Finance Manager

ERA is partnering with Robertson Bell on a retained basis to recruit a Finance Manager on a permanent basis. This is a newly created opportunity to become ERA’s first dedicated finance hire, building the financial infrastructure of a rapidly growing organisation working at the forefront of AI safety and governance.

This is an opportunity to join ERA at a genuinely formative stage. Having previously operated as a programme of Meridian Impact CIC, ERA is in the process of becoming an independent non-profit organisation in its own right. With its programme portfolio expanding rapidly, the organisation is building the operational infrastructure needed to support its next phase of growth.

The successful candidate will take ownership of ERA’s finance function, establishing robust systems, processes and controls from the ground up while providing the financial insight needed to support ambitious plans for growth.

The role

• Build and take ownership of ERA’s finance function as the organisation transitions to an independent non-profit.
• Establish and maintain robust financial policies, processes and controls that are proportionate to a fast-growing organisation.
• Lead the budgeting, forecasting and cash-flow planning process, supporting ERA’s leadership to understand the financial implications of growth and new programmes and own the day-to-day financial operations.
• Implement and take ownership of Xero and other finance systems, ensuring they are used effectively and provide accurate and timely information (for example, monthly management accounts including variance analysis).
• Support the preparation of grant budgets, donor financial reports and revenue projections, ensuring funding is appropriately tracked and reported.
• Run monthly payroll (or coordinate with an external payroll provider), ensuring timely, compliant payment of staff, and process expenses.
• Work closely with the Director of Operations and wider leadership team to provide financial analysis and insight that supports decision-making.
• Coordinate with external accountants and auditors, ensuring ERA remains audit-ready and statutory requirements are met.

The organisation

ERA is a talent organisation based in Cambridge, UK, supporting researchers, entrepreneurs and policy-makers working to mitigate risks from increasingly capable AI systems. Over the past six years, ERA has supported more than 200 researchers from over 10 countries, with mentorship from organisations including UK AISI, RAND, GovAI, the University of Cambridge, IAPS and Google DeepMind.

As the organisation continues to grow, so does the complexity of its operations. ERA currently has a core team of around 15–20 people, with staffing increasing significantly during fellowship programmes. The organisation also manages a rapidly expanding funding base, creating an exciting opportunity for its first dedicated finance professional to build the infrastructure that will support its next phase.

Essential Criteria

• A recognised professional accountancy qualification (ACA, ACCA or CIMA).
• Demonstrable experience owning end-to-end finance operations, ideally within a small, growing or entrepreneurial organisation.
• Strong experience across management accounts, budgeting, forecasting, cash flow and financial reporting.
• Experience developing or improving financial systems, processes and controls.
• Experience with grant funding, restricted funds or working within a non-profit environment is desirable.
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to financial accuracy and good governance.
• The ability to take complex financial information and communicate it clearly to non-finance colleagues.
• Strong judgement and the ability to balance appropriate financial controls with the flexibility required in a fast-moving organisation.
• The confidence to provide constructive challenge while building strong and collaborative relationships.
• The ability to operate comfortably with ambiguity and changing priorities.

Location and working arrangements

This is a full-time, permanent position based in Cambridge with three days of office working required per week.

If you are a fully qualified accountant looking for an opportunity to build something from the ground up, take genuine ownership of a growing organisation’s finance function and work closely with an ambitious leadership team, we would love to hear from you. Applications close on the 25^th October with first stage interviews week commencing 2^nd November.