Head of Finance in Farnham

Location: The role can be based at either Alice Holt Lodge, Farnham, Surrey, GU10 4LH or at Northern Research Station, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9SY. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.

Job description: The successful applicant will deliver the following key responsibilities:

• Strategic Financial Insight: Provide incisive financial analysis that translates complex information into clear insight for senior leaders. Apply professional accounting knowledge to develop the accounting practices in Forest Research, ensuring financial control and compliance with finance and business processes, including Public Sector Procurement and VAT accounting. Develop compelling financial narrative that connects resources to strategic goals and long‑term environmental outcomes. In conjunction with the Finance Director, develop a robust financial strategy to provide assurance, balancing risk, value for money, corporate and strategic requirements to deliver benefit.
• Financial Accounting and Reporting: Lead in the delivery of unqualified annual accounts each year within HM Treasury deadlines, liaising with central Financial & Accounting services, Forestry Commission, Internal Audit and the National Audit Office. Annually review the government accounting framework and HM Treasury’s Financial Reporting Manual (FReM), to ensure that Forest Research complies with the framework and FReM. Liaise with internal and external audit, supporting the FD at audit planning meetings to ensure that audits are aware of existing procedures and processes as well as any changes.
• Planning & Performance Reporting: Lead on all management accounting functions, particularly all aspects of budget planning and monitoring for Forest Research. Lead on business performance reporting and analysis in support of financial decision‑making processes across the organisation, including business case and project evaluation. Create and provide financial system reports to ensure the transactions and balances in the accounts are adequately supported. Strengthen financial governance, transparency and stewardship. Lead, manage and advise on the maintenance and implementation of strong financial controls across Forest Research.
• Project Finances: Ensure resource allocation and financial controls support organisational resilience and future readiness by supporting medium and long-term financial planning by reviewing and updating the overhead model. Lead and direct on financial aspects of research projects, including internal and external contracts in the UK and EU/overseas. Review and advise on new commercial opportunities to provide assurance that they align with Forest Research requirements and do not expose the business to undue risks.
• Continuous Improvement: Champion improvements in the quality, timeliness and clarity of financial outputs. Embed learning from audits, stakeholder feedback and performance reviews to drive continuous improvement and improve functionality. Contribute financial leadership to change and transformation programmes that improve financial capability and modernise how we operate. Oversee the management of finance systems and support provided to users, including processes, procedures and training. Take a proactive approach to identifying finance and system issues that will need to be addressed and resolved as part of any change programmes.
• Leadership & Team Development: Lead, manage and develop a dispersed finance and procurement team, building capability, confidence and professional growth. Foster an inclusive, collaborative and outward-looking team culture aligned with Forest Research’s values and strategic approach. Encourage innovation, curiosity and problem-solving across the team.

The post holder will therefore need to be adaptable and comfortable working in a changing environment.

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

• Experience across a range of financial disciplines and the confidence to operate in a complex public sector environment.
• Experience in providing clear strategic advice, sound financial stewardship and strong analytical insight to senior leaders.
• Managing change in a complex operating environment by collaboration and inclusiveness, recognising the importance of working across teams and disciplines to achieve shared goals.
• Be an experienced people leader, managing effective teams to deliver high performance.
• Ability to communicate with clarity, presenting financial information in a compelling and accessible way so that non-finance colleagues can make confident, evidence‑based decisions.
• Comfortable influencing at senior levels and shaping discussions using a strong narrative grounded in robust analysis.

Desirable Criteria:

• A good working knowledge of Government accounting framework and HM Treasury’s Financial Reporting Manual.
• A good working knowledge of public sector procurement processes.

Behaviours:

• Leadership
• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace