Head of Finance

Page Executive; Swindon; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Saxon Weald is a community-focused housing association based in Horsham, established in 2000, managing nearly 7,000 homes across Sussex and Hampshire. A Head of Finance role reports to the Director of Finance & Governance to deliver strategic financial insight, governance and value for money for customers.

The role includes leading budgeting, forecasting, statutory reporting and audits, with a focus on continuous improvement and effective use of systems and data.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Experience leading finance functions and teams within a complex organisation.
• Strong budgeting, forecasting and financial performance management.
• Experience preparing statutory accounts and managing external audits.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a strong financial control environment across core operations, systems, compliance and risk management.
• Oversee rent, service charge and tax compliance with regulatory reporting and monitoring.
• Lead statutory reporting and audit, ensuring timely production of annual accounts and regulatory returns.
• Lead budgeting and forecasting processes with robust reporting, insights and decision support.

Skills

Finance leadership

Budgeting & forecasting

Stakeholder management

Regulatory compliance

Financial reporting

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualified

Job description

• Excellent opportunity to work as part of the senior leadership team.
• Saxon Weald is a community focussed housing association based in Horsham.

About Our Client

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.

Job Description

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.

The Successful Applicant

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.

What’s on Offer

• Salary £100,000
• Location: Horsham.

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.