Head of finance and operations

About CLES

CLES is an independent economics think tank and charity. For over 40 years, we have worked alongside local government, the NHS, national government, combined authorities, universities and communities to develop practical solutions to the UK’s biggest economic challenges. We are internationally recognised experts in community wealth building.

We don’t just write about progressive policy—we live it. CLES was one of the first UK think tanks to adopt a four-day, full-pay working week. We are a deeply collaborative, supportive, and flexible team that values strong relationships, celebrated through regular socials and our annual summer residential.

The opportunity

Working closely with the chief executive, deputy chief executive, senior management team and colleagues across CLES, you will lead our finance and operational functions.

This is a hands-on, delivery-focused role in a small, dynamic team. You will combine strategic insight with hands-on delivery, taking direct responsibility for many of our core finance and operational functions while continually improving the systems and processes that enable our work.  While this role requires a proactive approach, you will be supported by a dedicated finance and office administrator to handle transactional data entry and day-to-day routine tasks.

Key responsibilities

• Finance and organisational performance: Manage day-to-day finances, financial controls and cashflow, line-managing and effectively delegating routine bookkeeping tasks to the finance and office administrator.  Prepare quarterly and annual management accounts, VAT returns and payroll and pension submissions. Coordinate the annual audit, monitor organisational and project finances, and support colleagues to manage budgets confidently and effectively.
• Operations and IT: Manage the day-to-day systems and services that keep CLES running, including office facilities, health and safety, suppliers and contracts. Lead the effective operation of our IT and digital infrastructure, including SharePoint and cyber security, working with external providers where appropriate.
• Governance and compliance: Work with the chief executive, deputy chief executive, board chair and trustees to support effective governance. Lead board administration, maintain the organisational risk register, coordinate GDPR and data protection requirements, and oversee regulatory filings with the Charity Commission and Companies House.
• People and HR: Lead the practical administration of recruitment, onboarding, HR records, changes to employment and leavers, working with our external HR advisers. Support the development and implementation of clear, fair and progressive employment policies, manage our employee support programme, and line-manage the finance and office administrator.

About you

You are a highly organised, detail-oriented professional who thrives on a varied workload. You bring a calm, reliable presence to a fast-paced environment and take pride in delivering high-quality work. Crucially, you are an excellent communicator who enjoys empowering others and working within a mutually supportive, flexible team.

Essential criteria

• Qualifications and experience: A recognised accounting qualification. Ideally fully qualified or an advanced finalist (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) though a minimum of AAT Level 4 will be considered if supported by substantial, senior-level charity finance experience.  A strong track record of financial management within a charity, not-for-profit or other mission-led organisation, including a strong working knowledge of the Charities SORP and accounting for restricted vs. unrestricted funds.
• Financial management: Proven experience of preparing management accounts, VAT returns, organisational and project budgets, cashflow forecasts and financial reports. Proficiency in accounting software (Sage, Xero or QuickBooks), alongside the ability to translate financial information into clear advice for non-finance colleagues. Please note that our current system is Sage.
• Governance, operations and HR: Experience of supporting board administration and an understanding of Charity Commission and Companies House reporting and compliance requirements. Experience of managing organisational systems, suppliers and contracts, alongside working knowledge of HR administration, including recruitment and onboarding.
• Technical skills and communication: A confident and competent Microsoft 365 user, with particularly strong Excel skills and the confidence to learn new digital systems. Clear and professional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build trust with trustees, colleagues, advisers and suppliers.
• Ways of working and personal qualities: Honest, dependable and proactive, with a practical, solutions-focused approach. Able to manage competing priorities, take ownership of detailed work and know when to seek advice or involve others. Comfortable building trusted relationships across a small, distributed team, with a genuine commitment to CLES’s mission of building fairer, greener and more democratic local economies.

Our offer to you

• Four-day week: Full pay for a 30-hour week worked over four days.
• Prioritising your well-being and work-life balance: Flexible and hybrid working alongside full access to an employee assistance programme.
• Generous holiday: 20 days annual leave (equivalent to five full working weeks) rising to 24 days with service (equivalent to six full working weeks).
• Extra time off: An additional day off for your birthday and a further day at Christmas.
• Generous pension scheme: A 6% employer contribution from day one, rising to 13% with long service.
• Learning, development and culture: A supportive working environment, a dedicated learning and development budget, regular team days and an annual residential.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion

CLES is committed to equality of opportunity. We welcome applications from all sections of the community and from applicants with a wide range of professional and lived experiences.

We are a disability confident employer. We guarantee an interview to applicants who self-certify as disabled and meet all the essential criteria. Please indicate in your cover letter if this applies to you.

How to apply

Please apply by submitting a cover letter of no more than two pages and a CV of no more than two pages to jobs@cles.org.uk. Your letter should explain what attracts you to the role and demonstrate, with evidence, how you meet the essential criteria set out in the person specification.

Please also complete our equal opportunities monitoring form before submitting your application.

Recruitment process and key dates

We are operating a rolling recruitment process and encourage early applications.

• Initial application cutoff: Monday 24 August 2026 at 9:00am
• Interview date: Wednesday 2 September 2026.

We intend to appoint from this first round if a suitable candidate is identified. If the role is not filled, the advert will remain open, and subsequent applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

If you would like to discuss the role before applying, please contact: emmahall@cles.org.uk.