The Association for Cultural Enterprises (AfCE) supports over 500 member organisations across the UK and internationally, helping the cultural sector generate earned income through commercial activity. As an Arts Council England-funded organisation, AfCE delivers sector-leading training, benchmarking, data-led insights, events, and advocacy to drive financial resilience in arts, heritage, and culture.
AfCE runs a year-round programme of live training events around the UK and Europe, as well as its signature annual Cultural Enterprises Conference and Trade Show. We have ambitions to grow attendance at these events, as well as growing our membership.
The Association is a charitable organisation, which also has a trading company, Cultural Enterprises (Trading) Limited (CET).
We are looking for a new Finance Manager to join a small, friendly, and ambitious team, to review the day-to-day processes and policies and identify opportunities to improve reporting and make operational efficiencies. The Association is growing, so now is an exciting time to join our team and work with our members across the cultural sector.
Job Summary
The purpose of this role is to provide sound financial management for the Association and CET through:
-
Statutory financial reporting in line with Charity SORP/UK GAAP, including annual returns to Companies House and the Charity Commission
-
Management accounting, reporting and analysis to funders, management, staff, and Trustees/Directors
-
Preparation and maintenance of budgets, forecasts and plans, including cashflows and project budgets
-
Supervision and control of day-to-day accounting transactions, including oversight of the finance aspects of the Apprentice role
-
Oversight and implementation of robust financial systems, policies, and procedures
-
Responsible for financial queries, working with the Apprentice as first point of contact for external contacts
Main Duties
-
Supervise day-to-day accounting operations and ensure accurate financial record keeping, including coding, allocations, reconciliations, and tax accounting
-
Oversee invoice generation and debt recovery processes
-
Process payments and staff expenses for authorisation
-
Produce regular management accounts on an accruals basis, providing interpretation and advice to the Executive Team, Finance & Risk Committee, Trustees/Directors, and funders
-
Lead on budget preparation and forecasting, including project-specific budgets; monitor and reforecast as needed
-
Prepare statutory accounts in compliance with charity SORP and liaise with external auditors and the Treasurer
-
Manage contracts with financial services providers, including bookkeepers, auditors, banks, and investment managers
-
Attend AfCE and CET Board meetings
-
Fulfil company secretarial duties, including:
-
Filing confirmation statements and annual accounts for ACE and CET with Companies House and Charity Commission
-
Filing changes in Trustees/Directors
-
-
Complete Arts Council England (ACE) returns, including provision of financial information for quarterly payment processes when required
-
Negotiate and implement insurance policies including:
-
General insurance
-
Cyber security
-
Life assurance
-
Staff sickness policy
-
Trustees’ liability
-
Conference insurance
-
-
Oversee monthly payroll, including statutory payments to HMRC and pension providers, and liaise with bookkeepers for payroll updates or changes
-
Review VAT returns for accuracy before submission to HMRC
Note on External Bookkeepers
External bookkeepers currently provide support limited to payroll and VAT processing.
Person Specification
Personal Qualities
-
Self-disciplined, organised, proactive and self-motivating
-
Logical and methodical approach to finance and administration
-
Trustworthy, honest, reliable and conscientious
-
Confident, professional, and personable, able to communicate easily within a small team and with external stakeholders
Professional Competencies
Essential
-
Professional accounting qualification such as ACA, ACCA, or CIMA
-
Strong knowledge of charity SORP and charity finance regulations, including VAT and Gift Aid
-
Experience with Xero or equivalent cloud-based accounting systems
-
Strong reporting skills
-
Team player with excellent interpersonal skills
-
High level of accuracy and attention to detail
-
Experience producing management accounts and supporting senior leadership and boards
-
Ability to interpret financial data for non-financial colleagues
Desirable
-
Experience working in a small charity or business
-
Understanding of the cultural or charitable sector
-
Experience of remote working
Benefits
-
Unlimited holiday policy
-
5% employer pension contribution
-
Life insurance
-
Flexible working arrangements by agreement with the CEO
We are an inclusive, equal opportunity employer and value diversity. All employment is decided on the basis of experience, merit and organisational need.
Please note that interviews for this role will take place online on Thursday 31st July.
Registered Charity 
6 - 10
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
The National Youth Agency is looking for a new Local Quality Manager to join our Youth Work Innovation & Development Team.
Contract: 12 months fixed term
Hours: Full-time - 37 hours per week
Salary: £44,473 per annum
Remote: This role is homebased (within the UK) with occasional travel for staff residentials and other events.
What we do
As the national body for youth work, the NYA has a dual function. We are the professional statutory and regulatory body (PSRB) responsible for qualifications, quality standards, and safeguarding for youth work and services in England. In line with our charity mission and aims, we also champion youth work through research, advocacy, campaigns, and programmes.
We work in partnership and believe in collaborative leadership, listening to youth workers and the youth work sector so that we can understand their needs and respond to the challenges they face. We are ambitious for youth work and for young people and integrate youth voice and influence across our work
About the Role
Responsibilities will include:
- Lead delivery of key Local Offer programmes, such as our successful Peer Review and Peer Network Programme, which are designed to support Local Authorities and organisations in meeting the needs of young people and in the case of Local Authorities meet their Statutory Duty (section 507B).
- Manage the delivery of traded services relating to Quality Standards and Organisational Development.
- Manage and regularly update both existing and new online resources related to Quality Standards, ensuring consistency and standardisation across all materials.
- Collaborate with the National Curriculum and Learning Manager to influence the youth work curriculum and share learning and insight from programmes
- Work collaboratively with the Youth Investment Fund Programme Manager to inform and develop Quality Standards.
- Work with Local Policy & Partnerships Manager and the NYA Knowledge Team to develop sector insights and to share learning and knowledge across NYA teams and the youth work sector.
- Collaborate with Local Authorities and partner organisations to promote awareness and encourage participation in NYA programmes and Quality Standards.
- Utilise NYA tools, including Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Project Management systems, to generate timely and relevant performance and financial reports that support informed decision making and effective programme delivery. Experience of using project management platform (or similar) would be an advantage.
- Provide line-management and support to peers and officers as required.
Our ideal Local Quality Improvement Manager should have the following:
- Extensive experience working directly with young people across diverse settings, demonstrating a deep understanding of youth development and engagement.
- Demonstrated expertise managing youth work programmes and improving practice standards, including within Local Authority contexts.
- Proven experience in assessing youth work against established standards and implementing quality assurance processes for effective management, delivery, and evaluation.
- Comprehensive knowledge and experience in embedding best practices in youth voice, participation, and leadership within services and programmes.
- Strong understanding of the current challenges facing Local Authorities and youth sector organisations, and the implications for young people’s needs and service delivery.
- Ability to analyse complex organisational and Local Authority structures, reflect critically, and articulate clear recommendations for improvement and recognition of effective practice.
- Excellent organisational and leadership skills, with experience supporting and managing peers and officers in a collaborative environment.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to motivate teams and work effectively with partners and stakeholders.
- Proven experience in project management, with a proactive, self-starting approach and a strong focus on solutions and outcomes.
- Resilient, flexible, and ambitious, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, work under pressure, and maintain high standards.
- Willingness and ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends as required.
- High level of accuracy and attention to detail in all aspects of work.
- Confident in using modern Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems, project management tools, and online learning platforms. Experience of using project management platform (or similar) would be an advantage.
Please refer to our Candidate Pack for more information on the role and the requirements.
Why Work for NYA?
NYA operates as a people-first organisation, prioritising the well-being and needs of its employees.
NYA offers an exceptional flexible working approach which encourages our team to balance professional responsibilities with their personal life.
A remote based team, spread across England, fostering inclusivity and diverse talent. Despite geographical distances between team members, NYA maintains a highly motivated and connected team through the optimisation of digital tools.
NYA is committed to supporting the continual personal and professional development of our team and helping them achieve their ambitions.
We provide 25 days leave plus 8 days, life assurance scheme, 5% employer pension contribution and a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme via with unlimited specialist support available to all NYA employees.
How to Apply:
Please download our applicant pack to find out more about the role and requirements.
To apply, please submit the following via our online application platform by 11:59pm on Friday 18th July 2025:
A detailed CV setting out your career history, with responsibilities and achievements in line with the person specification in the About You section.
A covering letter (maximum two sides) highlighting your suitability for the role and how you meet the requirements in the About You section.
We will request data for our EEDI monitoring purposes, providing this is optional.
Please note: the covering letter is an essential part of the application process and will be assessed as part of your full application. We use AI detector software, so cover letters or CV’s with over 30% AI generated content with be disregarded. We understand that AI tools can offer support to candidates who have learning differences, which is why we will accept applications with some AI assistance. CV’s will not be accepted without a cover letter.
The National Youth Agency is an equal opportunities employer.
At NYA our inclusive culture means that we embrace individual differences and understand that we need a diverse team to achieve our organisations mission.
We wish to recruit candidates from all backgrounds to ensure our team reflects the rich diversity of the communities we serve. We encourage applications from anyone regardless of disability, ethnicity, heritage, gender, sexuality, religion, socio-economic background and political beliefs but we particularly welcome applications from global majority candidates and those from other minoritised ethnic groups in the UK as they are currently underrepresented in our team.
More about us
Discover more about the National Youth Agency and our work on our website.
Youth Work changes lives.
Which is why we’re committed to ensuring that as many young people as possible get to benefit from the national body for youth work in England, the National Youth Agency (NYA) exists to champion its transformative power. We believe all young people should have the opportunity to benefit from the life-changing impact of extraordinary youth workers and trained volunteers.
We help to grow youth work provision in ways that keep it effective, relevant, safe and engaging, to help millions of young people reach their potential and thrive. We do this by providing guidance, support, advice, training and staff development opportunities for youth workers and youth work organisations. At the heart of everything we do are young people themselves. We work hard to ensure their voices are integrated into all our work, to develop provision that truly meets their needs.
REF-222460
Thank you!
At Children’s University Trust, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to thrive through learning beyond the classroom. We’re a small, passionate team with bold ambitions to expand our impact – and we’re looking for an equally ambitious Business Development and Community Partnership Manager to lead the way.
This is more than just a development role. It's about building sustainable growth strategies, forging powerful partnerships, and shaping a future where opportunity is no longer defined by postcode or circumstance.
As our Business Development and Community Partnership Manager, you will take the lead in shaping and implementing visionary, data-driven growth strategies across three vital areas:
- Place-based memberships with schools, universities, councils’ departments, and third sector organisations.
- Individual “at home” subscriptions for children in areas without direct Children’s University provision or those who do not engage with traditional education.
- Strategic business partnerships with corporates and SMEs, securing vital funding and in-kind support.
You’ll be a key figure in our next phase of growth — identifying new opportunities, building meaningful relationships, and helping us scale our reach across the UK.
Key Responsibilities
- Drive new business activity and revenue growth across all three strategic areas.
- Build a strong, inclusive pipeline of potential members, partners, and funders.
- Manage and nurture relationships from first contact through to long-term collaboration.
- Use data and insight to shape decision-making and report progress to the board.
- Be a passionate ambassador for Children’s University at events, conferences, and online.
We’re Looking for Someone Who:
- Has a proven track record in income generation, partnerships or sales – all sector’s welcome!
- Is passionate about improving the lives of children and young people.
- Is a strategic thinker with the energy of a new business developer.
- Has the confidence to influence senior stakeholders and the empathy to build trust.
- Brings a creative, collaborative, and resilient mindset.
- Thrives in a fast-paced, flexible, remote-first environment.
Why Join Us?
- A unique chance to shape a growing national charity’s development strategy.
- A collaborative, driven team that values innovation and purpose.
- Flexible working, with one day a week in Manchester.
- An opportunity to truly change lives through education and opportunity.
If you’re excited by the chance to lead sustainable growth with purpose, and you want your work to matter, we want to hear from you.
Apply today and be part of a team creating a brighter future for children across the UK.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.