Director of Finance

Director of Finance

Sandy Full-Time 86059 - 109346 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the Finance department, managing operations, budgeting, and strategic advice.
  • Company: Join RSPB, a leading conservation charity dedicated to protecting nature.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible remote work, a generous pension scheme, and 26 days of annual leave.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in conservation while working with a passionate team.
  • Qualifications: Must be a fully qualified accountant with leadership experience in finance.
  • Other info: This role requires occasional travel to RSPB offices across the UK.

The predicted salary is between 86059 - 109346 £ per year.

Location: Flexible/Remote in England, with travel to RSPB Offices and HQ Sandy SG19

Salary: £86,059.00 - £109,346.00 Per Annum

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full-Time, 37.5 hours per week.

Benefits: Pension scheme (7%), Life Assurance scheme, 26 days' annual leave (plus bank holidays)

The RSPB Finance Director role is a crucially important role for RSPB, reporting to the Executive Director for Finance, Governance and Strategy, and a part of the RSPB's senior leadership group.

What's the role about?

  • Drive the Finance department across all areas, including financial operations and budgeting and forecasting.
  • Provide advice and support to the wider Finance, Governance and Strategy Directorate, Board, and other senior leaders on finance-related matters with a focus on strategy implementation.
  • Engage with the Finance Committee and Audit and Risk Committee, leading on all financial matters.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

  • Fully qualified accountant (UK-recognised qualification such as ACA, ACCA, CIMA)
  • Successful track record of inspiring, managing, and delivering large scale organisation-wide projects
  • Demonstrable track record in the successful leadership and management of a Finance team in a multi-faceted and geographically dispersed organisation
  • Successful track record in developing excellent working relationships between internal directorates and external stakeholders
  • Experience of both internal and external financial reporting and the related regulatory environment in the charity sector
  • Experience of control systems that manage risk effectively and provide assurance on the efficiency and effectiveness of financial processes and compliance with relevant regulatory frameworks
  • Knowledge of the main direct and indirect tax frameworks related to the charity sector
  • Experience in creating and communicating a compelling vision for directing and motivating the Finance team

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

  • Investment management experience
  • Defined benefit pension scheme arrangement experience

Please note this is a remote working role that can be conducted flexibly within the UK, however the successful candidate will be expected to travel to RSPB offices (including The Lodge in Sandy, Bedfordshire) on a monthly basis.

Closing date: 23:59, Wednesday 4th June 2025

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from June 2025.

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our recruitment partner's website to complete your application for this position.

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role will require standard pre-employment checks. This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

As part of this application you will be asked to provide a copy of your CV and complete a short form, which includes an optional cover letter section. Please use this cover letter section to detail how you meet the criteria listed above, as this will form the basis of our shortlisting. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.

No agencies please.

Director of Finance employer: RSPB

The RSPB is an exceptional employer, offering a flexible and remote working environment across England, complemented by a supportive culture that values diversity and inclusion. With competitive benefits such as a generous pension scheme, life assurance, and ample annual leave, employees are encouraged to grow and thrive within a collaborative team dedicated to making a meaningful impact in conservation. This role not only provides the opportunity to lead a vital finance department but also fosters professional development through engagement with senior leadership and strategic initiatives.
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Contact Detail:

RSPB Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Director of Finance

✨Tip Number 1

Network with professionals in the finance sector, especially those who have experience in charity organisations. Attend relevant events or webinars to connect with potential colleagues and learn more about the RSPB's culture and values.

✨Tip Number 2

Familiarise yourself with the specific financial regulations and compliance requirements within the charity sector. This knowledge will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to understanding the unique challenges faced by organisations like the RSPB.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you've successfully managed finance teams in the past. Be ready to share specific examples of projects you've led that align with the RSPB's mission and values.

✨Tip Number 4

Research the RSPB's current financial strategies and any recent initiatives they have undertaken. This will allow you to tailor your discussions during the interview and show that you're genuinely interested in contributing to their goals.

We think you need these skills to ace Director of Finance

Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA)
Leadership and team management
Financial operations management
Budgeting and forecasting
Internal and external financial reporting
Regulatory compliance in the charity sector
Risk management and control systems
Stakeholder engagement and relationship building
Project management for large-scale initiatives
Tax frameworks knowledge related to the charity sector
Vision communication and motivational skills
Investment management experience
Defined benefit pension scheme arrangement experience

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your qualifications as a fully qualified accountant and showcases your experience in managing finance teams and large-scale projects. Use specific examples that align with the job description.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use the optional cover letter section to detail how you meet the essential and desirable criteria. Focus on your leadership experience, ability to inspire teams, and your knowledge of financial reporting in the charity sector.

Highlight Relevant Experience: In your application, emphasise your track record in developing relationships with internal and external stakeholders, as well as your experience with control systems and risk management in finance.

Showcase Your Vision: Communicate your vision for directing and motivating a finance team. This is crucial for the role, so make sure to articulate how you would approach this in your cover letter or application form.

How to prepare for a job interview at RSPB

✨Showcase Your Qualifications

As a fully qualified accountant, make sure to highlight your UK-recognised qualifications like ACA, ACCA, or CIMA. Be prepared to discuss how your qualifications have equipped you to handle the financial operations and strategic advice required for this role.

✨Demonstrate Leadership Experience

Share specific examples of how you've successfully led finance teams and managed large-scale projects. The interviewers will be looking for evidence of your ability to inspire and deliver results in a multi-faceted organisation.

✨Build on Relationship Management Skills

Discuss your experience in developing strong working relationships with both internal and external stakeholders. This is crucial for the role, so prepare examples that illustrate your ability to engage effectively with various parties.

✨Prepare for Financial Reporting Questions

Expect questions about your experience with internal and external financial reporting, especially within the charity sector. Brush up on relevant regulatory frameworks and be ready to explain how you've ensured compliance and efficiency in financial processes.

Director of Finance
RSPB
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  • Director of Finance

    Sandy
    Full-Time
    86059 - 109346 £ / year (est.)

    Application deadline: 2027-05-30

  • R

    RSPB

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