Finance Manager 3.5 Day Week Hybrid

Finance Manager

The National Youth Jazz Orchestra (NYJO) is seeking a Finance Manager to strengthen our financial foundations as we celebrate 60 years of nurturing young talent. This newly created role brings together financial operations across our vibrant organisation, working closely with our Chief Executive and all departments.

Founded in 1965, NYJO has grown from a single jazz orchestra to a dynamic charity delivering engaging participation projects and impactful live performances. As an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation and Resident Artistic Company at Woolwich Works in Greenwich, we’re dedicated to making jazz accessible to early-career musicians, young people, and audiences nationwide.

You’ll oversee day-to-day financial management while contributing to strategic planning that shapes how we empower the next generation of jazz musicians. This includes managing our Xero accounting system, preparing quarterly management accounts and cash-flow statements, leading the annual budgeting process, and ensuring compliance with charity finance regulations.

Working across our three core areas – the National Youth Jazz Orchestra for emerging professionals aged 18-25, NYJO Learning programmes, and Community Outreach initiatives – you’ll collaborate with programme, marketing, and development teams to create and monitor project budgets, track restricted income, and provide financial reporting to funders including Arts Council England, trusts, foundations, and sponsors.

This role offers genuine impact: your financial expertise will directly support young musicians’ creative development and help us deliver programmes that respond to community needs. You’ll produce reports for our Board of Trustees, manage Gift Aid returns, ensure statutory compliance, and maintain the strong financial governance essential to our mission.

We’re looking for a qualified or part-qualified accountant with charity finance experience, or equivalent expertise in the arts sector. You’ll need strong Xero skills, solid understanding of charity SORP and restricted fund accounting, and the ability to translate complex financial information into clear insights for non-financial stakeholders.

Requirements and Responsibilities:

Essential:

• Qualified/part-qualified accountant (ACCA/CIMA/ACA/CIPFA) or equivalent professional experience in charity/arts finance
• Experience managing finances for UK charity or non-profit organisation
• Working knowledge of charity SORP, Gift Aid, and fund-restricted accounting
• Strong Excel and accounting software skills
• Excellent communication skills to explain finance to non-financial stakeholders
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail

Desirable:

• Experience in music, youth, education, or cultural sectors
• Experience with Arts Council England and other funders
• Interest in jazz music and supporting music education opportunities

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage Xero accounting system and maintain accurate financial records
• Prepare quarterly management accounts, cash-flow statements, and variance analysis
• Lead annual budgeting and support multi-year financial planning
• Track restricted income and provide funder reporting
• Ensure charity compliance (Companies House, Charity Commission, HMRC)
• Support Board meetings and contribute to strategic decision-making

Job Responsibilities

Financial Management: Oversee Xero accounting system, maintain accurate records, prepare quarterly management accounts and cash-flow statements with variance analysis for Board of Trustees. Manage bank reconciliations, accounts payable/receivable, payroll and pension administration.

Strategic Finance: Lead annual budgeting with CEO and department leads, support multi-year financial planning and scenario modelling.

Project & Grant Management: Collaborate with Programmes, Marketing and Development teams on project budgets. Track restricted income and provide financial reporting to Arts Council England, trusts, foundations, and sponsors. Ensure accurate cost allocation across projects and funding streams.

Governance & Compliance: Ensure statutory compliance (Companies House, Charity Commission, HMRC including Orchestra Tax Relief and VAT). Lead year-end financial statements preparation and independent review. Manage Gift Aid returns and maintain internal financial controls.

Working Schedule: Part-time position: 3 days per week Location: London with flexible/hybrid working Salary: £45k-£55k FTE depending on experience Holiday: 20 days plus bank holidays (pro rata) Reports to: Chief Executive

How to Apply

Send your CV and covering letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining your relevant experience and what draws you to NYJO to Hannah@nyjo.org.uk before 22 January 2026. Please confirm your availability for first round online interviews (week of 2nd February 2026) and in-person second interviews at Woolwich Works (12th February 2026). We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are committed to building a diverse team. For informal conversations before applying, contact Hannah.