Head of Finance

Location: Alscot Offices, Atherstone-on-Stour, Stratford-upon-AvonHours: Full time, 40 hours per week (Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm)Contract: PermanentSalary: Circa £55,000 per annumHybrid Working: Available following a settling-in period of approximately 3 months

Join Heart of England Mencap and help people with learning disabilities lead fulfilling lives where they can thrive and reach their full potential.

We are seeking an experienced and strategic Head of Finance to join our Senior Leadership Team. Reporting directly to the CEO, this is a key role responsible for ensuring the organisation's financial sustainability, supporting strategic growth, and leading our finance function.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced finance leader who is passionate about making a difference and wants to use their expertise to support a values-driven charity.

About the Role

As Head of Finance, you will provide strategic financial leadership across the organisation, working closely with the CEO, Board of Trustees and senior management team to ensure effective financial management, governance and long-term sustainability.

You will lead the Finance Team, oversee financial planning and reporting, support business development opportunities, and ensure services remain financially viable while delivering positive outcomes for the people we support.

Key responsibilities include:

Strategic Financial Leadership

• Leading the organisation's financial strategy and supporting growth plans

• Preparing and managing annual budgets and financial forecasts

• Providing financial insight and advice to the CEO, Board and Senior Leadership Team

• Developing business cases and financial proposals for new opportunities

• Maintaining financial risk registers and supporting strategic decision-making

Financial Management & Control

• Overseeing management accounts and financial reporting

• Monitoring service performance through trading statements and cost centre analysis

• Managing cash flow, debtors and financial controls

• Supporting payroll sign-off and statutory financial reporting

• Ensuring accurate and timely financial information across the organisation

Governance & Compliance

• Leading the annual audit process and statutory accounts preparation

• Managing compliance with charity and regulatory requirements

• Maintaining insurance arrangements and statutory filings

• Managing relationships with external auditors and professional advisers

• Supporting GDPR compliance and organisational policies

Commissioning & Business Development

• Building strong relationships with local authorities, commissioners and funding bodies

• Supporting contract negotiations and commissioning opportunities

• Identifying new income streams and funding opportunities

• Supporting grant management and restricted fund reporting

Leadership & People Management

• Leading, developing and supporting the Finance Team

• Driving continuous improvement across financial systems and processes

• Building strong working relationships across departments and with external stakeholders

• Supporting a positive, collaborative and high-performing culture

About You

We're looking for a confident and experienced finance professional who combines strong technical expertise with excellent leadership and communication skills.

You will have:

• A recognised accountancy qualification (ACA, ACCA or CIMA)

• Significant experience in a senior finance leadership role

• Experience leading and developing finance teams

• Strong budgeting, forecasting and financial modelling skills

• Experience working with Boards of Trustees and senior stakeholders

• Knowledge of charity accounting and regulatory requirements

• Experience managing audits, statutory reporting and compliance

• Strong Microsoft Excel and Sage accounting system knowledge

• Experience implementing or improving financial systems and reporting processes

• The ability to communicate complex financial information to non-financial audiences

• A proactive, solution-focused and collaborative approach

Experience within the charity, not-for-profit or public sector would be highly advantageous.

What We Offer

• Hybrid working opportunities

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

• Extensive training and development opportunities

• Employee Assistance Programme and trained Mental Health First Aiders

• High street and online retailer discounts

• Refer a Friend scheme

• Long service awards

• Sick pay

• Life assurance scheme

• Staff recognition awards

If you're an experienced finance leader looking for an opportunity to make a meaningful impact within a growing and ambitious charity, we'd love to hear from you.

Summary

Salary

£55,000

Closing date