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- Tasks: Lead the finance team and ensure top-notch financial reporting for a charity that makes a difference.
- Company: Children’s Hospice South West, a compassionate charity dedicated to supporting families in need.
- Benefits: Generous holiday entitlement, enhanced sick pay, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team and make a real impact on children's lives while developing your career.
- Qualifications: ACA qualified with significant finance leadership experience and excellent communication skills.
- Other info: Flexible hybrid working with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 66351 - 74000 £ per year.
Salary: £66,351 FTE (pending April 2026 pay award)
Hours: 37 hours per week (part time hours may be considered for the right candidate, if applying for part-time working, please add this to your supporting statement)
Contract: Fixed-term maternity cover (anticipated 9 months, with possible extension)
Location: Hybrid – Based anywhere in the South West, with travel to local hospice sites as required. This is a hybrid role, with the flexibility to work from home and attend your nearest hospice—Charlton Farm (Bristol), Little Bridge House (Barnstaple), or Little Harbour (St Austell)—as needed.
At Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW), we provide vital, compassionate care for babies and children with life limiting conditions and their families. Our work is only possible thanks to our dedicated teams who share our passion, values and commitment to excellence. We are looking for an experienced and inspirational Head of Finance to lead our finance function during a period of maternity leave. This is a key leadership position within CHSW, ensuring that our financial reporting, control environment and strategic planning continue to support outstanding care delivery. If you are a senior finance professional who enjoys leading people, improving systems and delivering high quality financial information that informs organisational decision making, this is an exceptional opportunity to join a charity that truly changes lives.
About the Role
- Lead, motivate and develop the Finance team to deliver a professional, supportive and efficient service
- Oversee monthly and quarterly management accounts, KPIs and performance reporting
- Lead on budgeting, reforecasting, cashflow and short– to medium term cash management
- Produce annual statutory accounts for CHSW and its subsidiary, and work closely with external auditors
- Oversee payroll processing and statutory compliance (pensions, HMRC, P11Ds etc.)
- Ensure accurate VAT and tax accounting, working closely with specialist advisers
- Maintain effective financial controls, policies and system governance
- Act as the finance lead on cross functional projects and internal committees
- Work closely with senior leaders and operational colleagues, promoting strong financial stewardship across the organisation
- Support the Director of Finance & Retail, providing cover for SMT, committee and Board work where required
About You
- ACA qualified (or equivalent) and a member of a recognised accounting professional body (e.g., ICAEW)
- Significant finance leadership experience in a similar sized organisation
- Strong experience in:
- annual financial reporting and charity accounts
- budget preparation and financial modelling
- management accounts and KPI reporting
- financial processing functions
- internal controls and finance procedures
Ideally you will also have:
- Charity taxation experience, including VAT and partial exemption
- Experience with Xledger
- Experience working within a hospice, charity or large retail linked organisation
- Knowledge of statutory grant or charitable trust reporting
What we offer:
- 33 days (plus bank holidays) holiday entitlement, which increases with service
- enhanced sick pay scheme rising up to 6 months full and 6 months half pay
- personal pension scheme with 7% employer contribution
- family friendly policies, with enhanced maternity/adoption pay
- occupational health, wellbeing and counselling services and employee assistance programme
- group life insurance scheme
- training and development opportunities
- environmental and green agenda
- a supportive and inclusive environment
- a chance to make a real difference
How to Apply
To apply, please submit your CV and a supporting statement outlining how your experience meets the role requirements. If you are looking to relocate prior to taking on this post or are interested in part time hours, please specify this in your supporting statement.
Closing date: 15/02/2026
Interview date: Anticipated initial telephone screening 19/02/2026 and face to face meetings at our Charlton Farm Hospice near Bristol on 26/02/2026
If you have any questions, please visit our website to find out more, or use our email to contact us and speak to one of our HR team today.
Please note: We may close this vacancy early if sufficient suitable applications are received; therefore we recommend you apply early.
CHSW Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement
CHSW is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and all employees must apply for an enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service. We welcome applications from all sections of the community.
Locations
Head of Finance (Temporary Maternity Cover) in Barnstaple, Devon employer: Children's Hospice South West
Contact Detail:
Children's Hospice South West Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Finance (Temporary Maternity Cover) in Barnstaple, Devon
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance sector, especially those who have experience in charities or similar organisations. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching CHSW and its mission. Understand their financial needs and challenges, so you can showcase how your skills can make a real difference. Tailor your answers to reflect their values and goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain your experience in financial reporting and team leadership clearly and confidently. Use examples that highlight your problem-solving skills and ability to manage multiple priorities.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at CHSW and making a positive impact.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Finance (Temporary Maternity Cover) in Barnstaple, Devon
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 leadership, charity accounts, and team management. We want to see how your skills align with what we’re looking for!
Craft a Compelling Supporting Statement: Your supporting statement is your chance to shine! Use it to explain how your experience meets the role requirements. Be specific about your achievements and how they relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Show Your Passion for Our Mission: At StudySmarter, we care about making a difference. In your application, let us know why you’re passionate about working in a charity environment and how you can contribute to our mission of providing vital care.
Apply Early!: Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application. We may close the vacancy early if we find suitable candidates, so get your CV and supporting statement in as soon as possible through our website!
How to prepare for a job interview at Children's Hospice South West
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Head of Finance, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've used them in past roles. Be prepared to explain complex financial concepts in simple terms, as you’ll likely need to communicate with non-finance colleagues.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
This role requires strong leadership abilities. Think of examples where you've successfully led a team or improved processes. Be ready to share how you motivate and develop your team, as well as how you handle challenges within a finance function.
✨Understand the Charity Sector
Since this position is within a charity, it’s crucial to understand the unique financial challenges they face. Familiarise yourself with charity accounting standards and any relevant tax implications. Showing that you have a passion for the mission of Children’s Hospice South West will also go a long way.
✨Prepare Thoughtful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street. Prepare insightful questions about the organisation's financial strategies, challenges, and goals. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the role aligns with your career aspirations and values.
