Chief Finance Officer (interim)

Bookmark Reading Charity – we exist to change children’s life stories through the joy of reading. In a ‘normal’ year, one in four children in an average class will leave primary school unable to read well. These children will struggle in school and beyond. They are at risk of becoming one of the 7 million UK adults who struggle with basic reading every day. Reading isn’t just about books. It’s about reading a road sign, a safety manual, a birthday card. It’s understanding a job application and the prescription that could help save your life. Children from disadvantaged homes are most at risk: four in ten children on free school meals are not able to read well by the age of 11. Poor literacy can lead to limited job prospects, poor health, low self-esteem, and even reduced life expectancy. At Bookmark, we want every child to read. As a leading reading charity for primary school children, we partner with schools to develop whole school reading cultures and provide one-to-one reading support. Through our flexible volunteer-led programme, we give children the reading skills and confidence they need for a fair chance in life. We are now growing fast and expanding into new areas, in addition to increasing our service lines. We have delivered the first year of our three-year strategy, where we are working towards partnering with 1,000 primary schools, where 500,000 children will benefit from a Bookmark literacy programme. Following an internal interim promotion, we are seeking a Chief Finance Officer (interim) to join the team on a 12-month fixed-term contract. The CFO role is a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, responsible for the foundations of the core functions in the Charity. The individual will lead a varied portfolio, whilst also supporting the wider organisation to reach our ambitious targets. This role will suit someone who is able to provide strategic support, see the big picture, improve processes and get hands-on in the detail.

Person Specification Qualified Accountant with proven success in a commercially focused finance role Commercially astute, technically strong, hands-on, dynamic, insightful and an influential leader with the ability to operate at both strategic and operational levels Robust understanding of financial systems (Xero), CRM platforms, business intelligence systems and target operating models Service delivery focused with a desire to achieve targets and objectives Superb IT, organisational and interpersonal skills with the ability to develop open and collaborative relationships Flexible, adaptable, tenacious and enjoys working in a fast-paced growth environment Structured problem-solving approach with excellent attention to detail Proficient in Microsoft Office suite (particularly Word, PowerPoint and Excel) Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, including strong presentational skills High integrity with a commitment to good governance Passionate about our vision and mission Willingness and suitability to work with children and young adults Contract type : Fixed-term contract (12 months), full-time Start date: ASAP Salary: £70,000-£80,000 Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer (interim) Location: Bookmark Reading Charity, Charles House, 5-11 Regent Street Saint James's, London SW1Y 4LR. Minimum two days per week based at the Bookmark office Application deadline: rolling with active shortlisting and interviews as applications are submitted. More details are avalible on our website