Bradshaw Advisory
Finance & Operations Manager
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About Bradshaw Advisory
Bradshaw Advisory is a boutique consultancy working at the intersection of public affairs, economics and strategic communications.
Our team is split between central Manchester and London. We are small, senior and fast-moving - which is exactly why the finance and operations function needs to be run properly by someone who owns it. Our turnover is £1.5m and set to grow in the coming years.
This role is based in Manchester.
The role
This is a newly shaped role covering the financial and operational running of the firm. You will report directly to the CEO and be the firm's principal point of contact for our external bookkeepers, accountants, payroll provider etc.
It is a broad role. Some weeks are heavily finance-focused around VAT returns, accounts and month-end; others are dominated by bringing in new people, supplier issues or office/event/team logistics. We are looking for someone who is energised rather than frustrated by that variety.
Crucially, this is not a role with someone above you checking the numbers. You will be trusted with the firm's financial administration, and we need someone whose instinct is to flag problems early rather than absorb them quietly.
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Key responsibilities
Finance (approx. 65%)
- Work with our accountants to prepare and finalise quarterly VAT returns
- Act as day-to-day contact for bookkeepers, accountants, payroll, employment lawyers
- Raise and issue client invoices accurately and on schedule
- Own credit control: track ageing debt, chase late payers, escalate where needed
- Process supplier invoices, expenses and payment runs
- Maintain accurate records in Xero
- Support month-end and year-end processes, and the annual accounts
- Produce a simple monthly cash and debtor position for the CEO
Operations and HR (approx. 35%)
- Issue template employment contracts, offer letters and onboarding paperwork
- Maintain employee records, holiday tracking and starter/leaver administration
- Support recruitment logistics - scheduling, candidate correspondence
- Manage supplier relationships, subscriptions and insurance renewals
- Improve the firm's internal processes where they are clunky - we would rather you fixed something than lived with it
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About you
Essential
- Experience running or substantially supporting the finance function of a small business or professional services firm
- Confident finalising VAT returns and working with MTD-compliant software (Xero)
- Credit control experience - comfortable and effective at chasing money without damaging client relationships
- Highly organised, with genuine ownership of deadlines
- Discreet and trustworthy with confidential financial and personnel information
- Comfortable working autonomously, with the judgement to know what to escalate
Desirable
- AAT qualified (or qualified by experience at an equivalent level)
- Experience in a consultancy, agency or other time-and-materials business
- Exposure to HR administration and UK employment paperwork
- Familiarity with Xero and with project management approaches
The role is 3-4 days a week. £35-40k FTE.
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