Finance Manager - Maternity cover (15 months fixed term contract)

Finance Manager - Maternity cover (15 months fixed term contract)

Finance Manager – Maternity cover (15 months Fixed Term Contract)

£47,495 pa FTE (£28,497 pro rata)

22.5 Hours per week

If you are a values-led finance professional who wants your work to mean more, this is a brilliant opportunity to bring your expertise to a much-loved local charity. As Finance Manager, you will lead a small finance team, provide clear insight and strengthen the financial controls that help Bluebell Wood make confident decisions for the future. We are looking for someone who brings sound judgement, a supportive leadership style and the confidence to make complex financial information meaningful. Your leadership will help us use every pound wisely, improve how we work and maximise the impact of our resources, so we continue providing exceptional care and support for babies, children, young people and families when they need us most.

The role

The Finance Manager leads the day-to-day finance team, delivering timely, high-quality financial information and maintaining strong controls. As a key operational leader, this role strengthens insight, data quality and financial stewardship, taking ownership of work that supports Bluebell Wood’s purpose, values and strategic goals.

Working in partnership with budget holders and leaders across the organisation, you will oversee month-end accounts, forecasting, financial controls, cashflow, VAT, Gift Aid, payroll reconciliations and year-end audit preparation. You will build trusted relationships internally and with external networks, improve finance systems, processes and data quality, support effective use of financial and reporting systems, contribute to organisational leadership and risk management, and deputise for the Director when required.

What you’ll do

This is a snapshot of the role, not an exhaustive list. Please download the full job description and person specification for further details.

You will lead and develop the finance team, providing high-quality financial reporting, analysis and planning that supports effective decision-making across the organisation. Working collaboratively with colleagues and external stakeholders, you will oversee core financial operations, drive continuous improvement in systems and processes, support governance and risk management activities, and help ensure Bluebell Wood's long-term financial sustainability.

What you’ll bring:

We’re looking for more than technical expertise. You will be an approachable finance leader who develops others, builds confidence in financial information and creates positive accountability within the team. You will know when to listen, when to question and when to make a clear recommendation, adapting your communication so that colleagues at every level can act on your advice. You’ll bring:

• A CCAB, CIMA or equivalent professional finance qualification, supported by strong current knowledge of financial controls, governance and charity finance requirements.
• Significant experience of producing accurate management accounts, forecasts, cashflow information and high-quality financial reporting to demanding deadlines.
• A proven ability to lead, support and develop a finance team, setting clear expectations, encouraging accountability and creating a positive culture of continuous improvement.
• Excellent analytical skills and attention to detail, alongside the ability to step back, identify what matters and turn complex data into clear, practical recommendations for different audiences.
• Sound professional judgement and the confidence to ask constructive questions, challenge assumptions respectfully and provide balanced advice that supports sustainable decision-making.
• A proactive, organised and self-motivated approach, with the resilience and flexibility to take ownership, work independently and reprioritise when deadlines or organisational needs change.
• A collaborative and service-focused mindset, with a genuine interest in helping non-finance colleagues understand their responsibilities and use financial information effectively.
• The curiosity and drive to improve systems, processes and data quality, bringing colleagues with you and embedding consistent, well-documented ways of working.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and the ability to use Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and financial reporting systems confidently and effectively.
• Integrity, discretion and accountability when handling sensitive information and organisational resources, with a clear commitment to Bluebell Wood’s values, purpose and the families we support.

What else you need to know:

• Completion of a health assessment relevant to the role.
• A Standard DBS check.
• Two references.
• All offers of employment are conditional on satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.

Why join Bluebell Wood?

At Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice, we're committed to ensuring every baby, child and young person with a life-limiting condition can access specialist palliative care whenever and wherever they need it. Supporting families across South Yorkshire, North Nottinghamshire, North Derbyshire and parts of North Lincolnshire, we provide a wide range of expert services tailored to each family's needs, including respite care, symptom management, counselling, therapies, home visits and end-of-life support. Delivering this vital care costs around £6.7 million each year, yet only around 17% of our income comes from government funding, meaning we rely heavily on fundraising, donations and community support. That's why every role at Bluebell Wood matters.

Our values:

Our values underpin what we do and how we do it.

At Bluebell Wood, our values guide how we work: we embrace individuality, take responsibility, are authentic and are purpose driven. If those values resonate with you and you're looking to apply your finance expertise in a meaningful and rewarding role, we'd love to hear from you. Tell us what you'll bring to Bluebell Wood, what attracts you to this opportunity, and how your skills and experience can help strengthen our financial sustainability and support our long-term ambitions.

In return, you'll join a supportive, committed and collaborative team where people look out for one another, share ideas freely and work together to achieve the best outcomes for the children, young people and families we support.

Download full details of our values here

What we offer:

We know great work happens when people feel supported, valued and able to thrive — so here’s what you can look forward to:

• Time off
• 33 days’ holiday, including bank holidays, plus the option to buy and sell leave.
• Wellbeing
• Employee assistance programme, including mental health support and out-of-hours GP access.
• Pay and pension
• 5% matched pension scheme and enhanced night shift pay.
• Family friendly
• Enhanced Bluebell Wood family leave pay, including maternity and paternity pay.
• Development
• Ongoing commitment to your professional development.
• Everyday extras
• Free parking, subsidised lunch, free tea and coffee, cycle to work scheme, NHS Blue Light Card eligibility and access to our rewards portal.

If you’d like an informal chat about the role, please contact Andy Lee, Finance and Resources Director, on 01909 393 296 or by email at andy.lee@bluebellwood.org

Closing date: Monday 19th October 2026

Interview date Thursday 29th October 2026

We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we support. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences and identities, including people of different ages, disabilities, genders, sexual orientations, ethnicities, religions or beliefs, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

We want our recruitment process to be accessible and inclusive. If you need any reasonable adjustments at any stage, please let us know and we will do what we reasonably can to support you.

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