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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.

We are a small but mighty team, with huge ambitions to transform more lives of those who live with an intellectual disability, through the power of sport.

If you are just looking for a job, then we are probably not for you. However, if you are an experienced finance and business operations professional able to demonstrate strategic and operational ability around financial planning and processes as well as delivering cost effective, efficient and fit-for-purpose business services, then we would like to hear from you.  Charity finance experience and experience in a similarly broad role covering other areas of business operations including IT, risk management, data protection & data management and health & safety is a must.

We continue to be focused on our vision to create an inclusive world for all, driven by the power of sport, through which people with intellectual disabilities live active, healthy and fulfilling lives. We are a small, but growing, team with huge ambitions, and applicants must be comfortable operating in an environment where working under your own initiative is expected and encouraged.

We are looking for people who are passionate about Special Olympics and are completely aligned with our values. We are authentic. We act with honesty, integrity and respect. We are creative and innovative. We love to embrace difference and doing things differently. We are brave, courageous, resilient and determined. We listen and are led by the voice of our athletes. We are always kind. We are Inclusion in Action.

We are continuing to build a high-performing team who care for each other and care about our cause. Our athletes are incredibly inspirational, courageous and insightful people, and they deserve a team who are equally committed and passionate about our mission.

This is a permanent, home-based role. There will be the requirement to attend internal and external meetings or events which will involve travel away from home and working outside of normal hours.     

The role is both strategic and operational in nature and represents a fantastic chance to join an amazing charity at an exciting time of growth.

For job role specifics please see the Job Description.

What We Can Offer 

· Competitive salary circa £33,000 (£55K FTE) per annum depending on experience. 

· 15 days holiday on appointment plus pro rata bank holidays and one extra day for your Birthday. 

· Stakeholder Pension Scheme from appointment. 

· Time off in Lieu (TOIL) for out of hours work. 

· Flexible working. 

· Health Cash Plan

How to Apply

To apply, please send a covering letter (maximum 2 pages) explaining why you wish to work for Special Olympics GB. It is important that all prospective employees understand our mission and are driven by our cause. Please be specific about how your skills and experience will help you undertake this role and how they match the requirements of the Job Description and Person Specification. Generic letters and agency approaches will not be considered. Please also include your CV.

First stage interviews will be held week commencing 28th July 2025.

Safer Recruitment 

Special Olympics Great Britain is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The suitability of all prospective employees or volunteers will be assessed during the recruitment process. The successful candidate will be required to complete regular safeguarding training and undertake a DBS/PVG check relevant to the requirements of the role. For this role that will involve a Basic Disclosure. 

Equal Opportunities

Special Olympics GB is committed to equality and diversity and encourages all sections of the community, particularly those living with a disability, who meet the job requirements to apply.

Other

The job holder will need to provide evidence of their ability to live and work in the UK and will be required to undertake a basic DBS check.

We will only contact those who have been selected for interview.

We request no contact from agencies.

Operation Christmas Child UK (OCC) has implemented a strategic volunteer ministry, investing in teams of volunteers who will multiply themselves and hugely extend the reach of OCC’s mission.

OCC is the world’s largest shoebox appeal where Samaritan’s Purse, together with local churches here and overseas, distributes from the UK 1/4 million gift-filled shoeboxes annually to children in need overseas and in so doing demonstrates God’s love in a tangible way while sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.

A resourceful and energetic Regional Manager is needed to recruit, select, equip, and lead teams of volunteers throughout the 32 London boroughs.

You will be passionate about developing others towards highly effective ministry, teamwork and increased personal competency.

You will also directly engage churches to participate in OCC in areas not yet covered by Connect volunteers. A special opportunity will be engaging London churches that have partnered with our sister ministry, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association for the June 2025 God Loves You Tour London.

You will be confident to take initiative with people and projects and also have good administrative and organisational skills. You will also enjoy envisioning the numerous volunteers who participate in the OCC shoebox appeal each year.

You will enthusiastically support the Christian purposes of OCC and Samaritan’s Purse and be committed to the value of well-equipped volunteers and to developing them further. Candidates will have proven people and project management and administrative experience in the workplace and be educated to A levels or ideally Degree level.

This role is based in region, and so prospective candidates should currently live in the region and provide their own transport for which defined expenses will be paid.

In accordance with the Equality Act of 2010 and due to both the nature and context of the role there is an ‘occupational requirement’ for the post holder to be a committed Christian. The job holder should be committed to the purpose of Samaritan’s Purse and be able to demonstrate enthusiasm for the Christian purposes of the organisation and be able to live out, hold to, support and contribute to its Christian ethos.

We're recruiting for an Engagement Lead, to work in our Innovation & Practice team. 

As Engagement Lead you will play a central role in our team – developing, leading and managing significant projects for us, including citizens’ assemblies, citizens’ juries, deliberative workshops, and participatory processes. You will need to have a good understanding of deliberative processes, have excellent project leadership and project management skills, as well the ability to build and maintain good relationships with a wide variety of people, including members of the public, project partners, colleagues and decision-makers.

The role sits in the Innovation and Practice team that designs and delivers high quality practical engagement work leading to better decisions, more engaged citizens and helps address critical challenges of our society. We are constantly balancing high quality standards with innovation to ensure that we stay at the cutting edge and that our engagement processes break down entrenched inequalities of power.

You will be a proven project leader looking to make your next move and develop your leadership skills and profile in this interesting and important area of public participation work. We are particularly interested in candidates who have experience in the design and delivery of large scale deliberative engagement projects. 

Change Grow Live is a national charity dedicated to helping people overcome challenges and build better lives. We’re seeking a Regional Volunteering Manager – London and the South to help grow and strengthen volunteering and student placements across our diverse services.

This role is perfect if you’re motivated to make a positive difference by supporting people and enabling services to embed volunteering at the heart of their work. You’ll provide expert advice, foster collaboration and learning, and shape how volunteering is developed and delivered across a wide range of communities and services. You’ll take a coaching approach in all that you do.

Your focus will be on ensuring best practice in volunteering. You’ll also be playing a significant role in increasing the impact of volunteering across the organisation. While no prior health or social care experience is required, you will demonstrate a strong commitment to supporting others and driving positive change.

As a connector, adviser, and leader, you will work collaboratively with services across your region, and with our central support functions. You will represent volunteering in important decision-making forums, and help develop policies and practices that put people first. With a focus on equality, diversity, and inclusion, you’ll help create environments where volunteers and those we support truly thrive.

We also have 2 other Volunteering Manager positions currently open.  1 role is covering Scotland and the North and 1 role is a National Specialist Services role covering all CGL’s specialist services. Please check our website for more details.

Full Time Hours: 37.5 hours per week | Permanent | Hybrid working with regular service visits within your regional area
Location: Flexible, with national travel as required
Full Time Salary: 40-44 CGL scale points

*please note: Full-time hours at Change Grow Live are 37.5 hours per week. For part-time roles, the salary and payments will be pro rata based on contracted hours.

Responsibilities

About You:

You understand the deep value of volunteering and are passionate about turning that passion into practical, strategic support across a wide-ranging organisation. You believe in the power of people coming together to make a real difference and are eager to help create volunteering opportunities that are inclusive, safe, and meaningful.

With strong communication skills and a talent for building positive relationships, you’re motivated by purpose and ready to learn and grow in this important work. Adaptable and solution-focused, you thrive in change and are confident facilitating learning, coaching others, and influencing how volunteering shapes services and communities.

You’ll flourish in this role if you:

• Are passionate about empowering others and championing inclusion
• Enjoy building connections and supporting learning
• Embrace change with optimism and flexibility
• Want to help influence policy and practice at a national level

What You Bring:

• Experience supporting and managing volunteers or placements, whether in a specialist or partnership role, demonstrating your ability to make a real difference.
• A strong understanding of best practices in volunteering, with knowledge of the frameworks that ensure safe, meaningful, and impactful involvement.
• Confidence in creating positive learning environments and coaching colleagues to grow and succeed.
• Awareness of safeguarding, safer recruitment, and working within a values-driven HR context that puts people first.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to build trust and collaborate effectively at every level.
• A proactive and optimistic mindset, combined with a genuine commitment to a people-centered approach in all you do.

What We’re Excited to See:

• A genuine enthusiasm for volunteer management and engaging with communities.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills that foster collaboration and connection.
• A willingness to learn, grow, and develop specialist knowledge.
• The ability to support and guide teams as they embrace new ways of working.
• Step into a role where your efforts help thousands of people feel valued, supported, and empowered every day.

Why Join Change Grow Live?

• A role where you can make a genuine, lasting impact — supporting volunteers who change lives every day.

• A supportive, inclusive and forward-thinking team.

• 25 days annual leave (rising with service) + bank holidays.

• Flexibility and hybrid working arrangements.

• Ongoing personal and professional development.

• Wellness resources, employee assistance and lifestyle discounts.

Ready to Make a Difference?

Bring your unique skills and passion to a role that empowers volunteering across the country. We welcome all backgrounds and experiences - your voice matters here.

Apply today and be part of a future where everyone’s contribution to volunteering is celebrated, valued, and makes a lasting impact.

** Please note that we will be conducting for face to face interviews in London on the 31st July 2025.

Salary Range (pro rata if part time)

CGL points 40 to 44 (£44,471.72 - £48,906.23)

ILW / OLW /Fringe

N/A - Outside London Weighting Area

Interview Date

31/7/2025

Closing Date

22/7/2025

We are seeking a compassionate, visionary, and strategic Chief Executive Officer to lead Mermaids through the next stage of its evolution, dedicated to improving the lives of gender-diverse children and young people, and those who are important to them. As CEO, you will be responsible for driving the charity’s mission, shaping its strategic direction, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality, affirming support services. You will act as a visible and credible advocate for trans and 
gender-diverse youth, build strong relationships with stakeholders, and influence public policy and sector practice. Working closely with the Board of Trustees, you will oversee a small committed team, ensure robust financial management with the Chief Operating Officer, and lead fundraising efforts to secure a sustainable future. This is a unique opportunity for a values-driven leader who brings both strategic acumen and a deep commitment to equity, inclusion, and lived 
experience. 
Service Delivery:
• Provide strategic and operational leadership across all service delivery areas, including support line services, group work,  advocacy, external communications, and policy.
• Ensure services are high quality, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of trans and gender-diverse children, young people and the special people in their lives.
• Lead the continuous improvement and development of service delivery models, ensuring impact, effectiveness, and alignment with the charity’s mission.
• Champion a culture of safeguarding, accountability, and young person-centred practice throughout all service delivery. 
• Act as the organisation’s Safeguarding Lead, with oversight of on-call, safeguarding training, and ensuring appropriate escalation mechanisms are in place.
• Oversee the design and implementation of advocacy and policy activities, ensuring the charity’s voice is informed by lived 
experience and is impactful at local and national levels.
• Act as a visible and hands-on leader for frontline teams, providing support, supervision, and inspiration to staff and 
volunteers.
• Monitor performance, outcomes, and feedback to ensure services are meeting objectives and delivering positive change 
for beneficiaries.

Governance:
• In partnership with the board of trustees, set and articulate our vision, mission and strategy, and keep this under continual 
review.
• Lead the development and implementation of Mermaid’s strategic plan, ensuring sustainability and growth.
• Liaise with the board of trustees to ensure the charity’s governance, structure, policies and procedures are appropriate 
and effective, taking remedial measures and implementing change as necessary. This includes supporting board 
development.
• Work closely with the Chair and Board of Trustees to support strong governance and informed decision-making.
• Provide accurate and timely reporting on organisational performance, risks, and impact.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory guidance and legislation, including the Charity Commission and the Fundraising 

Finance & Fundraising:
• Working with the Chief Operating Officer and the Board of Trustees, ensure Mermaids has robust, deliverable fundraising 
and finance strategies in place, and subsequent action plans are embedded throughout the organisation to support their 
delivery.
• In partnership with the Chief Operating Officer, ensure Mermaids has robust finance, HR, IT, data privacy and governance processes and procedures are embedded.

People and Culture:
• Line manage senior staff including the COO and service delivery managers.
• Foster a positive, collaborative, inclusive internal culture that values lived experience and wellbeing.
• Continue work to embed a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion across the organisation, as well as a focus on accessibility.
• Work to define and drive trans-centred leadership across the organisation, including ensuring that the organisation is a trans-positive, supportive employer.

External Engagement and Advocacy:
• Represent Mermaids publicly, including acting as the key spokesperson and strategic policy stakeholder, ensuring 
organisational awareness of the external landscape and the changing needs of trans children, young people and their 
families, and advocating for these needs to be met.
• Lead communications strategy, and lead press engagement by responding to media inquiries, interviews, press conferences and media events.
• Lead on stakeholder engagement, including with funders, supporters, community partners, and policy influencers.
• Advocate for the rights and needs of trans and gender-diverse children, young people and the significant others in their lives at a national level.
 

At Gaddum, we treat everyone as individuals. We really get to know those we help, understanding their world to offer a range of support that’s right for them. Our promise of tailored support is made possible by our breadth and depth of knowledge, through our unwavering commitment to the local people of Greater Manchester.

Our experience listening to generation after generation, for nearly 200 years, has taught us the importance of considering not just the individual but also the relationships around them. Our innovative approach means we can, not only build resilience, but identify further risks and offer preventive support now and in the future. At Gaddum, we believe that by supporting individuals, we ultimately help support entire communities.

Our aim is to empower and enhance the lives of people in Greater Manchester. We currently work in five Greater Manchester authorities, Bury, Manchester, Rochdale, Salford and Stockport.

Job Purpose

Gaddum has secured external funding to deliver an Employer care project, which will provide unpaid carers living in Manchester with support and coaching in order for them to re-enter paid or voluntary employment.

Delivery of this support to carers will be by Employment Coaches, who will manage a small caseload of carers and provide them with 1:1 support, helping them overcome barriers to employment and training. You will be responsible for supporting them through every stage of their journey, enabling participants to address their barriers and realise their aspirations. Successful employment coaches believe in the potential of every individual they work with.

Core responsibilities

• To support carers to address their barriers to employment by providing individual tailored packages of support so they can develop the necessary skills and confidence to secure and sustain employment.
• To act as coach and a mentor to build strong positive relationships, guide, motivate, challenge, encourage and help carers obtain sustainable employment.
• To ensure delivery targets are achieved by working with carers to identify employment opportunities and support them into and during employment.
• To meet personal performance targets and Key Performance Indicators.
• To manage a caseload of carers and utilise a variety of coaching strategies to help carers overcome barriers to obtaining sustainable employment.
• To undertake in-depth assessments using a suite of tools to fully understand a carers circumstances, preferences and holistic barriers to progression.
• To co-produce personalised action plans with sequenced interventions and development opportunities.
• To work with multiple agencies to develop holistic approaches to support carers. (Support the carers in all aspects of job-search and interview preparation to ensure that customers are matched to the right job that enables them to sustain employment and develop a career.
• To develop and maintain knowledge of the local labour market to source suitable job opportunities.
• Identify specific recruitment needs of potential employers.
• Develop relationships with key stakeholders to maximise customer opportunities.
• Proactively participate in continuous improvement activities to ensure that the service continues to deliver excellent customer service.
• Maintain IT files and customer records to the required compliance and quality standards.
• Fully comply with Gaddum policies including those for personal data security, safeguarding and health & safety.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• To complete specific tasks allocated through work plans, project plans and the business plan.
• To provide monthly information (accurate data and informative commentary) within your areas of responsibility for performance management purposes.
• To be involved in producing information for annual impact reports.
• To actively engage in ongoing personal and professional development, making full use of supervision, appraisal and learning opportunities.
• To act at all times to promote equality and diversity ensuring inclusive and integrated services.
• To seek advice, support and guidance as required
• To encourage service users to be aware of the full extent of Gaddum’s services.
• To maintain a general understanding of the work of the whole organisation and attend team meetings/events.
• To adopt a flexible approach to working patterns to suit the needs of the role and responsibilities as required.