Finance Operations Manager

We’re looking for a Finance Manager who has an open mindset, a drive to improve, and the ability to share your financial expertise with those you lead and work alongside.

About Us

African Adventures creates life-changing international volunteering experiences for schools, colleges and charities, enabling groups to make a meaningful difference in communities across Ghana, Kenya, Zanzibar and The Gambia. Working in partnership with more than 50 schools, we deliver educational, cultural and community-focused programmes that have a lasting impact on both participants and the communities we support.

We’re a unique organisation, combining the expertise of a tour operator with the purpose of an international development organisation. We deliver life-changing volunteering experiences for schools, colleges and charities, providing a fully managed travel service that includes everything from flights and accommodation to pre-departure support and fundraising guidance. At the same time, we work closely with our partner schools across Africa to improve school facilities, expand educational opportunities and create lasting, positive impact for the communities we support.

In addition, we deliver impact into our partnered schools through our very own Charity, African Adventures Foundation. Through the foundation we deliver life changing projects seeing the school environment and the learning experience of thousands of African children drive up education inline with our mission to make thousands more global citizens.

About The Role

We’re looking for an experienced Finance Operations Manager to lead our finance function through the next stage of African Adventures’ growth.

It’s an exciting time to join us. African Adventures continues to grow in the UK and across our destinations in Africa, and we’re looking for an experienced, enthusiastic finance professional who can help ensure our financial operations grow with us.

This is a key role within our UK management team. You’ll lead and support our Finance Officers, work closely with our Directors, and take ownership of the systems, processes and financial insight that help us make confident decisions across the organisation.

With several accounts, currencies and teams operating across different countries, no two days will look quite the same. You’ll oversee our day-to-day financial operations while also looking ahead, identifying opportunities to strengthen the way we work and making sure we have robust policies, procedures and systems in place.

You’ll also play an important role in financial planning and reporting, producing forecasts, analysis and management information for our Executive team and, where required, our Boards of Trustees.

A strong background in financial management is essential. Experience of charity finance, managing funds across different currencies or working within the travel sector would be an advantage, but just as important is a willingness to understand the unique way African Adventures operates and develop your knowledge as we grow.

At its heart, this is an opportunity to make the role your own. You’ll join a supportive, people-focused organisation where your expertise will have a genuine influence on how we operate now and in the future.

The role follows a hybrid working pattern, with Monday to Wednesday based at our Whiteley HQ and Thursday and Friday working remotely.

About You

Candidates should have a strong background in financial management, along with previous experience of leading and supporting others.

Experience in finance within the travel sector, third sector or Africa would be advantageous. Most important, however, is an open mindset, a drive to improve, and the ability to share your financial expertise with those you lead and work alongside.

We’re proud to be a small, effective team with a clear sense of purpose, creating genuinely life-changing volunteering experiences and lasting impact.

If you’d like to play a leading role in the financial future of our organisation, and our values resonate with you, we’d love to hear from you.

Job responsibilities and duties:

African Adventures Ltd

• Line management of the Finance Officers in all respects including recruitment, performance monitoring, disciplinaries, welfare, personal development.
• Key member of the broader UK management team.
• Responsible for ensuring effective and compliant bookkeeping and financial management processes are in place for the businesses through the Finance Officers.
• Responsible for development and management of in-country cost calculators, and supplier payments as the Programme Manager/Office Manager primary point of contact. Leading on the engagement with our in-country management as required.
• Responsible for ensuring effective sales an operational delivery systems of work to directly support operations working alongside the National Sales & Partnership Manager and Travel Operations Manager.
• Responsible for the management of all financial systems, software and bank accounts.
• Ensuring a suite of effective policies, processes, and standard operating procedures are in place and adhered to from credit control, invoicing, to supplier payments.
• Lead on financial forecasting for African Adventures on forecasting income and expenditure providing timely and accurate reports with sound analysis and recommendations to the Executive.
• Support the Executive by leading on the organisation’s budget planning, and reporting on performance, including engaging and coaching of budget holders and increasing their stewardship.
• Lead on the relationship with various accountants both in Africa and UK ensuring compliant and accurate end of year accounts are produced.
• Collaborating with the HR Officer, ensure all payroll and pensions funds and processes operate compliantly and seamlessly.
• Driving continuous improvement and a systems-based way of working. Developing the competence and capability of the Finance Officer team.

African Adventures Foundation

• Line management of the Foundation Finance Officer in all respects including recruitment, performance monitoring, disciplinaries, welfare, personal development.
• Responsible for ensuring effective and compliant bookkeeping for the charity including in-country charity bank accounts and financial stewardship of donor funds.
• Responsible for ensuring robust donation fund management and reporting is in place. Working alongside the Foundation Manager and effectively reporting financial performance to the Executive and respective Trustee Boards.
• Ensuring effective international fund transfers and currency conversion systems are in place for the Foundation.
• Development and maturing of the relevant Policies, Systems, and Standard Operating Procedures to deliver good charity financial management practices in line with relevant financial regulations of the territory and as per the UK Charity Commission’s regulations.

Person specification:

• Accredited finance qualification.
• Extensive demonstrable experience in business finance.
• Highly competent in online financial management system and ways of working/reporting.
• Strong background in financial reporting and payment processes.
• Strong written and communication skills
• Experienced in leading finance teams
• Highly motivated, team player, with a strong continuous improvement mindset.
• The right to live and work in the UK.

Desirable: (or strong willingness to learn)

• Experience with Xero software.
• Passionate about international development, volunteering, and education.
• Experience in charity fund management.
• Experience in international currency conversions and/or African banking systems.

What We’re Looking For:

Skill/experience Essential/desirable

Accredited finance qualification Essential

Highly organised Essential

Friendly, team-orientated attitude Essential

Highly motivated and a team player Essential

Strong written and communication skills Essential

Positive, proactive attitude to problem solving Essential

Experience or qualification in health and safety at work Desirable

Experience of working in the school, travel or charity sector Desirable

Passionate about international development, volunteering, travel and education Desirable

Contract Permanent

Location Whiteley, Hampshire Hybrid role

Reporting To Chief Operating Officer Responsible for Finance Officers

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