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- Tasks: Lead finance strategy and ensure financial sustainability for impactful community projects.
- Company: Groundwork NE & Cumbria, a charity dedicated to creating greener, healthier communities.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, full-time hours, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to safeguarding and promoting welfare.
- Why this job: Shape the future of a charity while making a real difference in people's lives.
- Qualifications: Recognised accounting qualification and experience in charity finance management.
The predicted salary is between 43639 - 48620 £ per year.
Ready to lead a finance function and play a pivotal role in shaping an organisation's future?
Contract type: Permanent
Working hours: Full Time - 37 hours per week
Salary: £43,639 - £48,620 per annum
Location: Head Office - Newton Aycliffe, DL5
About Us
Groundwork NE & Cumbria is a long established environmental and community charity with over 30 years of experience creating greener, healthier and more resilient places across the region. Our mission centres on Creating Better Places, Improving People's Prospects, and Promoting Greener Living, helping communities thrive no matter the challenges they face. We deliver hundreds of locally led projects each year, including initiatives that support young people and adults into education, training and employment, helping them overcome barriers, build life skills, and reach their full potential.
About You and The Role
We are now seeking a strategic, forward thinking Head of Finance to lead our finance function and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our organisation. This is more than a finance role; it's an opportunity to guide, influence and strengthen the financial sustainability of a charity creating meaningful, lasting change.
As our Head of Finance, you will:
- Provide strategic financial leadership across the organisation, working closely with the Chief Executive, Trustees, and Senior Leaders.
- Lead on financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and financial risk management.
- Ensure robust financial controls, compliance with charity accounting standards (SORP), and oversee VAT, statutory requirements, and audits.
- Manage and motivate the finance team, fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement.
- Strengthen financial systems, reporting, and automation to support operational efficiency.
- Support project managers with financial planning, grant management, and contract delivery.
- Drive improvements that support long term organisational sustainability.
This is a high impact role that blends hands on leadership with strategic influence. We're looking for an experienced and dynamic finance leader who brings:
Essential
- A recognised accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent).
- Experience delivering a wide range of finance duties, including management accounts, budgeting, strategic analysis, and year end processes.
- Experience managing finance teams.
- Strong understanding of charity finance, SORP, VAT in a charity context, and HMRC requirements.
- Outstanding analytical, organisational, and financial planning skills.
- Excellent communication skills, able to present complex information clearly to colleagues and trustees.
- High integrity, professionalism, and commitment to the values and mission of the charity.
- A full driving licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes.
Desirable
- Experience in community based or grant funded projects.
- Experience strengthening financial controls and supporting fundraising or contract bidding.
- Knowledge of procurement procedures or state aid regulations.
- Familiarity with Sage Intacct.
Closing Date: Thursday, 30th April 2026
Interview Details: To be confirmed after the closing date.
Please note: should we receive a high volume of applications, we may look to close the role early, therefore we recommend an early application.
Interested? If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.
Make yourself at home. We want you to be yourself at Groundwork and we value everything that makes you unique. We recognise and celebrate your difference and together we make Groundwork a special and great place to work. As a Disability Confident employer we offer a guaranteed interview to applicants with a disability who meet the essential criteria for the role.
At Groundwork we ensure that we provide a safe environment for adults, children and young people to take part in any activity or service that we organise. We are committed to creating a culture that promotes safeguarding and the welfare of all children, young people and adults at risk. Our safer recruitment practices support this by ensuring that there is a consistent and comprehensive process of obtaining, collating, analysing and evaluating information from and about candidates to ensure that all the people we appoint are suitable to work with our children, young people and adults.
This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship; the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.
No agencies please.
Head of Finance in Newton Aycliffe employer: Groundwork NE & Cumbria
Contact Detail:
Groundwork NE & Cumbria Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Finance in Newton Aycliffe
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance sector and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation thoroughly. Understand their mission, values, and recent projects. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your skills and experience align with the role of Head of Finance. Highlight your strategic thinking and leadership abilities to demonstrate that you’re the right fit for shaping the organisation's future.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining Groundwork and contributing to our mission of creating better places.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Finance in Newton Aycliffe
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for finance and charity shine through. We want to see how your values align with our mission of creating better places and improving people's prospects.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your relevant experience in finance, especially in charity contexts. We’re looking for specific examples of how you've managed teams and improved financial systems, so don’t hold back!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language to explain your qualifications and experiences. Remember, we want to understand your journey without getting lost in jargon.
Apply Early: Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application! We might close the role early if we get a lot of interest, so head over to our website and apply as soon as you can.
How to prepare for a job interview at Groundwork NE & Cumbria
✨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’re not just about the numbers but understand their impact on the organisation's mission.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
This role requires strong leadership skills. Prepare examples of how you've motivated finance teams and fostered a culture of excellence. Think about specific challenges you've faced and how you overcame them while leading your team.
✨Understand Charity Finance
Familiarise yourself with charity accounting standards like SORP and VAT regulations. Be prepared to discuss how these apply to your previous experience and how you can ensure compliance in this new role. This will show your commitment to the charity’s values.
✨Prepare for Strategic Discussions
You’ll be working closely with senior leaders and trustees, so practice articulating your strategic vision for the finance function. Think about how you can contribute to the organisation's long-term sustainability and be ready to share your ideas during the interview.