Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Reports to: Director
Salary Range: £65,000 – £70,000
Status: Flexible, including weekends and bank holidays
Strengthening Financial Sustainability, Driving Growth, and Delivering Impact
Firstsite is committed to making art and creativity accessible to all, with financial sustainability at the core of our ability to deliver on this mission. As our Chief Operating Officer, your primary focus will be ensuring that Firstsite is financially secure, effectively managed, and positioned for long-term growth.
This role is ideal for an experienced strategic leader with a strong financial and commercial background, an understanding of charity governance, and the ability to translate vision into measurable outcomes. You will ensure Firstsite operates effectively as a charitable organisation while maximising income opportunities, overseeing financial reporting, and providing clear insights to the Board and stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Financial Leadership (Top Priority)
- Lead all financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting processes, ensuring Firstsite remains financially sustainable and aligned with its strategic priorities.
- Ensure compliance with charity financial regulations, including reporting to the Charity Commission, Companies House, and other statutory bodies.
- Prepare year-end financial reports, working closely with external auditors to meet accounting standards.
- Provide regular financial reports to the Board, tracking performance against targets and making recommendations for improvement.
- Oversee grant management, ensuring compliance with Arts Council England, local authority, and trust funding conditions while identifying new opportunities.
- Develop and implement strategies to diversify income streams, balancing grant funding, philanthropic support, and commercial revenue.
- Manage financial risk, ensuring that appropriate controls, policies, and procedures are in place to protect Firstsite’s assets.
- Ensure the finance team is effectively structured to support robust reporting, financial decision-making, and cashflow management.
Commercial and Income Generation
- Oversee all earned income activities, including venue hire, hospitality, retail, and digital opportunities, ensuring they contribute to Firstsite’s financial resilience.
- Develop partnerships with businesses, funders, and sponsors to expand revenue streams while aligning with Firstsite’s values.
- Work with fundraising colleagues to develop a major donor, corporate sponsorship, and legacy giving strategy, ensuring long-term sustainability.
- Drive digital innovation in revenue generation, exploring membership models, online retail, and new audience engagement strategies.
Organisational Operations and Risk Management
- Ensure Firstsite’s operational policies and processes are efficient, transparent, and compliant with legal and regulatory requirements.
- Oversee risk management, including health and safety, data protection (GDPR), and safeguarding policies.
- Lead on contract negotiation and management, ensuring best value for services and effective supplier relationships.
- Ensure Firstsite’s IT systems support operational efficiency, financial reporting, and audience engagement.
People and Organisational Leadership
- Provide clear and effective leadership to senior managers, ensuring financial, HR, operations, and commercial teams work together strategically.
- Foster a high-performance, inclusive culture, supporting professional development and talent retention.
- Implement key performance indicators (KPIs) across teams, ensuring alignment with financial and strategic objectives.
Board and Stakeholder Engagement
- Act as a key advisor to the Board, ensuring transparency and accountability in financial and operational decision-making.
- Prepare clear, data-driven reports on financial performance, operational efficiency, and strategic outcomes.
- Represent Firstsite in discussions with funders, local authorities, and sector leaders, advocating for its long-term financial health.