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Director of Finance, THE HONEYPOT CHILDREN'S CHARITY
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Director of Finance. Salary £60,000pa (fte £75,000pa).
Reports to
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Direct Reports
- Finance & Systems Manager
- Bookkeeper
Location
- Days /Hours: 4 days a week, flexible hours between 9am and 6pm
- Hybrid currently, two days in the Hammersmith office
Role Purpose
We are seeking an experienced, commercially astute and forward-thinking Director of Finance to provide strategic leadership of the organisation's financial management, planning and governance. This is a pivotal executive leadership role responsible for ensuring financial sustainability, supporting organisational growth, driving operational excellence, and enabling the charity to maximise its impact.
The successful candidate will be a qualified finance professional (or qualified by experience) with extensive experience of financial leadership, budgeting, forecasting, financial control, and strategic planning. They will bring a proactive and innovative approach to financial management, identifying opportunities for organisational development, efficiency, improvement, and sustainable growth.
Ideally, candidates will have experience within the charity, not-for-profit or public sector environment and possess a strong understanding of charity accounting, governance and regulatory compliance.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Financial Leadership
- Develop and implement the organisation's financial strategy in support of the overall strategic plan and charitable objectives.
- Act as a trusted adviser to the CEO, Senior Leadership Team, and Board of Trustees.
- Provide high-quality financial insights and analysis to inform strategic decision-making.
- Lead the development of long-term financial models and sustainability plans.
- Support the organisation in identifying and evaluating new systems to support sustainable growth opportunities.
- Monitor internal and external financial risks and opportunities, advising on appropriate mitigation strategies.
- Contribute fully as a member of the Senior Leadership Team.
Financial Planning, Budgeting and Forecasting
- Lead the annual budgeting process across the charity. Departments include Operational Services, Fundraising, and HR.
- Develop robust financial forecasting and scenario planning models.
- Ensure budgets align with strategic priorities and operational plans.
- Continually monitor financial performance against budgets and forecasts.
- Provide financial reports and recommendations to budget holders and senior leaders and Board of Trustee’s.
- Drive accountability for budget management throughout the organisation.
- Lead financial planning associated with new projects, tenders, contracts, and fundraising initiatives.
Financial Control and Governance
- Ensure strong financial controls, policies and procedures are in place, reviewed and consistently applied.
- Maintain a robust framework of internal controls and risk management processes.
- Ensure compliance with all relevant accounting standards, charity regulations and statutory requirements.
- Oversee cash flow management and provide the CEO with insight into areas of concern with suggested improvements.
- Monitor financial risks and implement appropriate controls.
- Ensure accurate financial records and effective financial systems are produced and maintained.
- Lead the development and continuous improvement of financial governance processes.
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Financial Reporting
- Ensure the timely production of monthly management accounts and performance reports.
- Provide detailed financial information and analysis to the Senior Leadership Team, CEO and Board of Trustees.
- Prepare statutory accounts in accordance with the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) and relevant accounting standards.
- Lead relationships with external auditors and regulatory bodies.
- Present complex financial information in a clear and accessible manner for non-financial audiences.
Charity Compliance and Fund Management
- Ensure full compliance with Charity Commission requirements and relevant legislation.
- Oversee restricted, unrestricted, and designated fund accounting.
- Monitor grant funding, reporting requirements, and donor restrictions.
- Support contract management and funding compliance requirements.
- Ensure effective management of reserves in line with organisational policy.
Leadership and Team Development
- Lead, motivate, and develop a high-performing finance team.
- Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement.
- Support the professional development of finance staff, by annual appraisals and a personal development training plan.
- Promote collaborative communication and working across departments.
- Ensure the finance function is viewed as a strategic partner to the wider organisation.
Systems and Continuous Improvement
- Drive the development and optimisation of financial systems and processes.
- Lead digital transformation initiatives within finance.
- Identify efficiencies and opportunities to improve financial reporting and decision-making.
- Ensure data integrity and robust financial information management.
- Champion innovation and best practice across financial operations.
Person Specification
Essential Qualifications
- Fully qualified accountants (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or CIPFA).
- Evidence of continuing professional development.
- Evidence of qualification by experience
Essential Experience
- Significant senior financial leadership experience.
- Proven experience of strategic financial planning and organisational growth.
- Extensive experience developing and managing complex budgets.
- Strong track record of financial control, governance, and risk management.
- Experience leading annual budgeting, forecasting, and business planning processes.
- Experience presenting financial information to Boards and senior stakeholders.
- Experience managing audits and statutory reporting requirements.
- Experience leading and developing finance teams.
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Desirable Experience
- Experience within the charity, not-for-profit or public sector.
- Knowledge of Charity SORP and charity accounting requirements.
- Experience working with trustees and governance structures.
- Experience managing grant-funded programs and restricted funding.
- Experience supporting organisational transformation and growth.
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Exceptional budgeting, forecasting, and financial modelling skills.
- Strong commercial and strategic acumen.
- Excellent understanding of financial controls and governance frameworks.
- Advanced financial analysis and reporting capability.
- Strong leadership and people management skills.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to influence decision-making at executive and Board level.
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
- High levels of integrity and professional judgement.
Desirable
- Knowledge of fundraising finance and charity funding models.
- Experience implementing finance systems and digital solutions.
- Understanding commissioning, contracts, and public sector funding.
Personal Attributes
- Strategic and forward-thinking.
- Commercially aware and growth focused.
- Influential and credible leader.
- Collaborative and supportive management style.
- Values-driven and committed to organisational purpose.
- Resilient and adaptable in a changing environment.
- Results-oriented with strong attention to detail.
- Passionate about enabling charitable impact through financial excellence.
Success Measures
Within the first 12 months the Director of Finance will:
- Deliver accurate and timely management information to support decision making.
- Strengthen financial planning and forecasting processes.
- Review of finance processes
- Discuss budgeting discipline and financial accountability across the organisation.
- Suggest ways where Finance can add value to the organisation
- Improve financial control and risk management frameworks.
- Support the organisation in achieving sustainable growth objectives.
- Ensure full compliance with charity and statutory requirements.
- Actively participate in the overall strategic modelling for the charity.
- Develop a proactive, high-performing finance function that adds strategic value across the organisation.
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