At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and modernise finance functions while driving growth and strategic decision-making.
- Company: Established organisation with a mix of charitable and commercial activities.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, enhanced leave, and lifestyle benefits.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by improving finance operations and supporting growth initiatives.
- Qualifications: Recognised accounting qualification and experience in the charity sector.
- Other info: Hands-on leadership role with genuine scope to shape the finance function.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
An established organisation operating across both charitable and commercial activities is seeking a Head of Finance to lead and modernise its finance function during a period of transition and opportunity. This is a high-impact role with responsibility not only for robust financial stewardship, but also for helping the organisation unlock growth, improve utilisation of its assets, and bring finance closer to strategic and operational decision-making.
The Head of Finance will act as the senior finance lead, working closely with executive stakeholders and leading a small in-house team. The remit is broad and influential, with a clear mandate to professionalise, modernise, and add value.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading the finance function across both charitable and trading entities
- Managing and developing a small finance team, fostering a positive and progressive culture
- Owning statutory accounts, controls, governance, and technical compliance
- Driving finance transformation, including process improvement and systems optimisation
- Leading budgeting, forecasting, and cashflow management
- Providing insightful commercial analysis to support growth, utilisation, and performance
- Developing KPIs, evaluating partnerships, and identifying risks and opportunities
- Acting as a trusted adviser to senior leadership, bringing finance out of a purely transactional role
The Requirements
- You will be a technically strong, commercially minded finance leader who enjoys driving change and improvement.
- A recognised accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent)
- Essential experience within the charity or not-for-profit sector, including fund accounting, endowments, and restricted funds
- Strong technical accounting and reporting expertise
- Experience improving or implementing finance systems and processes
- A confident leadership style, with the ability to influence and manage change
- An outward-looking mindset, combining attention to detail with commercial curiosity
What’s on Offer
- Senior, hands-on finance leadership role with genuine scope to shape the function
- Competitive salary with flexibility for the right candidate
- Enhanced annual leave plus seasonal office closure
- Additional lifestyle and wellbeing benefits
Why This Role
This role offers a rare blend of purpose and commercial challenge. It will suit someone who enjoys improving how finance operates, supporting growth initiatives, and helping an organisation maximise the impact of its assets and activities.
Head of Finance - Education/Clarity employer: Finatal
Contact Detail:
Finatal Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Finance - Education/Clarity
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance sector, especially those who have experience in charities or not-for-profits. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation's financial strategies and recent developments. Show us you’re not just a numbers person but someone who understands their mission and how finance plays a role in it.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your skills can help modernise their finance function. We want to hear how you can drive change and add value, so make it clear and compelling.
✨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 are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Finance - Education/Clarity
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Head of Finance. Highlight your experience in both charitable and commercial sectors, and don’t forget to showcase your leadership skills and any finance transformation projects you've led.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Mention specific experiences that align with the responsibilities listed in the job description, like managing finance teams or improving systems.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Since this role requires strong technical accounting expertise, make sure to highlight your qualifications (like ACA, ACCA, CIMA) and any relevant experience with fund accounting or financial reporting. We want to see your numbers game!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Finatal
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Head of Finance, you’ll need to demonstrate your technical expertise. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've used them to drive growth or improve processes in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
This role requires a confident leadership style. Prepare examples of how you've managed teams, fostered a positive culture, and influenced change. Be ready to discuss how you can bring that same energy to their finance function.
✨Understand the Organisation's Mission
Since this position operates within both charitable and commercial sectors, research the organisation’s mission and values. Be prepared to explain how your financial strategies can align with and support their goals.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions about real-life scenarios, especially around budgeting, forecasting, and cashflow management. Think through past challenges you've faced and how you overcame them, as well as how you would approach potential risks and opportunities in this new role.