Head of Finance and Operations - 30 hours - fully remote

Charity People; Walton-on-Thames; Remote; GBP 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A charity focused on health and wellbeing is seeking a Head of Finance and Operations to lead financial strategy and operational excellence. Located in Walton-on-Thames, the role involves contributing to strategic planning and ensuring financial compliance. Candidates should have senior leadership experience in the charity sector and CCAB qualifications. The position is part-time at £60,000 per annum with excellent benefits, including 35 days of leave and a pension contribution.

Benefits

35 days of annual leave

Employer pension contribution of 6%

Death in Service benefits

Access to an Employee Assistance Programme

Opportunity for flexible working

Qualifications

• Proven experience in governance and compliance at a strategic level.
• Ability to translate financial and performance information into accessible management information.
• Demonstrable understanding of strategies for embedding change into ways of working.

Responsibilities

• Lead the financial strategy to ensure long-term financial sustainability.
• Develop and implement the charity's strategic plan as a member of the SLT.
• Act as Data Protection Officer for the charity.

Skills

CCAB recognised qualifications (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA)

Proven senior leadership experience in the charity or not for profit sector

Strong financial acumen

Excellent communication skills

Proven track record of identification and management of risk

Knowledge of charity finance and reporting

Strong understanding of digital tools and systems

Excellent stakeholder management skills

Strategic thinker

Job description

A growing £1million turnover charity dedicated to the health and wellbeing of children and adults through the healing power of music have newly created a Head of Finance and Operations role. This role will drive organisational impact with a values driven approach towards financial strategy, resource optimisation, and operational excellence.

As part of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), the Head of Finance and Operations provides a pivotal role in the strategic and operational leadership across the core support functions of the charity. Through sound management of resources, risk, people, systems and data, this role ensures robust governance, financial sustainability, regulatory compliance and organisational effectiveness enabling the charity to achieve its mission.

The core support functions of the charity include Finance, HR, technology and data, health and safety, and governance.

Salary

Salary: £60,000 per annum (this will be pro-rata'd for 30hours per week)

Benefits

Benefits: Excellent benefits package including 35 days per year (inclusive of bank holidays), Employer Pension contribution of 6%, Death in Service benefits, access to an Employee Assistance Programme, and the opportunity for flexible working.

Contract

Contract: Part time 30 hours per week, Permanent

Location

Location: Remote based role with an occasional travel to London, we encourage applicants from across the UK.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• As a member of the SLT, actively contribute to the development and delivery of the charity's strategic plan, leading on the organisational planning and performance for operational areas.
• Work with the CEO to ensure the Board fulfils its legal, regulatory, and financial responsibilities with effective controls through various Board meetings and sub-committees.
• Lead on the risk management for the charity, working with the Board and SLT to identify, record and mitigate risk.
• Act as the Data Protection Officer for the charity.
• Lead, manage and develop the Finance Manager to oversee day to day financial operations and controls.
• Lead, manage and develop the Operations Manager to oversee day-to-day management of the charity's core support functions.

• Develop, lead and implement the financial strategy to ensure long-term financial sustainability whilst managing cashflow, reserves and investments in line with the relevant policies.
• Lead on financial planning, budgeting, forecasting and reporting providing analysis to the CEO, SLT, Board and budget holders to support decision-making.
• Prepare and complete annual accounts and statutory returns ensuring compliance with charity finance regulations, managing relationships with auditors and financial institutions.

• Working with external providers, and advisors, lead on people strategy, including recruitment, retention, performance and people development.
• Ensure legal compliance with employment law and best practice HR policies.
• Promote an inclusive and supportive organisational culture, collaborating with other SLT colleagues to embed the actions on the charity's Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility (EDIA), leadership development and culture change strategic plans.

• Working with external provider and advisors, oversee IT infrastructure, cyber security and responsibility for the organisation's data protection compliance (including GDPR).

• Oversee organisational health and safety strategy, compliance and training.

• Deputise for the Chief Executive in their absence as required.
• Act with integrity and maintain the highest professional standards at all times.
• Carry out other duties as necessary to meet the needs of the organisation.

Skills and Experience

• CCAB recognised qualifications (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA)
• Proven senior leadership experience in the charity or not for profit sector.
• Demonstrable experience of working with Boards and Trustees, experience in HR, governance, and compliance at a strategic level.
• Strong financial acumen and experience of preparing annual accounts, budgets, management accounts and financial reports.
• Proven track record of identification and management of risk.
• Knowledge of charity finance and reporting.
• Knowledge of charity law, risk management and regulatory frameworks.
• Strong understanding of digital tools, systems and data governance.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate financial and performance information into accessible management information.
• Demonstrable understanding of strategies for embedding change into ways of working.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to focus, align, and deliver, on operational duties.

This role will be closing on 3rd November, 2025 and candidates shortlisted will be required to answer three questions which will form as part of shortlisting by the client.

First interview on 11th or 12th November, 2025

Second stage interview on 17th November, 2025

Charity People is a forward-thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background-e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.