Senior Finance and Business Manager

*See shortlisting and interview dates below, closing date Sunday 12th November*

Want a chance to help shape the future of a busy, growing education charity through ensuring strong financial processes and systems for the team? Passionate about supporting a charity that empowers our young citizens, schools and communities?

Young Citizens is a UK citizenship education charity on a mission to empower young people to actively engage in society. For nearly 35 years, we’ve been giving young people the tools to understand society’s institutions and tackle its biggest issues.  We are a national charity with small central team and networks of volunteers that makes big impact for schools and young people, from running the Mock Trials programme to the Make a Difference Challenge and Experts in Schools. 

As Senior Finance and Business Manager at the charity, you will lead the day-to-day financial management and governance functions for our national yet lean and busy charity operations. This includes leading on the the financial management, reporting, budgets and systems that allow the charity to have robust financial oversight as well as being a key point person for our suppliers, contract reviews and governance of risk and policies. The Manager will need to be highly analytical, financially astute, comfortable working with complex data systems and thrive in a dynamic charity environment. The ideal candidate is a fast learner of new technical systems, and welcomes a visible leadership role as a manager who helps our charity function effectively.

It's a great opportunity for an experienced finance executive looking to lead the function and oversight with a small team, working with the CEO, Director of Operations and Treasurer.

Role snapshot: 

• Act as key finance manager for the organisation, ensuring due diligence, day-to-day financial oversight and support on business functions such as contract agreements

• Oversee the timely financial monitoring, governance and regular reporting of the charity’s performance in relation to the charity’s strategy and business plans including quarterly management accounts, accountancy support and forecasts 

• Work with directors and managers to prepare departmental budgets, input into proposals and support and train budget holders as required 

• Support the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and Board of Trustees  as the Company Secretary for the charity, ensuring proper reporting to internal and external regulatory bodies 

• Manage and coordinate the annual audit/financial reporting requirements 

• Oversee and manage the charity’s contracts and suppliers, including insurance policies, partnership agreements and outsourced support etc. 

• Ensure coordination of business support functions, including IT suppliers and administrator support as needed for a smooth-running office  

• Support with HR policies and processes, such as policy checks and contracts and preparation of payroll  

• Line manage administrative and ensure good use of support functions as required

• Working closely with the SLT to support the implementation and success of the charity’s operational plan through a range of support duties where required  

To find out more about the full scope of this role be sure to see the recruitment pack. 

Who are we looking for? 

The ideal candidate is an experienced, accountancy (or part) qualified finance manager overseeing effective processes for finances and finance systems with an interest in a dynamic role that has elements of business support. You will have a passion for helping charities work well and enjoy ensuring a strong finance function is in place that supports great governance and processes for your team. 

Whilst experience managing finance and governance functions is necessary, this role does not require previous experience acting as a company secretary. Experience managing the finances of a similar sized charity or relatable business, and leading a small team, are highly desirable.  

If you are enthusiastic about the opportunity to have a significant impact of the organisation focused on social good, we would love to hear from you!   

For further essential and desirable experience and skills, please see the job pack. 

This is a hybrid role with some days at our London offices each week. Please note candidates should be based within a reasonable commute to London for office visits if required.

Benefits of working at Young Citizens  
In addition to joining a small friendly, dynamic and supportive staff team, Young Citizens offers: 

• 28 days annual leave, plus bank holidays and even your birthday off! 

• Hybrid working options fit to role 

• Enhanced pension contribution 

• Season ticket loan 

• Enhanced pension contribution 

• Employee assistance programme 

• Enhanced sickness and maternity policies 

• Volunteering days 

• A friendly, collegiate environment with a passionate team 

• An opportunity to make a real difference to help children and young people benefit from quality, inspiring citizenship education! 

 For the full information about this role and how to apply, please see the recruitment pack below.  

 How to Apply 

Please ensure to follow our application requirements:

• Applications without a covering letter that address interest in this specific job role with our charity will not be considered. Please include your earliest possible start date and/or current notice period.
• N.B. We may be shortlisting as and when suitable candidates apply, please do not wait to apply.
• The closing date for applications is Sunday 12th November 11 PM.
• Candidates must have the existing right to work in the UK.

As we receive a high volume of applications, only short-listed candidates will be contacted. 

If you have any questions about this role or the deadline please do not hesitate to contact our HR team as detailed in the recruitment pack. We look forward to hearing from you.