At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead finance strategy and ensure effective systems for charity growth.
- Company: Join a rapidly growing charity focused on improving kids' health through food education.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days of holiday, a supportive team, and a healthy work/life balance.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's health while shaping financial strategies.
- Qualifications: Experience in charity finance and strong management accounting skills required.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
Chefs in Schools is a young, ambitious charity that’s rapidly growing. Our mission is to improve kids' health through improving school food and food education. Working in areas of high deprivation, we support and train schools and their kitchen teams to serve the best, freshest and tastiest food possible, alongside meaningful food education.
This is a pivotal role, at a pivotal moment for us. We are entering a critical growth phase, which includes rapidly expanding our own operations and managing significant external partnerships. As Head of Finance & Systems, you will be accountable for ensuring we have the right systems and structures in place to grow at pace without detriment to good governance.
The purpose of this role is to lead on our finance strategy, and ensure all of our systems, reporting and processes are helping to drive forward the charity and deliver on our objectives at scale. You will work closely with the Chief Executive and Directors to ensure that financial planning is effective and supported by accurate data analysis. You will report directly to Trustees as required and ensure that the highest standards of transparency and probity are maintained.
You will oversee all financial administration, ensuring this is carried out proficiently and in line with all legal and regulatory requirements, including ultimate responsibility for ensuring that all statutory filings are made accurately and on time. Your role will also encompass ensuring that we operate within legal and regulatory frameworks and stay up to date with changes in relevant legislation.
Key responsibilities include:
- Developing a comprehensive financial strategy that supports the delivery of the charity’s objectives and activities.
- Ultimate oversight of the external audit and production of the statutory accounts.
- Producing monthly management accounts and bespoke financial reports.
- Forecasting cash flow and managing the treasury position.
- Managing the contract and performance of the bookkeeper and outsourced payroll providers.
- Overseeing sound financial administration, management and governance across the organisation.
- Providing leadership and guidance to all things finance related.
- Accountability for monitoring that the organisation’s services run to budget.
- Supporting the Partnerships & Impact team and Programme Managers with financial inputs to funding proposals.
- Developing our systems strategy and ensuring optimal use of systems.
- Constantly seeking to develop and improve the organisation’s financial systems, policies and procedures.
- Leading an effective risk management process.
- Ensuring the organisation’s compliance with charity law.
Essential skills and experience include:
- Practical, senior-level experience working within a UK non-profit finance function.
- Proven experience independently producing monthly management accounts.
- Experience preparing year-end audit files and reconciling balance sheet control accounts.
- Full or partial qualification through an accredited body (ACCA, CIMA, ACA, CIPFA).
- Comfortable troubleshooting and navigating modern finance tech stacks.
- Experience supervising junior staff and managing the performance of outsourced providers.
Desirable skills and experience include:
- Past experience project-managing a software migration.
- Basic familiarity with HR administration or managing organizational risk registers.
- A demonstrable interest in food education, children’s health, or food systems.
You would be joining a friendly, supportive team who works hard but believe in a healthy work/life balance. We offer 33 days of holiday per year.
Head of Finance and Systems in London employer: Chefs in Schools
Chefs in Schools is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on children's health through food transformation in schools across the North West and North East of England. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, our supportive work culture encourages collaboration and innovation, ensuring that every Chef Trainer can thrive while contributing to a vital cause. Join us to be part of a passionate team dedicated to fostering a high-quality food culture and making healthy meals standard for every child.
