Head of Finance

Head of FinanceInformation Pack February / March 2026 WelcomeThank you for your interest in the post of Head of Finance atNew Vic Theatre.We are looking for a Head of Finance to join our theatre Finance Team, to oversee the department and be responsible for the charity's financial management and reporting.Experience of charity finance would be beneficial but not essential. More important will be a desire to work in the charity and arts sector and be part of the senior team at this renowned and well-respected regional theatre. The deadline for applications is Monday 23 March 2026 at10am. We hope that this pack will answer all your questions, but if there is anything else you would like to know about the role or working at the New Vic, please do get in touch on 01782 381371 or by email via recruitment@newvictheatre.org.ukHead of Finance Role InformationThe Head of Finance is a full time post (40 hours) but with theflexibility to work between 30 - 40 hours depending on thecandidate and agreement about job description priorities. Hybridworking is available by mutual agreement.  SalaryThe salary for the post is £52,772 per annum (the salary will bepro rata if less than 40 hours is agreed).Hours of workThe usual working week will be Monday to Friday, with hours tobe agreed. There will be occasional afternoon/evening boardmeetings (4 per annum).Any hours in addition to your normal hours are to be agreed inadvance. Overtime is not applicable to this post. Holiday entitlementThe annual holiday entitlement is 5 weeks plus bank holidays.Entitlement for any incomplete year will be calculated pro rata.Probationary & Notice periodThe probationary period for this post is 6 months. The noticeperiod during the probationary period is 4 weeks. Followingsuccessful completion of probationary period the notice period is12 weeks.GeneralAll eligible staff are automatically opted in for theNew Vic’s pension scheme under auto enrolmentlegislation. All offers of employment are subject to the candidatebeing able to provide suitable proof of their eligibilityto work in the UK and references.This role is also subject to the receipt of satisfactorychecks from the Disclosure and Barring Service.Job DescriptionResponsible to: Managing DirectorResponsible for: Senior Finance Manager, Finance and Payroll Officer and Finance AssistantRole PurposeAs New Vic Theatre Head of Finance you will lead the theatre’sFinance team and be responsible for the charity’s financialmanagement and reporting – helping to create great theatre andengage more people in the arts. The Head of Finance is part ofthe theatre’s Senior Leadership Team.Primary ResponsibilitiesLead and manage the theatre’s Finance team, providingsupport, mentorship, and supervision.Oversee financial planning and systems, including budgeting,forecasting, cash flow management, and reporting.Ensure strong financial controls and maintain effectiveprocesses for transparency and accuracy across theorganization.Produce key financial reports, including annual consolidatedaccounts, monthly management accounts, and quarterlyupdates for the charitable trust’s board.Manage relationships with external auditors, handling theyear-end audit process and the production of statutoryaccounts.Oversee VAT and Theatre Tax Relief matters, includingpreparing calculations and returns, working with thetheatre’s VAT and Tax advisors, and responding to internalqueries. Ensure compliance with financial regulations, submittingnecessary returns to banking partners, the CharityCommission, funders, and other agencies withinrequired deadlines.Prepare financial reporting for key funders such as ArtsCouncil England, and support the preparation of fundingapplications.Manage all income, expenditure, and funds, ensuringtimely collection and payments, providing cash flowforecasts, and maximizing interest and investmentearnings.Manage income and expenses for both Restricted andDesignated funds.Collaborate with budget holders and staff, providingthem with financial information and support to managetheir budgets effectively.Take a lead to ensure data security and compliance withfinancial and data management standards.Be a member of the Strategic Leadership Team (SLT),helping to develop, plan, and implement the New VicTheatre’s strategies and policies.Participate in Board, Audit, Investment and Risk subcommittee, management, and other relevant meetingsas needed.Attend theatre events as a senior manager.Adhere to the Charity’s policies and practices, includingthose related to equal opportunity, artistic, and socialinitiatives.As a member of the New Vic Staff, you will berequired to:Attend training as required. Comply and contribute to all company policies andprocedures including Health and Safety, EqualOpportunities, Safeguarding and Data Protection.Contribute towards making the New Vic a moresustainable organisation and improving environmentalperformance. Be an advocate of the theatre and act always in the bestinterest of the New Vic. Duties may involve having access to information of aconfidential nature which may be covered by the GeneralData Protection Regulation. Confidentiality must bemaintained at all times.Any other duties as may reasonably be required by theManaging Director that may assist the company inachieving its business objectives. Such tasks will not be ofan unreasonable nature and shall be commensurate withthe level of the post.  Head of Finance Person SpecificationThe following represent the essential and desirable attributesfor the post of Head of Finance.Essential CriteriaQualifications and ExperienceProfessional accountancy qualificationWorking in the accounts function at a senior levelProducing management accountsManaging staffSkills and KnowledgeExcellent, current accounting good practiceStrong planning and organisational skillsExcellent numeracy and accounting skillsGood interpersonal skillsAbility to lead, motivate and support a staff teamGeneralCommitment to staff development and trainingCommitment to equal opportunities Satisfactory Basic level DBS checkInterest in theatre and the arts Desirable CriteriaQualifications and ExperienceExperience of producing annual accountsExperience of working with Sage accounting systemExperience of the charity sectorExperience of the arts sectorHigher education qualification or equivalentSkills and KnowledgeGood knowledge of current accounting requirements forCharities Knowledge of the arts funding environmentAbility to contribute to the aims, policies and businessplan of the New Vic Theatre‘Staffordshire’s New Vic proves what a regional theatrewith ambition and imagination can do’. The Guardian The New Vic is unique. The first purpose-built theatre-in-the-round in Europe and a ground-breaker in the integration ofprofessional theatre-work with an extensive community andeducation programme, we make theatre that is valued by localaudiences and recognised nationally and internationally. We believe in the power of theatre to change lives. We alsobelieve that everyone should have access to great theatre andon average 180,000 people visit the New Vic each year. The New Vic has forged a national reputation for producing firstclass theatre. We have a full in-house creative team, includingcostume, scenic workshops, lighting, sound and design. Our extensive community and education programmes reachover 25,000 people annually, with award-winning New VicBorderlines, and New Vic Education departments ensuring weare key to the cultural life of the region. Alongside this thetheatre leads Appetite, an Arts Council England Creative People& Places programme, to engage more people in Stoke-on-Trentand North Staffordshire in the arts. The New Vic is a registered charity with a turnover of £5million and operates thanks to a unique partnership betweenArts Council England, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Counciland Staffordshire County Council.“A feast of graceful movement, brilliant light and soulful music”What’s On Staffordshire on The Little Mermaid (2025)“a tasty gem of a production” The British Theatre Guide on Big Big Sky (2025)“A nostalgic glimpse into Stoke’s history and culture”A View to a Kiln on Whatever Happened To Phoebe Salt (2025)“visually impressive and directed with verve” The Stage on A Matter of Life and Death (2025)“action thrills aplenty, from start to finish”The Observer on The Three Musketeers (2024/25)“a dark and dynamic production, ravishing in both senses”The Guardian on The Company of Wolves (2024)“an entertainingly frightening ride”The Stage on The Haunting (2024)ApplyingThe New Vic aims to attract, develop and retain the best talentfor all roles and will always appoint based on merit. We considerthat diversity is good for the art we make, good for artists, goodfor audiences, and good for the cultural sector.The New Vic is an equal opportunities employer. We valuediversity in our workforce and positively encourage applicantsfrom all sections of the community, particularly applicants under-represented across the arts workforce, especially applicants witha disability, applicants who are LGBTQIA+ or applicants ofAfrican or Caribbean heritage, South, East and South-East Asianheritage or anyone who experiences racism.How to applyPlease forward your CV and a covering letter giving a briefoutline of why you think you would be suitable for this role andhow your skills match the person specification torecruitment@newvictheatre.org.uk using the subject line Headof Finance, or post them to Administration Department, NewVic Theatre, Etruria Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire,ST5 0JG. The deadline for applications is Monday 23 March 2026 at10am. We want to make sure that our application process is accessibleto everyone, so please do tell us if you need any of thisinformation in another format (e.g large print, audio).New Vic Theatre, Etruria Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, ST5 0JG. Stoke-on-Trent & North Staffordshire Theatre Trust Ltd.Company registration number: 911924. Charity registration number: 253242. The New Vic Theatre operates thanks to partnership betweenArts Council England, Newcastle-Under-Lyme Borough Council and Staffordshire County Council.