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Finance Manager, National Youth Jazz Orchestra

  •  UK-wide
  •  Â£40k-50k (pro rata)
  •  Part time
  •  Closes January 22, 2026
  •  Hannah Liversidge
  •  hannah@nyjo.org.uk
  • #Music

Description

Job Summary

Shape financial strategy for NYJO, a vibrant Arts Council England-funded charity empowering young jazz musicians UK-wide. Part-time role (3 days/week) offering hybrid working and the chance to support creative development.

Job Description

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.

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.

Job Requirements

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

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

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.

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How to Apply

To apply for this part-time, 3 days per week position (our normal working hours are Monday - Friday, 10am - 6pm, and days will be confirmed with your manager), please send your CV and covering letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining your relevant experience and what draws you to NYJO to [email protected] 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)

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