Finance Manager in Stoke-on-Trent

Headway North Staffordshire provides rehabilitation and support for adults affected by brain injury, empowering individuals to regain independence, relearn everyday skills, and reintegrate into their communities. We work not only with survivors of brain injury but also with their families, offering emotional support, practical guidance, and respite. Through our centre-based services and community outreach, we provide access to specialist therapies, social opportunities, and tailored support not typically available through the NHS. At the heart of our work is a commitment to person‑centred care and the creation of a safe, inclusive, and life‑affirming environment.

The Finance Manager will oversee all financial operations of the charity, ensuring excellent financial management, compliance, and accurate reporting. The role involves managing all financial resources, including expenses, forecasting, budgeting and financial analysis.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Ensuring the smooth and compliant development and operation of Headway North Staffordshire’s finance function and related systems, including line management of the finance team.
• Advising and working with the CEO and board on all finance, payroll, fundraising and related matters.
• Contributing to discussions and decision making at corporate level.
• Deputising for the CEO as required and appropriate.

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Ensure the maintenance of accurate financial records in line with appropriate standards (SORP).
• Prepare monthly management accounts, cash‑flow forecasts, variance reports, and financial performance summaries.
• Provide other financial reports as required.
• Prepare year‑end accounts and support the external audit/examination process.
• Monitor restricted and unrestricted funds, ensuring correct allocation and reporting.
• Oversee budgeting, including annual budget preparation and in‑year monitoring/reviews and supporting managers in controlling budgets.

Cashflow, Banking & Controls

• Oversee bank reconciliations.
• Monitor any investment activities.
• Develop, implement, police and maintain robust financial controls, including approval workflows and segregation of duties.
• Oversee payment runs, payroll processing, and expense claims, ensuring compliance with internal policies.
• Monitor reserves levels and ensure compliance with the board’s reserves policy.
• Ensure the charity is adequately insured and other measures are in place to protect its assets.

Compliance & Governance

• Ensure compliance with Charity Commission requirements, HMRC rules, and relevant financial legislation.
• Prepare financial reports for the Board of Trustees.
• Maintain up‑to‑date finance policies and procedures, and monitor/ensure adherence.

Operational Finance & Systems

• Oversee the day‑to‑day operation of the finance system (currently QuickBooks) ensuring data integrity and consistency, enhancing financial systems as appropriate.
• Oversee payroll and related processes including pension contributions and HMRC.
• Oversee the administration of Gift Aid claims and the maintenance of related donor records.
• Support procurement processes, contract reviews, and value‑for‑money assessments.
• Support bid writing and funder reporting with figures and financial narratives.

Strategic Support

• Provide financial insight to support strategic planning and funding decisions.
• Work closely with the CEO and board to ensure financial sustainability.
• Contribute positively as a member of the Leadership Team.
• Contribute to strategic planning, risk management, and service development.
• Line‑manage the finance team.
• Build good relationships across the charity, in particular supporting non‑finance colleagues to understand budgets and financial processes.
• Work closely with the Business Systems Manager where systems and responsibilities overlap.
• Act as the key point of contact for auditors, bankers, and external stakeholders.

Person Specification

• 2 years’ commensurate experience in business, operational, and financial management in a similar sized charity, health, or social care setting.
• 2 years’ commensurate experience supporting charity fundraising and bid‑writing.
• Financial, accountancy or business management qualifications.
• Excellent writing (English language) skills.
• Excellent understanding of payroll, pensions, taxation and insurance.
• Strong IT and data management skills.
• Excellent attention to detail necessary to ensure financial compliance and to resolve discrepancies and errors.
• Demonstrable line management experience and skills.
• Demonstrable staff/team development skills.
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of charity finance reporting and compliance requirements (SORP, HMRC, Charity Commission, Charity Governance Code, etc).
• Strong organisational and problem‑solving ability.
• Demonstrable high level of initiative and ownership.
• Commitment to the values and aims of Headway North Staffordshire.
• Higher financial, accountancy or business management qualifications.
• 5 years’ commensurate experience.
• Knowledge and understanding of local authority and NHS commissioning processes.
• Understanding of the requirements of the Fundraising Code of Practice.
• Policy management and compliance auditing experience.

21 hours per week (flexible) Permanent role Based at Headway House, Stoke‑on‑Trent Leadership Team position You’ll lead budgeting, reporting, payroll, financial controls, and support strategic planning — all while helping ensure financial sustainability for a charity that changes lives.