Strategic Finance Director - Museum & Governance (Hybrid)

Museums Galleries Scotland; Fort William; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

West Highland Museum Trust is seeking a Finance Director to provide strategic financial leadership for the charity. The role will safeguard assets, oversee governance, and work closely with the Museum & Collections Manager and Finance Manager to ensure robust financial controls and long-term sustainability.

The post involves presenting to the Board, monitoring budgets, managing investments, and guiding risk management.

Responsibilities

• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure the Trust complies with its governing documents, OSCR and HMRC regulations regarding Gift Aid, VAT, and payroll tax.
• Annual Accounts: Oversee the timely preparation of annual statutory accounts in accordance with the SORP
• Independent Audit: Act as the primary Board liaison for the external independent auditor during the year-end financial review (as required)
• Financial Strategy: Lead the Board’s long-term financial strategy and vision that aligns with the charity’s goals, including forecasting and evaluation.
• Budget Management: Overseeing budget creation, monitoring, and evaluation to maximize resource efficiency.
• Investment Oversight: Managing investment activities to grow the charity’s financial portfolio responsibly.
• Financial Reporting: Review and present quarterly management accounts, cash flow statements, and budget variances to the Board in a clear, accessible manner.
• Budget Scrutiny: Advise and challenge the Museum & Collections Manager on the creation of the annual operating budget and rolling multi-year financial forecasts.
• Investment & Reserves Policy: Formulate, monitor, and periodically review the museum’s reserves policy and investment strategies to safeguard the trust’s long-term capital.
• Fundraising Support: Collaborating with our Fundraiser and the Fundraising team to ensure both capital and revenue funding in secured for the Museums continued longevity.
• Capital Project Scrutiny: Provide financial oversight on major upcoming capital redevelopment and historic building renovation projects, monitoring restricted vs. unrestricted funding allocations.
• Risk Management: Ensure appropriate internal financial controls, fraud prevention measures, and risk registers are maintained and reviewed regularly.
• Risk Assessment: Identifying and mitigating financial risks to protect the organization’s assets; liaising with the Audit Committee to support risk management.

Job description

West Highland Museum Trust is seeking a Finance Director to provide strategic financial leadership for the charity. The role will safeguard assets, oversee governance, and work closely with the Museum & Collections Manager and Finance Manager to ensure robust financial controls and long-term sustainability.

The post involves presenting to the Board, monitoring budgets, managing investments, and guiding risk management.