Head of Finance

Saxon-Weald; Southwater; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Saxon Weald is seeking an experienced Head of Finance to lead our finance function and drive financial planning, control, reporting and performance across our housing association portfolio. Reporting to the Director of Finance & Governance, you will shape the financial strategy, ensure robust governance and deliver value for money for customers.

You will lead a high‑performing team, manage statutory reporting and audits, oversee budgeting and forecasting, and build strong stakeholder

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant with strong finance partnering and reporting skills.
• Experience leading finance functions and teams within a complex organisation.
• Strong budgeting, forecasting and financial performance management capabilities.
• Experience preparing statutory accounts and managing external audits.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication and leadership skills; social housing or regulated sector exp. desirable.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a strong financial control environment across core operations and risk management.
• Oversee rent, service charge and tax compliance and reporting.
• Lead statutory reporting and audits, ensuring regulatory compliance.
• Direct budgeting and forecasting processes with robust reporting and analysis.
• Develop a high-performing finance function with emphasis on data, systems and continuous improvement.

Skills

Qualified accountant certificate

Finance leadership

Budgeting & forecasting

Statutory accounts & audits

Stakeholder management & leadership

Education

Professional accounting qualification (ACA/ACCA/CIMA)

Job description

Head of Finance

Established in 2000, Saxon Weald is a successful housing association managing nearly 7,000 homes across Sussex and Hampshire. We provide affordable rented and shared ownership homes for individuals and families, alongside specialist housing for people aged 55 and over.

As a charitable Community Benefit Society, every pound we generate is reinvested into managing, maintaining and developing high-quality homes and communities. Regulated by the Regulator of Social Housing, we are committed to delivering excellent services while ensuring long-term financial sustainability.

We are seeking an experienced and commercially minded Head of Finance to lead our finance function. Reporting to the Director of Finance & Governance, this is a pivotal leadership role responsible for financial planning, control, reporting and performance. You will provide strategic financial insight, ensure robust financial governance and compliance, and lead a high‑performing team that supports the organisation's ambitions and delivers value for money for our customers.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain a strong financial control environment, overseeing core finance operations, financial systems, compliance and financial risk management to ensure accuracy, efficiency and accountability.
• Oversee rent, service charge and tax compliance, ensuring regulatory requirements are met and performance is effectively monitored and reported.
• Lead statutory reporting and audit, ensuring timely production of annual accounts, regulatory returns and compliance with accounting standards.
• Lead the organisation’s budgeting and forecasting processes, providing robust reporting, insight and analysis to support effective decision making and the successful delivery of the Corporate Plan.
• Develop a high-performing finance function, leading and supporting the team while driving continuous improvement, customer focus and the effective use of systems and data.

Knowledge & Experience

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with strong knowledge of finance business partnering and reporting.
• Experience leading finance functions and teams within a complex organisation.
• Strong expertise in budgeting, forecasting and financial performance management, providing insight to support decision-making.
• Experience preparing statutory accounts and managing external audits, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication and leadership skills, with the ability to manage the financial risk and drive continuous improvement; social housing or similar regulated sector experience is desirable.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a well-regarded organisation with a strong social purpose and play a key role in shaping its financial future.