Job Title: Finance G Operations Manager

Location: Hybrid. In London office at least 3 days per week plus when meetings required. Flexibility for remote work.

Reports To: Deputy Director

Employment Type: Permanent, 5 day week (37.5 hour week)

Salary: £47,000

Start Date: ASAP

Role Overview

World Cities Culture Forum (WCCF) is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Finance and Operations Manager to join our small team. The ideal candidate will have expertise in financial and operational management, working knowledge of HR, and experience in the not-for-profit sector. You will play a pivotal role in ensuring operational efficiency and tight financial management, whilst supporting the team with day-to-day operational needs.

About World Cities Culture Forum (WCCF)

World Cities Culture Forum is the leading global network of civic leaders from over 40 creative cities across six continents, collectively representing a population of over 245 million. World Cities Culture Forum champions the role of culture as a driver of equitable, sustainable, and prosperous cities.

Our network shares ideas and solutions to tackle 21st-century challenges, such as climate change, cultural tourism, affordable workspace, and diversity in public spaces, by placing culture at the heart of city planning and investment.

Through our Global Summit, leadership programmes, and research, we empower city leaders to build thriving communities and economies where culture flourishes.

Role Overview

Diversity Statement:

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those from underrepresented groups. If you are excited about this role but don’t meet every qualification, we still welcome your application. We value the unique perspectives and experiences that each individual brings, and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.

Key Responsibilities:

Financial Management – 70%

· Oversee all financial operations, including budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, and financial reporting.

· Prepare and manage project budgets, collaborating with project leads to ensure accurate and timely financial tracking.

· Manage the timely and accurate invoicing of funders and ensure prompt collection of payments.

· Manage accounts payable and employee expenses, ensuring accuracy and compliance with company policies.

· Prepare monthly management accounts, Board reports, financial statements, and year- end statutory accounts in accordance with legal and financial standards.

· Track programme progress against budgets, funding agreements, and business plan. Monitor and report under/over expenditures in a timely manner.

· Manage contracts with suppliers and service providers, consultants, and associates, negotiating favourable terms and timely deliverables.

· Support effective governance, ensuring compliance with Chairty Commission regulations, Companies House reporting, HMRC requirements.

· Oversee payroll, VAT returns, and act as the primary point of contact for external auditors.

· Support the leadership team in financial planning, risk management, and reporting on grants and restricted funds.

· Continuously develop, implement, and enhance financial processes, controls, and systems to support operational growth and efficiency.

Human Resources – 15%

· Review current HR systems and policies, ensuring they reflect best practices.

· Advise on future staffing structures and capacity planning within available budgets.

· Draft job descriptions, manage recruitment processes, and lead staff inductions.

· Maintain staff contracts and records, ensuring accurate working terms and conditions.

· Lead staff wellbeing initiatives.

· Manage relationship with WCCF’s HR advisors

Office Management – 10%

· Ensure a safe, productive working environment.

· Oversee office management tasks, including procurement, maintenance, and supplier relationships.

IT Management – 5%

· Manage IT support contracts and integrated systems (e.g. SharePoint, Office 365, Xero).

· Review IT equipment needs and support the development and implementation of a new CRM system.

Person Specification

Essential Skills and Experience:

· Proven experience in finance and operational management roles.

· Experience in a start-up or charity environment is desirable but not essential.

· Strong project management skills, with a record of delivering on time and within budget.

· Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with people from diverse disciplines, cultures, and backgrounds.

· Experience in human resources management, including recruitment, policy development, and staff training.

· Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

· Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment and thrive in a small, dynamic team environment.

· An accountancy qualification (e.g., AAT, part-qualified ACCA, CIMA) and working knowledge of Xero, along with advanced Excel skills, would be an advantage.

Please be advised that we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position. All applicants must possess the necessary right to work documentation in the UK.

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit a CV and a maximum 400 word personal statement detailing their qualifications and experience via the application form link. We also encourage applicants to complete the Diversity Monitoring form which is not part of the application and is for diversity monitoring purposes only.

Finance & Operations Manager