Festival Team

Treasurer & Company Secretary

Location: West Dorset (home-based)
Contract: Freelance, part-time
Salary: £6,000–£6,500 per annum
Hours: Average 18 hours per month (typically ranging from 10–30 hours depending on the season). Full participation is required during the Festival period (7–14 November).

Formal starting date: Monday 3 August 2026

OVERVIEW
To succeed our long-standing Treasurer & Company Secretary, Bridport Literary Festival is seeking to appoint a candidate with proven experience in sound financial management and budgeting; in board/trustee governance support; and with knowledge of the compliance requirements of a charitable limited company. This is an ideal job for someone who loves book-keeping and the world of books.

ABOUT BRIDPORT LITERARY FESTIVAL
In its 22nd year, the annual Bridport Literary Festival Bridport is one of South-West England’s leading cultural events. From 7-14 November 2026, the Festival will produce more than 60 events for adults and children across multiple venues in the Dorset town. The charity also hosts occasional events throughout the year and funds opportunities for young people through its BridLit Bursary scheme.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
The Treasurer & Company Secretary will manage the organisation’s finances, prepare management accounts and budgets in partnership with the Festival Director, support annual audit and reporting processes, act as secretary to the Board of Trustees, maintain governance records, and ensure compliance with charity and company regulations while supporting the successful delivery of the annual literary festival and any associated events.

The candidate must be able to demonstrate strong organisational skills and the ability to work independently on a part-time basis.

The ideal candidate will have an enthusiasm for the world of books and writers and want to play a central part in building the reputation and scale of the Festival while retaining its distinctive local character.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial Management

• Prepare and monitor annual budgets in partnership with the Festival Director.
• Produce monthly management accounts: processing payments, invoices, income and receipts and entering data into accounting software (Freeagent) and other databases; filing of hard copies.
• Cash-flow forecasting and monitoring: preparing financial statements and budget reports showing income and expenditure including cash flow, profit and loss and balance (Excel).
• Financial reporting for trustees, directors, and funders: managing bank accounts and reconciliations Issuing customer (advertisers / sponsor) invoices, paying vendor invoices and tracking bank account balances and completing bank reconciliations.
• Overseeing income from ticket sales, sponsorships, grants, and donations. Liaising with trustees to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of communication with sponsors and advertisers and checking received payments.
• Managing expenditure and supplier payments in partnership with the Festival Director and the Festival Assistant Administrator. 
• Preparing employee wages and processing PAYE and pension data and payments
• Managing employee expense claims
• Liaise with the Festival’s accountant for preparing of annual accounts
• Responsibility for all communication with, and reporting to: HMRC, Charity Commission, Companies House. This includes completing VAT returns, filing Gift Aid and all annual returns. 

Accounting and Compliance

• Knowledge of bookkeeping and accounting systems (e.g., Freeagent, Xero, QuickBooks).
• Preparing information for annual accounts and audits/independent examinations.
• Understanding charity and non-profit accounting where applicable.
• VAT knowledge (especially for events, ticketing).
• Gift Aid knowledge
• Ensuring compliance with financial regulations and reporting requirements.

Fundraising and Grant Reporting

• Tracking restricted and unrestricted funds.
• Monitoring grant budgets.
• Producing financial reports for grant funders and sponsors.
• Supporting funding applications with financial information.

Board and Trustee Support

• Organising board and committee meetings.
• Preparing agendas and board papers.
• Taking notes and writing up accurate minutes.
• Tracking actions and decisions.

Governance and Compliance

• Understanding governance requirements for charities, companies limited by guarantee, or similar entities.
• Maintaining statutory records.
• Ensuring filing deadlines are met.
• Supporting trustees/directors in meeting their legal responsibilities.
• Managing policies and governance documentation

Administration

• Liaising with customers, suppliers, trustees and the team.
• Maintaining and updating all databases (Friends, sponsors, advertisers, general).
• Record retention 
• Administer and answer emails and letters addressed to the Festival
• Follow and support development of policies and procedures

ESSENTIAL SKILLS / EXPERIENCE

The job would suit a confident, organised self-starter with excellent administrative and operational skills. The role requires an individual who is reliable and discreet with confidential information; comfortable working independently; collaborative and able to support a volunteer board; interested in arts, culture and literature; and who can be flexible during the busy festival period.

• Excellent communication skills to liaise and co-ordinate with the Festival Director and Festival Administrator, customers, suppliers, volunteers, and trustees 
• Proficient in Excel, cloud accounting systems (e.g Freeagent) and ability to work with ticketing, CRM, and donor databases.
• Strong organisational/time management skills, able to work on an ad hoc basis and complete tasks as and when required. An ability to manage multiple deadlines around festival dates.
• Ability to work with a board of trustees.
• Familiarity with requirements of the Charity Commission for England and Wales and/or Companies House is highly desirable.

Applicants must submit an up-to-date CV, the names and contacts of two referees, and a covering letter setting out your credentials and suitability for the role. 

Applications should be sent to: joannajacobson@googlemail.com by 5pm Friday 26 June with the subject line: BridLit Treasurer & Company Secretary Application.

First interviews in Bridport (online or in Bridport): w/c 29 June

Bridport Literary Festival is an equal opportunities employer.