Programme support officer jobs in the royal town of sutton coldfield, west midlands

The Woodland Trust is looking for a Communications and Engagement Manager in our South East England team, to lead the regional Communications and Engagement team and programme 

The Role: 
•    Develop a regional communications and engagement plan that identifies opportunities aimed at generating new supporters for the Trust - raising our profile, creating opportunities to raise additional income and delivering high quality engagement and volunteering.
•    Oversee delivery of the regional communications and engagement plan and ensure that related communications, engagement, visitor experience and volunteering opportunities are planned and resourced. 
•    Manage a small regional team of communications, engagement and volunteering officers
•    Liaise and regularly work cross departmentally, to ensure communication plans reflect and support the national communications agenda. In particular, strengthen links with centrally based communications and volunteering teams, fundraising teams and conservation and focus area work.
•    Act as communications lead on all funded projects and partnership work
•    Plan, manage and report on a regional communications and engagement budget, as well as working closely with the Regional Director to support the regional budgeting process. This will include responsibility of monitoring spend and cost control.
•    Be the principal point of contact for communications, engagement and volunteering between the country and national teams; sharing best practice and acting as a conduit for internal communications.
•    Foster effective relationships internally and externally to engage and inspire a range of audiences and individuals
•    This role covers the South East of England including Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire, Bucks, Berks and Oxfordshire. It requires regular travel around South East England and UK. A full clean UK driving licence is required. 

The Candidate: 
•    You’ll have an enthusiasm for the environment and share our core values-Grow Together, Explore, Focus and Make it Count.
•    You will have experience leading engagement, volunteering or communications teams, providing inspirational leadership and line management.
•    You will have previous experience working and engaging with volunteers, supporters and communities with the ability to deliver objectives cost effectively, including managing, monitoring and reporting on work programmes and budgets.
•    You’ll know about the best methods in communicating with a wide variety of audiences using a mix of marketing and promotional channels. 
•    You’ll have a collaborative approach, with the ability to work with multiple teams, building relationships with both internal and external stakeholders effectively.
•  You will be a strong influencer and you will be confident in representing the Trust in dealings with multiple stakeholders. 

Benefits & Wellbeing: Joining our team means you'll be a big part of tackling environmental and climate issues. We take good care of our staff, offering support and training opportunities. We also offer:
•    Enhanced Employer Pension
•    Life Assurance
•    Flexible & Hybrid Working Options
•    Generous Annual Leave
•    Enhanced Parental Pay
•    Employee Assistance Programme

About Us: The Woodland Trust is the UK's leading woodland conservation charity and is dedicated to creating a world where trees and woods thrive for both people and nature. Our mission involves engaging and inspiring individuals to contribute toward tackling the nature and climate crisis through the protection, restoration, and creation of essential woodland habitats.

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion: To achieve our vision of a world where woods and trees thrive for people and nature, we need to better reflect society and the communities we work in. All people, no matter their background, identity, ability, or circumstance, should benefit from trees. 
People of colour and disabled people are currently under-represented across the environment and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we particularly encourage you to apply.
Please contact us to discuss any additional support or adjustments you may need to complete your application. 

Application Advice: For fairness we keep our candidates’ personal details hidden from the hiring managers, we do not ask for CVs at application stage. Make sure that your Personal Statement clearly shows how your skills and knowledge link to the specifications in the job description and you share with us your passion for the role. 
 
Apply Now: If you're ready to make a difference and grow with us, send in your application today. We might close the job opening early if we get a lot of applications, so it's a good idea to apply soon. If we do close the advert early, and you have an application in process, we will email you prior to closing to give you time to complete.

Interviews will be held via Microsoft Teams on 12th & 14th August 2025.

Purpose 

To provide day-to-day coordination and delivery of key HR and operational processes, supporting the smooth running of the organisation. The role ensures effective administration across the employee lifecycle, contributes to policy and compliance work, and supports internal systems, procurement, to enable staff to work efficiently and confidently. 

About Global Health Partnerships GHP  

GHP is a global health charity working in partnership with governments, health institutions, and international bodies to train health workers and strengthen health systems across 31 countries.

We do this through grants management and capacity building, alongside research, convening and advocacy towards the goal of Universal Health Coverage. At the centre of our approach, is the model of Health Partnerships, long-term relationships between UK and LMIC health institutions, which improve health services through the reciprocal exchange of skills, knowledge, and experience.

At the heart of our work is the vision of a world where everyone has access to healthcare. 

You can learn more about our work on our website.  

The team and role overview  

The HR & Operations function is led by the HR & Operations Manager and includes two Coordinators and one Operations Officer. Together, the team is responsible for delivering effective people management processes, operational support, and internal systems that enable the organisation to function smoothly across both UK and international offices. 

The HR & Operations Coordinator reports to the HR & Operations Manager and plays a key role in ensuring the smooth coordination of HR processes, internal policies, and organisational logistics. The post holder will work closely with the Finance team, senior management, and staff across both the UK Head Office and overseas Country Offices, supporting a wide range of activities that are vital to employee experience and organisational effectiveness. 

Three things to be excited about 

• You’ll play a central role in supporting a mission-driven organisation, contributing to the wellbeing and effectiveness of teams across the UK and internationally. 

• You’ll work across departments—from Finance to Programmes to senior leadership—giving you exposure to a variety of functions and opportunities to shape how the organisation operates. 

• This role offers hands-on experience across both HR and operations, with scope to strengthen your skills in policy development, recruitment, employee engagement, and internal systems—ideal for someone looking to grow in both breadth and depth. 

Main responsibilities 

Human Resources

• Act as the first point of contact for staff and managers (including secondees and contractors) on day-to-day HR queries, ensuring advice aligns with GHP’s policies, employment law and best practice. 

• Support the HR & Operations Manager with complex employee relations cases (e.g. disciplinary, grievance or capability), maintaining accurate case records and timelines. 

• Coordinate end-to-end recruitment campaigns: preparing job packs, advertising, shortlisting logistics, interview coordination and onboarding administration. 

• Administer staff learning and development activity, including supporting appraisal-related training needs, tracking participation, and organising internal training sessions. 

• Maintain accurate, compliant and confidential HR records, including management of absence data, holidays and TOIL via the online HR system. 

• Prepare routine and ad-hoc reports on HR metrics for the HR & Operations Manager and SMT (e.g. turnover, diversity, absence). 

• Contribute to embedding GHP’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion across all people-related processes and practices. 

• Support country offices by providing guidance on HR compliance and operational documentation (e.g. contracts, handbooks, policy templates). 

Operational and Administrative Support

• Manage key shared inboxes and ensure timely triage or escalation of messages to relevant team members. 

• Maintain ongoing contact with travel agencies to coordinate bookings, ensure value for money, and support compliant travel planning. 

• Procure and coordinate delivery of IT equipment and office supplies for new starters in line with budget and procurement processes. 

• Set up and deactivate staff email accounts and systems access, maintaining accurate logs for compliance and security. 

• Liaise with the outsourced IT support provider and/or Digital Transformation Team to resolve tech issues, improve systems, and ensure efficient digital onboarding. 

• Oversee day-to-day office operations including booking meeting rooms and acting as key contact. 

• Maintain internal email distribution lists, ensuring they are accurate, GDPR-compliant, and regularly reviewed. 

• Draft consultancy and volunteer agreements using agreed templates, in collaboration with relevant managers. 

• Maintain an up-to-date tracker of consultant contracts and supporting documents, ensuring files are audit-ready. 

• Regularly file and update HR document templates (e.g. contracts, onboarding checklists, reference forms) to ensure they are current and accessible to the HR team. 

Job Location:          Home-based, with some travel to our London office.

Responsible to:     Head of Sector Support 

Hours:                35 hours per week 

Grade:                   Point 31-34 £34,696- £37,489 (a London Allowance will be applied to employees who live in London, plus 6% employer’s pension, subject to a minimum 2% contribution by the employee) 

Contract:              Fixed term until 31st March 2026.

Benefits:

• Friendly and collaborative working environment
• Remote working
• 25 to 30 days holidays per annum plus bank holidays (depending on length of service and pro-rata for part-time employees)
• Contributory pension scheme including 6% employer’s contribution (subject to employee’s minimum 2% contribution)
• Enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity pay
• Occupational sick pay depending on length of service and pro-rata for part-time employees.
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to staff discounts

Closing date: 17th July 2025, 17:00

Interviews to take place: 28th & 29th July 2025

About the role: 

We are seeking a proactive and detail-oriented Digital Learning Content Specialist to join our Sector Support team. This role is pivotal in designing, developing, and managing engaging digital learning experiences through our Learning Management System (LMS). You will be responsible for creating online learning content and the day-to-day administration of the LMS.

About you: 

• Proven experience working with Learning Management Systems (administration, user management, content upload) 
• Proficiency in e-learning authoring tools (e.g., Articulate Storyline, Adobe Captivate, H5P) and multimedia content creation 
• Experience with SCORM, xAPI (Tin Can API), or other e-learning standards 
• Strong understanding of instructional design principles and adult learning theory, and UX principles for digital learning design 
• Knowledge of accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG 2.1) and inclusive design practices 
• Commitment to meaningful anti-discriminatory practice, and equity, diversity and inclusion 
• Demonstrate a commitment to - and understanding of - the values, aims and objectives of Respect 

*NB. Where there are examples provided, your experience can be transferrable rather than exact. 

About Respect:   

Respect is a pioneering UK membership organisation in the domestic abuse sector.  Founded in 2000, we have built our expertise over the last 25 years in what was then a fledgling sector and recently have seen significant and rapid growth.

How to apply 

You must download an application form from Respect's job page, and submit to the Operations department in word doc. format only, please.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact our HR Team directly (follow the link to Respect website)   

Closing date: 17th July 2025, 17:00 

Finance Business Partner: £500 - £534 per day (Umbrella) | Hybrid | Birmingham

For Europe's largest infrastructure project, based in Birmingham, we are recruiting an interim Finance Business Partner for the Corporate Services Directorate, and specially to partner with the CIO and the IT Directorate. Working within central finance, this role reports to the Senior Finance Business Partner, and provides financial support and critical analytical challenge to directorate business managers and executives to ensure the organisation achieves financial targets and delivers value for money within the budgets set by the comprehensive spending review.

Main Duties:

• Responsible for looking after a portfolio of directorates (HR, IT, Finance, Procurement, Facilities) and the corporate expenditure in the monthly financial accounts
• Drive consistent month-end reporting and review of all Corporate Directorate (c£200M)
• Lead business planning and forecasting processes, providing guidance on planning principles and expectations
• Provide Workforce Actual costs and forecast information to inform programme estimates
• Challenge budget holders to achieve workforce objectives
• Supporting Corporate Directors in determining the appropriate disaggregation and delegations to Contracts
• Review financial endorsement of Change and Investments, provide assurance to Finance Director that reporting expenditure and contract payments are appropriate
• Work to NAO Audits as required; Liaise regularly with Corporate Directors, Procurement and Supply Chain, Business Managers, Finance Teams and Corporate Finance Teams

Person Specification:

• CCAB qualified
• Experience in business planning, forecasting, business partnering and corporate finance
• Knowledge of Oracle accounting systems or other similar ERP systems
• Experience in working with Corporate Directors, budget holders, Business Managers, Head of HR, and wider Finance teams
• Ability to interpret financial information and determine IFRS treatment
• Ability to use Excel to analyse large and complex data sets and provide useful management information
• Experience in providing financial information to inform project decisions and cost, schedule, and quality consequences

________

As an employer, we are committed to ensuring the representation of people from all backgrounds regardless of their gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, religion, ethnicity, age, neurodiversity, disability status, or any other aspect which makes them unique. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds to apply and would encourage you to let us know if there are steps, we can take to ensure that your recruitment process enables you to present yourself in a way that makes you comfortable.

The Cleft Lip and Palate Association (CLAPA) is the national charity for people affected by cleft lip and palate in the United Kingdom. 

We are looking for a Digital Communications Coordinator to cover maternity leave and to support our busy Communications team.

The Digital Communications Coordinator is a key role within CLAPA, responsible for implementing our digital communications strategy to engage and inspire the UK cleft community. This role moves beyond content creation to take ownership of CLAPA’s digital communications across social and email platforms, ensuring online communications are strategic and data-driven. Working closely with colleagues across the organisation, this role supports the planning, delivery, and monitoring of campaigns that inform, support, and connect the cleft community in the UK. 

This is a hands-on role suited to someone with a good understanding of digital communications and a passion for community engagement. The Coordinator will manage day-to-day digital content, respond to online enquiries, and support internal teams with their communications needs. They will also play an important part in maintaining CLAPA’s brand and voice across all channels, ensuring our communications are accessible, on-brand, and effective. 

NB - We reserve the right to close applications early if we receive a high volume of strong candidates. 

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.

About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity for the right person to join the Refugee Migrant Centre as its Finance Assistant. RMC is an established, award winning, regional charity, renowned for its work with refugees and migrants.

For over 23 years, RMC has assisted thousands of refugees and migrants from 162 countries. It has helped to remove the barriers to integration, helping its clients become equal citizens, using a whole-person approach to the delivery of services from specialist legal advice through to education and employment programmes. ​

With the organisation expanding the finance department is also expanding and there is need for a Finance Assistant who will work closely with the key members of the finance department. This is an exciting time to be joining the team, as RMC are strengthening and expanding its infrastructure following a period of growth in staff, activities and turnover (from £776k to £3.8 million in the last 5 years).

Purpose and Scope of the Role

Job purpose:   

To support the Finance Officer in all aspects of the finance function and be responsible for the Financial Administration side of the the team's daily activities. Maintaining accurate records and assisting with the production of financial reports for month end proceudres as required by the finance Manager. Must also be able to communicate effectively with internal and external staff and be able to work on using your own initiative within a team as well independently. The role requires excellent attention to detail.

Main duties and responsibilities of the role

The post holder will have at least 2 years’ in-depth Admin & Book-keeping experience which includes:  

· Excellent book keeping, including bank reconciliations, sales and purchase ledger maintenance.  

· Assisting the Finance Officer to record and monitor and track income and expenditure and maintaining balanced and highly accurate records using QuickBooks. 

· Regular use of Excel to assist with maintaining and updating financial documents.

· Maintaining petty cash and reconciling monthly for the petty cash. accounts for Volunteers' expenses and general petty cash accounts for all 4 sites.  

· Ordering equipment and stationery using the correct process and negotiating with suppliers as well as matching invoices to delivery notes.  

· Monthly supplier statement reconciliations as well as liaising with suppliers to deal with any discrepancies.  

· Analyse staff expenses in line with the organisation's policy.  

· Assisting with the pension scheme reconciliations each month. 

· Assist in the weekly payment runs to suppliers through faster payment matching, batching, coding, and posting supplier invoices

· HMRC and Pension Journals.

· Filling and scanning documents

· Assisting in any other tasks required for the position

Flexibility 

In order to deliver the stated aims of for this post, a degree of flexibility is needed and the post holder may be required to perform work not specifically referred to above, such duties will fall within the scope of the job and be directly related within the appropriate pay grade. The job description will therefore be subject to periodic review with the post holder to ensure it accurately reflects the duties that are being performed 

Essential  

• Minimum 2 years in an equivalent Finance Position.
• Practical knowledge of QuickBooks  
• Excellent Knowledge of using Excel for financial spreadsheets  
• Familiarity of project funding and charity sector funders  

Applications will be assessed and suitable candidates will be shortlisted and interviewed on an ongoing basis and the Job will be closed once a suitable candidate has been appointed.

We are seeking a part-time Finance Manager for Energy Sparks, a charity working towards a sustainable future in which the school community is at the heart of measurable action to tackle climate change. Energy Sparks equips children and young people with the knowledge, skills, and tools to take practical action in their school and wider community to reduce carbon emissions. We enable school leaders, staff and communities to better understand and reduce their school’s energy consumption and introduce wider measures to reduce their carbon footprint. 

This is an exciting, new role in our growing team and provides a great opportunity to apply your financial accounting and management skills to help our charity flourish. As the only finance employee within a small organisation, this role will be a blend of weekly bookkeeping tasks alongside the preparation of management accounts and strategic oversight of Energy Sparks’ finances. The successful postholder will embrace the varied responsibilities. 

• Salary: £40,000-£42,000 pro rata dependent on experience

• Role initially offered 0.2 FTE. This can be worked 7.5 hours per week across the year or 8.75 hours per week term time only, with the opportunity for future growth, subject to income. Hours can be worked flexibly from Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.

• Home working with occasional team meetings in Bath (typically 1 visit per year, although for local employees there may be the opportunity to meet more often)

• Post holder must already have the legal right to work in the UK. 

Application deadline: 11:59pm Thursday 24th July 2025

To start September 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

About us

Energy Sparks is an online energy management tool and energy education programme specifically designed to help schools reduce their electricity and gas usage through the analysis of smart meter data. Energy Sparks helps pupils and the wider school community to reduce their school’s carbon emissions, and make a real contribution to addressing the 'climate emergency'. Energy Sparks started in 2017 in Bath, and is now working with over 1000 schools across the UK. 

Current annual income is £500,000 to £600,000 with expected growth in the 2025/2026 financial year. To date, the responsibilities in this job description have been delivered by the CEO. All staff work remotely with the core staff team based in the Bath area.

Key Responsibilities

Note: Energy Sparks currently uses the Xero accounting package to deliver most of the tasks below. 

1. Financial Reporting 

• Prepare monthly/quarterly management accounts, ensuring accurate reporting of income and expenditure.

• Provide financial reports to the CEO and Board of Trustees 

• Track restricted vs unrestricted funds and ensure proper allocation and reporting.

• Prepare the annual financial statements (in line with charity SORP).

2. Transaction recording and bank and payment reconciliation 

• Reconcile bank accounts weekly, including card payments

• Match incoming payments to invoices or grants

• Authorise and categorise supplier invoices

• Maintain accurate coding of income and spend to specific funders or grants (restricted/unrestricted funds), including apportioning staff salaries with manual journals

3. Accounts Payable and Receivable

• Process supplier payments

• Monitor supplier invoice due dates and ensure timely payment

• Issue sales invoices to schools, Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) and other partners

• Monitor accounts receivable and flag and chase overdue invoices with schools, MATs or partners.

• Monitor Energy Sparks account renewals and work with the wider team to issue renewal notifications.

4. Payroll 

• Check and post monthly payroll on Xero

• Post HMRC payments (PAYE/NIC)

• Process and post pension contributions

5. VAT

• Record input VAT on supplier payments including reverse charge VAT

• Correctly charge VAT on sales invoices

• Prepare quarterly VAT returns including accurate business/non-business apportionment for input VAT recovery

6. Record-Keeping

• Maintain digital records of receipts, invoices, and approvals

• Ensure proper documentation for charity finance compliance

7. Internal Controls & Risk Management

• Comply with Energy Sparks’ internal financial controls and policies to manage risk.

• Monitor cash flow and reserves and recommend adjustments for financial sustainability.

8. Strategic Financial Leadership

• Provide strategic financial insights to help inform decisions about growth and expansion.

• Assist with long-term planning, forecasting, and cost analysis for sustainability.

• Support organisational change, ensuring financial stability and compliance as the charity grows.

• Suggest improvements to financial processes, including optimising our use of accounting software to increase efficiency.

This will be a varied role within a small staff team and an ability to embrace a diversity of tasks is essential. There are currently no line management responsibilities for this post.
 

Person Specification

Experience & Knowledge

1. Significant experience in a senior finance role, ideally in the charity sector.

2. Strong knowledge of charity financial compliance, SORP, and statutory reporting

3. Experience of fund management and management accounts

4. Experience of preparing VAT returns and business/non-business apportionment 

5. Proficiency in Xero or similar accounting software, including manual journals

6. Confident running a Payroll function using Xero or other accounting software

7. Skilled in financial planning, reporting, and budgeting

8. Advanced use of Excel and Google Sheets.

9. Experience preparing for audits and liaising with external auditors/independent examiners

10. Strong communication skills with the ability to engage effectively with staff, funders, trustees, schools, Multi-Academy Trusts and suppliers. Happy to pick up the phone and chase schools or MATs for invoice payments!

11. A self-starter mentality with the ability to work independently as well as within a team.

12. Excellent organisation, efficiency, and attention to detail.

13. Strong problem-solving abilities and a solution-focused approach.

Nice to have

1. Strong interest in sustainability

Benefits

1. £40,000 to £42,000 pro rata dependent on experience 

2. 12% employer pension contribution

3. 38 days paid annual leave pro rata including bank holidays

4. 0.2 FTE. This can be worked 7.5 hours per week across the year or 8.75 hours per week term time only, with the opportunity for future growth subject to income. Hours can be worked flexibly from Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.

5. The opportunity to make a difference in reducing carbon emissions and helping young people to live sustainable lives.

Application deadline: 11:59pm Thursday 24th July 2025

To be considered for this role, all applicants must currently have the right to work in the UK.

Energy Sparks is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications regardless of race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.

At Children’s University Trust, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to thrive through learning beyond the classroom. We’re a small, passionate team with bold ambitions to expand our impact – and we’re looking for an equally ambitious Business Development and Community Partnership Manager to lead the way.

This is more than just a development role. It's about building sustainable growth strategies, forging powerful partnerships, and shaping a future where opportunity is no longer defined by postcode or circumstance.

As our Business Development and Community Partnership Manager, you will take the lead in shaping and implementing visionary, data-driven growth strategies across three vital areas:

• Place-based memberships with schools, universities, councils’ departments, and third sector organisations.
• Individual “at home” subscriptions for children in areas without direct Children’s University provision or those who do not engage with traditional education.
• Strategic business partnerships with corporates and SMEs, securing vital funding and in-kind support.

You’ll be a key figure in our next phase of growth — identifying new opportunities, building meaningful relationships, and helping us scale our reach across the UK.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive new business activity and revenue growth across all three strategic areas.
• Build a strong, inclusive pipeline of potential members, partners, and funders.
• Manage and nurture relationships from first contact through to long-term collaboration.
• Use data and insight to shape decision-making and report progress to the board.
• Be a passionate ambassador for Children’s University at events, conferences, and online.

We’re Looking for Someone Who:

• Has a proven track record in income generation, partnerships or sales – all sector’s welcome!
• Is passionate about improving the lives of children and young people.
• Is a strategic thinker with the energy of a new business developer.
• Has the confidence to influence senior stakeholders and the empathy to build trust.
• Brings a creative, collaborative, and resilient mindset.
• Thrives in a fast-paced, flexible, remote-first environment.

Why Join Us?

• A unique chance to shape a growing national charity’s development strategy.
• A collaborative, driven team that values innovation and purpose.
• Flexible working, with one day a week in Manchester.
• An opportunity to truly change lives through education and opportunity.

If you’re excited by the chance to lead sustainable growth with purpose, and you want your work to matter, we want to hear from you.

Apply today and be part of a team creating a brighter future for children across the UK.