Head of Finance

Brathay Trust; Ambleside; Hybride; GBP 48 000 - 60 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Health Cash Plan

Life Assurance

Brathay Hall night stay

Résumé du poste

Brathay Trust in Ambleside is seeking a Head of Finance to provide strategic and operational financial leadership across the charity, ensuring robust controls and strong governance. The role supports the CEO and Trustees to drive sustainability and impact for young people across the UK.

As part of the Senior Leadership Team, you will lead budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting and risk management; manage a small finance function; oversee statutory accounts and audits; and partner with

Qualifications

• Significant senior-level finance experience within a charity or values-led organisation.
• Qualified accountant status (ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent).
• Experience in budgeting, forecasting and management reporting.
• Proven ability to develop and improve financial controls and processes.
• Ability to communicate complex financial information to non-financial audiences.

Responsabilités

• Lead day-to-day financial management of the Trust.
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting and management accounts.
• Provide financial insight to CEO and Trustees.
• Support governance, regulatory compliance and statutory reporting.
• Line manage the finance team and collaborate with senior leaders.

Connaissances

Senior finance experience

Qualified accountant

Budgeting

Forecasting

Management reporting

Financial governance

Team leadership

Communication of complex financials

Analytical skills

Stakeholder management

IT skills / Excel

Regulatory compliance

Charity sector experience

Company Secretary experience

Data protection/GDPR knowledge

Audits & external relationships

Formation

ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent

Outils

Microsoft Excel

ERP systems

Description du poste

Salary: £60,000 per annum or £48,000 per annum for 0.8 FTE

Location: Ambleside, Cumbria

This is an opportunity to make a significant impact within a respected and purpose-driven charity. The Head of Finance will play a key role in supporting Brathay’s sustainability, strengthening financial leadership and helping the organisation continue delivering transformational work with young people across the UK.

The Head of Finance as part of the SLT will provide strategic and operational financial leadership across the Trust, ensuring robust financial management, effective governance, regulatory compliance and strong organisational performance. The postholder will support the Chief Executive and Trustees by providing clear financial insight, strengthening financial controls, overseeing statutory responsibilities and helping drive organisational sustainability and improvement. This is a hands-on leadership role requiring both strategic oversight and operational delivery.

The Role:

• Provide administrative support to the CEO / Senior Leadership Team (SLT):
• Act as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, contributing to strategic and operational decision-making.
• Support the SLT with financial insight, analysis and recommendations.
• Contribute to organisational planning, sustainability and business development.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues to support delivery of Brathay’s mission, values and strategic priorities.
• Lead and support teams to encourage high performance, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Attend and report into the Trustee Board and Finance & Risk Committee meetings.
• Provide leadership support during periods of organisational change and transition.
• Contribute to risk management, business continuity and organisational resilience.

Financial Leadership and Management:

• Lead the day-to-day financial management of the Trust.
• Ensure effective financial controls, systems and processes are in place and operating efficiently.
• Oversee the production of accurate and timely management accounts, forecasts, cashflow reporting and financial analysis from the Management Accountant.
• Lead the annual budgeting and forecasting process.
• Business partner budget holders with financial planning, monitoring and decision-making.
• Ensure the organisation operates within approved budgets and financial policies.
• Develop and improve financial reporting and management information.
• Oversee cashflow management, banking relationships and investment monitoring.
• Identify and manage financial risks and opportunities.
• Support the development of financial sustainability and income growth strategies.

IT & Systems Oversight:

• Provide leadership guidance to support our digital transformation journey.
• Line Manage the IT & Data Systems Manager and external providers to ensure secure, reliable and effective IT services.
• Support improvements in systems, reporting and digital processes.
• Ensure effective controls are in place relating to data security, GDPR and cyber security.

Governance, Compliance & Company Secretarial Responsibilities:

• Support effective governance arrangements across the Trust.
• Act as Company Secretary and ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee preparation of statutory accounts and coordinate the annual audit process.
• Ensure compliance with relevant legislation and frameworks including: Charities Act, Companies Act, HMRC requirements, Financial reporting standards
• Maintain effective relationships with external auditors, accountants, solicitors, insurers, banks and other professional advisers.
• Ensure appropriate insurance arrangements are maintained and reviewed.
• Support organisational compliance, risk management and policy development.

Operational Support

• Provide practical and responsive leadership support across the organisation.
• Support organisational priorities, projects and operational improvements as required.
• Undertake additional duties appropriate to the level and nature of the role

Person Specification:

Essential Skills and Knowledge:

• Significant senior-level finance experience, ideally within a charity, public sector or values-led organisation.
• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Experience of financial leadership, budgeting, forecasting and management reporting.
• Experience of developing and improving financial controls, systems and processes.
• Experience of working with senior leaders, Boards or Trustees.
• Strong understanding of financial governance and compliance.
• Experience managing teams and supporting organisational change.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to communicate complex financial information clearly to non-financial audiences.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise workloads and meet deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal and stakeholder management skills.
• Understands and models good leadership and collaborative behaviours, working effectively with others to achieve shared goals and deliver positive outcomes.
• Should have experience of working in smaller organisations
• High levels of integrity, professionalism and discretion.
• Strong IT skills including financial systems and Microsoft Excel.
• Understanding of employment law and organisational compliance.
• Experience within the charity sector.
• Knowledge of charity accounting and SORP.
• Experience of acting as Company Secretary.
• Experience overseeing IT, systems or digital transformation.
• Experience of acting as a Data Protection Officer, and knowledge of GDPR & related legislation/requirements.
• Experience of managing audits and external relationships.

Key Information and Benefits

• Key Role Information:
• Salary: £60,000 per annum, full-time, or £48,000 per annum – 0.8 FTE
• Contract: Permanent. Either full time 35 hours per week or part time 28 hours per week (4 days p/w)
• Location: Ambleside Hybrid working available: 3-4 days in the office per week
• 30 days’ annual leave, plus bank holidays
• Health Cash Plan
• Life Assurance
• Annual complimentary night’s stay at Brathay Hall