Event assistant jobs in Watford, hertfordshire

This is far more than a traditional Finance Manager position.

As Finance Manager, you'll lead the day-to-day finance function while helping shape the future of financial management at British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS). Reporting to the Director of Business Operations and leading our Finance Assistant, you'll be responsible for delivering high-quality management accounting, budgeting, forecasting and financial reporting that enables informed decision-making across the organisation.

Alongside ensuring excellent financial governance and control, you'll have the opportunity to modernise and transform the finance function. From improving management information and financial processes to leading the redesign of our purchase-to-pay process and supporting wider digital transformation, you'll play a key role in ensuring finance helps deliver our ambitious Strategy 2030.

We're looking for a fully qualified CIMA/CGMA accountant who combines strong management accounting expertise with a passion for continuous improvement. You'll enjoy working collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation, translating financial information into meaningful insight, challenging assumptions, and identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, strengthen financial sustainability and maximise the value of BUCS' financial resources.

If you're excited by the opportunity to build, influence and make a lasting impact within a values-led organisation that supports student sport across the UK, we'd love to hear from you.

Working at BUCS

BUCS prides itself on being an ambitious and challenging place to work, where staff enjoy work, embrace development opportunities, and have fun.

Benefits include:

• Generous Pension Scheme
• Paid Health Care Plan
• Tax-free - Cycle to work scheme
• Christmas Closure 
• Volunteering Day leave
• Flexible - hybrid working
• Wellbeing and Social activities
• Company-supported Learning and Development opportunities

How to Apply

Please apply via our recruitment platform Applied.

This will take you to the BeApplied platform which we use for our recruitment. 

Should you have any questions about the role, please contact Jude Edwards, Director of Business Operations.

Application deadline: 

13th August 2026, 22:00

Interview Information:

If successful candidate will be called to interview on the provisional date of 26th or 27th August 2026.

Candidates who successfully advance to the interview stage will receive further information about logistics and tasks via email. Some candidates may process to a second interview, which will be communicated accordingly. If any reasonable adjustments are required, please communicate them when accepting the interview offer.

Due to the expected high number of applications, it is likely we will only be able to provide feedback to those who reach the interview stage. If you don’t hear from us within two weeks of the closing date, please assume that, unfortunately, your application has not been successful. 

Applicants should have the right to work in the UK and will be asked to provide proof of their eligibility to work in the UK before employment is confirmed. 

Data Protection Statement

Any personal data submitted to BUCS in the course of this recruitment process will be held securely and processed solely for the purposes of recruitment. It will be held for the duration of the recruitment process, and if employed by BUCS, for the duration of the contract of employment and to fulfil the statutory, or recommended, retention periods when no longer an employee of British Universities and Colleges Sport. BUCS will comply with data protection legislation at all times and in line with BUCS Privacy Policy.

Area Manager Role

Location: London (field-based with some home working)
Salary: £46,000
Contract: Full Time
Closing Date: 24 August 2026

Join FARA and Help Transform Lives Through Retail

Founded over 35 years ago, FARA Foundation is a UK registered charity and a successful charity retailer with a network of 39 vibrant shops across London. FARA raises vital funds to support vulnerable and disadvantaged children, young people and their families in Romania, providing services that help break the cycles of poverty and give young people a better start in life.

We are looking for an exceptional Area Manager to lead and develop a portfolio of 10+ charity shops, supporting Shop Managers to deliver outstanding commercial results while creating welcoming, community-focused spaces that embody FARA’s values and mission.

This is an exciting opportunity for a commercially-minded and people-focused leader who enjoys developing others, driving performance, and contributing strategically to a charity retail operation.

The Role

Reporting to the Trading Director, you will be responsible for supporting and developing a group of Shop Managers, helping them maximise sales, donations, Gift Aid income and community engagement while ensuring shops operate safely, compliantly and efficiently.

As a member of the Senior Management Team, you will contribute to the wider development of the trading business, lead operational projects, and play a key role in delivering FARA’s long-term retail strategy.

About You

We are looking for someone who can demonstrate the following competencies:

• Values-led leadership: A strong commitment to FARA’s mission, vision and values, with the ability to lead, coach and develop Shop Managers in a supportive, accountable and collaborative way.
• Commercial focus: Experience of achieving results through others, using KPIs, budgets and financial reports to improve sales, contribution, Gift Aid, stock generation and controllable costs.
• People development: Strong line management skills, with experience of recruitment, induction, performance management, succession planning and handling employee relations matters.
• Retail operational excellence: A sound understanding of shop operations, including pricing, culling, density, curation, sales space, sorting, layout and the ability to coach managers to improve the retail proposition.
• Compliance and risk management: Working knowledge of health and safety, risk assessments, fire risk assessments, regulatory requirements and the ability to maintain safe, compliant shops.
• Project and planning skills: Experience supporting target setting, five-year plans, shop improvements, refits, relocations or other operational projects.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Proven experience in an Area Manager, Regional Manager or equivalent multi-site retail role (or demonstrable desire to gain wider experience).
• Strong track record of leading teams to achieve and exceed commercial and operational KPIs.
• Excellent commercial awareness with the ability to analyse financial and operational data.
• Experience in coaching, developing and motivating staff.
• Experience handling employee relations issues, including performance management, disciplinary and grievance matters.
• Knowledge of health and safety, risk management and compliance requirements.
• Strong organisational, planning and project management skills.
• Ability to build effective working relationships across a wide range of stakeholders.
• Proficient IT skills to perform a range of professional functions on excel, word and other applications.

Desirable

• Experience within charity retail or the not-for-profit sector.
• Experience recruiting and managing volunteers.
• Knowledge of retail refurbishment, relocation or property projects.
• Understanding of Gift Aid and donation-led retail operations.
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.

Additional Information

• Travel across London will be required.
• Participation in an on-call rota approximately one weekend per month will be required.
• Occasional cover for colleagues during periods of annual leave/absence will be required.

How to Apply

If you are an inspiring retail leader who can combine commercial expertise with a passion for people development and social impact, we would love to hear from you.

To apply, please submit a CV and a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) by email outlining how you meet the skills & experience required for the role and why the role excites you.

Applications Deadline: 24 August 2026

Interview Dates:

• Round one: Online 2 September 2026 (online via Zoom)
• Round two: In Person 18 & 21 September 2026 

Join FARA and help us grow a retail operation that changes lives, strengthens communities and delivers lasting impact.

Students’ Union UCL is an organisation that exists to make more happen. We are the representative body for University College London’s (UCL) students, one of the most diverse student communities in the world.  Our vision is to provide an outstanding experience for all UCL students and to be one of the best students’ unions in the UK and the world.  We aim to build a vibrant and empowered student community with real influence in UCL and beyond, that enables students to enjoy their time at university; pursue their interests and passions; see the world in new ways; and develop the skills and experience to change the world for the better.

We are a registered charity employing over 150 career staff and 300 student staff, delivering a wide range of services and representative functions for UCL students. We have the widest portfolio of services of any student organisation in the country, managing UCL’s extracurricular programmes for sport, music, drama, dance, media, volunteering, academic societies and intercultural engagement; providing a wide range of fantastic social spaces; leading on student democracy and representation across UCL; and offering excellent student support services.

It's an exciting time to join our growing organisation as we lead the delivery of UCL’s groundbreaking Student Life Strategy. This is enabling us to build more programmes to improve students’ mental and physical wellbeing, promote genuine equity for all, build students’ skills and confidence, develop their international connections and intercultural skills, and make a real contribution to our local community.

We  provide excellent benefits including defined benefit pension scheme and generous holiday entitlement. We are proud of high levels of staff engagement and pride ourselves on being a great place to work. We will consider applications to work on a flexible and job share basis wherever possible. 

The Deputy Fitness Centre Manager is a role that is largely based on site (80:20 split) and the post holder will work a minimum of 14 hours per week at front of house, leading delivery. Shift patterns and start times will be dependent on the needs of the business. This will mean occasions when late, early and weekend work will be required. Shift location will vary between our sites. Provided staffing needs are met, the role holder will be able to work from home one day per week

The Deputy Fitness Centre Manager is responsible for the operational management of TeamUCLGyms, ensuring all members have an excellent user experience across all sites. They have oversight of operational procedures, ensuring best practice and adherence to health and safety standards. They will lead from the front, ensuring fitness programming, exercise classes and personal training are of an exceptional standard. We pride ourselves on our inclusivity, and our ability to cater to all experience level and this role will help create an environment that is welcoming for all our site users.