Finance and Operations Manager

Finance and Operations Manager

This is an exciting time to be joining the UAE-UK Business Council, as it celebrates its fifth anniversary and looks forward to driving new momentum and growth in the bilateral trade and investment relationship over the years ahead. We are looking for a dynamic and highly motivated Finance and Operations Manager to join our small team in the UK.

The UAE-UK Business Council is a not-for-profit thought leadership organisation that brings together business leaders, entrepreneurs and academics from both countries to discuss barriers to doing business and identify new and emerging opportunities for collaboration. It is run by a Joint Secretariat, with staff in both countries, and we represent the interests of both UK and UAE members and stakeholders, who range from large corporates to SMEs to universities and investment agencies. We are funded entirely by our member companies but work closely with both Governments.

We run campaigns, host events (in both countries), and write reports and white papers.

Thematically, we cover every sector - from AI to fintech and from lifesciences to energy.

The UAE-UK Business Council is co-Chaired by senior representatives from both countries - Rt Hon Lord Udny-Lister, and H.E. Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh. The Business Council also has a high-level senior Advisory Committee, and a Governance Committee, which oversees our operations.

The Joint Secretariat consists of a CEO (based in the UAE) a Finance and Operations Manager (based in the UK) and a Head of Policy and Campaigns (also based in the UK). The entire team works remotely, although there is an occasional requirement to travel to London and / or elsewhere in the UK for events and meetings and the likelihood of travel to the UAE approximately once a year.

ROLES AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Being a small organisation, the key responsibilities will include (but will not be limited to) the following:

• Liaising with our accountants on all matters relating to compliance with company law and HMRC regulations, as well as on payroll and payment of salaries, NI, superannuation and VAT Budget profiling and financial projections
• Preparing regular financial and information returns to circulate to the Governance Committee.
• Leading on engagement with all member companies on matters relating to membership renewals, invoicing and receipts
• Maintaining accurate and up-to-date internal records as well as being a key point of contact for member companies.

• Managing all office functions eg: hiring of IT equipment, insurance, employer liability insurance etc
• Setting up meetings for the CEO where necessary and providing support in the preparation of briefings and presentations.
• Minuting meetings and maintaining a record of all client interactions.
• Updating the website and formatting and circulating our monthly newsletter- in partnership with our web design partners.

EVENTS

Supporting the CEO and Head of Policy and Campaigns on all aspects of the preparation, coordination and execution of events - both virtual and physical. This will include venue hire, logistics, programme management and comms and liaising with third party contractors and member companies.

PERSON SPECIFICATION.

This role requires a broad range of skillsets and competences, specifically the ability to work under your own steam in a small team, to have a tenacious, practical and positive mindset, and to have excellent and culturally sensitive interpersonal skill. Specifically, this role requires:

ESSENTIAL:

• Experience of working with clients in a face-to-face, government and / or business setting.
• A proven track record of cultivating and maintaining such relationships is desirable.

• Experience of working to deadlines and managing multiple pieces of work at the same time - both independently and with team members.
• Strong interpersonal and networking skills, and strong experience of working with people from different cultures and backgrounds.
• Empathy, tolerance and mindfulness when interacting with people from different cultures and religions.
• Excellent English language skills - both written and oral
• Experience of managing/supporting budgets and other resources.
• Experience of working in event management. Candidates should be familiar and / or have the ability to navigate logistics and liaise with both working-level and senior stakeholders.
• Proven ability to work effectively on a remote basis, making full use of all remote working tools
• Experience of compliance with data privacy legislation

DESIRABLE:

• Awareness of the commercial, economic, social and cultural context of the UAE-UK relationship preferable but not essential
• Awareness of Arabic culture and Islam
• Experience of using social media and media and marketing and comms.
• Experience of managing and updating website content. Working hours: 35 hours per week. The work will sometimes involve out of hours working, such as early morning starts to accommodate the difference in time zones between the UK and UAE, attendance at evening events and possibly (but rarely) weekend working. Time off in lieu is given for hours worked in excess of 35 hours per week.

Annual Leave: 25 days plus English public holidays.

Pension: 8.5% employer contribution

Salary: £32,000 - £35,000 per year depending on skills and experience

Probation: 3 months

Deadline for applications: February 13 th 2026.

Interviews will be held March / April 2026

Start Date: May 2026

To apply, please use the 'Apply now' button below - applications must include the names and contact details of two referees (who will be contacted only if the applicant is successful at interview). The applicant may wish to add any other supporting evidence of their skills and experience that they feel is appropriate. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications we are anticipating, candidates who are not shortlisted for interview will not receive a reply.

IMPORTANT: Applicants must be based in the UK and either UK nationals or UK residents with the permanent right to live and work in the UK. This role is only being offered on a full-time, remote working basis.