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The Society of Authors (SoA) is the UK's largest trade union for all types of writers, illustrators and literary translators. We’ve been advising authors and speaking out for the profession since 1884.
We’re currently looking to welcome a Finance Manager to our team.
The role
The Finance Manager leads on the operational management of the finance function to ensure there are robust financial controls, effective reporting and efficient day-to-day financial operations across the organisation, including our ancillary charities and literary estates. The postholder is expected to foster excellent working relationships across the organisation with all staff, member volunteers, senior colleagues, board members and charity trustees.
Reporting directly to the Chief Operations Officer, the Finance Manager has significant responsibility for:
· Management accounts and reporting
· Budgeting and forecasting
· Cashflow oversight
· Audit and compliance
· Financial controls and process improvement
· Operational financial analysis
Responsibilities
Day-to-day financial management
- Manage the day-to-day finances for the organisation. Ensuring all aspects of the financial systems are accurate and kept updated including banking and sales and purchase ledgers.
- Manage the finances for our 14 charities. Ensure all aspects of the financial systems are kept updated.
- Undertake monthly reconciliations ensuring all transactions are properly and efficiently recorded.
- Prepare quarterly VAT returns for the organisation including the partial VAT exemption calculation.
- Oversee the management and appropriate allocation of any restricted funds for the charities ensuring that monies are allocated as per donor wishes or grant specifications.
- Prepare any ad hoc budget request and figures for other departments or the management.
- Regularly review and maintain financial policies and procedures.
- Support with funding bids and reports for donors and grant-making bodies.
Budget process management
- Work closely with the Chief Operating Officer on preparing the annual budgets for the organisation and our ancillary charities.
- Prepare quarterly figures for review, explaining any variation from budgeted figures.
- Monitor the actual spend against budgets for all the charities.
· Ensure adequate cash flow to meet the needs of the organisation and our charities in consultation with the Chief Operating Officer and Head of Charities.
- Work closely with all Departmental Heads to ensure they fully understand their budgets and ongoing organisational performance against budget.
Statutory reporting
- Assist the Chief Operating Officer with the preparation of the organisation’s accounts.
- One of the main points of liaison with the external auditors, ensuring all supporting papers are collated for an efficient and effective annual audit to take place.
- Maintain fixed asset register and inventory of all equipment contracts and agreements.
- Ensure adequate controls are in place to safeguard the financial assets of the organisation.
- Lead on preparing all our charity accounts.
- Assist the COO to ensure the organisation and its ancillary charities are compliant with statutory bodies and external institutions including:
o Companies House
o Certification office
o Charity Commission
o HMRC
o All banks and payment processors
Financial risk management
- Work with the Chief Operating Officer to ensure that the appropriate processes are in place for the long-term financial viability of the organisation.
- Develop, update and produce long-term cashflow forecasts for both the organisation and our ancillary charities.
· Ensure appropriate financial risk management techniques and controls are in place at strategic and operational levels.
Governance support to the Finance Sub-Committee and Charity Trustees
- Assist in the preparation of all associated papers and minutes for the Finance Sub- Committee.
- Assist the Chief Operating Officer in preparing papers for Board and Charity Trustees.
The duties above outline the broad areas of responsibility. The SoA reserves the right to vary these duties to suit the requirements of the business.
Person specification
Essential
- Minimum part-qualified accountant or qualified by experience with strong financial management experience, with an ability to understand the practical impact of finance decisions and processes across the organisation.
· Strong IT skills including the Microsoft Office suite, in particular Excel, and experience of using databases.
- Experience of using Sage 50 Cloud Accounts.
- Significant experience and confidence in managing a full range of finance operations in a small or medium sized organisation in the not-for-profit sector.
- Confident presenting financial information to non-financial audiences.
- Demonstrates excellent attention to detail, organisation and communication skills.
· Resilience in working under pressure, ability, and willingness to both give and take constructive feedback.
· Bring ideas for improvements and is open and honest in all communications where relevant and appropriate.
- Ability to work with the Chief Operating Officer to develop the formulation of long-term financial plans and strategies for the society and its ancillary charities.
Desirable Skills
· Specialist knowledge of Charities, including Charity SORP guidance and procedures, underpinned by strong theoretical knowledge and practical experience.
· Experience of working for a trade onion or a membership organisation.
· Tax and charities law, including a good understanding of partially exempt VAT status.
What we offer
As a progressive and ethical not-for-profit organisation, we offer a range of benefits to support your physical, mental, and financial wellbeing. We are a London Living Wage and a Disability Confident – Committed employer.
Benefits include:
- Competitive salary
- Cycle-to-work scheme.
- Death-in-service benefit (8 x salary)
- Employee assistance programme
- Flexible, hybrid working practices.
- Family-friendly, disability-confident inclusive culture
- Generous annual leave, including all bank holidays.
- Salary exchange pension scheme
- Interest-free annual travel card loan
- *Office closure over Christmas
- Private healthcare
*Colleagues can work over the Christmas period, although the building is closed. For those who wish to take additional time off, colleagues take these days from their annual leave allowance.
As an employer, we nurture a working environment in which staff can grow and develop. We recognise the value of flexibility in the way we work with a positive culture of hybrid working practices.
Inclusion, diversity, and representation are at the core of our values, and we work to tackle structural discrimination and prejudice. Part of this commitment means that we are looking to increase diversity in our organisation at all levels. We strongly encourage applications from a broad range of social, cultural, educational, and underrepresented backgrounds
To apply, please send your CV and a personal statement as a single document (max. 3 x A4 pages)
If any part of the application process is not accessible to you, please let us know.
Non Charity Employer
21 - 50
Empowering authors since 1884. We have been advising individuals and speaking out for the profession for more than a century.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
This is a unique opportunity to join Practical Action at an exciting and pivotal point in our journey. We are seeking an exceptional Executive Assistant to provide dedicated support to our Interim CEO during a period of transformation, growth and strategic development, while we recruit and appoint our permanent CEO.
Working at the heart of the organisation, you will play a key role in ensuring continuity, maintaining momentum and supporting the successful transition to new leadership. This highly visible position offers the opportunity to contribute directly to the next chapter of Practical Action's impact and ambition.
We are looking for an experienced, highly organised and proactive Executive Assistant who can provide outstanding strategic and operational support to the CEO of a respected international development organisation. Acting as a trusted partner, you will enable the CEO to focus on organisational leadership, external engagement, fundraising and the delivery of strategic priorities.
The role encompasses complex diary and inbox management, preparation of high-quality briefings and correspondence, Board and governance support, and coordination with senior stakeholders across the organisation and internationally. You will work closely with colleagues, partners and supporters across multiple countries, cultures and time zones, ensuring the smooth and effective operation of the Executive Office.
This is a demanding and rewarding role that requires exceptional judgement, discretion and attention to detail. The successful candidate will be comfortable operating in a fast-paced, complex environment, able to manage competing priorities with confidence, and skilled at building effective relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders, including senior leaders, trustees, partners and external representatives.
If you thrive on enabling others to succeed, enjoy working at the centre of decision-making, and are motivated by the opportunity to support an organisation delivering meaningful global impact, we would love to hear from you.
Accountabilities:
Executive and CEO Office Support
• Proactively manage the CEO's diary, inbox and correspondence, exercising independent judgement in prioritising requests and protecting time for strategic priorities.
• Prepare and commission high-quality briefings, background notes, talking points and presentation materials to ensure the CEO is fully prepared for all meetings and engagements.
• Draft, review and quality-assure outgoing correspondence, reports and communications on behalf of the CEO.
• Coordinate and manage complex domestic and international travel arrangements, itineraries, visas and logistics for the CEO and COO, ensuring efficiency and value for money.
• Manage the CEO and COO’s expense reporting and the Executive Office budget, maintaining accurate records and flagging issues proactively.
• Serve as the first point of contact for the CEO's office, managing enquiries from staff, partners, donors and stakeholders with professionalism and discretion.
• Work closely with the Internal Communications and Social Media team lead to ensure CEO internal and external communications are delivered well.
Board and Governance Administration
• Lead the end-to-end administration of Board of Trustee meetings and sub-committees, including scheduling, preparation of Board papers, agenda coordination and minute-taking, utilising AI. The majority are virtual due to the international nature of the board. In-person meetings take place approx. every 18 months.
• Maintain the governance calendar and ensure all regulatory and statutory reporting deadlines are met in coordination with the Company Secretary, CEO and COO.
• Support the onboarding of new Trustees and maintain up-to-date records of Board membership, terms of office and declarations of interest.
• Build strong working relationships with Trustees, acting as a responsive and reliable point of contact between Board meetings.
• Assist with the organisation of the Annual General Meeting and other governance events.
Leadership Team Coordination
• Coordinate the Global Leadership Team (GLT) meeting cycle, including agenda-setting, papers, actions and follow-up, working closely with the CEO and members of GLT.
• Support the CEO in tracking GLT action items, strategic priorities and key commitments, flagging issues and ensuring accountability.
• Co-ordinate with Regional and Country Directors on the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) meetings, including agenda-setting, papers, actions and follow-up,
• Assist with the preparation of materials for all-staff communications, leadership away-days and organisational events.
• Build effective working relationships across Practical Action's global offices, navigating time-zone differences and cultural contexts with sensitivity.
Stakeholder and Partnership Support
• Support the CEO's engagement with major institutional donors, trusts and foundations, bilateral agencies and high-value partners, including managing contact records and briefing materials, liaising closely with the business development and philanthropy teams.
• Coordinate logistics for high-level external visits, delegations, conferences and events involving the CEO.
• Assist with donor stewardship activities and the preparation of materials for fundraising and partnership development.
• Represent the CEO's office professionally in interactions with government officials, international organisations and peer NGOs.
Project and Research Support
• Take on research and project management tasks as directed by the CEO
• Continue to test and utilise AI tools to increase efficiency and effectiveness and share learnings with other members of Practical Action
• Support the delivery of special initiatives and cross-organisational projects led from the Executive Office.
• Maintain confidential files and records management systems for the CEO's office, ensuring compliance with GDPR and information governance policies.
To be successful in this role, the ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate:
Essential
• Significant experience (typically five or more years) as an Executive Assistant or Personal Assistant supporting a Chief Executive or equivalent senior leaders in a complex and or charitable organisation.
• Demonstrable experience of Board and governance administration, including minuting meetings and managing trustee or director-level relationships.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft high-quality correspondence, briefing papers and presentations to Board or senior stakeholder standard.
• Outstanding organisational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines and maintain quality under pressure.
• High degree of discretion, confidentiality and professional judgement in handling sensitive information about people, partners and organisational matters.
• Strong interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence, with the ability to build trust and credibility with senior internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience of coordinating complex international travel and managing logistics across multiple time zones.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams), AI tools and the ability to learn new digital tools quickly.
Desirable
• Experience working in an international NGO, development organisation or comparable mission-driven environment.
• Familiarity with funder relationships
• Experience supporting or working in an organisation with offices or programmes in the Global South.
• Knowledge of charity law and UK charity governance, including Charity Commission requirements.
• A second language relevant to Practical Action's programme geographies (e.g. French, Spanish, Arabic).
• Experience with CRM or stakeholder management systems.
Skills, Abilities and Competencies
· Problem-Solving
· Strong Communication & Diplomacy
· Adaptability
· Proactive organisation skills
To apply please submit a copy of your CV (no more than 3 pages) and a supporting statement/letter that includes the answers to the following questions:
- Tell me how you build relationships in fast-paced environments taking into account those stakeholders being located in different countries and having different cultural background?
- Practical Action has a very experienced and diverse board of trustees. Can you give an example of when you have had to build relationships with these types of people. Please describe your approach to having the most effective interactions?
- Tell us about the most complex project, event, or initiative you have coordinated?
- Describe a situation where you made a significant decision on behalf of a senior executive. What was your thought process and outcome?
Closing date for applications: 17th June 2026. Should we recruit a suitable candidate before the closing date, we will close applications earlier than the specified date.
Interviews: It is anticipated that interviews will take place W/C 22nd June 2026
If you do not hear from us within five weeks of the closing date, please assume your application has not been successful
Registered Charity
101 - 500
Our vision is for a world that works better for everyone. We believe where there’s action, there’s hope.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
ABOUT THE PASSAGE
Our vision is of a society where homelessness no longer exists, and everyone has a place to call home.
The Passage is based in the heart of Westminster, providing practical support and a wide range of services to help transform the lives of people who are, or are at risk of, street homelessness.
We are guided by our Vincentian values and offer our clients resources and solutions to prevent or end their homelessness for good, including routes to employment, benefits, and stable accommodation.
Our current 3-year strategy ‘The Art of The Possible’, outlines the innovative approach we will be taking over the next 3 years building on a foundation of collaboration and focusing on three goals: preventing, convening and sustaining.The Passage is in a secure and financially stable position and is viewed by central, regional and local government as a key strategic partner.
JOB PURPOSE
As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, and reporting directly to the CEO, this role is of critical importance in supporting The Passage to achieve its vision and mission.
The Executive Assistant provides dedicated support to the Chief Executive and Senior Leadership Team, with key tasks including action tracking, minute taking, developing resources and materials for events, diary management and regularly being the first point of contact for individuals and organisations seeking to liaise with the CEO/Senior Leadership Team. We expect the post holder will have excellent relationship management skills, sound experience of using Office 365 products, strong organisational skills and the ability to support the smooth running of the Executive Team and governance functions.
The post holder will facilitate effective governance support systems, including organising meetings and supporting Trustees and Committee members to fulfil their roles where needed. They will also have excellent professional standards of confidentiality and discretion in all areas of work, including assisting and supporting high profile events at The Passage.
MAIN DUTIES
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Support the effective governance systems of The Passage Group (P2000, Passage Housing Services and Passage Trading Services) by ensuring effective Trustee and Committee member recruitment, induction and continued professional development.
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Support each Chair of Board with the implementation and ongoing review of a skills matrix system.
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Act as the first point of contact for external bodies and individuals who wish to communicate with the Chief Executive, ensuring that the organisation is professionally represented and seen as accessible and responsive.
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Liaise with Board members, teams and external organisations as necessary to facilitate the work of the Senior Leadership Team.
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Assist the Chief Executive and Senior Leadership Team to project manage specific pieces of work and assist with the relationship management of key stakeholders.
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Maintain professional standards of confidentiality and discretion in all areas of work.
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Develop and manage systems that provide effective support for the Chief Executive and Senior Leadership Team, including diary management, scheduling and servicing meetings, project planning and monitoring communications.
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Assist in producing resources and other materials for the Senior Leadership Team as required.
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Assist and support the CEO and Senior Leadership Team with the management and running of high-profile events as required.
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Provide administrative support to Senior Leadership Team, Board and all Governance Committees including the production of annual governance meeting schedules, correspondence and minutes, and compiling and circulating papers.
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Maintain an up to date and accessible filing system for the Chief Executive and ensure that all information is stored in an accessible manner on SharePoint, adhering to data protection requirements.
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Arrange meetings for the Chief Executive providing links with those involved and preparing hospitality, papers, and all practical arrangements.
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
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In conjunction with your Line Manager, continuously develop the role to ensure that all tasks are being undertaken in an effective and appropriate manner which meets the strategic aims and objectives of The Passage.
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Participate in internal/external meetings as required, and attend training events, conferences and other functions as necessary.
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Participate in regular supervision, annual appraisal and identifying individual professional and personal development and training needs.
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Ensure that all The Passage policies and procedures are being adhered to, particularly those relating to Health and Safety, Code of Practice and Confidentiality.
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Contribute to the effective implementation of The Passage’s Diversity and Equality Policy as it affects both The Passage and its work with vulnerable adults.
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Undertake your role in a professional manner at all times to maintain a high-quality standard of work in accordance with the aims, values and ethos of The Passage.
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Undertake any other duties that may be required which are commensurate with the role.
Note: The details contained in this Job Description summarise the main expectations of the role at the date it was prepared. It should be understood that the nature of individual roles will evolve and change as service, service users and commissioner needs change. Consequently The Passage will review and revise this Job Description as required in consultation with post holders.
Person Specification: Executive Assistant
The person speification sets out the essential abilities and qualities that will be used in the selection criteria for this post.When completing your application form, please address criteria E1 to E6 and K1 to K4 demonstrating your experience and knowledge, giving evidence of your experience and abilities.
EXPERIENCE
E1 Experience of working as an Executive Assistant or equivalent senior support in a similar context.
E2 Experience of devising and maintaining governance support systems (recruitment, induction, training and development and skills audit support).
E3 Experience of administering effective governance cycles; including minutes, action tracking and preparation of papers.
E4 Experience of diary management, inbox management and stakeholder coordination.
E5 Experience supporting strategic projects, programmes, or organisational planning.
E6 Excellent communication skills, with ability to build and maintain effective relationships with a range of diverse stakeholders, both internal and external.
KNOWLEDGE
K1 Knowledge of Office 365 products and project tracking tools.
K2Enhanced knowledge of governance and committee structures within a charitable organisation.
K3Knowledge of GDPR and Charity Commission guidelines for good governance.
K4Knowledge and experience of working as part of a senior leadership team or similar.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.