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- Tasks: Lead the finance team and ensure top-notch financial reporting and strategic planning.
- Company: Join Children's Hospice South West, a charity making a real difference in children's lives.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days holiday, enhanced sick pay, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Be a key player in a charity that changes lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Must be ACA qualified with significant finance leadership experience.
- Other info: Flexible hybrid working with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 66351 - 74000 £ per year.
Ensure all your application information is up to date and in order before applying for this opportunity.
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.
Make a real difference every day. 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.
Head of Finance (Temporary Maternity Cover) in Barnstaple 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
✨Tip Number 1
Get your networking game on! Reach out to your contacts in the finance sector, especially those who have experience in charities or similar organisations. A personal recommendation can make all the difference when you're aiming for that Head of Finance role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews like a pro! Research CHSW thoroughly and be ready to discuss how your skills align with their mission. Think about specific examples from your past that showcase your leadership and financial expertise.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After your interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It shows your enthusiasm and keeps you fresh in their minds.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the team at CHSW.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Finance (Temporary Maternity Cover) in Barnstaple
Some tips for your application 🫡
Keep Your CV Fresh: Before you hit that apply button, make sure your CV is up to date. Highlight your relevant experience and skills that match the Head of Finance role. We want to see how you can lead our finance team!
Craft a Compelling Supporting Statement: Your supporting statement is your chance to shine! Use it to explain how your experience aligns with the job requirements. Don’t forget to mention if you're interested in part-time hours or relocating!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a Head of Finance, leadership is key. Make sure to include examples of how you've motivated and developed teams in your previous roles. We love seeing candidates who can inspire others!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role there!
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. This shows you can not only manage finances but also drive strategic decisions.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
This role requires leading a team, so be prepared to share examples of how you've motivated and developed finance teams in the past. Highlight specific instances where your leadership made a difference, especially in challenging situations.
✨Understand the Charity Sector
Familiarise yourself with the unique financial challenges faced by charities, particularly in relation to budgeting and reporting. Being able to discuss charity taxation and compliance will set you apart as a candidate who understands the sector's nuances.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills. Think about scenarios where you've had to manage multiple priorities or implement new financial controls. Prepare structured responses using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to clearly convey your experience.
