Brathay Trust
Head of Finance
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Part time | 4 days per week
Salary: £60,000 per annum FTE (equating to £48,000 per annum at 0.8 FTE)
Location: Ambleside (Hybrid in agreement with line manager)
We’re looking to appoint someone to support Brathay's sustainability, strengthen financial leadership and help the organisation to continue to deliver transformational work with young people across the UK.
The postholder will report into the Chief Executive, and will support them and the Trustees by providing clear financial insight, strengthening financial controls, overseeing statutory responsibilities and helping drive organisational sustainability and improvement. This is a hands-on leadership role requiring both strategic oversight and operational delivery.
The Role
Leadership and Strategic Contribution
- Act as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, contributing to strategic and operational decision-making.
- Support the SLT with financial insight, analysis and recommendations.
- Contribute to organisational planning, sustainability and business development.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues to support delivery of Brathay’s mission, values and strategic priorities.
- Lead and support teams to encourage high performance, accountability and continuous improvement.
- Attend and report into the Trustee Board and Finance & Risk Committee meetings.
- Provide leadership support during periods of organisational change and transition.
- Contribute to risk management, business continuity and organisational resilience.
Financial Leadership and Management
- Lead the day-to-day financial management of the Trust.
- Ensure effective financial controls, systems and processes are in place and operating efficiently.
- Oversee the production of accurate and timely management accounts, forecasts, cashflow reporting and financial analysis from the Management Accountant.
- Lead the annual budgeting and forecasting process.
- Business partner budget holders with financial planning, monitoring and decision-making.
- Ensure the organisation operates within approved budgets and financial policies.
- Develop and improve financial reporting and management information.
- Oversee cashflow management, banking relationships and investment monitoring.
- Identify and manage financial risks and opportunities.
- Support the development of financial sustainability and income growth strategies.
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IT Systems and Oversight
- Provide leadership guidance to support our digital transformation journey.
- Line Manage the IT & Data Systems Manager and external providers to ensure secure, reliable and effective IT services.
- Support improvements in systems, reporting and digital processes.
- Ensure effective controls are in place relating to data security, GDPR and cyber security.
Governance, Compliance & Company Secretarial Responsibilities
- Support effective governance arrangements across the Trust.
- Act as Company Secretary and ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements.
- Oversee preparation of statutory accounts and coordinate the annual audit process.
- Ensure compliance with relevant legislation and frameworks including: Charities Act, Companies Act, HMRC requirements, Financial reporting standards.
- Maintain effective relationships with external auditors, accountants, solicitors, insurers, banks and other professional advisers.
- Ensure appropriate insurance arrangements are maintained and reviewed.
- Support organisational compliance, risk management and policy development.
Person Specification
Essential Skills and Knowledge
- Significant senior-level finance experience, ideally within a charity, public sector or values-led organisation.
- Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
- Experience of financial leadership, budgeting, forecasting and management reporting.
- Experience of developing and improving financial controls, systems and processes.
- Experience of working with senior leaders, Boards or Trustees.
- Strong understanding of financial governance and compliance.
- Experience managing teams and supporting organisational change.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to communicate complex financial information clearly to non-financial audiences.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise workloads and meet deadlines.
- Excellent interpersonal and stakeholder management skills.
- Understands and models good leadership and collaborative behaviours, working effectively with others to achieve shared goals and deliver positive outcomes.
- Should have experience of working in smaller organisations.
- High levels of integrity, professionalism and discretion.
- Strong IT skills including financial systems and Microsoft Excel.
- Understanding of employment law and organisational compliance.
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Desirable
- Experience within the charity sector.
- Knowledge of charity accounting and SORP.
- Experience of acting as Company Secretary.
- Experience overseeing IT, systems or digital transformation.
- Experience of managing audits and external relationships.
Terms of appointment
Brathay is offering a full time equivalent salary of £60,000 per annum equating to £48,000 per annum for a 0.8 FTE (4 days a week) permanent role.
Additional benefits include enhanced holiday – 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays (FTE—pro-rata for part-time), a health cash plan with employee assistance programme (EAP), life assurance and company sick pay.
The role base is at our Ambleside site. It is envisioned that this person will be a present and visible member of our senior leadership team. Hybrid working will be with agreement with line manager, overnight accommodation is available on the estate.
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