Director of Finance

PERIDOT PARTNERS; Liverpool City Region; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent community organization in Liverpool is seeking a Director of Finance to lead their finance function through transformation. The ideal candidate will be a qualified accountant with a strong background in managing complex financial environments. Responsibilities include developing financial strategies and ensuring compliance with various regulations. This senior role combines technical challenges with mission-driven impact. Applications close at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, November 19th.

Qualifications

• Experience managing complex financial environments in charity, public or commercial sector.
• Strong understanding of tax, compliance and reporting.
• Ability to translate complexity into clarity for non-financial stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the finance function to align with the Church's mission.
• Shape and deliver a long-term financial strategy.
• Modernise systems, reporting and financial processes.
• Manage compliance with charity, tax and employment law.

Skills

Transformational leadership

Financial controls

Emotional intelligence

Collaborative leadership style

Commercial acumen

Investment oversight

Education

Professionally qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or equivalent)

Job description

About the role

The Archdiocese of Liverpool is seeking a Director of Finance to lead our finance function through the next stage of transformation.

The Archdiocese of Liverpool is a vibrant and diverse Catholic community in the north-west of England, serving over half a million Catholics across Merseyside, Lancashire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester and the Isle of Man. Rooted in a rich heritage of faith, service and social justice, the Archdiocese is home to over 150 parishes, more than 200 schools and a wide range of ministries that support people at every stage of life.

Led by Archbishop John Sherrington, the Archdiocese is committed to fostering a Church that is inclusive, compassionate and outward-looking. Our mission is to proclaim the Gospel, serve those in need and build up local communities through worship, education and charitable outreach.

With its central offices based at the Saint Margaret Clitherow Centre, the Archdiocese employs a dedicated team of clergy, religious and lay professionals. Whether in pastoral support, education, finance, safeguarding or administration, every role contributes to the life and mission of the Church.

As Director of Finance, you will lead a capable but evolving finance function, taking ownership of all financial strategy, operations and planning across the Archdiocese. You\'ll play a key role in aligning financial stewardship with the Church\'s broader mission, enabling better decisions, supporting pastoral priorities and ensuring financial sustainability.

Working alongside senior leaders, trustees, clergy and parish teams, your remit will include:

• Shaping and delivering a long-term financial strategy.
• Modernising systems, reporting and financial processes.
• Leading on investment oversight and liaising with investment managers and the Investment Panel.
• Providing clear and accessible financial insight to a wide range of stakeholders.
• Supporting cross-functional work with property, education and pastoral teams.
• Managing compliance with charity, tax and employment law, including areas where canon law intersects with UK regulation.

You'll also lead and develop the finance team, instilling accountability, improving capability and embedding a culture of collaboration and purpose.

This is a senior leadership position in a complex, values-based organisation. It offers a rare combination of technical challenge, operational scope and mission-driven impact.

Who we are looking for

We\'re looking for a strategic, qualified finance leader who can combine rigour with empathy, resilience with humility and commercial acumen with a commitment to mission.

You will be a professionally qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or equivalent) with experience managing complex financial environments, whether in the charity, public or commercial sector. Experience in multi-entity reporting, restricted funds, investment oversight or regulated organisations would be a strong asset.

There is no requirement to be from a faith background, however a commitment to the mission and ethos of the Catholic church is essential.

You'll bring:

• A track record of transformational leadership - improving systems, processes and team performance.
• The confidence to challenge constructively, manage underperformance and drive cultural change.
• The ability to translate complexity into clarity, especially for clergy, parish teams and non-financial trustees. Strong understanding of financial controls, tax, compliance and reporting - including when to escalate.
• A collaborative and visible leadership style, ready to engage and challenge across departments and communities.

This role also requires emotional intelligence and adaptability. You\'ll often need to support clergy or laypeople through sensitive issues - from fraud and safeguarding to day-to-day financial stress - always with compassion and professionalism.

Please click \'Apply on website\' to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the job description and register your interest to apply.

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Wednesday 19th November.