Operations Assistant

Overview

Figurative is an independent charity dedicated to impact, investment and innovation in the cultural and creative sector. We bring together deep expertise through Arts & Culture Finance (formerly part of Nesta) and New Philanthropy for Arts & Culture to unlock new and innovative ways of funding and supporting the UK’s arts ecosystem.

Figurative manages three investment portfolios that have supported over 60 organisations and raised more than £30 million in investment capital over the last decade.

We believe arts and culture have the power to transform lives and communities. Our mission is to ensure cultural and creative organisations can thrive, test bold ideas, and build sustainable futures.

 

The Role  

The Operations Assistant is a new role at Figurative, supporting the Operations Manager and the wider team to ensure processes are as streamlined and efficient as possible and evolve with the growth of the organisation. The Operations Assistant will have the opportunity to work across a variety of areas, from finance and data analysis to event support and CRM database development.

 

Key Responsibilities

The demands of this role will be both operations specific and general to Figurative. You will play an important role in supporting the operations and finance functions within Figurative. In particular, this includes:

●        Responsibility for accounts receivable and accounts payable management, across both Figurative and its impact investment funds

●        Supplier communications and management, including maintenance of up-to-date records and contracts

●        Maintaining up-to-date records of credit card expenses and receipts

●        Updating cash reconciliations and payment trackers and providing updates and accurate corresponding figures to the Investment Team and Operations Manager

●        Maintaining Figurative’s shared drive, ensuring all documents are filed in a timely and well-organised manner

●        Providing administrative support in the monitoring of organisation and fund reporting requirements

●        Working closely with Figurative’s Operations Manager to ensure new company-wide initiatives are established and maintained with strong and compliant operational and financial processes

●        Maintaining the CRM system and ensuring records are accurate and updated on a regular basis

 

The general Figurative duties will include:

●        Diary management and co-ordination for wider team meetings and events

●        Minute taking, including during fund investment committees

●        Inbox management and dealing with all incoming general enquiries

●        Management of company-wide document signing processes

●        Collaborating on the development of internal processes to ensure the efficient and effective management of data

●        Contributing to the development of a company-wide intranet, drawing on processes and guidelines in place across each department

●        Supporting the wider Figurative team on matters relating to technical/ IT queries, logistical queries, incoming and outgoing post and other day-to-day matters arising

 

The Person

The role requires a self-starting and curious individual, with the initiative and enthusiasm to seamlessly support Figurative’s work across the cultural and creative sector. Specifically, with the following:

Experience

●        Practical experience in diary management, minute writing, inbox management and prioritising tasks across multiple workstreams

●        Exposure to data entry, cleansing and analysis

●        Experience developing or supporting the development of new internal systems, processes and guidelines

●        Desirable: experience supporting the finance function of an organisation

●        Desirable: experience of working with arts & cultural sector organisations

●        Desirable: experience of social impact investing, in any capacity

●        Desirable: experience, and enjoyment, of working in a dynamic and varied role/ organisation

 

Knowledge

●        An understanding of the operational and financial processes involved in supporting an organisation of Figurative’s size and nature

●        Familiarity with a range of IT platforms, including Google Workspace

●        Desirable: a basic understanding of the underlying structure of databases and how these feed into analytical tools

●        Desirable: a basic understanding of bookkeeping and finance

●        Desirable: an understanding of the social impact investment and/or arts and culture sector

 

Skills

●        Internal and external stakeholder co-ordination skills, including diary management, scheduling meetings, document management and action logging

●        Strong database management and software skills

●        Strong literacy and numeracy skills, including minute writing

●        Demonstrable attention to detail across a range of tasks and skillsets

●        Ability to self-motivate, prioritise tasks across multiple projects or workstreams, and deliver work to tight deadlines

●        Strong written communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders

●        Desirable: ability to resolve minor internal IT issues

 

Attitude

●        Flexible and adaptive problem-solver, understanding when initiative is required and when help should be sought

●        Collaborative team-player, willing to help internal and external colleagues to achieve their goals

●        Curious and open minded critical-thinker, comfortable in providing constructive challenge

●        Well organised and conscientious, able to deliver work in a timely and thoughtful manner

 

What We Offer

●      Salary: £30,000 FTE depending on experience

●      Location: Hybrid working arrangement based at Somerset House in central London, with flexibility and some travel within the UK.    

●      Hours: 3 days/week (0.6 FTE)

●      Reports to: Operations Manager

 

Benefits

The opportunity to develop your skills at the intersection of creativity, social change and investment and: 

●      25 days annual leave + bank holidays + ability to buy additional holiday (pro rata for part time employees)      

●     Pension (Employer Contribution 8% +  a further 4% where the employee contributes 4%) + Life Assurance 

●     Post probation - Private health and dental insurance  

     

Making an Application

To apply for this role, please submit your application below before midnight Sunday 22nd February 2026. Please include a one-page cover letter covering the following questions (max 200 words for each):

●        Why do you want to join Figurative, and what aspects of this role are you most drawn to?

●        Describe a time when you were assigned a task or project but didn't immediately know how to do it. What steps did you take to learn what you needed and complete the task?

●        What project, event, or task in a previous role made you feel the most motivated or excited to go to work?

 

First interviews will be held virtually on Thursday 5th March 2026.

Second interviews will be held in person in our London offices  on Thursday 12th March 2026.

 

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and particularly encourage those who are underrepresented in the investment sector to apply.

 

Please note that we actively screen for AI-generated applications. We are looking for authentic, personal responses that reflect your own experiences and motivations.

 

I look forward to hearing from you! 

 

Ellen  Hunter

Operations Manager