Salary: £53,280 (£66,600 FTE)
Hours: Part-time (30 hours per week)
Contract type: Permanent
Location: Hybrid/Home-based, with occasional travel to meetings as required (travels expenses provided)
About the Role
Buglife is looking for an experienced and values-driven finance professional to join our Senior Leadership Team as Director of Finance.
This pivotal role will lead our financial strategy, planning and governance, ensuring long-term sustainability and impact for our mission to save the small things that run the planet.
Working closely with the Board of Trustees and fellow Directors, you’ll provide clear, strategic advice that supports robust decision-making, transparency and growth. You’ll oversee all aspects of financial management from budgeting and reserves to risk and compliance, ensuring resources are used wisely and effectively.
You’ll also lead and develop a Finance Team, fostering a supportive, collaborative environment through a period of exciting organisational transformation. You’ll drive innovation in financial systems and processes, supporting digital transformation and data-driven decision-making bringing clarity to complex financial issues and helping to shape the systems and practices that underpin Buglife’s future success.
What We’re Looking For
We’re looking for a confident, strategic finance leader with experience in the charity sector, strong technical expertise, and a genuine commitment to environmental and social good.
You’ll bring professional credibility, a collaborative approach, and ability to provide clear advice at Board level. You’ll combine strong analytical skills with collaborative working style and ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders balancing ambition and accountability while guiding and empowering your team.
A strong grounding in charity finance and governance, with a commitment to sustainable investment and innovation through digital transformation.
You’ll have:
- Senior leadership experience managing organisational finances and producing annual accounts
- A track record of shaping financial strategy in growing or complex organisations
- A professional accountancy qualification (ACCA/CIMA/ACA or equivalent) or equivalent experience
- Strong knowledge of charity governance, financial management, and accounting best practice
- Experience leading and developing finance teams
We’d particularly welcome:
- Experience in the charity, public, or mission-led sector
- A track record of driving innovation through digital transformation and new systems
- Knowledge of ethical investment principles and charity fundraising
Full details of essential, highly desirable, and desirable criteria are available in the recruitment pack on our website.
About Buglife
Buglife is the only organisation in Europe solely dedicated to the conservation of all invertebrates. From bees and beetles to spiders and snails, we work to halt invertebrate extinctions and secure thriving, sustainable populations of these essential creatures, which play critical roles in pollination, soil health, and entire ecosystems. Our mission is to halt the extinction of invertebrate species and secure sustainable populations of these essential creatures. We work across the UK and internationally through practical conservation, public engagement, scientific research, and policy advocacy.
Our projects restore habitats, reconnect landscapes, and raise awareness about the crucial role these small but mighty creatures play in keeping ecosystems healthy. Whether influencing national policy or planting wildflowers in local communities, we’re committed to saving the small things that run the planet.
What We Offer
- A supportive and flexible working environment.
- 23 days annual leave, pro rata (rising to 28 after 3 years service), plus office closure over between Christmas and New Year.
- Enhanced pension contributions.
- Opportunities for training, development, and career progression.
- The chance to make a tangible difference to the conservation of threatened invertebrate species.
- We welcome discussions about flexible working patterns within the 28-hour week
Buglife is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We particularly welcome applications from underrepresented groups in the environmental sector, including people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, and LGBTQ+ communities.
If you require any adjustments to the application or interview process, please contact us via our website.
How to Apply
Download the Director of Finance Recruitment Pack.
To apply, please submit your CV and a covering letter outlining your suitability for the role via our website.
Application deadline: 26 October 2025
Interviews: week commencing 10 November 2025 (held via Microsoft Teams)
Update (23 October 2025) : Due to high application volume, we're now closing this vacancy early. Please submit your application by Sunday 26 October at 23:30 UK time (GMT)
If you have not heard from us within two weeks of the closing date, please assume your application has not been successful on this occasion.
Registered Charity 
21 - 50
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
POST
Finance and Operations Manager
RESPONSIBLE FOR
Overseeing Operations at every level of the organisation, with line management responsibility for some of the team, Project and Workstream Coordinators (approximately 5 direct reports) plus some external consultants and contractors.
SALARY & HOURS OF WORK
Part Time – 4 days a week (30 hours)
Salary: Gross £40,000 pro rata £32,000
Term - Permanent
Annual Leave Entitlement - 31 days including public and bank holidays Pro Rata
Pension: Workplace pension contributions of 5% per month will be paid by NUM
LOCATION OF THE POST HOLDER
The post holder will be predominantly remote working but will be required to attend the head office and drop-in in Manchester, drop-in spaces in Glasgow and London, and support staff members nationally. The post involves some travel throughout the UK and some work outside of office hours. All equipment required for remote working will be provided and costs for travel will be covered.
ROLE SUMMARY
We are looking for a Finance and Operations Manager to support the CEO in the day-to-day running of our charity. The NUM CEO develops the overall vision of the organisation, while the Operations Manager is responsible to carry out the vision.
To be successful in this role, you should have experience as a manager in a position of public trust, have excellent financial, organisational, and communications skills, as well as being a problem-solver with work experience in high-pressure work environments. The Finance and Operations Manager must be versatile in their understanding of the larger vision and as well as the fine details and tactics needed to achieve NUM's goals.
The successful candidate will work in an agile manner to ensure the charity continues to be proactive and innovative, while also being responsive to the changing landscape within the sector and the international sex worker rights and safety movement. As part of supporting the operations of NUM, the successful candidate will provide resources, information and support to NUM Managers and Coordinators across diverse projects, workstreams and teams, to achieve aspects of the organisation’s mandate of 'ending all forms of violence against sex workers' and eliminating the conditions that lead to poverty and survival sex work.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
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At least 3 years' work experience as a Manager, Project or Programme Manager or similar role that requires oversight of a whole system, business, operation or organisation Experience leading remote or hybrid teams is desired. This includes time management skills, with the ability to prioritise tasks, lead team meetings and support members to manage resources, timelines and project budgets, etc.
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At least two years’ experience in grant writing and fund development, as well as in financial management, with a demonstrated ability to co-develop budgets, cashflow forecasts and financial reporting as well as oversee banking activities and work with accountants and Trustees to ensure NUM’s financial health.
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Knowledge of the charity sector, the day-to-day running of a charity, business or similar organisation, and familiarity with the work of National Ugly Mugs and other sex worker-serving and sex worker-led organisations.
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Excellent leadership and delegation skills and experience.
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Ability to support and execute on elements of NUM's policies and strategic plan.
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Experience and training in Safeguarding and the ability to integrate appropriate safeguarding into all aspects of NUM services.
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Exemplary critical thinking and problem-solving skills and experience.
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Excellent IT skills and familiarity with CRM systems, applications and digital platforms and services, particularly Google Workplace, QuickBooks, the Microsoft Office Suite, as well as Slack, Trello, and other project management programs and tools.
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Experience in Human Resource Management and monitoring performance across diverse teams.
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Exceptional verbal and written communications skills, with the ability to engage in knowledge translation within NUM and with external partners, funders and other stakeholders.
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A demonstrated ability to be discrete and confidential as part of working on sensitive issues within a diverse staff team, and to be tactful and strategic in challenging social and political climates.
Applications close on 31st October 2025 at 5pm BST.
Please send a CV (max 3 pages) and a cover letter (max 3 pages) to admin[at]nationaluglymugs[dot]org with your name and ‘Finance and Operations’ in the subject line.
Your cover letter should set out why you are interested in the post, and demonstrating with specific examples from your experience and qualifications, how you are the right person for this role. The Job Description PDF contains full guidance on what to include in your cover letter.
If you would like to request any adjustments or have any questions in relation to the role, please email in confidence. We will do our best to meet your needs.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.