Finance and Operations Officer Remote
Job description
Our Organisation
The Travel Foundation is a leading international sustainable tourism organisation dedicated to ensuring that tourism has a positive impact on destination communities. We work with governments, community groups and tourism businesses for fairer, climate-positive tourism.
Our mission is to create a better future for tourism destinations by accelerating change towards a more balanced tourism model. We support tourism that is fair for destination communities and promote action on climate change. We do this by advocating for change, building the know-how that is required, enabling collaboration between the many tourism stakeholders and creating new solutions.
Our Team
As a charity working with and funded by the international travel and tourism sector, we have experienced many changes as a result of the pandemic. During the height of the pandemic, we had to downsize our team, but are now in the fortunate position to be growing that team once again, with a larger team now than pre-pandemic. We have 16 team members and 10 trustees, based in nine countries around the world and we are projecting to have significant growth over the next few years, so it is an exciting time to join.
We have also moved from being an entirely office-based organisation in Bristol, to having a global and growing remote workforce. And whilst we have maintained a small office space in Bristol, most continue to work from home, using the office only for face-to-face meetings when needed or for Bristol-based staff who prefer to work from there.
With this new way of working, we have created this officer role, giving our team the financial and operational support they need to help ensure we are working as effectively and efficiently as we can.
The Finance and Operations Officer will closely support the Director of Finance and Operations (DFO), who is responsible for the smooth running of the charity’s operations and finances.
The Role
As part of a small but dynamic business support team, you will help to maintain the efficient running of the (virtual and physical) office and accounts. The key duties and areas of responsibility will be:
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Responsible for working with the team to ensure revenue is collected/expenses are paid in an efficient, timely, and systematic manner – and developing and implementing processes to support this. Activities will include, but are not limited to:
- Processing and raising invoices, making UK and international payments, assisting with payroll
- Responsible for the day-to-day processing of accounts and book-keeping duties (SAGE 50 Accounts)
- Preparing simple financial reports for the team (SAGE and Excel, training available)
OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
Responsible for providing efficient and effective support towards recruiting, onboarding, and maintaining an effective and aligned remote team of employees and contractors, ensuring that the necessary resources are in place to be a successful organisation in a virtual environment. Activities will include, but are not limited to:
- Providing remote administrative support to the Director of Finance and Operations (DFO) and the Chief Executive (CEO), and to the rest of the team as required
- Co-ordinating and managing the logistics for internal meetings and events
- Supporting the DFO with recruitment and contracting duties
- Assisting with the implementation and ongoing improvement of processes and policies
- Maintaining office records and supporting a growing remote team
- Carrying out other ad hoc tasks as required – including but not limited to national and international travel booking, diary management, and acting as general point of contact on phone & email
Along with the main duties outlined above, you will also be expected to carry out any other duties that are reasonably asked of you.
Person Specification
The Finance and Operations Officer will be an integral team member, providing direct support to the executive team, particularly to the DFO and CEO. Working within a growing, busy and globally based remote team, the Officer will have a “can do” attitude and enjoy supporting people to do their best work.With day-to-day support provided by the DFO and CEO, the Officer will also be an integral part of a fun, creative and extremely experienced team, who will also happily provide support and guidance as needed too.
We’re looking for someone who is proactive and can anticipate problems and situations and needs before they arise, and someone who is an excellent team player. They will need to be a strong communicator, someone who is not afraid to be direct with staff at all levels and enjoys building relationships. A flexible mindset is also required due to the nature of the work, as well as the ability to work without close supervision.
With a talent for managing a variety of tasks, it's essential that the Officer genuinely enjoys administration, accounting, and close attention to detail work, and that they are able to apply relevant professional and technical skills in their day-to-day activities. If the Officer has new or different ideas to bring to the table that will support with the efficiency of the organisation, these will be welcomed.
The role also has the opportunity to take on more responsibility and advance into a further leadership role as the chosen candidate proves and develops themselves.
Essential Criteria
- Minimum 3 years’ experience of working in a similar office role, including some time working remotely/for a remote based team
- Book-keeping experience (SAGE 50 Accounts preferable)
- Strong computer skills – Microsoft Office (Word, Excel & Outlook)
- Excellent administrative and organisational skills
- High level of attention to detail and strong numerical skills
- A high standard of written and spoken English
- Highly motivated, well-organised, and able to work effectively as part of a team
- Ability to use initiative, prioritise and work with minimum supervision to a high standard.
Desirable Criteria
- Previous PA or team secretarial experience
- Ability to solve basic IT issues
- Previous recruitment experience
TERMS & CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Salary: £28,000 FTE per annum, plus matched contributions to a pension of up to 6% of salary.
Hours of Work: 32-40 hours a week, within normal office hours, exact schedule to be agreed with DFO.
Contract type: Fixed term, 12 months
Location: UK based, remote, option to work from our Bristol office
Annual Leave: 25 working days per annum, plus public holidays (to be pro-rated for part-time staff).
Probationary period: 6 months
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 12 months
Part-time hours: 32-40 per week
Salary: £28,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Flexitime
- Work from home
Schedule:
- Flexitime
- Monday to Friday
Work Location: Remote
Expected start date: 19/06/2023
