Interim Head of Finance - Charity Experience Essential

Are you an experienced charity finance leader who is comfortable operating as the most senior finance professional in an organisation? Do you have the credibility to advise senior leaders and Board members while remaining close to the day-to-day finance function? Are you available at short notice for a broad interim leadership role during a significant period of change?

A well-established organisation is seeking an Interim Head of Finance to join its senior leadership team on an initial 6-month fixed-term contract. Offering hybrid working with approximately two days per week in the office, this is a pivotal role combining financial leadership, team management, year-end delivery and systems change.

Please note: significant previous charity sector experience is essential for this position.

The key responsibilities of the Interim Head of Finance are:

• Acting as the organisation's senior finance lead, providing high-quality financial advice and challenge to the Senior Management Team and Board.
• Leading and developing a finance team of approximately five staff, ensuring clear priorities, accountability and effective delivery across the function.
• Taking ownership of financial reporting and ensuring senior stakeholders have accurate and insightful information to support decision-making.
• Leading the annual budgeting process, working closely with budget holders and senior leaders to develop robust financial plans.
• Supporting the completion of the annual audit and ensuring outstanding year-end requirements are delivered effectively.
• Playing a key finance role in the implementation of a new ERP system, ensuring financial requirements, controls and processes are appropriately represented.
• Preparing and presenting financial information to Board and committee-level stakeholders, providing clear recommendations and constructive challenge.
• Maintaining strong financial controls and ensuring the organisation continues to meet its statutory and regulatory requirements.
• Acting as a trusted adviser across the organisation while ensuring the finance function remains responsive and commercially minded during a period of change.

The successful candidate will have:

• A recognised professional accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Significant previous charity sector finance experience – this is essential and candidates without charity experience cannot be considered.
• Previous experience operating as the senior finance lead within an organisation, ideally at Head of Finance, Director of Finance or equivalent level.
• Strong knowledge of charity accounting, financial governance and the requirements of operating within a complex funding environment.
• Proven experience engaging with Boards, committees and senior leadership teams.
• Previous experience successfully leading and developing a finance team.
• Strong budgeting, financial reporting and year-end experience.
• Experience supporting a finance system implementation or significant finance transformation would be advantageous.
• The confidence to hit the ground running and operate with a high degree of autonomy.

Interviews are expected to commence in early September, with the successful candidate ideally available to start by mid-to-late September.

This is an excellent opportunity for an established charity finance leader to take ownership of a broad finance function and provide stability, leadership and expertise during an important period of organisational change.