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Interim Head of Finance & Operations
Career Ready is a social mobility charity that believes that every young person deserves the opportunity to enjoy a rewarding future.
We were founded in 2002 by leading business figures with a mission: to boost social mobility by empowering young people and giving their talents a platform from which to flourish. Since then, we’ve grown in England and Scotland to support young people in areas of need.
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced, qualified Finance professional to lead our Finance & Operations function.
About the Role
Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer the Interim Head of Finance & Operations leads on and assumes day to day responsibility for providing high quality, strategic financial management for Career Ready.
You will lead on business operations to ensure the ongoing effective functioning of the charity and drive sustainable growth.
The Interim Head of Finance and Operations plays a key role in leading greater organisational efficiency and simplifying processes and will continue the delivery of a project plan reflecting the 2025-30 strategy.
You will play a critical role in driving the increased quality of Career Ready’s offer to our stakeholders in line with our strategy, vision and values.
Member of our SMT, comprising of the CEO, Director for Scotland, Director of Programme and Partnerships and Heads of functions.
This is an interim role to cover a period of maternity leave.
Main responsibilities and accountabilities
· Lead, direct and manage the finance and operations functions, overseeing two direct reports, ensuring they deliver a high-quality service to all internal and external stakeholders and are seen as adding value, in enabling Career Ready to achieve its vision and strategic objectives through its people.
· Continue the delivery of a project plan reflecting the 2025-30 strategy, ensuring that activities happen at pace, are deadline-driven and achieve a high level of impact.
· Assume overall responsibility for the financial management of Career Ready, working with the SMT to ensure high quality and effective use of charitable funds.
· Input into and review the financial elements of funding applications and ensure that fund accounting processes align with funders’ requirements for project reporting.
· Produce financial reports for various stakeholders, as well as leading on financial modelling.
· Have oversight of all financial and accountancy matters including month end reports, management accounts, cash flow management, compliance, tax liability, presentation of management information and KPIs. Ensure that the CEO and Trustees are provided with accurate, timely information and analysis.
· Oversee and coordinate the fully managed payroll services with the external bureau for all Career Ready employees and for some internship students (Jun to Aug during the Summer)
· Administration of the Staff Opt-In Pension Scheme, including onboarding new staff (Royal London)
· Act as a role model in our ‘one team’ culture. Lead in the development of efficient working practices across the charity, creating momentum and supporting motivation within the charity.
· Lead risk management strategies and internal control procedures to minimise the risk of loss, or damage to, Career Ready’s assets.
· Prepare and submit annual operational budgets and annual accounts to the CEO for review and approval.
· Draft and deliver papers for Trustees and Finance and Fundraising Committee (F&FC) meetings.
· Attend Board and F&FC meetings to present papers and answer questions related to areas of expertise.
· Provide day to day line management of the Senior Finance Officers and support their ongoing growth and development.
· Management of organisational governance and compliance activities, including policy management.
· Oversee and manage the organisation’s risk management register and process, with input from SMT.
· Oversee reviews and renewals of all insurance policies that affect the organisation.
· Lead on the compliance of statutory and charity regulatory reporting, giving guidance to colleagues where required.
· Ensure any changes to processes and procedures across the function are clearly documented.
Person Specification
Essential skills and experience
- Belief and commitment to Career Ready’s mission and values
- Qualified (ACA/ACCA/CIMA/AAT) accountant with at least 5 years’ experience in financial management including budgeting, preferably in the charity sector.
- Significant experience in producing management and financial accounts
- Skilled in financial reporting and producing VAT returns
- Preparing for and ensuring a successful year-end audit, and demonstrable knowledge of UK Charities SORP and other reporting standards
- Experience in budgeting to support strategic decision making.
- Financial dexterity and strong analytical skills.
- Strong IT skills, including advanced MS Excel skills and extensive of using an accounting software, preferably Xero
- Excellent organisational and prioritising skills and ability to work independently and with autonomy
- Strong starter finisher with ability to lead and drive projects
- Knowledge of charity governance and compliance requirements
- Ability to build excellent relationships and have effective engagement with stakeholders
- Good communication skills and ability to communicate financial concepts to non-finance staff
- Attention to detail
- Ability to present financial information to various audiences
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and sensitivity of financial information
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
- Ability to cope with competing demands to deadlines
- Honest and dependable
Desirable skills and experience
- Experience of leading a team, strong team building skills
- Line management experience
- Experience of using MS Planner or other project management tools
- Genuine interest in the work done by the Charity
- Experience of using a CRM (Salesforce)
- Degree in financial management or accounting
Full details are provided in the candidate pack
Salary and Benefits
Salary: £52,000 to £54,000 FTE (salary will be pro-rata for part time hours)
28-35 hours per week. Career Ready is committed to supporting condensed/flexible working patterns.
Permanent and remote. Travel to London required on an occasional basis
You will be rewarded with the following benefits:
· 6% contribution to personal pension plan, subject to 3% employee contribution.
· Annual leave: 27 days per annum plus bank/public holidays (pro rata for part time). The charity is also closed between Christmas and New Year. Career Ready also allows flexible use of some Bank & Public Holidays
· Cycle to Work Scheme
· Access to both our Reward Gateway Portal and an Employee Assistance Programme.
· Flexible working
· Work from home allowance and paid travel expenses.
We regret that Career Ready is unable to offer visa sponsorship and candidates must be able to demonstrate their right to work in the UK. In accordance with our commitment to safeguarding, offers of employment are subject to completion of a DBS check.
Timetable
Applications close at 9am on Monday 21 July 2025
Please note that the closing date may be brought forward if we receive strong applications.
This is an interim role to cover a period of maternity leave, with a provisional start date of late September for a handover period.
Registered Charity 
21 - 50
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!
Reports to: Director of Fundraising & Communications
Closing date: 24th July (We’ll be interviewing for the role on a rolling basis until the position is filled so please apply early to avoid disappointment)
Preferred timezone: GMT -/+ 5 (for meeting purposes, but all applications welcome)
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About Climate Catalyst
Climate Catalyst is a U.S. based non-profit dedicated to galvanizing the collective power of business, investors, and civil society to influence and accelerate policy change in Asia and Europe. Our vision is a just, prosperous world in which global warming is limited to 1.5°C.
Climate Catalyst works to strengthen collaboration and mobilise new actors on pivotal climate challenges to build power and compel political leaders to act at the speed and scale needed to tackle the climate crisis. We do this by:
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Working behind the scenes with stakeholders in Europe and Asia to identify critical climate issues where action to date has been limited and the potential for collaboration is high.
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Bringing together renowned experts and new entrants to share ideas, and design and deliver creative campaigns that secure decisive changes in national and regional policy to deliver sectoral tipping points and secure significant emissions reductions.
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Advising on strategy, offering grants and bringing creative communications, advocacy and business expertise to build power across the climate community and catalyse action.
To date, we’ve used this model successfully to mobilise the business community in support of the EU Nature Restoration Law, the first legislation for peatlands protection across Europe, and spark collective action in India that led to commitment from the Ministry of Steel to develop a green steel policy. Our vision is of a just, prosperous world in which global temperature rise is limited to 1.5°C.
About The Role
The overall remit of this role is to:
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Lead prospect research and funding trends analysis, identifying strategic opportunities and informing fundraising strategy
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Strategically map, expand, and cultivate high-value supporter networks, taking ownership of key relationships
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Design, implement, and optimise comprehensive stakeholder engagement journeys, ensuring a high-quality donor experience
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Support good governance in Climate Catalyst by planning and organising the work of the board, with direction from the CEO
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Lead and manage high-level stakeholder engagement strategies, including direct engagement with members of the Strategic Council to foster sustained partnerships.
What you will do
Strategic stakeholder relationship management, engagement and mapping (70%)
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Strategically identify, research, and qualify high-net-worth individuals, foundations, and corporate prospects, developing robust pipelines for major gifts.
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Identify, cultivate, and steward significant donor relationships, focusing on securing major gifts and sustained funding.
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Design, implement, and lead comprehensive donor cultivation and stewardship strategies, ensuring effective pipeline management and successful solicitation of significant contributions.
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Develop and execute sophisticated communication plans tailored to specific donor segments, ensuring compelling messaging and impact reporting.
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Prepare and deliver high quality briefings, proposals, and presentations for senior leadership to use in high-stakes donor meetings and engagements.
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Support the development and updating of core project materials including key messages, Q&A, response lines, briefings and presentations, tailoring messages to specific audiences, to be used across multiple channels
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Proactively analyse philanthropic trends, competitor activities, and funding opportunities to support the Director of Fundraising & Communications in adapting Climate Catalyst’s fundraising strategy
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With support from the Digital Communications Manager, lead the strategic utilisation and optimisation of CRM and fundraising management tools to ensure data integrity, generate actionable insights, and support reporting on fundraising performance.
Board and Strategic Council support (30%)
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Support good governance in Climate Catalyst - by developing the board workplan, organising meetings, securing inputs to these meetings, minute-taking, and ensure follow up on agreed actions (all with direction from the CEO)
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Drive and support pro-active engagement between Climate Catalyst senior staff and individual members of the Strategic Council, with direction from the CEO
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Drive and support pro-active and effective relationship management by the CEO with high-level partners and allies of Climate Catalyst, by planning, preparing and tracking engagement
What You Would Bring
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Experience in managing and supporting the governance functions of boards or similar high-level advisory bodies, demonstrating autonomy and initiative.
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Demonstrated success in managing complex stakeholder relationships, including foundations, high-net-worth individuals, institutional funders, and senior advisors
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Exceptional project management, organisational, and administrative skills with a proven ability to independently manage multiple priorities and complex workflows.
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Demonstrated track record of independently identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major donors or high-value foundations, resulting in significant grants or partnerships.
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Strong understanding of philanthropic trends, fundraising best practices, and donor lifecycle management.
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Experience with CRM systems (e.g., Hubspot, Salesforce, Raiser's Edge) for donor management, pipeline tracking, and reporting, with an ability to leverage data for strategic decision-making.
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Experience, comfort with, and preference for working across various regions and cultures.
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Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling proposals, presentations, and reports for diverse audiences.
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Ability to schedule work and deliver to tight deadlines
How You Work
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Results-driven with a strong focus on achieving fundraising targets and strategic objectives, while maintaining meticulous attention to detail.
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Collaborative leader who actively supports and champions colleagues, fostering a positive and productive team environment.
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Strategic thinker who can actively listen, synthesise complex information, and contribute to elevating the overall thinking and strategy of the team.
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Humble, with low ego and ready to roll up your sleeves
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Committed to our values of courage, collaboration, diversity and learning
Additional Information
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Currently, our main working language is English. Fluency in another language is highly valued.
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This position requires travel
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If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment tasks or otherwise participating in the interview process, please inform us of that in the relevant application section.
Compensation + Benefits
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Pay is competitive in all hiring regions.
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The salary band for this role in USD is $70,000 - $86,000
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Benefits include: wellness stipend, professional development, co-working space coverage, generous pension contribution and more.
For more information about working with us at Climate Catalyst, including compensation and benefits, visit our website.
Diversity at Climate Catalyst
Climate Catalyst aims to design inclusive strategies to meet our objectives. We recognise that the only way to deliver on this is to build a diverse team composed of individuals with varying backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We encourage applicants from historically marginalised and currently underrepresented groups in the climate movement to apply.
Equal Employment Opportunities
Climate Catalyst is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable employment opportunity laws prohibiting discrimination. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, citizenship status, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable law.
How to Apply
To apply, please upload a cover letter of no more than one page outlining interest in the role and your CV to this application page.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.