Finance, Operations and Administration Manager

About The Zone

We are The Zone, a boutique consultancy in the realm of leadership development, team development, and organisational culture change. We are a dynamic global team who believe in our mission: to awaken greatness and make organisations a force for good.

Our clients range from SMEs and startups to global corporations, all leading a positive change in the world in their own unique way. The Zone was born in New Zealand, assembled and refined over 25 years across 35+ countries, 35+ industries, in 100+ companies. We were founded by Liam Forde in 1999, and have been operating remotely for two decades, meeting our clients where they are. Our global team is located in the US, UK, Europe, Australia and New Zealand and we always hold the intention to create opportunities to meet each other somewhere in the world. For the last two decades, we have grown organically, and now we are working to multiply our impact in the world of work.

The Role

As the Finance, Operations and Administration Manager, reporting to the Head of Methodology, Mastery, and Community, you will be instrumental in ensuring the smooth running of our business. You will lead on all aspects of finance, operations and administration to support our Core Team and our global community of contracted Associates and high-calibre Partners.

You will work with initiative, skill and extreme attention to detail and have full ownership of the organisation’s end to end book-keeping and financial management, operations and administration. You will ensure accurate record keeping, timely management information and reporting, and adherence with statutory, operation and administrative obligations.

Key Responsibilities

Your role will include:

• Finance & Accounts
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date financial records in Xero, including processing and monitoring invoices, bills, payments, expenses and other expenditure, and ensuring transactions are appropriately recorded and allocated.
• Produce monthly management reports, insights and cash flow forecasts.
• Support with annual budget preparation.
• Provide management insight and support for better financial decision making.
• Manage the year end process with our accounting firms.
• Manage employee payroll and related pension and tax filings.
• Manage GST and VAT returns and filings with tax authorities.
• Onboard new team members into our financial processes.
• Communicate with and support Clients and The Zone team and Partners with financial processes and queries.
• Operations & Admin
• Manage The Zone’s work forecasting system and support other team members in its use.
• Manage the CEO’s travel, accommodation, expenses and other logistics including ad hoc client liaison and diary management.
• Manage and review The Zone insurances and renewal process.
• Manage our software and platform licences, including an annual review of platforms and costs.
• Administer The Zone’s systems and user access rights.
• Manage The Zone’s ad hoc operational and administrative tasks.
• Support on management of Client, Affiliate, Partner and Employee global contracts and documentation.
• AI Competence
• Familiarity with current AI models and how to use them to continually improve efficiencies and value add to your role and the business.
• A proven curious mindset for the potential and possibilities of using AI for effective workflows.

Who You Are

Purpose, people and profit are all equally important to you and maintaining a balance of head and heart. You are someone who takes trust and reputation seriously, while holding yourself and life lightly. The ideal Finance, Operations and Administration Manager will be able to demonstrate the following key skills and experience:

• Recognised accountancy qualification (CIMA/ACCA/ACA) with at least 3 years PQE.
• Financial management and bookkeeping with a good understanding of accounting and financial management principles.
• Proficient user of Xero accounting software (or equivalent), with practical experience of maintaining financial records, processing bills and invoices, reconciling information and producing financial reports.
• Created, maintained and monitored spend versus budget and be able to identify and explain variances.
• Monitoring organisational cashflow and producing cashflow forecasts.
• Ability to present financial information clearly to colleagues who do not have a finance background.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing deadlines independently in a small and fast-moving organisation.
• Experience working effectively with external accountants or other finance professionals.
• Excellent numerical accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, adept at building relationships with clients and internal stakeholders.
• Ability to prioritise deadlines and manage multiple stakeholders.
• AI competence and an interest in learning more ways to add value using AI.
• A can do attitude, happy to roll up your sleeves and help where needed in our small and dynamic team.

What’s in it for you?

• Working with purpose and changing people’s lives through transforming leaders, teams and cultures in your everyday work.
• Flexible, remote working.
• A supportive, heart oriented team.

Contract & Flexibility

Contract: Permanent.

Hours: 24 hours/3 days per week with flexible working arrangements. Due to our global team, once a week early mornings or late evenings may be required, but we support shaping your schedule to fit other commitments such as personal projects, additional work, or caregiving responsibilities.

Location: UK-based (remote). The candidate should have easy access to London for in-person onboarding and two days per month, once every second week, working from our East London location. Occasional international travel may be required.

How to Apply: Please submit your CV and a short video (maximum 3 minutes) covering why you believe The Zone is the right fit for you, your relevant hands-on experience, and examples of similar roles you have held.

Join us in driving business growth, fostering meaningful leadership, and transforming organisations.