Senior Finance & Operations Manager

Are you a finance professional ready to use your skills to make a lasting impact? Join SAA-uk and help shape the future of one of the UK's most dynamic South Asian arts organisations. 

For 28 years, SAA-uk has built a resilient and inspiring charity, creating space for music, dance, and community connection. We are now seeking a Senior Finance and Operations Manager who is organised, proactive, and passionate about our mission. 

In this pivotal role, you will: 

• Lead financial planning, compliance, and reporting with clarity and precision. 
• Strengthen our operational systems to support the smooth delivery of year-round artistic programmes. 
• Bring insight and accessibility to financial and operational decision-making. 
• Work collaboratively as part of a growing, values-led team. 

We are looking for a detail-oriented professional with strong analytical skills, sound judgement, and the ability to communicate complex ideas in simple ways. Most importantly, you'll share our values of honesty, accountability, and resourcefulness, and bring a flexible, positive approach to your work. 

This is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference—building solid foundations that will sustain SAA-uk's artistic vision and community impact for years to come. 

Person Specification 
We are looking for these essential areas of experience and skills:   

• ACCA/CIMA qualified.  
• High level of experience in Senior Financial Management, budgeting and forecasting.  
• Experience preparing for and supporting year-end audits and statutory accounts. 
• Understanding of charity finance regulations, including the Charity SORP and requirements of the Charity Commission. 
• Based in the Leeds area or willing to relocate. 
• Punctual, trustworthy, and reliable.  
• Excellent people management and customer service skills, demonstrating a sensitive approach at all levels - on the telephone, face- to- face and in writing. 
• An ability to work effectively with others to identify, analyse, and solve problems.   
• Passion for the UK Charity/Not-for-Profit sector.  
• Excellent computer skills and experience using a wide range of computer packages, including Microsoft 365.  
• Commitment to anti-racism and anti-discriminatory practice and equal opportunities. 
• A personal interest and demonstratable passion for arts and culture. 

Some additional skills and experiences that we would consider desirable for this role include: 

• Significant experience of financial management in an arts, UK Charity/Not-for-Profit context. 
• Proficiency in working with the Xero accounting system.  
• Cultural understanding and language skills relevant to the South Asian communities that SAA-uk serves.  
• In-depth understanding of Leeds' cultural and creative sector. 

Job description 
Reporting to the CEO & Artistic Director and working alongside the Senior Administration Officer, you will bring a strategic mindset and a confident, tech-savvy approach to financial and operational management. You will demonstrate integrity, transparency, and a commitment to high standards across all areas of work. With excellent attention to detail and a methodical, solutions-focused approach, you will ensure robust systems and accurate reporting, while fostering strong, collaborative relationships with staff, the Board of Trustees, and external partners. 

Your responsibilities will include:   

• Contributing to the work of CEO/AD and Managers with strategic and business planning, particularly in relation to financial sustainability and infrastructure needs. 
• Leading on the preparation of annual and quarterly organisational budgets in collaboration with the CEO/AD, Treasurer and department Managers.  
• Managing cashflow, forecasting, and budget reforecasting across all projects and departments.  
• Overseeing contract management, including leases, supplier agreements, and service contracts.  
• Monitor income and expenditure, producing quarterly management accounts and variance reports for the CEO/AD and Board of Trustees.  
• Oversee day-to-day financial operations, including bank reconciliations, payment runs, and payroll.  
• Coordinate the annual audit and the preparation of year-end statutory accounts in collaboration with CEO/AD, Senior Administration Officer and external auditors.  
• Lead on compliance with regulatory bodies including Companies House, the Charity Commission, and HMRC.

Terms of Employment & Benefits of Working at SAA-uk 

• Salary: £40,000 - £45,000 per annum depending on experience. 
• Working hours: this is a full-time position, working an average of 37.5 hours per week including some work outside of regular office hours and at weekends. 
• Location: The work will take place primarily from SAA-uk's office in Mabgate Mills, Leeds, as well as working at events and classes venues where necessary. 
• 21 days' holiday per annum plus statutory holidays in the first year of employment rising by 5 days holiday after 5 years of service up to a maximum of 26 days' holiday, plus statutory holidays.    
• Probationary period of six months during which one month's notice on both sides. After the probationary period, there will be six months' notice on both sides. 

Our benefits include: 

• International and open-minded team. 
• Collaborative and inclusive company culture. 
• Pension contributions (employer contribution 5%). 
• Office space well connected to Leeds city centre. 
• Laptop and work phone provided. 
• Learning and development budgets for courses, conferences, or certifications negotiable. 
• x2 Free tickets to all SAA-uk concerts. 
• x2 Free places at Music or Dance Academies to learn for yourself + one family member. 
• Flexible working. 
• £100 towards eye-care. 
• Regular Away Days to build connections with team and Board of Trustees. 

How to apply 
If you have any queries, please reach out to our CEO & Artistic Director, Keranjeet Kaur Virdee MBE at info@saa-uk.org

Please apply using the application form at the following LINK

Application Deadline: Monday 29th September 2025 5pm 

More about SAA-uk 
South Asian Arts UK (SAA-uk) is a centre of excellence and talent development hub for South Asian classical music and dance in the North of England.  

A dynamic and resilient organisation led by innovators, for 28 years SAA-uk has organically and proactively built expertise in talent development and cross-cultural creative practices; teaching traditional South Asian performing arts to children, young people and adults; successfully providing progression routes for underrepresented artists to develop their creative practice and pursue successful careers; opening doors for young people beginning their journeys in the arts and culture sector.  

Through the years, SAA-uk has cultivated strong relationships with local community groups as well as collaborating with organisations working on a national scale, delivering a varied and culturally relevant programme ranging from early years resources to national touring commissions. 

In recent years we have brought our productions to stages across the UK with Orpheus, our cross-cultural collaboration with Opera North, reimagining Monteverdi's famous opera by bringing together the best talents in South Asian and baroque classical traditions. 

Our mission is to nurture and develop talent, and to advocate and share our expertise, whether that is as a co-commissioner, advisor, or programmer. Our collaborative work embraces a wide range of influences and practices, creating safe spaces for emerging and more established artists to grow and experiment, and giving audiences the opportunity to experience exceptional, diverse music and dance.