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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!
Senior Individual Giving Executive
c.£33,000 per annum
Remote
The Talent Set is thrilled to partner with a leading UK children’s charity to recruit a Senior Individual Giving Executive.
This exciting opportunity plays a key role in delivering impactful, multi-channel fundraising campaigns. The successful candidate will manage high-value projects across channels such as digital, direct mail, DRTV, and telemarketing, supporting income growth through regular giving, lotteries, cash appeals, raffles, and more.
This is a fantastic role for someone with strong campaign management experience who’s ready to step up and help shape future planning, guide junior team members, and work collaboratively with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
If you're passionate about creating powerful supporter journeys and driving fundraising success, this could be your ideal next step.
Key Responsibilities:
- Plan and manage end-to-end fundraising campaigns across a range of channels including digital, direct mail, DRTV, dialogue, lottery, and raffles—ensuring compliance, timely delivery, and budget management.
- Support strategic development by evaluating campaign performance, contributing insights, and making data-driven recommendations to inform future Individual Giving strategy.
- Oversee campaign budgets, including forecasting, processing invoices, monitoring variances, and supporting the development of annual income and expenditure plans.
- Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring campaigns align with brand guidelines, fundraising strategy, and organisational goals.
- Mentor and support junior team members, providing guidance on campaign delivery, professional development, and internal processes.
- Champion continuous improvement, staying up to date with sector trends, contributing to team planning, and actively supporting diversity and inclusion within the organisation.
Person Specification:
- Proven experience managing campaigns across at least two fundraising channels (e.g. face-to-face, telemarketing, direct mail, DRTV, or digital), with strong understanding of creative processes, data segmentation, and campaign evaluation.
- Skilled in setting and monitoring budgets, working to KPIs, analysing campaign performance, and supporting data-driven decision making.
- Ability to plan, prioritise and manage multiple projects simultaneously under pressure, ensuring timely delivery and accuracy in all aspects of campaign delivery.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with experience liaising with internal stakeholders and external suppliers, and ability to give clear, constructive creative feedback.
- Confident using Microsoft Office (especially Word, Excel, Outlook), with analytical and numeracy skills and familiarity with database and data briefing tools.
- Proactive in personal development and supporting others, demonstrating flexibility, team spirit, and problem-solving capabilities in a fast-paced, changing environment.
What’s on Offer:
- Play a central role in delivering impactful fundraising campaigns across a range of high-performing channels including digital, DRTV, and direct mail.
- Contribute to the planning and development of the charities Individual Giving strategy, with opportunities to shape future campaign direction and innovation.
- Benefit from tailored learning and mentoring opportunities, including overseeing junior team members and collaborating across specialist teams and external partners.
- Be part of a mission-led organisation making a tangible difference across the UK, with values of hope, respect and inclusion at its core.
- Enjoy a healthy work/life balance with a supportive working policy, flexible hours, and travel only when required for essential team meetings or key events.
To be considered for this position please apply with your CV as soon as possible, regrettably please note we may not be able to reply to each and every application.
We are committed to diverse and inclusive recruitment practises that ensure equal opportunity for everyone, regardless of race, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, age or gender. We encourage applications from all backgrounds and will happily make reasonable adjustments to always ensure a fair process.
Thank you!
Salary: £29,000 - £33,600
Contract: Full-time/permanent
Location: Remote
Closing date: 16th July
Benefits: 6% pension, health and wellbeing support, work-life balance and cycle to work scheme
We have a great opportunity for a Senior Individual Giving Executive working for a fantastic national children’s charity.
This role will project manage a range of Individual Giving campaigns, which have substantial income and expenditure budgets. The role will sit within the Acquisition team, focusing on regular giving and weekly lottery, and work within the development and stewardship teams on appeals, raffles.
As part of this exciting role, you will manage a portfolio of innovative and high-performing campaigns across digital, direct mail, DRTV, and more. You’ll work with leading creative and media agencies, contribute to strategic planning, and help shape the future of supporter engagement.
Being remotely based and flexible in working pattern, as well as a strong focus on professional development, this role is perfect for someone looking to step up in their fundraising career.
To be successful as the Senior Individual Giving Executive, you will need:
- Proven experience managing direct marketing campaigns across multiple channels
- Strong budget management skills, including forecasting and reporting on income and expenditure
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, both internally and externally
If you would like to have an informal discussion, please give us a call and ask for Jake.
Ashby Jenkins Recruitment is a specialist charity recruitment agency. We use our extensive sector knowledge and experience to match candidates to the most suitable charity jobs. We are passionate about improving equality across the sector — you can read more about our commitment to diversity on our website.
We take a relationship-led approach to recruitment in the charity sector and partner with you as the leading charity recruitment agency.
If enough applications are received, the charity reserves the right to end the application period sooner.
If you would like to discuss this role with us, please quote the reference 2634JP
