Finance Manager

Bridge 5 Mill is a centre of social change in a historic 5 storey mill on the edge of Ancoats, comprising workspaces and event spaces. Our unique sustainable and ethical approach characterises our building and drives all our activities. Bridge 5 Mill is part of a family of organisations including the Kindling Trust, promoting ecological and social justice through a broad range of projects. 

We have just secured funding to fix our broken lift. This is great news, as the period without a lift had a significant impact on our community of tenants, wider users and also therefore, on our income from venue hire (with much less events able to take place during this time). This came on the tail of the Covid pandemic, which transformed how and when people use workspaces and events spaces. The funding means we are now at a pivotal time to rebuild both our events program and our offer as a beautiful, ethical and central venue to hire, as well as exploring how to diversify our services. You will be an instrumental part in the development and growth of our activities and in overcoming these recent challenges.

We are looking for a motivated and passionate person to join our small team here at Bridge 5 Mill. You will be part of an exciting new chapter for our organisation, as we prepare for our events “relaunch”,  diversify our services and begin working on exciting new development projects. As our Finance Manager, you will be an integral part of this transition, working alongside the Building Manager and Community Engagement Manager, to increase event occupancy, improve our current services and financially futureproof Bridge 5 Mill. 

We are at an exciting time in the life of our organisation and there has never been a more important time for us to deliver our vision. We are looking for someone with the experience, skills and energy to help us do that.

MAIN DUTIES

Bookkeeping;

• Bank reconciliation
• Invoicing and payment management
• Purchases and paying bills
• Assist our accountant with HMRC duties 

Prepare financial reports;

• Prepare quarterly management reports for Board of Trustees
• Create budgets & forecasts
• Compare budgets versus actuals & collaborate with the operations team on where to make improvements
• Identify and monitor financial Key Performance Indicators
• Submitting relevant documents to companies House, Charity Commission etc.

Fundraising;

• Research and apply for loans, grants and blended finance options as needed
• Reporting to funders on grant progress
• Liaise with operations team on financial viability of future development plans 

Reception cover (to cover annual leave / sickness when needed);

• Sit at reception to cover annual leave / sickness when needed
• Take booking enquiries over the phone & via email 
• Respond to tenant queries 
• Welcome guests 

Other;

• Fulfilling such other duties and assignments as may be required from time to time.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential competence, skills and knowledge;

• Experience in bookkeeping
• Good excel skills
• Ability to work within a small dynamic team
• Experience in financial reporting
• Experience in funding bid writing
• Good administration skills
• Ability to prioritise tasks, good time management and organisational skills
• Good administration and IT skills
• Problem solving skills and  proactiveness

Desirable competence, skills and knowledge;

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Customer service skills
• Experience of reception, hospitality or facilities operations

Essential personal skills;

• Awareness, understanding and enthusiasm for environmental and social change issues
• Drive and enthusiasm to meet set objectives. A high degree of personal motivation and initiative, the ability to work under pressure, whilst working cooperatively in a team environment
• Ability to learn on the job, and respond to possibilities and potential opportunities
• Willingness and flexibility to undertake any relevant training required

Desirable personal skills;

• Understanding of the social change and VCSE sector
• Knowledge of the events and venue hires industry

Salary: £24, 570 pro rata per annum (for a 37.5 hour working week), plus 5% employer pension contribution (actual salary for 22.5  hours a week: £14,742 per annum). Salary based on Real Living Wage 2025/26.