten — the women survivors of war and conflict.

In Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iraq, Kosovo, Nigeria, Rwanda, and South Sudan, women learn skills to rebuild their families and communities through the Women for Women International’s Stronger Women, Stronger Nations Programme.

They form support networks, are equipped with the skills to earn an income and save and gain knowledge and resources about health and their rights. Since 1993, our global community has invested in the power of over 550,000 women across 17 conflict-affected countries, to create a ripple effect that makes the world more equal, peaceful, and prosperous. 

What We Are Looking For: 

We’re seeking someone with a strong financial background, a passion for collaboration, and a commitment to excellence. Ideally, you’ll have:

•  Part-qualified of qualified ACA, ACCA or CIMA; or studying towards qualification or relevant experience.
• Sound knowledge of UK Charity SORP and charity sector financial practices.
• A critical eye for reviewing accounting transactions and ensuring accuracy.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel (including pivot tables, SUMIF, and VLOOKUP) and good working knowledge of Microsoft Word.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to engage effectively with staff, funders, trustees, and suppliers.
• A self-starter mentality with the ability to work independently as well as within a team.
• Excellent organisation, efficiency, and attention to detail.
• Confidence in mentoring and sharing knowledge to support others’ professional development.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and a solution-focused approach.

Why Join Us?

You’ll be part of a supportive and mission-driven organisation that values collaboration, integrity, and impact. This is a great opportunity to grow your career in a rewarding environment that champions both professional and personal development.

Diversity at Women for Women International is about inclusion, embracing differences, creating possibilities and growing together for better performance. We embrace diversity in our workforce. This means giving full and fair consideration to all applicants and continuing development of all employees regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, political opinions, and pregnancy and maternity.  Applications are welcomed and encouraged from all interested parties.

All our staff are required to adhere to WfWI’s Code of Conduct and Safeguarding policies and to our organizational values: Empowerment, Integrity, Respect, Resilience and the Leadership Principles: Decisive, Accountable, Courageous, Adaptable and Inclusive.

To learn more about the power of Women for Women International, visit our UK website or follow us on social media. 

To apply please complete our online application form.

Closing date for applications is Sunday 13th July 2025, Midnight

You will have an opportunity to attend a Q&A with the Director of Finance, Supporter Country Office on Thursday 3rd July 2025 – 13.00 – 13.45.

If you are interested in attending, please contact HR via the UK Recruitment email address, on our recruitment page in our Women for Women International UK website.

1st Interview will be on Friday 18th July and Monday 21st July 2025 and will be on line. 

2nd Interview  will be on Thursday 24th July 2025 and will be in person at our Head office London.

These dates cannot be changed so if applying please hold them in your diary.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead our Alumni Engagement team who provide support to an alumni base of almost 40,000 contactable alumni of the Sutton Trust programmes. These are generally young people from lower socio-economic backgrounds who move into highly competitive universities, courses and careers. The alumni community has grown rapidly over the past 3 years and now expects around 6-7000 new alumni to join each September. Engagement covers supporting their transition to university and into the workplace through communications, events and programmes. It also spans alumni volunteering, our Alumni Leadership Board, and working with our Development team towards alumni giving.

The role is dynamic and diverse, requiring you to be able to think strategically whilst devising and delivering on operational delivery plans, and we are looking for a confident and experienced team leader during a period of maternity leave.

This role is part of the Programmes Leadership Team and will work closely with the Director of Programmes, Head of Employability Programmes and Head of University Access & Digital on shaping the strategic direction of the team and its programmatic work. The role will also connect closely to the work of the Development Team as we look to devise and implement a segmented alumni giving scheme, as well as the Communications and Policy team, and may evolve to take on new projects over time.

Main duties

• Strategic leadership to alumni engagement, including:
  • Embedding alumni relations and programming across the organisation, ensuring alumni are considered or involved in all areas of the Trust’s work
  • Managing budget and project timelines to ensure projects are delivered effectively
  • Working with the wider programmes team to ensure a smooth transition for Sutton Trust beneficiaries between programmes and the alumni community

• Alumni Engagement and Volunteering:
  • Refining and communicating the alumni strategy across the Trust and to donors and external stakeholders
  • Growing the Sutton Trust alumni network and developing a long-term strategy for alumni engagement, including communications and events, identifying key areas of focus and setting out benchmarks and KPIs
  • Overseeing a suite of volunteering opportunities for alumni to give back to, and represent the Trust in (for example on programmes, with our funder base, in our research and policy work, or to benefit the alumni community)
  • Managing the online alumni platform (STA) and its integration with other platforms .
  • Overseeing the recruitment to and engagement of the Alumni Leadership Board and new Changemaker/Ambassador programme to build on our advocacy work, and ensuring effective engagement with the work of the Trust and the wider alumni community
  • Ensuring that the above complements a long-term plan which would enable alumni to fundraise for the Trust or make donations in support of the Trust

• Programme management and Alumni Support:
  • Support delivery of access to the workplace and employability programming for alumni alongside the Head of Employability Programmes
  • Overseeing the delivery of bursary support programmes (including the Opportunity Bursary funded by JP Morgan) by the Alumni Programmes Manager from recruitment to evaluation and reporting
  • Overseeing the delivery of a series of employer-led events (working with employer-facing colleagues across the Trust) across a range of industry sectors that support student access to workplace opportunities, and the chance to build employability skills (such as networking / interview skills etc)
  • Overseeing the development of content and activities to support young alumni transitioning to HE
  • Overseeing the evaluation and scoping for potential growth for alumni-alumni mentoring with the Alumni Connect programme (piloted in Spring 2025)
  • Ensuring appropriate systems and processes are in place to manage programmes and events for alumni

• Alumni Giving and Relationship Management
  • Working closely with the Development team to provide support for key funding partnerships including those that directly fund/ work with the Alumni team.
  • Working with the Director of Development/ Head of Philanthropy to input into a new strategy to build funding from our alumni
  • Working with the Development team to implement an ongoing segmented fundraising communications plan to build awareness of our need for funding and directing alumni to appropriate giving schemes depending on their life/career stage
  • Identifying potential mid to high level alumni donors and working with the Development team to cultivate
  • Representing the Trust and facilitating introductions via senior alumni for new and potential employer or delivery partners

• Team Management:
  • Leading the alumni team to ensure effective engagement of our alumni community, including line management responsibility, team meetings, pastoral support and appraisals
  • Line managing, motivating and proactively supporting the Alumni Programmes Manager and Senior Alumni Officer in their professional development
  • Working with Director of Programmes and Heads of Programmes on team management, culture and long term planning
  • Working across the organisation on cross-team projects, such as with the employer working group, youth voice, Changemaker pilot, alumni giving, and STO/STA platforms strategy.
  • Member of extended-SLT

• Other duties as necessary from time to time

Person Specification

We welcome applications from individuals who have experience in:

• Professional experience of alumni relations, or managing other similar membership communities, ideally within the education or charity sector.
• Has experience working within or an understanding of the not for profit sector and/or the education sectors;
• Experience of developing strategies, frameworks and operational plans to support alumni relations, programmes and events for young people, or equivalent
• Strong understanding of databases, data processes and experience using a CRM (ideally Salesforce)
• Experience in project management, monitoring and evaluation, managing budgets, financial control and administration
• Building relationships with significant, diverse stakeholder groups
• Experience of managing volunteers and volunteer stewardship
• Excellent verbal and written communication and strong analytical skills
• First-class interpersonal skills - a natural ambassador able to represent the Sutton Trust in a range of settings
• Working collaboratively across teams and within a small team
• Line management and leadership of a small team
• Adapting to new opportunities and trialling new initiatives
• Personable, flexible and discreet; able to fit in to a small team

We are also looking for an individual who:

• Has experience of building philanthropic support through alumni
• Is sympathetic to the aims of the Trust and its mission to address educational disadvantage;
• Has excellent attention to detail;
• Is eligible to work in the UK (see here for information about right to work)

Terms of Appointment

• • Contract: 13-month Fixed-term Maternity cover contract starting November 2025. Our ideal dates are from 1 November 2025 – 30 November 2026, however we can be flexible if needed for the right candidate.
  • Salary: £60,000-£64,000 per annum
  • Working location: Minimum of 2 office days per week
  • Office location: The Sutton Trust, 9th Floor, Millbank Tower, 21-24 Millbank, London, SW1P 4QP. Our home working policy gives staff the option to work from home for up to 60% of the time, with approval from their line manager.
  • Hours: The standard working hours are 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday and may also be required to attend events / meetings outside of their normal working hours during weekday evenings and occasionally at weekends
  • DBS check will be required

Interviews

Applications should reach us by midnight, Sunday 20th July, with first round interviews held over Zoom on Tuesday, 29th July, and second round interviews held at our London offices on Tuesday, 5th August.

Safeguarding statement

The Sutton Trust believes that a child, young person or vulnerable adult should never experience abuse of any kind. We all have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people and to keep them safe. Therefore all posts undergo a safer recruitment process, including but not limited to, disclosure of criminal records where necessary and eligibility to work in the UK. We have procedures in place to promote safeguarding and a safe culture at the Trust.

Contextual recruitment

The Trust is committed to ensuring equality of opportunity and that all applicants receive equal consideration for employment. We strongly encourage individuals from all backgrounds, including those underrepresented at present at the Trust, to apply for this role. As such we particularly welcome applications from people with disabilities, Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQ+ and from different socio-economic and educational backgrounds. We are committed to being an inclusive and welcoming place to work and know that greater diversity will lead to even greater results for the young people we support.

We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments for disabled candidates throughout our recruitment process and during employment.

We also operate contextual recruitment at the Sutton Trust. Our application process gives you the option to include information about your background, such as whether you were eligible for free school meals, whether your parents went to university, or whether you attended a state school. For more examples and information on contextual recruitment, please see our website.

Your new company
A large, international not-for-profit organisation.
Your new role
Reporting to the CFO, you will take responsibility for overseeing the accuracy, integrity and compliance of the financial accounting function. Managing a team of seven, with three direct reports, you will look after the smooth running of the monthly financial close and the preparation of the statutory accounts for the Group. With the financial year-end pending, this will include project-managing the audit, from agreeing the timetable to successful approval of the group financial accounts, ensuring compliance with best practice and all relevant financial policies and regulations. The anticipated duration is 12 months. Hybrid working: 1-2 days per week in the office. To start ASAP.
What you'll need to succeed
You will be a qualified Accountant with strong, recent experience of managing a sizeable financial accounting function within the charity sector. You will have highly developed management skills and be highly proficient in technical accounting/charity SORP.
What you need to do now
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.
If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.

Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found at hays.co.uk

Are you looking for a fulfilling & rewarding career?

Vibrance has an exciting opportunity for a Management Accountant to join our team. You will join us on a full-time contract and in return, you will receive a competitive salary of £45,000- £50,000 pa, plus benefits. The role is based at our head office in Bethnal Green with the option of Hybrid working after a 6-month probationary period.

Vibrance is a registered charity supporting adults with additional needs in London and Essex. 

We encourage a working environment that at its core is inclusive, pioneering, and has the highest levels of integrity.

As an employer we are proud to have earned both the Investors in People Silver accreditation and ranked in the Sunday Times ‘Best Companies to work for’ list.

About our Management Accountant role:

The Management Accountant will be pivotal in providing accurate and timely financial information and analysis to support decision-making across our care projects. The successful candidate will work closely with senior management to ensure the company’s financial performance is closely monitored and aligned with organisational goals.

You will be responsible for managing time sensitive processes, budgeting, forecasting and providing insights into financial performance. We welcome candidates with a knowledge of the use of AI and other emerging technologies.

You will monitor operational costs and identify areas for cost reduction, ensuring financial controls are in place, proactively providing improvements to procedures and applying sound judgement based on knowledge and experience.

You will build strong and positive relationships with budget holders, senior managers and Heads of Departments, providing the necessary assistance and professional advice to assist them with the financial aspects of their duties. There is an expectation for you to lead on the creation of monthly management packs.

This role offers the opportunity to contribute to an organisation that positively affects people’s lives.

What we’re looking for in our ideal Management Accountant:

• Qualified accountant (CIMA, ACCA or ACA)
• Highly skilled with Excel and finance packages including Sage 200
• Supportive and willing to learn and develop with a proactive and solutions focused approach
• Detail-oriented with a high level of accuracy.

• Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to oversee multiple priorities and meet deadlines.

• Proactive, with a continuous improvement mindset.

• Strong understanding of financial controls, budgeting, and forecasting in a multi-site environment.

• Proven experience as a Management Accountant or in a similar financial role, ideally within the healthcare, social care, or similarly regulated sector.

In return for your skills, knowledge, and experience, you’ll enjoy:

• A comprehensive training programme
• Generous holiday entitlement
• Pension scheme
• Rewards and recognition for your service
• Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Pay
• Flexible Working Options (Subject to service requirements)
• Learning & Development
• Mindful Employer
• Positive about Disability
• DBS online applications paid by Vibrance
• Long Service Awards

Vibrance welcomes applications from all sections of the community including from people with disabilities. As users of the Disability Confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who satisfy the essential criteria for a job vacancy and consider them on their abilities.

About Kinship

We are Kinship. The leading kinship care charity in England and Wales. We’re here for kinship carers – friends or family who step up to raise a child when their parents aren’t able to. 

Together, let’s commit to change for kinship families.

About the role

We are seeking a technically capable, qualified accountant with strong knowledge of the Charities SORP to provide effective stewardship and oversight of the Finance function at Kinship. You will be responsible for financial controls, management accounting and ensuring the effective delivery of ‘business as usual’ financial management.

As well as producing monthly management accounts, you will be responsible for running the annual budget and the year-end processes, preparing for the yearly external audit and ensuring that the organisation complies with statutory obligations.

You will prepare papers for and attend the quarterly Finance Committee meetings and will liaise with a range of stakeholders including auditors, the bank and investment managers.  You will be the ‘go to’ business partner at the charity, supported by the Chief Operating Officer and Fractional Chief Financial Officer.

You will manage a team of two colleagues – a Senior Finance Officer and a Payroll Manager – providing them with guidance, coaching and support to enable them to perform effectively. You will also collaborate and work with Directors and senior managers across the organisation to inform them on performance against budget and conditions of funding, as well as supporting fundraising and commissioning bids. 

You will have excellent communication skills and will be able to organise conflicting priorities around the monthly management accounts cycle, while supporting the achievement of our strategic objectives. You will be flexible and adaptable in your approach to supporting transformational change in our processes and systems, as well as dealing with, and leading on, the day-to-day financial management. 

This is a broad and challenging role for a dynamic and systems-driven individual who wants to grow within the organisation, proactively problem solve and help colleagues to deliver on our mission.

Essential requirements include:

• Fully qualified ICAEW, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent
• In-depth understanding of accounting principles, standards and the Charities SORP, and experience of applying these in a service delivery organisation
• Experience managing a Finance function in a charity with £1-10m annual turnover
• Experience of line management and developing a team using approaches that are empowering
• Experience of Business Central, or the ability to quickly learn a new accounting system
• Excellent Microsoft Excel skills with the ability to use Pivot Tables and other functions to analyse large data sets

What we’ll offer you 

Kinship offers 30 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time) as well as a generous pension scheme. We have an excellent wellbeing offer including the Employee Assistance Programme and clinical supervision. We will invest in your professional development with training and career development opportunities.

Kinship is committed to championing equality, diversity and inclusion.  We believe our work is greatly enhanced by the varied backgrounds, experiences and views represented within our teams.  We aim to create inclusive teams, celebrate differences and encourage everyone to join us and be their true self at work. We therefore encourage applications from anyone who fits our values, whatever their religion or belief, sex, gender identity, race, age, sexuality or disability and are actively seeking candidates that can bring real innovation and commitment to us. 

This is a fantastic time to join a supportive and well-established team within an organisation with rapid growth ambitions. This role will be what you make it and we’re looking for someone to seize this opportunity!

How to apply

Please apply via Charity Job with your CV and a cover letter of no more than 2 pages for the attention of Joshua Marks. Please include your notice period and earliest availability to start in your cover letter.

• Application deadline:      8.00am on Monday 7 July 2025
• First interview:                 Online - Wednesday 9 and Thursday 10 July
• Second interview:          In-person (Vauxhall, London) - Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 July [2 hours                                                     including Excel and presentation task]

Kinship reserves the right to close applications early on receipt of sufficient applications. Apply early!

Background:

Consumers International is the only global membership organisation bringing together over 200 member organisations in more than 100 countries to empower and champion the rights of consumers.

We work with our members and partners, across national borders to address critical, systemic global issues that impact and involve consumers. Representing and empowering consumers, we are their voice in international policy-making forums and the global marketplace to shape a world where everyone has access to safe and sustainable products and services.

Working for Consumers International provides the opportunity to build solutions and partnerships to address the foremost marketplace issues and opportunities at global scale.

Purpose of the role:

The purpose of the role is focused on generating and developing monthly management accounts information and providing insight and direction to the Director General and Leadership Team. Reporting directly to the ‘Head of Finance and Organisation Development’, the Management Accountant will play a key role across the business in improving data capture and managing reporting across the team. This role will be on a part time basis of 2 days a week.

This role will suit someone who is looking to join a small, dynamic and growing organisation to run the management reporting process and provide timely and accurate financial management information. Systems experience with ‘Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central’ accounting package would be an added advantage.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

· Preparing monthly management accounts, including comparatives to budgets, trends and forecasts

· Compiling Balance sheet reconciliations

· Preparing quarterly Project ‘Income and Expenditure’ reports for Project Managers

· Preparing interim/final financial Project reports for submission to Funders

· Preparing quarterly VAT returns

· Providing accurate and timely financial information to support the organisational financial strategy and decision-making process

· Ensuring all transactions are recorded, filed and reported correctly

· Streamlining and improving accounting systems, controls and process environment

· Reviewing and updating current suite of organisational policies

· Preparing annual budget

· Preparing supporting schedules for Annual audit and working with external Accountants to assist in the preparation of annual financial statements

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.

About the Minster Centre

The Minster Centre is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee that provides training in psychotherapy and counselling and an affordable therapy service.

It was founded in 1978 as the first Integrative psychotherapy and counselling training in the UK and is a leading psychotherapy training institution. Now based in Queens Park, NW London, it runs training ranging from open access introductory courses to post-graduate degrees validated by Middlesex University. The Minster Centre caters for around 300 diploma and MA students each year. It is registered with the Office for Students.

The Minster Centre Psychotherapy & Counselling Service (MCPCS) also provides a safe, affordable and professional counselling service to people over the age of 18 who are experiencing a range of difficulties. The service is provided by senior trainees who are in the process of completing their therapy training.

The Centre has an annual turnover of £1.8 million and over 80 staff, most of whom are part-time. For further information about the Centre please visit the Minster Centre website

Role purpose

The Minster Centre is seeking to develop and further professionalise its operations and is recruiting to a new Head of Finance role. This is a part-time, flexible role for two days per week in the first instance. Some time in the office will be needed to work alongside other staff and key stakeholders – this can be managed flexibly alongside working from home. The role would therefore suit someone who wants to balance an interesting and senior role alongside other responsibilities or interests.

The Head of Finance will oversee the financial operations of the charity, owning and ensuring compliance to financial policies and procedures. You will provide strategic financial guidance to the Management Committee and contribute to the delivery of the charity’s financial strategies.

Early priorities will be:

• A review of existing financial policies and procedures to support the ongoing effective running of the charity.
• Working with the Lead team to ensure the charity’s finances are sustainable long-term

A full job description and person specification is available in the Recruitment Pack at the bottom of this page.

Terms and conditions

Salary: Pro rata, £55,000 FTE

Hours: 14 hours per week in the first instance, hybrid working. Exact hours open to negotiation. Some flexibility will be required to attend key meetings.

Contract: Fixed term appointment to end July 2028, in the first instance.

Holidays: 33 days including bank holidays, pro rata

Key working relationships: Management Committee (4 staff who collectively lead the organisation). This post will report to that Team and be line managed by one of them), Finance Administrator, HR and Governance Manager, Quality Manager and Registrar.

How to apply

Please apply using the application forms with a covering email to Afua Pierre by 12 noon on Thursday 17th July, however we reserve the right to close the recruitment process once we have received sufficient high quality applications.

For further information please contact the Director, Lissie Wright by email to arrange an informal conversation.

We particularly welcome applications from people from underrepresented groups, including people from global majority communities, the LGBTQIA+ community, care leavers, people with disabilities and people from other minorities.

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.

Location: You can be based near one of the following office locations - Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow, Liverpool, London, or Newcastle.

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.

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 very 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. 

Ideal start date: ASAP, as agreed with candidate 

We’ll also need:

•  Proof of your right to work in the UK - regretfully we’re currently unable to offer sponsorships at this time.
• References
• To conduct relevant DBS or PVGs checks for Safeguarding purposes if you are offered the role in line with our Safer Recruitment practices.

The Opportunity

The Finance and Operations Officer’s purpose is to work within the Operations Team to provide essential financial and operational support for the whole charity.  
 

Key responsibilities for finance range from providing advice and support for the whole staff team, important day to day and monthly financial processing for key stakeholders and assisting with the budgeting and forecasting process. 

1. Finance

• Support the Finance and Operations Manager (FM) to prepare and deliver accurate and regular management information including monthly management accounts, budgets and forecasts, one-off finance reports, reporting for funders including grants and trusts, including end of project reporting. 
• Monitor the day-to-day financial management and cash flow of the Social Mobility Foundation (SMF) working closely with the FM, Head of Finance & Operations (HFO), Operations and Fundraising teams. 
• Prepare payment runs for invoices and expenses, update weekly payments received reports and work closely with the Fundraising team to ensure expected income has been received. 
• Support the FM, alongside our appointed accountants, to prepare audited Year End Accounts, and work to ensure the Accounts are completed, approved, and filed on time. 
• Support the FM to manage and improve our financial systems and procedures, streamlining internal processes to ensure they are effective and safeguard the finances of the organisation.  
• Support the FM to devise and implement effective and efficient procedures, including the introduction of a purchase order system. From time to time, you may be requested to support the FM to maintain the payroll function of the organisation. 

 
2. Operations and Administration 

• Support the organisation, in ensuring that all staff and volunteers are aware of and trained in the relevant Data Protection policy and procedures and ensure that data protection laws are being adhered to in relation to the storage of data. Run the data deletion process where such requests are received in compliance with GDPR legislation. 
• Support the HFO and FM in overseeing operational matters such as SMF office administration, maintaining the asset register, insurance renewals, and Health & Safety compliance; act as point of contact for suppliers and service providers, including property managers, utility companies, couriers and cleaners; maintaining contracts and leases with office providers; purchasing office supplies & equipment and ensuring adequate stock levels are kept. 
• Support the wider organisation through appropriate administrative tasks, for example the programme delivery team to ensure a good experience for students, particularly during the residential programmes 
• Support the HR team with processes such as ordering laptops for new staff and communicating, updating and maintaining office policies contained in the Office handbook  
• Undertake research activities to support Operations Team projects, for example potential new suppliers, benchmarking exercises and contract renewals 

3. Strategic Responsibilities 

• Support with training staff on finance processes, fraud awareness, data protection, and other areas of operations.  
• Being a point of contact for all staff on finance and operations including office administration 
• Ensure appropriate adherence to our financial and operational policies and procedures supporting the organisation to enact the highest standards, balancing that whilst processes are appropriately followed, they are not followed to the point where they compromise the standards or outcomes desired. 

Need to know

• IT skills:  Experience of using Microsoft Office, particularly Excel functions. Experience of using or awareness of any accounting and/or CRM (Salesforce) software.
• Accounting knowledge: Some understanding of basic bookkeeping would be preferable, including the importance of accurate and timely information for the running of the charity and an ability to maintain confidentiality. 

Please see the full job description attached for a more detailed person specification. 

Benefits

Annual leave
33/34 days (England & Wales and Scotland respectively - includes bank and public holidays).

Other benefits
Cycle to Work Scheme; Employer pension contributions of 5% of qualifying earnings; 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

Interested candidates should apply by submitting the following information to our application portal Pinpoint by 23:59PM, Sunday 13th July.
 

1.  Why would you like to work at the Social Mobility Foundation? (max. 500 words)
2.  What makes you a suitable candidate for the role? (max. 500 words)

Please note that generic applications and CV’s will not be considered. 
 

Interviews: First round interviews will take place between 14th July and 18th July with multiple slots available at different times throughout the working day.

Interim Head of Finance (3–4 months)
Location: Central London
Salary: c. £65,000–£79,000 (pro rata) Day rates apply
Start: ASAP

An excellent opportunity has arisen for an experienced Interim Head of Finance to join a group of leading independent schools in central London for a 3–4 month assignment.

This short-term post will support a newly integrated shared finance function, providing leadership and stability at a critical time of change. The schools involved have strong academic reputations, rich histories, and are committed to delivering excellent education to a diverse student body.

The Role

• Lead a cross-site finance team to deliver efficient, effective finance services

• Provide clear, robust financial planning, reporting, and analysis to senior leaders and governing boards

• Partner with external finance teams on operational and strategic finance matters

• Support budget setting, monitoring, and cost improvement initiatives

• Champion service excellence for internal and external customers

• Foster collaboration and professional development within the finance team

​About You

We’re seeking a qualified accountant (CCAB/CIMA) who is immediately available and can demonstrate:

• Significant senior-level experience in financial and management accounting

• Strategic financial leadership, ideally within education, charity, public sector, or similarly complex settings

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills

• A track record of improving processes and delivering service excellence

• Experience leading teams through change and embedding collaborative cultures

✨ Why Join?

• Shape and strengthen a shared finance function at a pivotal moment

• Work with engaged leadership teams committed to improvement

• Enjoy a professional, collaborative culture in central London

• Make a meaningful impact during a time of transition and challenge for the sector

This is an interim post for 3–4 months, perfect for an experienced finance leader seeking a rewarding short-term role in a high-profile environment.

How to Apply
If you’re ready to bring your expertise to this important interim assignment, please send your CV as soon as possible.

For a confidential discussion about the role, get in touch with Rosemary Pini at Allen Lane

We are a small but mighty team, with huge ambitions to transform more lives of those who live with an intellectual disability, through the power of sport.

If you are just looking for a job, then we are probably not for you. However, if you are an experienced finance and business operations professional able to demonstrate strategic and operational ability around financial planning and processes as well as delivering cost effective, efficient and fit-for-purpose business services, then we would like to hear from you.  Charity finance experience and experience in a similarly broad role covering other areas of business operations including IT, risk management, data protection & data management and health & safety is a must.

We continue to be focused on our vision to create an inclusive world for all, driven by the power of sport, through which people with intellectual disabilities live active, healthy and fulfilling lives. We are a small, but growing, team with huge ambitions, and applicants must be comfortable operating in an environment where working under your own initiative is expected and encouraged.

We are looking for people who are passionate about Special Olympics and are completely aligned with our values. We are authentic. We act with honesty, integrity and respect. We are creative and innovative. We love to embrace difference and doing things differently. We are brave, courageous, resilient and determined. We listen and are led by the voice of our athletes. We are always kind. We are Inclusion in Action.

We are continuing to build a high-performing team who care for each other and care about our cause. Our athletes are incredibly inspirational, courageous and insightful people, and they deserve a team who are equally committed and passionate about our mission.

This is a permanent, home-based role. There will be the requirement to attend internal and external meetings or events which will involve travel away from home and working outside of normal hours.     

The role is both strategic and operational in nature and represents a fantastic chance to join an amazing charity at an exciting time of growth.

For job role specifics please see the Job Description.

What We Can Offer 

· Competitive salary circa £33,000 (£55K FTE) per annum depending on experience. 

· 15 days holiday on appointment plus pro rata bank holidays and one extra day for your Birthday. 

· Stakeholder Pension Scheme from appointment. 

· Time off in Lieu (TOIL) for out of hours work. 

· Flexible working. 

· Health Cash Plan

How to Apply

To apply, please send a covering letter (maximum 2 pages) explaining why you wish to work for Special Olympics GB. It is important that all prospective employees understand our mission and are driven by our cause. Please be specific about how your skills and experience will help you undertake this role and how they match the requirements of the Job Description and Person Specification. Generic letters and agency approaches will not be considered. Please also include your CV.

First stage interviews will be held week commencing 28th July 2025.

Safer Recruitment 

Special Olympics Great Britain is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The suitability of all prospective employees or volunteers will be assessed during the recruitment process. The successful candidate will be required to complete regular safeguarding training and undertake a DBS/PVG check relevant to the requirements of the role. For this role that will involve a Basic Disclosure. 

Equal Opportunities

Special Olympics GB is committed to equality and diversity and encourages all sections of the community, particularly those living with a disability, who meet the job requirements to apply.

Other

The job holder will need to provide evidence of their ability to live and work in the UK and will be required to undertake a basic DBS check.

We will only contact those who have been selected for interview.

We request no contact from agencies.

Management Accountant 
Salary: circa £55,000
Permanent, Hybrid working 
Hybrid working 2 days a week in Central London office

Join one of the UK’s most iconic cultural institutions as a Management Accountant. This world-renowned arts organisation is at the forefront of the creative and cultural sector championing artistic innovation, collaborating with global talent, and delivering boundary-pushing public programmes.
Reporting to the Head of FP&A, you’ll play a pivotal role in delivering high-quality management information, budgeting support, and performance analysis that enables senior leaders to make confident, informed decisions.
This is a fantastic opportunity for an astute finance professional to step into a high-impact role, contributing directly to the financial health and sustainability of a globally respected creative organisation.

Key responsibilities:

• Support the production of monthly management accounts with insightful variance analysis and commentary
• Assist in delivering timely and accurate budgets and reforecasts across a diverse range of departments
• Develop and maintain financial models to support planning and decision-making
• Partner with key budget holders, offering financial insight and challenge to support effective performance management
• Contribute to the evolution of dashboard reporting and the integration of non-financial KPIs
• Play a hands-on role in enhancing reporting processes, controls, and reconciliation of restricted and project-based funds
• Provide ad hoc analysis to support senior stakeholders and strategic initiatives

About you:

• You’re a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)
• You’ve got solid experience in management accounting and budgeting, ideally in a complex or project-based environment
• You’re analytically strong, systems-savvy, and confident building models and drawing meaningful insight from financial data
• You enjoy business partnering, communicating financial concepts clearly and building trusted relationships across teams
• You’re proactive, adaptable, and driven by purpose you want your work to have a meaningful impact

We welcome applications from all sectors—including industry, charity, and practice. What matters most is your ability to bring financial insight and business acumen.