People and learning support administrator jobs in Feltham, greater london

Job Title: Senior Grants Officer

Department: Foundation

Reporting to: Foundation Director 

Contract: Full-time or Part-time (minimum of four days)

Working pattern: Onsite or Hybrid (minimum three days in the office) 

Salary: £40,000 (full-time salary)

ABOUT THE GOLDSMITHS’ FOUNDATION

The Goldsmiths’ Foundation is the charitable foundation of the Goldsmiths’ Company. The Foundation’s mission is to transform life-chances by supporting technical and vocational education through grant-making. With a focus on goldsmithing, silversmithing, jewellery and allied trades, it also supports skills and training in the creative industries and other fields, as well as general charitable endeavours.

A contemporary company with deep roots in the past, the Goldsmiths’ Company is one of the Great Twelve City of London Livery Companies. Founded in 1327 and now with a 1600-strong membership, the Company has contributed to national life for seven centuries. It advances the trade and craft of silversmithing and jewellery through training, exhibitions and public engagement. It also operates the London Assay Office, which protects trade and consumers by testing and hallmarking precious metals.
This is an exciting moment to join the Goldsmiths’ Foundation. Philanthropy has been at the heart of the Company’s work since 1327; the current Goldsmiths’ Company Charity was founded in the 19th century. Today, supported by its endowment, it makes grants of c. £3.5 million each year.

The Goldsmiths’ Company (the sole member of the Foundation) is now reinvigorating its philanthropic mission with refreshed charitable objects, a renewed focus on craft and skills, and a new Board of Trustees drawn from across the Company’s membership and chaired by Dame Lynne Brindley.

Job Purpose  

Working in a team of three and reporting to the Foundation Director, you will support the effective and efficient grant making of the Goldsmiths' Foundation by managing its Proactive Grant Programmes and administering the Foundation's restricted funds. Proactive grants are closed to open application but are solicited for either regular or one-off grants. This role requires a strong understanding of vocational and technical skills in the jewellery-making, silversmithing and allied trade sector. 

Delivery of Proactive Grant Programmes 

• Support the Foundation Director and colleagues to implement and deliver Proactive Grants Programmes, aligned with the 2025-2030 Strategy. 

• Support the Foundation Director in implementing learning goals for the Programmes, collecting data and working with commissioned learning partners. 

• Manage relationships with charitable partners who regularly receive grants from the Foundation, particularly those working in the jewellery, silversmithing and allied trade sectors. 

• Manage one-off grants that are solicited by Foundation Trustees due to their strong alignment to Foundation Objects. 

• Support The Goldsmiths' Foundation Trustees and Advisory Group and administering its decisions. 

Management of Restricted Funds 

• Administer the Foundation's restricted funds including the Aiden Threlfall Charitable Trust, the Brian Wood Memorial Travel Scholarship, the Miller Fund/Binney Medal (including event administration of the annual Binney Lunch), the Martin Bowes Charitable Fund and The Silver Trust. 

• Manage grant applications and awards from these restricted funds in accordance with their specific terms and conditions. 

• Maintain accurate records and reporting on restricted fund activities. 

• Ensure compliance with donor requirements and legal obligations for each restricted fund. 

Management and Governance of Proactive Grant Programmes 

• Day-to-day management of regular grantees, ensuring effective communication and support. 

• Support the development of appropriate reporting and relationship requirements with regular grantees. 

• Prepare recommendations and reports for the Proactive Grant Programmes. 

• Manage and collate the reporting from charitable partners. 

• Prepare materials to support the Foundation Director in their work with The Goldsmiths' Foundation Trustees and Advisory Group with a goal to: i. commission the most relevant grants to meet the Foundations' Objects ii. drive greater Goldsmiths' Company Member engagement with The Goldsmiths' Foundation 

• Support the continued management of existing Proactive Programmes initiated before 2026. 

Communications and Networks 

• Support the Foundation Director to maintain a network of peer funders working in overlapping or related areas, particularly those focused on vocational and technical skills development.

• Contribute to collaborations (including with other funders) to increase the reach and impact of our proactive grant making.

• Support the development of content for web-based stories and social media posts. 

Community Engagement 

• Work with colleagues to identify opportunities for grant recipients to contribute to broader programmes and the promotion of charitable activities.

• Support the identification and development of initiatives that enable the Foundation to deliver against its charitable purpose, particularly those supporting vocational and technical skills in the jewellery-making, silversmithing and allied trade sector. 

• Contribute to developing opportunities related to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, focusing on access routes into the trade and craft. 

Other Duties 

• Work with colleagues within The Goldsmiths' Group as required to enable our mutual aims. 

• Work with the Foundation Director and colleagues to develop The Foundation's culture in line with its values. 

• Support other parts of The Foundation's grant making as required, including our Open Grants Programmes at times and any other duties as the Director requires. 

Person Specification 

Essential Experience  

• Understanding of vocational and technical skills development in the jewellery-making, silversmithing and allied trade sector

• Experience of working with or supporting charities and grant recipients

• Experience of preparing reports and recommendations for committees or senior stakeholders

Desirable Experience  

• Experience of grant making or charitable funding administration, managing grant case loads and maintaining accurate records

• Experience of relationship-based grant making and stakeholder engagement

• Experience of administering restricted or designated funds

• Experience of trust-based grant making

• Experience of collaborative funding and partnership development 

Essential Skills & Knowledge  

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Excellent attention to detail

• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work with people from a wide range of backgrounds

• IT proficiency in MS Office applications 

Desirable Skills & Knowledge  

• Experience of Beacon CRM or other grant making database or similar database management systems

• Knowledge of relevant research, policy and networks related to the development of vocational and technical skills in the jewellery and silversmithing sectors.

• Awareness of evaluation methodologies for funded work. 

• Willingness to adopt and utilise AI tools to support grant management, research, and reporting, and an openness to exploring how emerging technologies can enhance the Foundation's work. 

Personal Characteristics  

• Commitment to our values as a grant-making foundation

• Curious about, and committed to, the work of grant-making Foundations, charities, and the social needs they are trying to meet

• Able to work with charity leaders with a supportive and professional approach

• Able to organise and manage your own workload including varied caseloads

• Able to work to deadlines

• Flexible and collegiate attitude to working across teams and supporting colleagues where needed 

• Commitment to E,D,I 

 Please apply with a CV and covering letter outlining your suitability for the role.

The deadline for applications is 9am, Friday 24 April 2026.

We are looking for an Assistant Financial Accountant to play a key role in supporting Purposeful Ventures’ day-to-day financial operations. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone early in their finance career who wants to build a strong foundation in accounting, whilst studying towards a professional qualification, in a supportive and purpose-driven environment. You’ll gain hands-on experience across the finance function, and Purposeful Ventures will support you to gain a Level 4 Professional Accounting Technician Apprenticeship, covering the cost of your professional study. This will allow you to complete on-the-job training, and be part of a vibrant finance team, whilst gaining your Level 4 AAT, ACCA or CIMA Diploma.

You will be at the heart of the organisation’s financial operations, gaining exposure to a wide range of finance processes including purchase ledgers, expenses, payments to banking, month-end processes and finance systems. You will also be able to support in the production of management accounts and provide information for the annual audit, helping give you a strong foundation in core finance processes

This is a role for someone who likes working with numbers and loves getting into the detail. You’ll be trusted with responsibility from day one, but you’ll also have the support and guidance you need to propel your finance career forward. You will have had some exposure to a finance function, but are now looking for a role where you can grow and be supported to gain a formal accounting qualification.

Responsibilities and duties

Purchase Ledger and expenses

• Maintain the Purchase Ledger to process, code and enter invoices for payment in line with agreed terms.
• Process all expense claims, ensuring that all the necessary supporting documents are authorised by the relevant manager.
• Oversee and initiate automated payment runs, including purchase ledger payments, examine payments and staff expenses, ensuring all pre-payment checks and authorisations are correctly captured within the system.
• Set up new suppliers and update bank details for existing suppliers.
• Resolve supplier and internal staff finance-related queries in a timely manner.
• Own the organisation’s credit card and pre-paid card process to update users, allocate funds, code payments and reconcile receipts.
• Ensure receipts are submitted within agreed timelines by encouraging the wider employee base to submit these on time.

Month end and year end

• Assist with bank reconciliations and posting daily bank transactions.
• Post journals for accruals, prepayments and other financial adjustments as directed by the Finance Manager.
• Support the preparation of monthly management accounts.
• Assist the Finance Manager with audit preparation.

Other

• Assist in managing financial administration procedures and contribute suggestions to improve efficiency and processes.
• Set up new users on multiple internal systems.
• Ensure internal systems are being used and are beneficial to staff by supporting them with queries on their use.

The job description is subject to change and the postholder may be required to undertake tasks not specifically referred to above. Such duties, however, will fall within the scope of the job description.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for someone who is ready to take the next step in their finance career and develop through a Level 4 Diploma. You’ll be eligible to enrol by having a minimum of either five GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A-Level and/or BTEC qualifications or a Level 3 apprenticeship, and will be motivated to deepen your technical knowledge while gaining practical, hands-on experience.

You’ll already have some exposure to core finance responsibilities such as processing invoices, supporting expense claims, assisting with reconciliations and working with financial systems. You understand the importance of accuracy and take pride in your attention to detail and time management.

We are also looking for someone who is methodical, proactive and curious. You’re comfortable using systems and technology and are comfortable with driving improvements in both finance processes and your own skills. Most importantly, you’ll be someone who is motivated to learn and sees this role as an opportunity to develop your technical finance knowledge alongside your apprenticeship and to build a strong foundation for a long-term career in finance.

Key requirements

Essential:

• Passionate about creating a fairer society where all young people thrive.
• Demonstrable track record of taking ownership of commitments and working hard to succeed.
• Some experience within a finance function, ideally within a fast-paced, growing organisation.
• Exposure to purchase ledger, expenses, payments and banking processes.
• Comfortable working with multiple finance systems with the ability to learn new tools.
• Commitment to implementing and improving systems and processes.
• Good organisational and time management skills.
• A confident communicator with the ability to work with internal stakeholders and external suppliers.
• Strong attention to detail with a keenness for high levels of accuracy.
• A growth mindset who seeks opportunities to learn.
• Proactive by nature with a solution-focused approach.
• Reliable, punctual and able to work to deadlines.
• A-Level qualifications or a previously completed Level 3 Apprenticeship.
• Right to work in the UK.

Desirable:

• Familiarity with systems such as ApprovalMax, Toggl and Equals money and Xero.
• A confident user of Microsoft Excel.