Director of Finance

Director of Finance Location: Regent Road Salary: £70,000 per annum – actual salary dependent on agreed hours 30 – 37.5 hours per week Hours: 30-37.5 hours per week Job Type: Permanent Shortlisting: 17th June Interview: 26th June Reporting and team Reports to: Deputy Chief Executive Direct reports: Head of Finance and wider finance team structure as agreed Member of: Senior Leadership Team, attending Board and Finance / Audit Committee meetings as required Role purpose To provide strategic financial leadership for You Matter, ensuring robust financial planning, strong stewardship of a £20–25m budget, and effective support to services delivering homelessness, housing and care provision. The postholder will lead the finance function, support organisational decision-making, and ensure the charity remains financially sustainable, well controlled and fully compliant with all relevant statutory, charity and regulatory requirements. Why this role would be great for you This is a fantastic opportunity to join You Matter at a pivotal stage in its growth. As Director of Finance, the postholder will lead financial strategy, stewardship and planning, ensuring the organisation can sustain and grow its homelessness, housing and care services over the long term. Working closely with the Chief Executive, Senior Leadership Team and Board of Trustees, the Director of Finance will provide expert financial insight and constructive challenge that directly shapes the future of the charity. The role will ensure plans are financially robust, compliant and aligned with the organisation's vision, values and intended impact. What your week may look like Strategic leadership and planning • Lead the development of You Matter's annual budget, medium-term financial plan and long-term financial strategy, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities and service delivery plans. • Provide timely, high-quality financial advice, analysis and challenge to the Board of Trustees, Chief Executive, Senior Leadership Team and budget holders to support strategic and operational decision-making. • Lead financial input into business planning, major bids, tenders, contracts, grants and partnership decisions, ensuring opportunities are financially viable and aligned with the charity's mission. • Conduct regular stress testing and scenario planning, ensuring key financial risks are identified, assessed and actively managed through the organisational Risk Register. • Provide oversight of the value for money strategy, supporting efficient use of resources and clear evidence of impact. Finance leadership and operations • To lead and manage the finance department, working through the Head of Finance to ensure effective day-to-day operations and a robust system of financial controls. • Ensure the finance structure, systems and processes are appropriate for a charity with a complex operating model, and review these regularly as the organisation develops. • Ensure accurate and timely monthly management accounts, forecasts, cash flow reporting and other financial information are produced to professional standards and statutory requirements. • Oversee the preparation of the statutory annual accounts and lead the year-end process, including management of the external audit. • Take overall responsibility for the organisation's financial procedures and controls, ensuring they are fit for purpose, consistently applied, and regularly reviewed. • Regularly review accounting methods, systems and policies, making recommendations for improvement and leading implementation where agreed. Governance, compliance and external relationships • Act as the lead financial adviser to the Board of Trustees and relevant committees, preparing clear, high-quality papers and presenting financial performance, forecasts and risks in an accessible way. • Ensure compliance with all relevant financial, charity and regulatory requirements, including charity accounting standards, Charity Commission obligations, HMRC requirements and, where applicable, Regulator of Social Housing requirements. • Liaise effectively with external auditors, regulators, funders, banks, suppliers and other stakeholders. • Ensure audit recommendations and other agreed actions are implemented in a timely way and that assurance processes remain effective. • Support the Board and Chief Executive on matters of governance, going concern, reserves, risk and financial sustainability. Service, contracts and sector-specific oversight • Oversee the financial management of commissioned contracts with local authorities and NHS Foundation Trusts, ensuring accurate income recognition, contract compliance and financial sustainability across all commissioned services. • Provide financial oversight of supported housing activities, including rent accounting, service charges, void management and arrears, ensuring compliance with the Regulator of Social Housing's standards. • Ensure robust financial governance within CQC-registered services, including cost management, fee-setting and regulatory compliance. Organisational leadership and collaboration • Contribute fully as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, meeting regularly with colleagues to review organisational performance, risks, opportunities and delivery priorities. • Build financial literacy across the organisation by supporting and developing budget holders, enabling greater ownership of finances and strengthening accountability. • Support a more collaborative and inclusive approach to budget setting, ensuring it is informed by those closest to service delivery. • Facilitate and contribute to meetings, workshops and planning sessions as appropriate, ensuring financial thinking is embedded in organisational decision-making. • Lead and contribute to the development, implementation and regular review of financial policies and related organisational procedures. What We Can Offer You What can we offer Working with You Matter comes will a whole host of benefits. We hope that people will find personal fulfilment and purpose by working with alongside people in our services. Our teams are compassionate and supportive, fostering a strong sense of community. With opportunities for professional growth, You Matter offers training to support your role and personal development. For a full list of benefits see here: Careers Page | You Matter. The skills we are looking for Qualifications Educated to degree level or equivalent. Recognised professional accountancy qualification, such as ACA, ACCA, CIMA or CIPFA, with current membership of the relevant professional body. Experience Significant experience in a senior finance leadership role, including responsibility for business planning and long-term financial forecasting. Experience of leading a finance department or operating at a senior level within a finance team in an organisation with complex and/or diverse income streams. Experience of producing and overseeing management accounts, budgets, forecasts, financial policies and internal controls. Experience of working effectively with Boards, committees and a range of stakeholder groups. Experience of leading and developing finance teams and improving financial systems and processes. Experience of working in housing, supported housing, social care, homelessness services or a similarly complex, mission-led environment is desirable. Knowledge Strong knowledge of strategic financial management, business planning and financial modelling. Strong knowledge of financial sustainability, cash flow management and organisational performance management. Understanding of charity accounting, governance and regulatory compliance, including SORP and Charity Commission requirements. Knowledge of Housing SORP and its application. Up-to-date knowledge of the Regulator of Social Housing requirements is desirable and may be essential if the role has direct responsibility for registered provider compliance. Skills Ability to manage difficult situations and work constructively with others to devise practical solutions. Strong IT skills, including advanced Excel, and excellent report-writing and presentation skills. Ability to manage multiple ongoing priorities and projects effectively and efficiently. Strong organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise and meet tight deadlines. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex financial information clearly to non-financial audiences. Strong interpersonal skills, with the credibility and judgement to influence and challenge at Executive and Board level. Behaviour and Attributes Credible, trustworthy and reliable, with high levels of personal integrity. Reflective, open to feedback, with a commitment to continuous improvement. Compassionate and values-driven, with commitment to the organisation's mission and ethos. A collaborative team player who builds strong relationships across the organisation. Self-motivated, resilient and able to work independently as well as part of a team. What is a nice to have Experience of working in a charity and/or homelessness services environment. Up-to-date knowledge of the Regulator of Social Housing requirements.