Finance and HR Operations Officer

Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre

Hours
35 hours per week

About the Organisation

Based in the heart of Covent Garden, Society of London Theatre (SOLT) & UK Theatre are the membership bodies for the theatre sector, representing theatre producers, managers, owners and operators. We have a shared staff team working together to deliver our joint vision and mission for our two organisations. Our vision for the world we want to see is a dynamic, sustainable and world-class theatre sector. Our mission, what we do as an organisation, is to champion theatre and support our members to thrive.

To deliver on our vision and mission, we have three joint priority areas for both organisations. These bring together our membership services, advocacy campaigns, audience initiatives and major events and awards. Our three joint priority areas are:

• Membership: Developing a growing, engaged and united membership
• Audiences: Increasing engagement with theatre
• Advocacy: Create the conditions for theatres to thrive

About the role

In this role you are responsible for day-to-day operational activity across both finance and HR functions, working closely with the Finance Officer and reporting to the Head of Finance (with ‘dotted line’ reporting to Director of Finance and Operations in respect of HR activity). The role requires effective use of systems to enable efficient processes, with responsibility for data held on the HR system and management of routine employee-related processes including recruitment and onboarding.

The role also shares responsibility for processing invoices and payments on the finance system, responding to queries from colleagues and 3rd party partners. You will support the Head of Finance and Director Finance and Operations where required, including data analysis, reporting, and preparation of returns across both finance and HR remits.

Responsibilities

HR and Recruitment:

• Maintain accurate data on our HR system, including starters, leavers, holiday and other absences
• Report on key employee metrics including sickness absence, holiday, TOIL, diversity
• Support line managers with recruitment activity, including making effective use of the Applicant Tracking System to ensure a good candidate experience and to report recruitment metrics to enable continuous improvement
• Manage onboarding for new starters including reference requests, pre-employment checks, induction processes
• Coordinate arrangements for training sessions for staff
• Support Head of Finance with monthly payroll processes
• Support Director of Finance and Operations in maintaining and publicising HR policies, keeping the Employee Handbook current
• Maintain up-to-date employee guides and templates for key HR processes including appraisals, mid-year reviews, recruitment, induction, flexible leave

Finance Administration:

• Maintain appropriate employee access to Finance Systems, including being able to claim staff expenses and raise sales invoice requests, and support employees in using these systems.
• Respond to queries in the central accounts mailbox, liaising with internal and external stakeholders.
• Support Head of Finance and Finance Officer with Purchase
• Ledger, including posting and payment of supplier invoices in a timely manner, ensuring accurate coding and authorisation in line with limits, maintenance of supplier accounts, reconciliations and remittances.
• Support the Head of Finance and Finance Officer with management of company credit cards and virtual cards, including reconciling statements and accurate posting to the ledger.
• Assist in raising sales invoices and accurately recording income.
• Assist with Credit Control, chasing overdue debts and reporting to the Head of Finance.
• Support the Head of Finance with analysis of financial data from the finance system (Xero) for reporting and other ad-hoc purposes.
• Assist in maintaining up-to-date procedures. 

Skills, Competencies, Experience & Attributes

Technical Knowledge & Skills Required:

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in data entry, review and reporting.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to work flexibly to successfully manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel is essential, with the ability to create and manipulate pivot tables, use formulas, and perform data analysis.
• Confidence in handling numerical and financial information.
• Highly comfortable with learning new software and systems.
• Familiar with GDPR requirements, and trustworthy in handling confidential information with care and sensitivity.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with experience of delivering good customer service internally and externally, primarily to customers and suppliers.
• An understanding and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
• An interest and broad understanding of the theatre industry is desirable.

Impact:

• Deliver activities and projects within your function to the highest possible standards, ensuring that activities and projects meet goals and KPIs.
• Contribute your specialist skills to cross-organisational projects and activities, ensuring your work supports the overall delivery of the project.
• Use your experience to support the development of business and organisational plans.

Communication:

• A solid communicator, you manage positive day-to-day relationships with stakeholders and members.
• Including, where relevant, being the point person for external agencies and specialist support and ensuring the highest quality of work is delivered to the organisation.
• You will take an active approach to cross-organisational working, ensuring every department contributes to the success of our work.

Innovation:

• You look at how you can bring innovation into your work by looking at best practice from our sector and others.
• You help solve problems and inform business decisions. Knowledge
• You will have solid and/or specialised expertise and qualifications in your function and invest in your own development, implementing learnings into your work.

Culture:

• Part of a culture of transparency, equality, diversity and inclusion, fairness and personal development for all staff.
• Work with your line manager to ensure that your personal development plan is delivered and completed

Compensation & Benefits

• Annual leave is 25 days, rising to 27 days after five years.
• Non-contractual time off: your Birthday off or a day off within two weeks of your birthday. Company Closure Day is normally on a day next to a Christmas bank holiday.
• Digital Wellbeing. A complete solution across Physical &
• Mental Health, Finance and Legal support. Advice from qualified professionals tailored to the individual.
• My Strength: One-to-one support with a qualified Wellbeing guide, a person there to help and support on your wellbeing journey. Support built around the individual.
• Toothfairy, Smart dental App, your personal dentist.
• Paid annual eye test
• Paid annual flu vaccine
• Finances & protection
• Contributory pension scheme
• Employer Contribution: 5% of gross pay
• Employee Contribution: Minimum 3% of gross pay
• Personal circumstances
• Death-in-Service Insurance Cover – 3 x annual salary.
• Personal development
• We invest in and believe in continuous professional development and training opportunities for all.
• Where appropriate, we suggest and arrange professional mentors to offer additional external guidance.
• Work travel: Many of our staff walk, use public transport or cycle to work, or a combination of the above.
• Interest-free Travel Season Ticket loan
• Cycle to work scheme
• All staff can buy Theatre Tokens with a 10% discount.
• Local retail discounts through Heart of London Club and Love Covent Garden.
• 20% off at Trevor Sorbie hair salon in Covent Garden.

Conditions of employment

• Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Please note that SOLT & UK Theatre is unable to provide visa sponsorship.

Working locations

• London, United Kingdom

How to apply

• To apply for this role, please send your CV and cover letter (maximum two pages) including responses to the three questions below:
  • Tell us about a time when you identified a process that could be improved or made more efficient. How did you approach making the change, and what did you do to ensure the process was accurate, consistent, and effective?
  • Describe a situation where you had to handle sensitive financial or employee information while also resolving a difficult or confidential issue. What approach did you take?
  • Give an example of when you have had to manage competing priorities. How did you decide what to do first, and how did you ensure important deadlines were met?
• Please include your first name, surname, and ‘Finance and HR Operations Officer’ in the email subject line, and send your application to [email protected].
• The closing date for Applications is 25th September 2026.

Interviews

• Interviews are planned to take place w/c 5th October 2026.

Policies

SOLT/UK Theatre is an equal opportunity employer, values diversity, and is strongly committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and all applicants for employment. Equal opportunities are the only acceptable way to conduct business, and we believe that the more inclusive our environments are, the better our work will be.

Please submit your application with your personal email address to ensure you receive an acknowledgement of receipt. Please note that, to ensure confidentiality, applications submitted under a work email address will not receive an acknowledgement of receipt.

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