HEAD OF FINANCE
NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN OF WALES

JOB DESCRIPTION

HEAD OF FINANCE
NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN OF WALES

JOB DESCRIPTION

1  WELCOME
2  THE ORGANISATION
3  THE ROLE
4  NEXT STEPS

HEAD OF FINANCE
NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN OF WALES

WELCOME

We live at a time of vast changes in society, science and technology, and we face major environmental
challenges and ongoing losses of biodiversity. The National Botanic Garden of Wales (NBGW) is providing
this unique opportunity to make an impact through its science, research, horticulture, plant conservation and
awareness raising about the importance of plants and nature.

The institution is powerfully placed to integrate science across the whole organisation and fulfil its commitment
to connect audiences with plants and our evidence-based research and collections. Equally NBGW can
challenge how people think about biodiversity and regenerative agriculture – past, present and future. To
deliver this commitment, the institution draws on its unique collections and estate including the botanic garden,
Waun Las National Nature Reserve and organic farm, laboratory and seed banking facilities and pioneering
programmes.

The role of the Head of Finance is central to the delivery of the Garden’s mission and ensuring the effective
governance and sustainability of the institution. The Garden has a complex governance and diverse business
model, including traditionally grant-in-aid support from Welsh Government. With the UK economic challenges
there is a focus on strengthening the funding streams and ensuring reliable ongoing income generation. This role
will drive the change and collaboration across the institution to do so.

This is an exciting time to join the Garden as it continues to implement its ambitious Strategic Plan with the aim of
extending its national and international profile, reach and capabilities.

The impact from your work will form an important part of positioning the National Botanic Garden of Wales into
the future and contributing to its leading work within Wales and its role as an important tourist attraction and
centre of learning. We are looking for someone to lead the finance operations and provide strategic leadership,
sound team management, exemplary partnership and collaboration capability and support the realisation of a
compelling vision for the NBGW as an internationally -renowned centre for plants, biodiversity conservation and
research. Your expertise and knowledge will be fitting for a national institution and a charity.

We are looking for an ambitious financial leader with commercial acumen who wants to play a vital role in the
future of our agenda.

If that is you, we look forward to receiving your application.

Dr Lucy A. Sutherland
Director, National Botanic Garden of Wales.

1  WELCOME

HEAD OF FINANCE
NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN OF WALES

THE ORGANISATION

The National Botanic Garden of Wales

The Garden is a registered charity (no: 1036354) and a Company Limited by Guarantee registered in Wales
(no: 2909098). It has one wholly owned subsidiary, Middleton Garden Ltd., which conducts the Garden’s non-
charitable operations including the trading activities of catering, retail (including a Garden Centre), farm and
corporate hire. Group turnover amounted to £4.5m in 23-24  of which £4.0m related to operating activities and
£0.5m for capital and other restricted fund projects.  Visitor entry fees, membership, contract income, events,
education activities and grants and donations are the core strands of the Garden’s business generating income
that is vital to supporting the Garden’s charitable activities. Trusts, foundations and government grants also
support the overall operations. The Garden employs on average 69 FTE.

The Garden’s commercial spaces and services make it one of the leading visitor and tourist facilities in Wales,
with a year-round public programme and calendar of special events.  The Garden welcomes around 214,000
visits annually.

As a charity the Garden is governed by its Board of Trustees. The Board is responsible for providing strategic
direction, guidance, and institutional oversight to the senior leadership team led by the Director. With around
100 staff, 250 volunteers and 11,500 members, the National Botanic Garden of Wales is a vibrant passionate
community of people dedicated to make an impact with everything we do.

2  THE ORGANISATION

HEAD OF FINANCE
NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN OF WALES

THE ORGANISATION

Our Vision, Mission and Values

Our Vision

A world that values biodiversity, protects plants and the planet.

Mission

The National Botanic Garden of Wales is dedicated to the research,
conservation of biodiversity, to sustainability, lifelong learning, and the
enjoyment of the visitor.

Values - CROESO

Collaboration - we succeed through teamwork, sharing knowledge
and expertise - our ‘can do’ attitude enables us to be solutions-
focused, adaptable and agile.

Respect - We value everyone, we are inclusive, respect differences
and treat all with dignity.

Opportunity for All - Everyone has the right to be treated fairly and be
offered opportunities.

Exemplar - As a national institution we hold ourselves to professional
standards. We celebrate successes and contributions and learn from
our failures.

Sustainability - We use sustainability as a lens for decision making
to contribute to a globally responsible Wales and ensure our
organisation’s longevity.

Openness - We will act with integrity.  We take responsibility for our
action and inaction and hold ourselves accountable to the people we
work with and for.

2  THE ORGANISATION

HEAD OF FINANCE
NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN OF WALES

THE ROLE

Work hours and pattern
The hours and pattern of work are generally
expected to be 37.5 hours per week. The actual
distribution of those hours and the specific
days and times of work requires flexibility and
are arranged on any five days out of seven as
required to meet the needs of the role and
organisation. A reasonable number of additional
hours, as well as some weekend, evening, and
bank holiday working, is a necessary part of the
role and receives compensatory time off in lieu.

Benefits:
Free Garden family membership or membership
of choice

Death in service benefit of 3 times salary

50% discount in catering outlets and 10%
discount in other outlets

Free work/life employee benefits assistance
programme

Simply Health Benefit

Pension of 5% - contributory

Free parking

Title
Head of Finance (1.0FTE)

Organisations
National Botanic Garden of Wales

Location
Llanarthne, Carmarthenshire, Wales

Salary
Starting salary will be dependent on
qualifications and experience and track record.
The starting salary range for this role is £53-63K.

DBS Required
Basic

Welsh Language
Desirable

Reporting Line
Reporting to Director, National Botanic Garden
of Wales

Level
Sits on the Senior Leadership Team

Team
5 Direct reports; several being bilingual.

Key Relationships
NBGW Board and its Finance and Audit
Committee, Director; Senior Leadership Team;
Managers; Welsh Government; botanic garden
community and national and international
partners.

Travel
Travel as required. Must be willing to travel as
senior representative of the institution.

3  THE ROLE

HEAD OF FINANCE
NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN OF WALES

THE ROLE

Key Responsibilities

Financial Leadership and Advice

• Provide professional and management

advice on all financial matters to the Trustees,
Director, Senior Leadership Team, and
Managers.

• Ensure best value in the use of financial

resources within professional accounting
standards and relevant legal, regulatory,
and statutory frameworks, including Charity
Commission requirements.

• Advise Trustees on the financial and

budgetary affairs of NBGW, delivering
timely monthly and quarterly management
accounts.

• Lead financial management, business
planning, and accounting services
including budget preparation, monitoring,
benchmarking, financial support, statutory
accounts, and company returns.

• Provide reliable, regular, and relevant

financial information to assist management
in budgeting, forecasting, and planning,
highlighting impacts on income, workforce,
and infrastructure.

• Coordinate and cost a rolling capital

replacement programme aligned with the
strategic plan, including specific capital
programmes for Health and Safety and
statutory Board responsibilities.

Governance and Compliance

• Ensure NBGW functions in compliance with
statutory and regulatory requirements,
working closely with external auditors to
demonstrate good governance.

• Report and update the Charity Commission

on any required changes.

• Support senior leaders in implementing

policy and legislative changes.

Financial Operations and Controls

Team Leadership and Development

• Manage all financial procedures, payroll,

• Lead and develop the Finance Team to

pension functions, records, and transactions
to maintain the financial integrity of NBGW.

support the efficient and effective running of
NBGW services.

• Prepare the annual Statement of Accounts
and fully support the annual audit process.

• Develop and maintain effective financial

controls, ensuring compliance with
accounting standards, regulations, policies,
and schemes of financial delegation.

• Liaise with the Chair of the Board’s Finance
and Audit Committee to ensure financial
reports are clear and accurate.

• Forecasting, Reporting, and Strategic Planning

• Create and present annual and 3-year rolling
financial forecasts to staff and Trustees in
liaison with the Director and senior leaders.

• Build a cohesive, motivated team through
performance management, coaching,
mentoring, and constructive feedback
aligned with NBGW policies.

• Contribute to the leadership of NBGW as a
member of the Senior Leadership Team.

Business Development and Commercial
Operations

• Provide leadership and financial support to
the Business Development and Fundraising
Manager to strengthen income streams and
commercial operations.

HEAD OF FINANCE
NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN OF WALES

THE ROLE

• Assist with the preparation of fundraising

applications.

• Manage financial aspects of procurement,
driving efficiency savings and service
improvements.

Other Duties

• Effective advocate and networker, able to
build and maintain strong partnerships.

Other Requirements

• Commitment to the aims, objectives,

and ethos of NBGW and to the people,
language, and culture of Wales.

• Provide professional financial advice in

• Ability to develop and train staff in a

support of performance improvement and
risk management frameworks.

growing organisation.

• Participate in cross-activity working groups as

Experience

required.

• Undertake any other duties delegated by the

Director appropriate to the post.

Essential Criteria

Qualifications

• ACA, ACCA, or CIPFA qualified accountant

Skills

• trategic vision with practical experience

delivering commercial growth.

• Strong financial modelling skills.

• Ability to operate at an executive level,

collaborating effectively with stakeholders,
funders, and partners.

• Proactive in managing relationships with

Director and Trustees.

• Excellent multitasking, attention to detail,

and communication skills using accessible
language.

• Strategic contributor with an innovative,

practical, and “can do” mindset.

• Excellent written, verbal, numerical, and

interpersonal skills.

• Extensive experience as a qualified

accountant, preferably with a proven
track record in the charitable sector and
commercial organisations.

• At least 5 years of finance management
experience, including policy and system
development.

• Strong analytical skills and understanding of

cyclical accounting activities.

• Proficiency with financial IT systems (e.g.,
SAGE, Excel, Outlook, Access, Gamma).

• Experience reporting to Boards, managing

resources, and timely financial planning and
reporting.

• Experience developing and reviewing
financial policies and procedures.

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience with commercial operations

within the charitable sector.

• Understanding of Charity SORP and Charity
Commission requirements and guidance

• Business qualifications such as MBA, BA Hons

or Masters.

• To be able to converse confidently in the

Welsh language

HEAD OF FINANCE
NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN OF WALES

NEXT STEPS

The closing date for applications is 25 September
2025

Please contact:
HRManager@gardenofwales.org.uk

HRManager@gardenofwales.org.uk; Tel:
+44 (0)1558 667149 to arrange a confidential
discussion.

Applications, in the form of a cover letter
and CV demonstrating how you meet the
selection criteria should be sent via email to the
HRManager@gardenofwales.org.uk

We are a bilingual institution. We welcome
applications submitted in Welsh, an application
submitted in Welsh will not be treated any less
favourably than an application submitted in
English.

We welcome applications from everyone –
diversity, inclusion and the feeling of belonging
matters to us. By attracting people to work for
us from a broad range of diverse backgrounds
we can continue to look at the world with fresh
eyes and find new ways of doing things. We
offer a stimulating and professional environment
in which to work. This is a remarkable
opportunity and we look for staff who can work
according to our values – we champion
diversity, encourage creativity, we are
connected, and we value evidence.

4  NEXT STEPS

Photos: Aled Llywelyn Photography