Finance/Operations Manager - Animal Welfare Charity
Home-based/Remote (with occasional travel across South Buckinghamshire for meetings)
£45,000 - £48,000 + 25 days holiday + pension
Full-time, Permanent | Standalone, Strategic Role
Are you a proactive finance professional ready to take ownership of financial operations, shape strategy, and make a direct impact on animal welfare?
Join one of the nation's most loved and established animal welfare charities, operating across South Buckinghamshire, to lead financial stewardship, operational coordination, and strategic growth initiatives.
About the Charity
Our client is a well-regarded local branch of one of the UK's oldest and most respected animal welfare charities. As a self-funded organisation, they operate independently with local governance and are dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming small animals including cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, and birds.
They run two high street charity shops and are actively expanding income-generating initiatives including donation logistics, grant funding, corporate partnerships, and e-commerce via platforms like Vinted and eBay.
With a projected turnover of £350K-£400K, £300K in reserves, and a committed Board of Trustees, this is an exciting time to join the organisation and shape its next chapter.
The Role
This is a strategic and operational standalone role, reporting directly to the CEO and acting as second-in-command. You'll take ownership of all financial operations while supporting business planning, governance, and process improvement.
Key responsibilities include:
* Monthly management accounts, budgeting, forecasting, VAT returns, year-end
* Managing QuickBooks (or overseeing a future move to Xero)
* Improving reporting and coding structures
* Overseeing legacy income, donations, Gift Aid, fundraising, and retail income
* Supporting grant applications and preparing financials for funding bids
* Developing payment approval processes and banking oversight
* Presenting to trustees and contributing to strategic planning
* Supporting operational rollouts for new donation logistics and e-commerce
* Mentoring volunteers and supporting basic IT/finance queries in the shops
About You
You'll be a qualified or part-qualified finance professional (AAT Level 4, CIMA, ACCA or equivalent) with solid experience in a standalone or SME-style finance role. You'll bring a balance of financial control and forward-thinking strategy.
We're looking for:
* Experience managing all core finance functions in a charity or SME environment
* Knowledge of multiple income streams (e.g. grants, retail, fundraising, legacy donations)
* Advanced Excel and good working knowledge of QuickBooks or Xero
* Ability to produce and present monthly management accounts
* Strong interpersonal skills and confidence working with trustees, shop staff and volunteers
* A solutions-oriented, can-do attitude and ability to work autonomously
* Flexibility to attend monthly evening board meetings and occasional strategy events
What's on Offer
* Salary £45,000 - £48,000 depending on qualifications and experience
* 25 days holiday (plus statutory)
* 3% employer pension contribution
* Remote working, with regular travel to locations across South Buckinghamshire
* Flexible, values-driven work environment
* Opportunity to shape the future of a trusted, community-based charity
* Study support (negotiable for part-qualified professionals)
How to Apply
We're progressing quickly. To be considered, please apply with your CV as soon as possible.
First interviews will be arranged on a rolling basis.
Please send your CV, quoting reference LX (phone number removed)