SENIOR FINANCE & OPERATIONS MANAGER
PEER POWER YOUTH
43,120 - 52,250 per year (pro rata)
London and/or SE
Full-time
23rd January 2026
WE ARE HIRING SENIOR FINANCE & OPERATIONS MANAGER DEADLINE: 12PM, 23 JAN 2026 RD Dear Applicant, Thank you for your interest in working with Peer Power Youth. This pack contains information about the role and how to apply. Peer Power Youth was founded as a response to what children and young people across England and Wales said needed to change to improve support services like youth justice, mental health and social care, and because of my own lived experience of adversity and trauma. We are a diverse and friendly team, and the successful applicant can expect to work in a flexible, positive, and wellbeing-focussed environment with generous staff benefits. More on these here. We are embedding anti-racist and anti-oppressive practices across our business plan, projects, policies and recruitment processes, and are committed to being an equitable workplace. Our recruitment process is built to eliminate unconscious bias, e.g. applications are anonymised before review by the panel. We encourage applications from people who are underrepresented in the charity sector, and particularly those who have lived experience of the systems it is our mission to change, such as in justice, social care or healthcare. Even if you feel you don’t meet all the essential criteria, please do still apply or get in touch for a chat to discuss if you feel called to the role. Please also let us know if we can do anything at any stage to make the application process more accessible for you. With my kindest wishes, Anne-Marie CEO and Founder ABOUT US Peer Power Youth is an empathy-led charity that partners with children and young people who have experienced trauma, adversity, marginalisation or exclusion. We support them to build positive relationships, develop their strengths and influence the services and systems that shape their lives. We believe in a relational, trauma-responsive, strengths-based approach. Our culture is grounded in trust, transparency, compassion and collaboration. We are a small, growing organisation with a committed team and an ambitious strategy. This role forms part of our infrastructure for growth — ensuring we have strong operational foundations to improve outcomes for young people and influence change at local and national levels. As a member of the central team, you will help shape our evolving systems, ensure sound governance and operational resilience, and create a well-supported environment for staff and young people. THE ROLE The Senior Finance & Operations Manager is a multi-functional role at the heart of Peer Power Youth. You will ensure that the charity is well- run, financially sound, compliant, safe, and operating in line with our mission and values. This role oversees our core business functions: finance coordination, HR processes, charity governance, risk, compliance, systems, facilities oversight and office management, with some support from external contractors e.g. for HR and IT. A key part of your role is supporting the CEO and the Board. You will prepare meeting papers, ensure timely management accounts and reports, maintain compliance calendars, and help ensure trustees have the insight they need to make strategic decisions. Your work will enable the Chief Executive, senior leadership team and youth engagement teams to focus on delivering impact for children and young people. This is a role for someone who enjoys variety, responsibility and problem-solving and who wants to help build a thriving, values-led, empathetic organisation. Scroll down for more information on the role! ABOUT YOU You are an experienced operations or charity management professional who brings structure, clarity, systems-thinking and confidence to the running of a small but ambitious organisation, and youʼll be someone who: Thrives on improving processes and creating efficient, human-centred systems Can analyse and communicate financial information clearly Is confident working with policies, compliance requirements and governance structures Takes pride in producing high-quality documentation, reports and Board papers Prioritises a relational approach and enjoys enabling, supporting and partnering with colleagues across the organisation Works with integrity, sensitivity and discretion, especially when handling confidential HR or safeguarding information Is proactive, self-directed and comfortable taking ownership of key organisational functions You will bring both professional competence and a values-driven approach that aligns with Peer Powerʼs ethos of empathy, relational practice and co- production with young people. HOW TO APPLY Please apply by completing this application form. As part of the process youʼll be asked to submit a CV and cover letter (max. 2 pages). The cover letter should address the person specification, particularly these areas: Your experience in managing or overseeing organisational operations. This may include finance coordination, HR processes, governance support, compliance, office or systems management. Your experience of preparing, coordinating or using management accounts and financial reports. Include who you worked with (e.g. external accountants), the type of information you produced, and how it was used to support decision-making. Your experience of supporting senior leaders, trustees or boards. This could include preparing papers, minuting meetings, tracking actions, or supporting compliance and reporting. Your experience of managing or supervising staff, contractors or volunteers. Include how you supported performance, wellbeing and accountability. Why are you interested in this role at Peer Power Youth, and how do our values align with your own approach to work? MORE INFO We recognise that people bring experience from different sectors. If your background is in education (e.g. as a Bursar or Business Manager), the public sector, or another values-driven organisation, we encourage you to apply and help us understand how your skills translate to this role. We try and make the recruitment process as accessible as possible, so please email us if youʼd prefer to apply via an alternative format (e.g. video, voice note, etc.) or have any other access requirements. Your application will be anonymised for the initial screening Please note that using AI may result in your application being withdrawn. We really want to hear from you in your own words! If you have any queries or need help at any stage of the process, contact us on: recruitment@peerpower.org.uk NEXT STEPS Please apply by 12:00pm noon rd on Friday 23 January 2026 initial We will contact you after our screening stage, and may invite you for an informal call. If you are invited to an interview, we will send you the questions in advance to help you prepare Interviews will be held on Thursday 29 January - please keep this in mind when applying and save the date! th SENIOR FINANCE & OPERATIONS MANAGER Office base Hybrid, with time in the London and/or SE office as agreed Salary £43,120 - £52,250 (pro rata), depending on experience / subject to funding Hours 21-28 hours (to be agreed) Leave 25 days, 8 bank holidays, 2 personal days, 3 festive period discretionary days (pro rata) Reporting to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) KEY RESPONSIBILITIES... Strategic Operations Leadership Finance Coordination and Management Accounts HR Administration and Workforce Processes Contribute to the charity’s planning, providing operational insight, data and operational risk analysis Lead and continuously improve charity-wide systems, policies and operational processes Ensure operational activity aligns with our mission, strategy and values Achieve and co-create operational KPIs and dashboards to support Peer Power Youth’s decision-making Support charity-wide change management and resource planning Coordinate day-to-day financial processes with external accountants Prepare monthly/quarterly management accounts, cashflow updates and budget monitoring reports with support with our Accountant Support annual budgeting, multi-year planning and financial strategy development Maintain financial controls and ensure compliance with Charity Commission requirements Oversee procurement, contracts and supplier management Support grant reporting and finance submissions to funders Prepare financial papers and summaries for the CEO and Board Manage recruitment administration and compliance checks With support from our external HR agency (A Little Bit of HR/ALBOHR), maintain accurate HR systems and staff records Coordinate onboarding/offboarding processes Support implementation of the People Strategy Alongside our Designated Safeguarding Lead, ensure compliance with safeguarding requirements, training and documentation Alongside our Bookkeeper, support payroll processing through accurate monthly record submission Governance, Board Support and Charity Compliance Policies, Compliance and Risk Office, Systems and Administration Management Lead governance calendar management across Board and subcommittees Prepare, collate and circulate timely Board papers Minute meetings, track actions and maintain governance records Ensure all regulatory filings (Charity Commission, Companies House) are completed on time Maintain registers of trustees, policies and key governance documentation Maintain and update charity’s policies in line with legislation and best practice Lead the charity’s risk register and monitor mitigation actions Ensure GDPR and data protection compliance (acting as Data Protection Lead) Coordinate Health & Safety processes, training and incident reporting Ensure insurance cover is adequate and manage any claims Oversee day-to-day charity administration Manage office systems, equipment and resources, digital tools, CRMs and shared file structures Office liaison with landlords where appropriate Maintain efficient document retention practices Manage contracts for IT, cleaning, equipment and other operational providers Support internal communication systems and processes CEO and Executive Support Prepare briefing notes, reports and presentations Support CEO with diary and meeting coordination for Governance support Maintain key deadlines for submissions, Board reports and compliance Provide administrative support to strategic workstreams and projects PERSON SPECIFICATION - ESSENTIAL Experience Skills Personal qualities Experience in an operations, governance, in education, corporate or charity management role. Experience preparing reports, management accounts, Board papers. Experience managing HR processes and maintaining accurate workforce records. Experience managing policies, risk registers and compliance cycles. Excellent organisational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities. Strong written communication skills in drafting reports, minutes, policies and Board papers. Financial literacy and the ability to interpret budgets, cashflow and variance reports. Ability to build positive, professional relationships across teams and with trustees. High level of IT competence and confidence learning new systems. Values-driven, empathetic and aligned with trauma- informed, youth-centred practice. Integrity, discretion and commitment to confidentiality. Calm, solutions-focused and able to work independently. Reflective, adaptable and committed to continuous improvement. PERSON SPECIFICATION - DESIRABLE Knowledge Experience Qualification in charity management, finance, HR, voluntary sector management or equivalent. Project management qualification (e.g., PRINCE2, Agile). Advanced Excel/Power BI or data dashboard skills. Experience in the youth, health, education, justice or community sectors. Experience in a small or scaling charity. Experience of Health & Safety compliance Equal Opportunities: We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community, especially those who are underrepresented in charities. We aim to be representative of the community we are working with. We encourage applications from people of colour, those who identify as LGBTQIA, working class, differently abled, those living with mental health conditions, refugees and migrants. We welcome people from all identities who are made to feel marginalised. Peer Power Youth, in compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, will seek to make reasonable adjustments to overcome barriers to employment caused by disability and/or neurodiversity, and encourages applications from these candidates. As an employer we make all reasonable adjustments to support employees in their work if they are disabled or have a health condition. We support the Access to Work scheme which could provide you with financial support to get the help you need to do all tasks successfully. We are happy to facilitate Access to Work assessments and reclaims, and actively welcome applicants who need this in order to do the job. Please let us know if we can do anything at application or interview stage to make the process more accessible by contacting: recruitment@peerpower.org.uk Safeguarding: We recognise our responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all children and young people and commit to recruitment practices which protect them. Our work involves regulated activity with children, young people and vulnerable adults and it is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and all subsequent amendments (England and Wales). We require all staff undertaking regulated work with children and young people to have an enhanced DBS disclosure and pre-employment checks. If you are offered a conditional role at Peer Power Youth, you will then need to complete a Declaration of Criminal Convictions Form and complete a satisfactory Enhanced DBS, Work Assessment & References check before the role offer is final. Recruiting Applicants with Criminal Records: People who have criminal convictions are welcome to apply for roles at Peer Power Youth, and we consider each person on their own merit and in relation to the role offered. You can request our policy on recruiting people with criminal convictions. Further advice and guidance on disclosing a criminal record can be obtained from Unlock. DEADLINE: 12PM, 23 JAN 2026 RD WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU! RECRUITMENT@PEERPOWER.ORG.UK