Chief financial officer jobs

We are seeking a dynamic and strategic Fundraising Development Manager to join the Bright Shadow team at a pivotal moment for our charity.

Responsible for developing and delivering Bright Shadow’s long-term income strategy, you will play an important role at the heart of our organisation. As well as managing our funding pipeline and relationships with funders and donors, you will build a diverse and sustainable funding portfolio to support our ambitious creative programme for people living with and affected by dementia.

Why this role?

Bright Shadow has secured funding for this new position for the next three years, and we’re looking for someone to join our team at a pivotal moment. Our award-winning Zest programme is expanding in autumn 2026, we’re building our Dementia Arts Quality Framework, and we’re continuing to expand our capacity to co-create projects thanks to our Campfire Conversations and Open Forums.

Our team is small but mighty, including our fantastic inclusive board of trustees, two of whom live with dementia. We know we need to add an experienced fundraising manager to our team to help us build our community of support. Could that be you?

About the role

Working closely with the Chief Executive and Board of Trustees, you will:

• Develop and implement a long-term fundraising strategy
• Build and manage a strong funding pipeline across trusts and foundations, individuals, corporates, commissioning and earned income
• Write compelling funding applications and reports
• Develop new income streams and partnerships
• Steward relationships with funders, donors and key stakeholders
• Ensure robust systems for tracking income, reporting and compliance

This role combines strategy, relationship-building and hands-on delivery, and will play a central role in shaping Bright Shadow’s future.

About us

Founded in 2009, at Bright Shadow we do dementia differently. Serving Kent and Medway, we make ambitious, enriching, joyful experiences that use the power of the arts and creativity to enable people living with dementia – and those who give care – to live happy, healthy lives.

We understand the impact of a diagnosis, yet our work fosters positivity: focusing on what we can do, not what we can’t. People with dementia, family members, expert artists and other professionals are all part of co-creating our high quality artistic work.

Our trademark Zest groups, wider creative programme, and our training and resources for organisations seeking to be dementia inclusive, are all rooted in our passionate belief in authentic relationship-centred care.

About you

We’re looking for someone who:

• Has a strong track record of securing income from multiple sources
• Is an excellent writer and communicator
• Can think strategically while delivering day-to-day fundraising activity
• Is highly organised, proactive and able to manage competing priorities
• Builds strong relationships and works collaboratively
• Is passionate about creativity, community and living well with dementia

Experience in digital fundraising, commissioning or the arts/health sector would be an advantage.

Role details

Post reports to: Chief Executive

Post works alongside: Chief Executive, Director of Creative Research

Hours: 0.6 FTE – 3 days (21 hours) per week. Working pattern negotiable. Occasionally, flexibility may be required to ensure duties are delivered to a high standard and within deadlines (3 days per week)

Location: Remote, with some travel for meetings required.

Salary: £38,000 FTE (£22,800 pro rata)

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How to apply - please follow the link below to our website for details of how to apply.

Dog Aid Scotland

Dog Aid Scotland is celebrating its 70th anniversary of creating and protecting loving homes across Scotland. The charity helps keep dogs with their owners whenever possible and when that’s not possible, we find dogs new homes, giving them hope for a future.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a long-standing charity entering a period of growth and investment with a focus on helping many more dogs and their owners. The charity will look to increasing the scale of its work, significantly increasing awareness of the importance and impact of Dog Aid Scotland while ensuring financial sustainability through fundraising and income diversification.

Role Description

The Head of Income and Engagement is responsible for diversifying and growing Dog Aid Scotland’s fundraising income streams as well as overseeing the charities strategic communications and marketing activity. Reporting directly to the CEO, the postholder will develop and deliver a comprehensive Income and Engagement Strategy that ensures sustainable income growth, deepens supporter engagement and increases awareness of this long-standing charity. As well as working at a high level, this will be a hands on, operational role which is expected to work directly with donors and lead on fundraising activity.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of Income and Engagement Strategies aimed to grow income sustainably and significantly increase awareness of the charity
• Grow income from individual giving, regular giving, fundraising events and legacy giving, whilst looking to develop further income streams such as major donors, trusts and foundations in future.
• Develop strong donor journey that's engaging, from recruitment and stewardship to longer term donor retention.
• Create and deliver engagement strategy focused on growing brand awareness, deepening engagement and understanding of the charity, its impact and services.

For more information on the role and how to apply please see the Job Pack below. 

Job Description

Balance is looking for a dedicated compassionateSupport Worker/Driver to join our  Day Centre in Wandsworth.

Who you are

• You are someone who shares and is able to mobilise the charities values of Independence, Empowerment, Partnership, Professionalism, Staff Recognition and Sustainability. If you have knowledge, application and commitment to these values we want to hear from you.
• You must  have a Clean Current D1 Driving License.

Who we are

At Balance we are committed to empowering those we support to build independence, fulfilled and self-confident lives.  We work hard to ensure our charitable values are central to the professional experience of those who work for us, with us and who benefit from our services. 

Main Responsibilities of the Job

• To provide support and assistance during journeyspick up and drop of duties at the commencement and end of sessions at our day centres.
• To demonstrate Balance values of partnership, independence, professionalism, empowerment, staff recognition and sustainability in your conduct and approach to your work
• Through partnership, support and develop peoples skills, confidence and interests as part of a multi-disciplinary day service offer.
• To support your colleagues, service managers and other key professionals to put those using our service at the centre of your daily work. .
• To maintain and update client and related operational records with an accurate and professional commitment.
• To ensure compliance with and the delivery of the charity policies and procedures particularly those related to safeguarding, inclusion and disability discrimination.
• To support clients with there daily activities and to promote their independence 
• To be able to communicate effectively with families , colleauges and  clients.

Working Expectations

• The working day is  8.00am - 5.30pm Monday to Friday -  The current rate reflects the additional hours 
• Drive a passenger service vehicle.
• Attendance at training. 
• Use of information technology to support your work.

Benefits of Working for us

The charity ensures the following benefits for all its operational staff:

• A baseline commitment to pay London living wage for all its front line staff.
• A commitment to training and professional development to support internal progression as part of our performance support.
• Inclusion in and contribution to the charity's pension scheme.
• Generous annual leave allowance of 25 days a year plus an additional day off for your birthday.
• Access to a range of discount schemes.
• Access to the charity's employee assistance programme.
• Access to travel card loan and bike to work scheme.

Where Next is a well-established charity supporting adults with learning disabilities to live fulfilling, independent lives. We are looking for a capable and reliable Finance Officer to lead our day-to-day financial operations and support the organisation as we continue to grow.

The Role

This is a hands-on role with responsibility for the smooth running of all core finance functions, including:

• Payroll, pensions, and statutory returns
• Purchase and sales ledger (including varied client income streams)
• Bank reconciliations and cashflow management
• VAT returns (including partial exemption) and Gift Aid
• Monthly management accounts and reporting

You will be the go-to person for finance, working closely with the CEO and senior team to ensure strong financial control and provide clear, practical financial information.

About You

You will:

• Have solid experience in a finance or bookkeeping role
• Be confident managing end-to-end finance processes
• Be highly organised, accurate, and reliable
• Be comfortable working independently and taking ownership
• Ideally have experience with Xero, payroll, and VAT

Experience in the charity sector or working with restricted funding is a bonus, but not essential.

Why Join Where Next?

• Flexible working – part-time or full-time considered
• Hybrid working available
• A varied role with real responsibility
• Opportunity to grow into broader financial and organisational responsibilities
• A supportive, values-driven organisation where your work has real impact

Apply

If you’re looking for a role where you can combine strong finance skills with meaningful work, we’d love to hear from you.

We are open to shaping the scope of this role around the successful candidate, depending on experience and working pattern.

We are looking for an experienced, motivated and values‑driven Fundraising and Partnerships Officer to grow our income from trusts, foundations, corporates and individuals. 

Working closely with the CEO, you will play a key role in enabling WSF’s strategic goals by securing sustainable funding, building strong external relationships, and demonstrating the impact of our work. This is a pivotal role for someone who combines strong fundraising expertise with a passion for community development.

Grants and Information Officer

Professionals Aid Guild

At the Professionals Aid Guild, we are a non-profession-specific charity dedicated to improving lives and relieving poverty among professionals and graduates across the UK. We support individuals facing challenges such as redundancy, illness, disability, family breakdown, and financial hardship in retirement.

This is an exciting period of growth and development for the charity, offering the successful candidate a real opportunity to contribute to meaningful work and drive positive change.

Each year, we support hundreds of individuals through direct grants covering essential living costs, further and children’s education, household items, furniture, and critical repairs. These grants often have a life-changing impact. Alongside this, we collaborate with a wide network of organisations and professional bodies to provide more holistic and sustainable support.

Could you be part of our small, dedicated team making a big difference?

About the Role

As Grants and Information Officer, you will play a central role in delivering our services. You will manage grant applications from initial assessment through to decision and award, contribute to committee processes, and support the wider operations of the charity.

Key Details

• Reporting to: CEO
• Hours: Part-time (21 hours per week)
• Working pattern: Flexible and hybrid working available (minimum one day per week in the office, typically Thursday)
• Salary: £28,000 – £31,500 FTE

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave (pro rata), plus bank holidays and Christmas closure
• Additional annual leave after three years’ service (up to 5 extra days)
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Flexible and hybrid working options
• Training and equipment provided

Key Responsibilities

Casework

• Manage applications from initial assessment through to committee review
• Liaise with beneficiaries and maintain accurate, confidential records
• Prepare agendas and take minutes for committee meetings
• Signpost applicants to other appropriate sources of support

Finance

• Administer grants within agreed limits
• Arrange payments to beneficiaries and service providers
• Support audit processes

Grants Management System

• Maintain and update the grants database (Benefactor)
• Produce reports and review system content as required

Administration & Resources

• Update and maintain internal resources, including application forms, guidance, and standard communications
• Support website content updates
• Maintain standard operating procedures
• Provide general office administration support

Additional Duties

• Attend and support the AGM and other organisational meetings
• Represent the charity externally when required
• Support the CEO with fundraising strategy and policy development
• Undertake other duties as required in a small team environment

About You

You will be:

• Educated to degree level
• Proficient in Microsoft Office
• Experienced in working with databases and updating websites
• Familiar with fundraising applications and/or the charity sector (ideally benevolent funds or welfare services)
• Knowledgeable about the UK statutory benefits system
• Familiar with accounting software such as Xero or Dext (desirable)
• Highly organised, with the ability to prioritise a varied workload
• Adaptable and comfortable working in a small team
• An excellent communicator, both written and verbal
• A collaborative team player with strong interpersonal skills
• Confident in problem-solving and decision-making
• Sympathetic to the charity’s mission and values

How to Apply

Please submit your CV along with a supporting statement outlining how you meet the requirements for the role.

�� Closing date: 26 May 2026
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the vacancy may close early.

�� Interview date: Monday 15 June 2026
Please ensure availability on this date.

We're looking for a dynamic, highly organised Individual Giving & Engagement Officer to support the delivery of our broad recruitment and stewardship programme. This is a brilliant opportunity for someone who is collaborative, detail-orientated and purpose-driven, who wants to help us work towards making pregnancy safer and help more families bring their babies' home.

In this role, you’ll play a key part in delivering impactful, multi-channel fundraising campaigns that inspire supporters and drive income. Working closely with the Individual Giving & Engagement team, you’ll help deliver donor acquisition, retention, and stewardship activity, ensuring our supporters feel valued and engaged at every stage of their journey.

You’ll work across a wide-ranging programme including appeals, in-memory giving, supporter communications, legacy activity and digital engagement. From coordinating campaigns and updating supporter journeys, to analysing performance and supporting financial processes, this is a varied and fast-paced role where no two days are the same.

We’re looking for someone who can balance creativity with strong organisation, enjoys working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders, and is motivated by making a real difference. If you have a background in fundraising or marketing, excellent attention to detail, and a passion for purpose-driven work, we’d love to hear from you.

Application deadline: 1 June

Interview dates:

• First interviews: week commencing Monday 8 June (online)
• Second interviews: week commencing Monday 15 June

For a full overview of the role, please see the Recruitment Pack for a detailed job description and responsibilities.

As Head of Finance, you will be a member of the Executive Team, supporting the Chief Executive with the overall direction and long-term financial viability of the Charity. You will be accountable for developing and implementing the organisation’s financial strategy, delivering effective financial planning, monitoring and reporting, and maintaining sound financial and risk management systems.

Key responsibilities:

• Provide sound financial advice to the Chief Executive, Board of Trustees and senior managers to support effective leadership and management of the Charity
• Lead financial planning, budgeting, cash flow management and resource allocation, ensuring strong processes for performance monitoring at all levels
• Establish and oversee financial reporting systems, monitoring key performance indicators and delivering management information to the Board
• Take responsibility for compliance with accounting, tax and regulatory requirements, ensuring internal financial systems and controls are robust and scalable
• Undertake the role of Company Secretary, ensuring all statutory and regulatory governance obligations are met
• Lead procurement of systems, products and services, driving cost savings and value for money in line with the Charity Governance Code
• Oversee relationships with banks, auditors, payroll providers, insurers and charity finance specialists, ensuring the Charity manages its assets effectively
• Ensure appropriate risk management techniques and financial controls are embedded at strategic and operational levels

About you:

This role will suit a fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) with senior-level finance leadership experience in a charity or not-for-profit organisation of comparable scale. You will bring strong technical knowledge of Charity SORP, charity law and financial governance, a collaborative leadership style, and the confidence to operate with minimum direction in a small Executive Team. Experience of company secretarial duties and charity governance is essential.

Benefits:

• Private medical insurance provided through Bupa after 1 years’ service
• Continuous training and professional development opportunities
• Staff wellbeing events throughout the year
• Team building days
• Employee Assistance Programme - this is a scheme run by Dudley Lodge for its employees. It enables staff to gain access to qualified advisors for a wide range of services day or night.
• Cash plan - After 1 year’s continuous employment, you can opt for free cover under this Cash Plan policy.
• A pension scheme with Standard Life, Dudley Lodge contributes 5% towards your pension, also matching additional employee contributions up to 7.5%. The company will increase its contribution to 10% after an employee has reached their 10 years’ service, on condition employees contribute the same.
• Life Assurance - Group Life Assurance Policy with Unun Life.  Life. The scheme provides a tax-free benefit to all permanent employees, paying a lump sum amount of 2 x salary in the event of death in service.
• Free tea, coffee, water and fruit for all staff
• Enhanced holidays:
• 27 days plus 8 bank holidays - up to 5 years continuous employment
• 34 days plus 8 bank holidays - over 5 years continuous employment
• Flu Vaccine: For Staff that do not qualify for the flu vaccine through the NHS
• Bike (Cycle) Scheme: Staff can purchase a bike (max, £1000 or 50% of monthly contractual salary). The employee cycle loan request form should be completed for validation.
• Long Service Awards: We value our staff and to show recognition we offer long service awards.

Our Commitment Statement

Our expectation of all staff is to demonstrate kindness, empathy, and fairness to all.

Dudley Lodge strive to provide an inclusive working environment and experience, where employees can bring their best, and authentic self to work. Where difference is recognised, respected, valued, and celebrated.

Our approach to inclusion and diversity is rooted in listening, learning and acting. This includes conducting ongoing listening forums across the company, the implementation of Inclusion & Diversity talking/support groups, workshops and training, good quality supervision, surveys and collaborative working parties. All with the core aim to receive honest feedback, reflect and continuously strive to be the best that we can be. 

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons.

Dudley Lodge is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expects all staff to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.

The Director of Service Delivery is a senior leadership role responsible for ensuring Emerging Futures’ services are safe, high‑quality, and financially sustainable nationwide.

The role oversees supported housing for people experiencing homelessness and substance use, as well as community‑based coaching, peer support, and therapeutic programmes.

The postholder will lead large, geographically dispersed services through change and growth, using a compassionate, trauma‑informed, and values‑led approach alongside strong accountability and data‑driven decision‑making. At a pivotal time for the organisation, the role focuses on strengthening systems, leadership capability, and assurance in response to regulatory change and organisational learning.

This is a home‑based role with significant national travel, providing visible leadership and building strong relationships across diverse, remote teams.

Portsmouth Cathedral is a historic and active place of worship and community, serving the City, Diocese and wider public.

As Head of Finance, you will provide strategic financial leadership as part of the Senior Management Team and supporting Chapter to strengthen financial planning, governance and sustainability. You will lead budgeting, forecasting and reporting, oversee compliance and audit, advise on financial risk, performance and sustainability, lead and develop the finance team and improve systems and processes, including potentially establishing a new trading company.

Essentials:

• ICAEW, ACCA or CIMA qualification or similar
• Demonstrable experience in strategic financial leadership, with a track record of leading financial governance, compliance, and team development
• Knowledge of VAT, tax planning, and advanced accounting practices
• Excellent verbal and written communicator
• Excellent analytical and reporting skills, proficient in financial software and Microsoft Office Suite
• Willingness to undertake some basic tasks as part of a small finance team
• Commitment to the highest standards of safeguarding, equal opportunities, and inclusivity

Empathy with the beliefs and values of the Christian Faith and the aims and objectives of the Cathedral.

Benefits:

• Flexible and annualised working arrangements
• 25 days annual leave (pro rata), plus 2 extra days in December and bank holidays + pension and healthcare plan

This role will suit a qualified accountant with strong technical expertise, strategic insight and the ability to operate effectively in a collaborative, mission-driven environment. For this role a basic safeguarding check will be required.

Please see the candidate pack for full details. For an informal and confidential discussion about the role, please contact: Katherine Anderson-Scott, Executive Director of Charisma Charity Recruitment.

• Closing date: Wednesday 20th May 2026
• Interviews with Portsmouth Cathedral: 10th or 11th June
• Charisma vetting interviews must be completed by EOD on 28th May prior to shortlist submission on 29th May

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law.

A well-established housing provider in the North West is seeking an interim Head of Finance Business Partnering for an inital 6-month period with option of temp to permanent for the right candidate. The organisation has a strong focus on service delivery, financial control, and continuous improvement across its housing operations.

This is a senior, hands-on leadership role combining team management, consolidation of management accounts, and strengthening of business partnering across the organisation. A key focus will also be driving improvements in financial systems and processes, including automation and better use of core finance systems.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the Finance Business Partnering team, providing direction, oversight, and support across key service areas
• Oversee and consolidate monthly management accounts, ensuring accurate, timely, and insightful reporting to the Finance Director and senior stakeholders
• Drive high-quality business partnering across the organisation, supporting operational teams with financial insight, challenge, and decision-making
• Support property-related finance activities as required (e.g. repairs, maintenance, capital spend)
• Identify and implement process improvements, with a focus on automation and efficiency across finance systems
• Build strong relationships across finance and operational teams, translating complex financial information into clear, actionable insight

Requirements:

• Qualified Accountant with proven experience operating at a senior finance level, ideally from a housing association background
• Strong understanding of management accounting, including consolidation, reporting, and performance analysis
• Demonstrable experience managing and developing finance teams, ideally within a business partnering model
• Experience within property or housing finance (e.g. repairs, maintenance, capital programmes) is highly desirable
• Strong systems expertise, with experience improving and automating finance processes
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and challenge at senior levels

Please get in touch if this role is of interest and you feel you can add value in the position.

Job Title - Senior Billing Officer and Coordinator

Contract - Permanent

Hours - Part time 0.6 FTE (21 hours per week) or 0.8 FTE (28 hours per week) with some flexibility around working hours

Salary Range - £30,000 to 40,000 FTE pro rata (£18,800 to £24,000 for 0.6FTE and £24,000 to £32,000 for 0.8FTE)

Location - London office - Coram Campus, 41 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AZ

About Coram

Coram is the UK’s oldest children’s charity founded by Thomas Coram in London helping vulnerable children and young people since 1739. Today, the Coram group helps more than one million children, young people, families and professionals every year by providing access to the skills and opportunities they need to thrive.

One of the nine members of the Coram group, Coram Children’s Legal Centre (CCLC) is the UK’s specialist centre for children’s rights in education, immigration, community care and family law, and provides significant international legal systems consultancy. The centre is located on the Coram Campus in central London with a base in Colchester. We champion access to justice through information and advice, legal practice and representation, policy and strategic litigation. Our Legal Practice Unit provides advice and representation primarily under legal aid contract. Our Policy and Practice Change team promotes practice change through training and capacity building to professionals and secures systems change through research, policy and advocacy.

About the role

This role will coordinate, oversee and supervise the Legal Practice Unit’s legal aid billing operations. Through systematic and efficient management, the post-holder will play an important role in CCLC’s financial and operational sustainability. Working with the Managing Director of Legal Practice, the Heads of Department and Coram’s central finance team, the key objective of the role is to help maximise the unit’s legal aid billing in controlled work, certificated work and inter partes costs. It will also oversee private fees billing. The post-holder will oversee the smooth running of legal aid billing. In this role, the post-holder will work very closely with legal, operations and administrative staff. The role will act as a key point of contact for a range of internal and external stakeholders including Coram’s central finance team who will support the role with grant fund management and overall accounting functions for CCLC. The post-holder will support the Managing Director of Legal Practice and Children’s Rights and department heads in the successful maintenance of our relationship with the Legal Aid Agency.

The role would suit a legal aid billing professional with significant direct hands on experience of a range of types of civil legal aid billing (including controlled and certificated work) and an understanding of the challenges of legal aid. The ideal candidate will have experience of supervising the work of others but support and training will be provided. We are looking for someone who is interested in developing into management, is a proactive problem solver, is highly organised and able to maintain oversight over different workstreams ensuring progress. In addition to legal aid experience, they will need an aptitude for processing large amounts of data, developing and managing spreadsheets and improving organisational systems. They will be well supported through training, an enthusiastic and competent junior billing team, the central finance team and an outsourced legal cashiering company, as well as a friendly and collaborative management team including the Managing Director and the Heads of practice areas.

This is a largely office-based role in order to fully provide support to the billing team. However, some remote / hybrid working may be possible depending the experience of the candidate after the initial settling in period and there will be flexibility over how the working hours days will be spread across the week (within working hours). The team are mostly based in the London office and with one billing team member in Colchester so the postholder may require some occasional travel.

For further information on CCLC please visit our website.

To apply for this role, please click on the 'apply now' button below to complete the application.

Closing date: Sunday 7th June 2026 at 23:55

Test and Interview date: Week commencing 15th June 2026

Coram is an equal opportunities employer and we believe a diverse workforce enables us to improve the services to the children and families we help. We are genuinely committed to encouraging candidates from all sections of the community we seek to support. This includes those from global majority ethnic backgrounds, those that identify as LGBQT+, those with disabilities, those with lived experience of care, those with neuro-diversity, and those from other groups who are underrepresented at Coram.

If applicants feel comfortable, we would encourage them to draw on lived experience as well as professional experience in their personal statement as part of their application.

We are committed to the safeguarding of children and where appropriate will require the successful applicant to undertake a check from the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Registered Charity No. 312278.

Somewhere in West Africa, a mission worker is sitting with a question about their monthly budget. In South Asia, another is preparing to extend their service and needs to understand what that means financially. Every one of our mission workers, serving in around 25 countries, depends on someone back home who understands their situation, knows their name, and helps them navigate the financial realities of life serving in mission.

We’re looking for someone who brings both financial competence and genuine warmth – someone who can manage budgets and reconciliations with accuracy, but who also understands that behind every spreadsheet is a person serving Jesus by making disciples. You’ll be the consistent, trusted point of contact for workers from the moment they join SIM through to when they return home, and every budget review, fund statement, and financial query in between is a chance to make them feel genuinely cared for.

If that sounds like the kind of work that excites you, then we are looking for someone who has experience in bookkeeping and financial management within a small to medium-sized organisation, and who also has experience in a finance customer services role.

Come and join our Team!

Please submit your application by 5pm on Thursday 28th May 2026.

Chair (Non-Executive) – Board of Directors

South West Wildlife Fundraising Ltd (‘SWWFL’)

Remuneration: £12,500 per annum (plus expenses)
Location: Home-based, with some travel across the South West
Time commitment: Approximately 4 days per month

Do you care about the work of the Wildlife Trusts and want to make a real difference to the future of our treasured wildlife?

About the role

SWWFL, a wholly-owned trading subsidiary of 8 regional Wildlife Trusts, is seeking an experienced and strategic leader to take on the role of Non-Executive Chair of the Board. This is a pivotal leadership position, providing direction to the Board of Directors, supporting the Chief Executive Officer, and strengthening relationships with our owning Wildlife Trusts and partnerships with client Trusts.

You will also serve as a Company Director of SWWFL, sharing responsibility for the oversight, stewardship, and long-term success of the organisation.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a purpose-driven organisation supporting the work of The Wildlife Trusts across the extended South West.

Key responsibilities

As Chair, you will:

· Lead the Board of Directors, ensuring effective governance, decision-making and accountability

· Work closely with the CEO, providing both support and constructive challenge

· Ensure strong strategic alignment between SWWFL and its owning Wildlife Trusts and client Wildlife Trusts

· Oversee financial performance, risk management and regulatory compliance

· Chair Board meetings and ensure effective participation from all Directors

· Act as an ambassador for SWWFL with external stakeholders and partner Wildlife Trusts

· Lead the annual appraisal and development of the CEO

Governance and Director responsibilities

In addition to Chair duties, the postholder will fulfil the responsibilities of a SWWFL Company Director, including:

· Acting in accordance with the SWWFL Memorandum & Articles of Association and Members’ Agreement

· Exercising independent judgement, care and diligence

· Ensuring robust governance, financial oversight and risk management

· Supporting long-term sustainable success of the business

Terms of appointment

· The Chair is appointed by majority vote of the Board

· Term: normally 3 years, may be renewed, with annual performance review by the Board and owning Trusts

· The Chair role is remunerated, via a contracting agreement, in recognition of additional responsibilities

· The person appointed must, therefore, have appropriate and genuine self-employed status (or equivalent) to receive payment

· Where a Trustee of an owning Wildlife Trust is appointed, they cannot receive remuneration in line with SWWFL governance arrangements

· All Directors (including the Chair in their Director capacity) are subject to SWWFL governance requirements

About you

We are looking for someone who brings:

Experience

· Significant Board-level experience

· Proven experience of chairing meetings

· Senior strategic leadership experience (ideally in a commercial environment)

· Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building experience

Skills & knowledge

· Strong understanding of governance and regulatory requirements

· High level of financial literacy

· Commercial awareness

· Experience in risk management and organisational oversight

Personal qualities

· Strategic, decisive and emotionally intelligent

· Collaborative and diplomatic, with strong interpersonal skills

· Confident in an ambassadorial role

· Committed to the mission of The Wildlife Trusts

Time commitment

The Chair is expected to commit around 4 days per month, including:

· Regular meetings with the CEO and Finance Manager

· 6 Board and Stakeholder meetings annually

· 4 Finance & Remuneration Committee meetings

· Meetings with auditors and owning Trust CEOs

Some travel across the South West will be required, although many meetings are held remotely.

Eligibility

The Chair does not need to be an employee of an owning Wildlife Trust. However, they do need to be a member of their local Wildlife Trust, and they will operate within a Board that includes Directors who are drawn from the owning Trusts:

Avon, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Hampshire & Isle of Wight, Somerset, Wiltshire, and Worcestershire Wildlife Trusts.

Why join us?

This is a unique opportunity to play a key leadership role in a values-driven organisation, helping to support vital conservation work across the South West and beyond.

How to apply

An application pack and form can be downloaded from the SWWFL website. A copy of your CV, plus the application form detailing your skills and experience relevant to this role, must be included in your application.

The deadline for applications is 7th June 2026.

Interviews will take place on 30th June 2026 at Avon Wildlife Trust, Bristol.