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- Tasks: Lead finance functions and manage a small team across the UK and Kenya.
- Company: Join BGCI, a global leader in plant conservation with a vibrant community.
- Benefits: Flexible part-time role with potential for full-time, competitive salary, and hybrid working.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in conservation while developing your finance career.
- Qualifications: Fully-qualified accountant with 5+ years in a similar role.
- Other info: Embrace diversity and inclusion in a supportive work environment.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 31200 £ per year.
Job Purpose: Control of finance function.
Reports to: Secretary General
Contract Type: Job-share, Part-time (3 days a week; potential to go full-time)
Duration: Permanent
Location: BGCI Offices, Kew, London; Hybrid (working 1 day per week in office)
Remuneration and Grade: £50,000-52,000 FTE (Actual: £30,000-31,200) Grade S2. Salary dependent on level of skills, experience and necessary qualifications.
Position Summary: The Head of Finance is responsible for all finance functions across the BGCI Group, including financial and management reporting, company secretarial, tax, financial risk and controls, project reporting, audit liaison, banking and compliance, as well as the management of a small Finance team located in the UK and Kenya.
About BGCI: Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) is a membership organisation and a global network for plant conservation located in Kew, London with regional bureaux in China, Kenya and the USA. Our membership comprises over 800 botanical institutions working in plant conservation - botanic gardens, arboreta, NGOs, restoration organisations, government, and universities - in over 120 countries all around the world.
Detailed Position Description: This is a hands-on role in which the holder should be prepared both to manage junior team members, but also to perform detailed booking, reconciliation, report preparation, accounting and analysis, as required. Coverage includes:
- Financial reporting for 1 UK charity and 3 trading companies, in the UK and Kenya
- Quarterly management reporting for the board
- Regulatory reporting to the Charities Commission
- Tax reporting, including VAT where relevant
- Project reporting in support of financial claims to funders
- Payroll management
- Company secretarial duties
- Expense control, using the Expend system
- Cash management, to maximise income and minimise FX risk
- Analytical review
- Financial risk and controls, including audit
- Process enhancements to reduce risk and enhance efficiency
- Staff management of a small finance team located in the UK and Kenya
Person Specification: BGCI is seeking to appoint a person interested in a job-share but with the potential to go to full-time if desired. Candidates for this post will have a proven track record working for a conservation or scientific organisation, preferably in plant conservation. The post holder will demonstrate sensitivity to complex, multicultural and multinational institutions and structures.
Education and/or Experience:
- Fully-qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA)
- At least 5 years relevant experience in a similar role
Skills and competencies:
- Excellent accounting skills, including consolidation
- Attention to detail
- Excellent staff training, guidance, mentorship, leadership
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills at senior management and board level
- Excellent Sage and Excel skills
- Full engagement and commitment to the aims of the organisation
- Team-player with a can-do attitude
Desirable:
- Tax, including VAT, knowledge
- Payroll experience
- FX competence
Application Process: If you are interested in this role, please send us your CV and a cover letter (two pages maximum) explaining your motivation for the role and providing examples and evidence of how you are suitable for the position. Please note that the role is UK based so you must be eligible to work in the UK. We are unable to provide sponsorship for this role. Please confirm in your cover letter that you are eligible to work in the UK. Please send your CV and cover letter by an email via the button below. Closing date for applications is 31 March 2026. The interviews will be conducted online (or in person) 14 April 2026.
BGCI is committed to putting equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of our organisation. We are committed to ensuring a working environment in which all individuals are free from discrimination and in which opportunities are equal to all. We encourage applications from all sections of the community, particularly those underrepresented within our sector.
Head of Finance in England employer: Botanic Gardens Conservation International
Contact Detail:
Botanic Gardens Conservation International Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Finance in England
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance and conservation sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching BGCI and its mission. Understand their financial needs and challenges. This way, you can tailor your responses to show how your skills can directly benefit them. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your interview skills with a friend or mentor. Get comfortable discussing your experience and how it relates to the role of Head of Finance. The more you practice, the more confident you’ll feel when it’s time to shine!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to engage with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Finance in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Finance role. Highlight your relevant experience in financial reporting, management, and any conservation-related work. We want to see how your skills align with our mission!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should be a two-page masterpiece! Explain why you're passionate about this role and provide specific examples of your achievements. We love seeing how you can contribute to BGCI's goals.
Showcase Your Qualifications: Don’t forget to mention your qualifications, especially if you're a fully-qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA). We’re looking for someone with solid accounting skills and experience, so make that shine through!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smooth application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it shows you’re tech-savvy, which we appreciate!
How to prepare for a job interview at Botanic Gardens Conservation International
✨Know Your Numbers
As the Head of Finance, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics and reporting standards relevant to BGCI. Be ready to discuss how you've handled financial reporting and compliance in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role involves managing a small finance team, so highlight your experience in staff training and mentorship. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams, especially in multicultural environments, as this will resonate with BGCI's diverse mission.
✨Align with BGCI's Mission
Familiarise yourself with BGCI's goals in plant conservation. In your interview, express your passion for conservation and how your financial expertise can support their mission. This alignment will show that you're not just a numbers person but also committed to their cause.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills, particularly around financial risk and controls. Think of scenarios where you've improved processes or mitigated risks in finance. Being able to articulate these experiences will set you apart.