Finance Manager

About the Role

Iswe is a social impact foundation exploring how to put people at the heart of political and social decision-making to address some of society’s greatest challenges.

Behind powerful democratic innovations is a need for robust financial systems. We are looking for a proactive and detail-oriented Finance Manager to oversee financial operations, manage reporting, and help us build strong systems as we grow.

You’ll work closely with senior leadership, external accountants, and funders to ensure that financial planning supports programme delivery and strategic goals. This is a key role for someone excited by the opportunity to help shape an ambitious and values-led organisation.
 

Key Responsibilities

Financial Planning and Management

• Lead day-to-day financial operations and controls

• Develop and manage financial reporting systems

• Produce monthly management accounts and forecasts

• Support budgeting and reforecasting processes

• Prepare the annual financial report with external accountants

• Ensure compliance with audit and reporting standards
   

Grants and Income

• Provide accurate forecasts and financial information for fundraising bids

• Track income from funders and issue/manage invoices

• Ensure clear reporting on restricted and unrestricted funds
   

Payments and Payroll

• Process payments to contractors, suppliers, and partners

• Oversee payroll payments

• Reconcile accounts and maintain accurate financial records in QuickBooks
   

Internal Systems and Support

• Refine internal workflows to improve clarity and timeliness of financial information

• Maintain up-to-date financial documentation, receipts, and records

• Support supplier management, compliance tracking, and finance-related admin

• Communicate financial insights to support internal planning and delivery

• Act as point of contact for accountants, funders, and financial stakeholders
   

Essential Skills and Experience

• Minimum 5 years' experience managing finances in a charity or non-profit

• Strong understanding of financial systems, reporting, and controls

• Experience managing day-to-day accounting and overseeing restricted/unrestricted funding

• Familiarity with grants management and funder reporting

• Strong communication skills with the ability to advise senior leadership

• Ability to build and manage funder relationships

• High attention to detail and accuracy

• Proactive and self-motivated; able to work independently

• Strong IT skills and experience with financial software

• Alignment with Iswe’s mission, values, and commitment to transparency and equity

Desirable

• Professional qualification (e.g. ACCA, CIMA, ACA)

• Experience using QuickBooks

• Experience working in a start-up or scaling organisation

• Knowledge of deliberative democracy, such as citizens’ assemblies
   

Salary, Benefits & Working Conditions

• Salary: £40–45k per annum, depending on experience

• Hours: Full-time, but open to part-time (minimum 4 days/week)

• Location: Remote, with flexibility around UK-adjacent working hours

• Leave: 35 days holiday plus UK bank holidays (pro-rata if part-time); 14 days medical leave

• Pension: Statutory employer contributions (currently 3%)

• Other: 6-month probation period. The right candidate will have the opportunity to shape this role and grow into a leadership position as Iswe develops
   

About Iswe

We believe that many of the crises we face today - health, climate, the cost of living etc - are symptoms of failing governance structures, and that putting people in the driving seat of decision-making will transform our futures for the better. Our work focuses on Citizens’ Assemblies.

Our team has decades of experience in democratic innovation. Projects include Global Assembly for COP26 and The Future Armenian. Iswe is a fast-growing foundation, dedicated to empowering citizens to play a leading role in the decision-making that affects their lives. 

Our work is founded on strong values, including openness, transparency and humility. We believe that when ‘I’ (an individual) becomes ‘we’ (part of the collective), the results are transformational. We are actively working to build a healthy culture, rooted in care and characterised by being self-organising and self-reflective. We are committed to addressing the dynamics of oppression in ourselves and our work.
 

How to Apply

Please submit a CV and short cover letter outlining your interest in the role and relevant experience, via CharityJob.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the advert may be closed early if we find a suitable candidate.