Head of Finance

St John Ambulance; Sheffield; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading nonprofit organization is seeking a Head of Finance to shape the future of their finance team. This pivotal role involves managing statutory reporting, enhancing financial controls, and collaborating with senior stakeholders. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in financial accounting and team leadership, with a professional accounting qualification. The position offers a hybrid working model based in Sheffield.

Benefits

Competitive salary and pension scheme

33 days holiday, increasing to 38 days

Hybrid, flexible working

Cycle to work scheme

Health and Wellbeing support

Discounts on various services and products

Qualifications

• Significant post-qualification experience in senior financial roles.
• Proven track record of managing external audit processes.
• Experience in producing annual statutory accounts.

Responsibilities

• Oversee production of audited statutory financial statements.
• Lead the preparation of monthly cash flow forecasts.
• Strengthen financial controls within transactional teams.

Skills

Financial accounting expertise

Leadership experience

Stakeholder engagement

Communication skills

Process improvement

Education

Degree level education with ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualification

Job description

Role

Head of Finance

Location

Hybrid (on-site 3 days per week in Sheffield)

Our Offer to You

• Competitive salary and pension scheme
• 33 days holiday (inclusive of bank holidays) – increasing to 38 days over 5 years
• Hybrid, Flexible working
• Cycle to work scheme, Electric Vehicle Scheme
• Health and Wellbeing portal – access to financial, health and wellbeing support and an Employee Assistance Programme
• Discounts – access to Blue Light and NHS Discounts as well as discounts on mobile phones, gym membership, cinema tickets, restaurants, holidays and shopping

Job Summary

We’re looking for an experienced and forward‑thinking finance leader to play a central role in shaping the future of the finance team at St John Ambulance. Reporting to the Finance Director (who reports directly to the CEO), this is a high‑impact position at the heart of our finance transformation journey—ideal for a self‑motivated, qualified accountant who thrives on change and making an impact.

As a senior leader within the organisation, you’ll be instrumental in driving the evolution of our finance function, leading and developing a large, multi‑disciplinary team. You'll bring deep expertise across a broad range of finance disciplines and be excited by the opportunity to embed best practices, streamline processes, and strengthen financial governance.

This is more than a technical role—it's a strategic leadership opportunity. You'll collaborate with senior stakeholders across the organisation and externally, using your communication and influencing skills to shape decision‑making and support our charitable mission.

You’ll oversee the delivery of timely, accurate management accounts and play a key role in providing high‑quality financial reporting to our Trustees and Finance Committee. You'll also take the lead on our statutory audited accounts, acting as the principal contact for both internal and external auditors.

About You

• Educated to degree level with a full professional accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA).
• Significant post‑qualification experience (PQE) in senior financial accounting roles, with strong technical expertise.
• Proven track record in producing annual statutory accounts and successfully managing external audit processes.
• Extensive experience leading and developing large finance teams within complex organisations, driving performance and accountability.
• Skilled in preparing management accounts, income and expenditure reports, and cash flow forecasts to support strategic decision‑making.
• Demonstrated success in finance team transformation, implementing process improvements, and enhancing financial controls.
• Experienced in stakeholder engagement at all levels, including Board reporting, and providing expert technical accounting advice to support change and excellence.

About the Role

• Lead statutory and management reporting: Oversee the production of audited statutory financial statements and timely completion of the external audit. Ensure best practice in external financial reporting and take full responsibility for the accuracy and delivery of monthly management accounts.
• Own cash flow and balance sheet management: Lead the preparation of the charity’s monthly rolling cash flow forecast and ensure full ownership of the balance sheet, including timely and accurate reconciliations.
• Strengthen financial controls and working capital: Ensure effective financial processes and controls within transactional teams to manage working capital and drive continuous improvement in financial operations.
• Oversee compliance and tax: Identify, manage and control financial risks, including tax compliance. Provide expert technical accounting advice and ensure the charity remains fully compliant in all taxation matters, including VAT and gift aid.
• Drive counter‑fraud and governance improvements: Act as the financial lead for the charity’s control environment and counter‑fraud framework. Champion improvements in fraud awareness, culture, and control.
• Manage key external relationships: Serve as the main contact for the charity’s bankers and investment managers, and act as secretary to the Finance Committee and Investment Advisory Group.
• Optimise treasury and investment performance: Lead treasury activities to maximise returns on working capital and investments, ensuring alignment with the charity’s strategic objectives.
• Develop team and performance culture: Foster a high‑performing finance team through regular 1‑1s, development reviews, and team meetings. Embed a strong performance management culture in line with St John Ambulance policies.

For all other candidates, or St John Ambulance volunteers wishing to apply, please apply below. If you are a current St John Ambulance employee, please apply via the internal portal.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

St John Ambulance is committed to safeguarding and we promote safe recruitment practice. Therefore, all successful applicants will undergo pre‑employment checks, including DBS clearance, as part of the onboarding process, if applicable to the nature of the role.

Please note: St John does not accept speculative CVs and will only review CVs sent in application for an advertised vacancy.