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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. We work with this extensive network of members, and the wider conservation community, to use our collective knowledge and hands-on expertise to reverse the threat of extinction facing plants and to secure plant diversity for the well-being of people and the planet. BGCI coordinates efforts to enhance regional networking and scale up technical networks by facilitating, coordinating, and supporting the consolidation and functioning of botanic garden networks.
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. We also ask all applicants to complete a short Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form. 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 Richmond 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 Richmond
✨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 a lead on that perfect Head of Finance role!
✨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 their goals. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to discuss your experience in detail, especially your leadership and accounting skills. Use specific examples that highlight your achievements and how they relate to the responsibilities of the Head of Finance position.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage with us directly. Good luck!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Finance in Richmond
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 finance functions, especially in conservation or scientific organisations. We want to see how your skills align with our mission!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should be no more than two pages and should clearly explain your motivation for applying. Use specific examples to demonstrate how your background makes you a great fit for this position. Remember, we love a good story!
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t forget to highlight your accounting skills, especially with Sage and Excel. Mention any experience with tax reporting and payroll management, as these are key for the role. We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. Make sure to confirm your eligibility to work in the UK in your cover letter. We can’t wait to hear from you!
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 values align with theirs. This will show that you're not just looking for a job, but are genuinely interested in contributing to their mission.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions on accounting practices, tax regulations, and financial risk management. Review your knowledge of Sage and Excel, as these are essential tools for the role. Being able to confidently answer technical questions will set you apart from other candidates.