Finance Manager

The Old Market Charitable Trust; Brighton; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Old Market Charitable Trust in Brighton seeks an experienced Finance Manager to lead financial management, planning, reporting and compliance for the charity and its trading subsidiary TOM Bar Ltd.

You will provide strategic financial leadership to the Executive Team and Board, ensuring sustainability while supporting artistic ambition and commercial growth. This role requires strong financial modelling, budgeting, and stakeholder communication skills.

Qualifications

• Fully qualified accountant with leadership and strategic financial skills.
• Proven experience producing management accounts, budgets and forecasts.
• Experience presenting financial information to senior stakeholders or boards.

Responsibilities

• Lead annual budgeting, business planning and forecasting processes.
• Produce monthly management accounts, forecasts and cashflow reports.
• Analyse profitability across productions, events, venue hires and other activities.
• Oversee statutory accounts preparation and audit process.
• Ensure treasury, cash management and internal controls.
• Drive continuous improvement in financial systems and reporting.

Skills

Financial planning & analysis

Excel

Financial modelling

Communicate complex financial info

Commercial awareness

Problem-solving

Xero

Education

Fully qualified accountant (ACCA, CIMA, ACA or equivalent)

Tools

Xero

Job description

Job description:

The Finance Manager is responsible for leading the organisation's financial management, planning, reporting and compliance for The Old Market Charitable Trust, as well as its trading subsidiary, TOM Bar Ltd.

As the senior finance professional within the organisation, the postholder will provide strategic financial leadership to the Executive Team and Board, ensuring financial sustainability while supporting artistic ambition and commercial growth.

Strategic Finance & Leadership

• Act as the organisation's lead finance professional and trusted adviser to the co-CEO's and Board.
• Lead annual budgeting, business planning and financial forecasting processes.
• Produce long-term financial models to support organisational growth and capital investment decisions.
• Identify financial risks and opportunities and develop appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Support strategic decision-making through robust financial analysis and scenario planning.

Financial Management

• Produce accurate monthly management accounts, forecasts and cashflow reports.
• Monitor organisational performance against budgets and KPIs.
• Lead annual statutory accounts preparation and audit process.
• Ensure effective treasury and cash management.
• Oversee all banking, investment and financial control arrangements.

Commercial & Operational Support

• Analyse profitability across productions, events, venue hires, bar operations and other commercial activities.
• Develop financial models for new artistic projects and partnerships.
• Support contract negotiations and procurement decisions.
• Work with department heads to improve financial literacy and accountability.

Governance & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all statutory, regulatory and reporting requirements.
• Maintain strong internal controls and financial procedures.
• Manage VAT, payroll, pension administration and taxation matters.
• Prepare financial reports and papers for Board and committee meetings.

Team Leadership

• Drive continuous improvement in financial systems and processes.
• Lead implementation of digital finance solutions and reporting tools

Essential Qualifications

• Fully qualified accountant (ACCA, CIMA, ACA or equivalent) or significant equivalent experience.

Essential Experience

• Minimum 5 years' experience in a finance management role.
• Experience producing management accounts, budgets and forecasts.
• Experience presenting financial information to senior stakeholders or boards.
• Experience managing audits and statutory reporting.

Essential Skills & Knowledge

• Strong financial planning and analysis capability.
• Excellent Excel and financial modelling skills.
• Experience with cloud accounting systems (Xero preferred).
• Ability to communicate complex financial information clearly to non-finance colleagues.
• Strong commercial awareness and problem-solving skills.

Desirable

• Knowledge of project accounting and restricted funding.
• Knowledge of cultural VAT exemption.
• Knowledge of Theatre Tax Relief.
• Experience supporting organisational growth, fundraising initiatives or capital projects.

Work Location: In person