Lifeworks Charity New Director of Operations – Finance & Support Services Dartington · office £[...]

Working Hours: 37.5 hours per week, 52 weeks per year, ideally Monday‑Friday 08:30‑16:30

Salary: £51,663.00 – £59,597.00 per annum (DOE)

We have a brand‑new opportunity at Lifeworks Charity for a Director of Operations (Finance & Support Services) to play a crucial role in our Central Support team. You will drive the sustainable growth and operational efficiency of the charity, directly contributing to our charitable impact.

Who we are: Since 1996, we've been empowering people with learning disabilities in Devon to achieve their dreams and build fulfilling lives. Our core values of kindness, respect and positivity guide everything we do.

What you’ll do:

• Finance: Manage and maintain all financial aspects of the charity, including budgeting, forecasting, reporting, ledgers, balance sheets, bank reconciliations, debtor accounts, cash flow management, insurance, property and procurement. Take a lead on the development of financial and fundraising processes and strategies. Manage and be the main point of contact for all aspects of ESFA and DfE funding compliance and reporting. Lead a small team to deliver outstanding support to the charity and act as a key financial advisor to managers across the organisation. Produce clear and concise monthly management accounts and provide financial insights to senior managers and the Board of Trustees. Work closely with external auditors, preparing and overseeing year‑end accounts.
• Operations: Ensure that charity governance and compliance is upheld by contributing to record maintenance, managing registers and supporting reviews of policies and procedures. Work with external IT partners to manage technology, making sure that the correct infrastructure, systems and processes are in place at the right time. Lead on IT security for the charity, implementing regular reviews to monitor compliance. Act as the Data Controller and manage all areas of data protection regulations, prioritising data security. Develop and review charity policies as necessary, ensuring they align with best practices and legal requirements. Ensure compliance with Health and Safety policies, liaising with external advisors to maintain safety within the workplace.

What we're looking for:

• You should be part qualified in ACCA, CIMA or ACA (or fully qualified would be a bonus), along with significant experience.
• A proven leader with the ability to inspire and develop a team.
• An expert in financial management, from budgeting to reporting.
• An excellent communicator who can clearly explain complex financial information to all audiences.
• Experienced in managing a broad portfolio, ideally including Health and Safety, IT, or facilities.
• Knowledgeable about governance frameworks and risk management.

When you join our team, you can expect:

• Holiday entitlement of 33 days’ holiday (inclusive of bank holidays)
• Fully funded DBS check and update service
• Access to an employee assistance program to support your mental and emotional health

Fair Employment: We are committed to fostering a diverse and safe team. As a Disability Confident Employer we actively encourage applications from individuals with disabilities who meet the job criteria and guarantee qualified candidates with disabilities an interview. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk. All staff undergo Safer Recruitment checks, including pre‑employment checks, reference checks and DBS checks with Barred List checks where applicable.