At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Finance function, driving strategic decisions and financial planning.
- Company: Join YMCA South Midlands, a purpose-driven organisation making a real impact.
- Benefits: Flexible working, professional development, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace welcoming all backgrounds and experiences.
- Why this job: Use your financial expertise to influence meaningful change in a growing charity.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with strong leadership and commercial judgement.
The predicted salary is between 60750 - 74250 £ per year.
We’re looking for an ambitious, commercially minded Head of Finance to join YMCA South Midlands at an exciting stage of our growth. This isn’t a role where Finance sits on the sidelines reporting what happened last month. You’ll help us make better decisions, challenge our thinking and ensure our ambitions are backed by strong financial insight. You’ll work closely with our CEO in a high-support, high-challenge relationship. You’ll have autonomy, access to key decisions and the opportunity to genuinely influence the future direction of the organisation.
We want someone who will own the numbers, understand what’s driving them and have the confidence to ask the questions others might not.
The opportunity
We’re an ambitious organisation with plans to continue growing our impact, income and reach. Alongside leading our Finance function, you’ll have the opportunity to get involved in some genuinely interesting work, from strengthening our commercial and trading performance to assessing new opportunities, property acquisitions and potential M&A activity. You’ll be responsible for ensuring the financial fundamentals are strong, but we’re looking for much more than technical excellence. We want someone who can look forward. Someone who can spot a risk before it becomes a problem, see an opportunity in the numbers, scrutinise a business case and help us answer:
What you’ll be doing
- You’ll lead our Finance function and take ownership of:
- Budgeting, forecasting and longer-term financial planning
- Management accounts, cash flow and financial reporting
- Commercial and trading performance
- Financial modelling and scenario planning
- Financial controls, compliance, audit and statutory reporting
- Supporting property purchases, investment decisions and potential M&A opportunities
- Developing and leading our Finance team
Just as importantly, you’ll partner with leaders across the organisation, helping them understand and take ownership of their financial performance. You won’t simply highlight a problem. We’ll want you to help us understand why it is happening, what our options are and what we should do next.
About you
We value expertise, curiosity, ideas and healthy debate. You'll be a Head of Finance who will bring their professional judgement to the table, challenge assumptions when necessary and be prepared to offer a different perspective. So, if you like being given a narrow brief and simply delivering what’s asked, this probably isn’t the role for you. But if you enjoy autonomy, pace, solving problems, challenging thinking and making things happen, you will thrive here.
You’ll be a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with strong financial leadership experience and excellent commercial judgement. You’ll be someone who:
- Is curious about the story behind the numbers
- Enjoys working in a growing, changing organisation
- Is confident challenging and influencing senior leaders
- Can turn complex financial information into clear recommendations
- Thinks commercially while maintaining strong financial discipline
- Brings solutions rather than simply identifying problems
- Enjoys taking ownership and being accountable
- Builds strong relationships without shying away from difficult conversations
- Can move comfortably between the strategic picture and the detail
- Wants to make a difference
Experience of property investment, M&A, due diligence, commercial operations or a high-growth environment would be particularly valuable. Charity-sector experience is welcome, but it isn’t essential. We’re more interested in finding someone with the right financial expertise, commercial mindset and appetite to help us grow.
Why Join YMCA South Midlands?
Because this is an opportunity to use your financial expertise for something that matters. You’ll join an ambitious organisation where Finance has a genuine voice, where good ideas are welcomed and where you’ll be trusted to make an impact. As well as joining a supportive and collaborative team, you'll have the opportunity to:
- Make a genuine difference in a purpose-driven organisation
- Work in a varied finance role with plenty of responsibility
- Help improve systems and processes
- Develop your finance skills within a supportive environment
- Work flexibly around a part-time schedule
Everyone is Welcome Here
At YMCA South Midlands, we believe everyone should feel they belong. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences and communities. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the people we serve and where everyone is treated with dignity, respect and fairness. As a Christian charity, our faith inspires our values and our commitment to serving others. We welcome people of all faiths and none, and appointments are made on merit.
Reasonable Adjustments
We want every candidate to have the opportunity to perform at their best throughout our recruitment process. If you have a disability, long-term health condition or are neurodivergent and would benefit from any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know when you apply or contact us at any stage. We'll be happy to discuss how we can support you.
Head of Finance in Milton Keynes employer: YMCA South Midlands
YMCA South Midlands is an exceptional employer that prioritises community impact and employee development. Working at the HomeGround Café in Milton Keynes offers a vibrant work culture where you can make a difference while enjoying flexible shifts and comprehensive training. Join us to be part of a supportive team dedicated to creating a welcoming atmosphere for all, especially young people.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Finance in Milton Keynes
✨Tap into Campus Networks
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Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
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We think you need these skills to ace Head of Finance in Milton Keynes
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to YMCA South Midlands.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on YMCA South Midlands's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at YMCA South Midlands
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with YMCA South Midlands.
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✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at YMCA South Midlands will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former YMCA South Midlands employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
