Finance director jobs in Bristol, city of bristol

Join us at a pivotal moment of change and opportunity

This is an exciting time to join the League Against Cruel Sports.

Under new leadership and with a refreshed strategic plan, we are embarking on an ambitious new chapter - strengthening our impact, growing our reach and building an organisation fit for the future.

Recently recognised as a Sunday Times Best Place to Work, we are proud of our people-first culture, our commitment to wellbeing and development, and the passion and purpose that unite our teams.

If you are an experienced finance leader looking for a role where your expertise can directly contribute to creating a kinder society for animals, we would love to hear from you.

• Hours: 35 hours per week (flexible and part-time options considered)
• Salary: up to £70,200 per annum (pro-rata for part-time)
• Location: Hybrid working – Majority home based, occasional visits to Godalming office

About us

The League Against Cruel Sports is Britain's leading charity working towards a society where persecuting animals for ‘sport’ is consigned to history.

For over a century, we have campaigned for stronger animal protection laws, conducted investigations to expose cruelty and illegality, and managed wildlife reserves that provide safe havens for animals.

United by compassion and driven by evidence, we believe lasting change is possible.

Together, we will end cruelty to animals in the name of ‘sport’.

The opportunity

As Director of Finance, you will be a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, providing strategic financial leadership across the charity and its trading subsidiary.

You will ensure robust financial management, governance and compliance while helping shape organisational strategy and supporting sustainable growth. This role offers the opportunity to influence decisions at the highest level and play a critical role in delivering our long-term ambitions.

Leading an established finance team, you will oversee all aspects of finance operations, risk management and financial planning, ensuring our systems and processes are fit for the future.

What you'll be doing

Providing strategic financial leadership to the organisation and Board of Trustees.

• Leading budgeting, forecasting and financial planning processes.
• Producing high-quality management information and financial reporting.
• Overseeing statutory accounts preparation and external audit processes.
• Ensuring compliance with charity, company and tax regulations.
• Managing treasury activities and financial risk, including fraud prevention.
• Developing robust financial systems, controls and processes.
• Supporting organisational growth and delivery of our strategic plan.
• Leading, mentoring and developing the finance team
• Working collaboratively across the organisation and with external stakeholders.

About you

You will be a qualified accountant (ICAEW, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with significant senior financial leadership experience and a track record of delivering strategic and operational excellence.

You will bring:

• Strong experience in financial leadership within complex organisations.
• Expertise in management and statutory accounting.
• Experience of leading audits, treasury management and regulatory compliance.
• Outstanding leadership and people development skills.
• The ability to communicate complex financial information clearly and influence decision-making.
• Excellent judgement, commercial awareness and risk management capability.
• A collaborative and values-driven approach.
• Experience in the charity sector and knowledge of charity accounting and regulation would be highly desirable.

Why join us?

At the League Against Cruel Sports, you'll find more than a job - you'll find purpose. We offer:

• The opportunity to help create lasting change for animals.
• A supportive and inclusive culture with exceptional colleagues.
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements.
• Generous annual leave and wellbeing support.
• Professional development and learning opportunities.
• The chance to shape the future of a respected national charity during a period of transformation and growth.
• A workplace recognised as a Sunday Times Best Place to Work.

If you are inspired by our mission and excited by the opportunity to lead finance at a pivotal moment in our journey, we would be delighted to hear from you.

If you’d like to have an informal conversation about the role, please get in touch and we will be happy to arrange a call with our CEO or current Finance Director.

Deadline for applications: Sunday 12 July 2026.

Interviews for the role will be scheduled on 22-23 July online for stage one and 29 July in person in London for stage two.

Together, we will end animal cruelty in the name of sport.

Shape financial strategy and sustainability across our trust.

We are seeking an experienced and visionary Finance Director to lead the financial strategy and operations of the Cabot Learning Federation. This is a pivotal executive leadership role where you will provide assurance to the Chief Operating Officer, CEO and Board of Trustees across all financial matters, including financial sustainability, risk, and control frameworks.

As a key member of the Executive Team, you will play a central role in shaping the long-term financial direction of a large and growing multi-academy trust. You will lead the development and delivery of the Trust-wide financial strategy, ensuring that resources are aligned with priorities and delivering maximum impact for pupils, staff, and communities.

Working closely with senior leaders, Principals, Trustees, and external stakeholders, you will oversee financial planning, statutory reporting, and compliance across the Trust. You will ensure robust systems of internal control, champion value for money, and drive a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.

In this role, you will lead and develop a high-performing finance function across central and academy teams, ensuring strong financial management, effective business partnering, and high-quality support for decision-making at every level of the organisation.

Hours: Full-time, 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday, all year round. A part-time position for 4 days per week may be considered and can be discussed at interview.

Location: You will work through a blended model that includes home working and working at Federation House, Kingswood, Bristol.

About You

To be successful, you will be a highly accomplished and strategic finance leader, combining strong technical expertise with the ability to influence at the executive and board level.

You will have:

• A recognised accountancy qualification (CIMA, ACA or ACCA) with extensive senior-level experience
• Proven experience of leading financial strategy, planning and transformation across a complex organisation
• Strong understanding of financial governance, regulatory frameworks, and systems of internal control
• A track record of delivering value for money and driving organisational performance improvement
• Significant experience of leading, developing, and inspiring high-performing teams
• Excellent analytical skills, with the ability to interpret complex financial data and translate it into strategic insight
• The confidence and credibility to influence, challenge, and advise executive leaders, Trustees, and stakeholders
• Experience of working with external partners, including auditors, regulators, and funding bodies
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to present complex financial information clearly to diverse audiences

Why Join CLF?

As Finance Director, you will join our Executive Team at a critical stage in our growth, helping to shape the financial future of a large, complex and ambitious organisation.

In return, we can offer you:

• Access to a generous pension through the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Generous annual leave entitlement
• A comprehensive induction and ongoing commitment to wellbeing and career progression through a range of training, apprenticeships and in-role/wider-trust development opportunities
• Wellbeing support through an employee assistance programme
• Health benefits, including wellness sessions, gym discounts, and flu jabs
• A range of generous family leave options, including above-industry-average occupational maternity pay
• Cycle-to-work scheme and on-site parking

For further information and to apply for this exciting role, please visit our website via the Apply button.

Closing date: 28 June 2026.
Shortlisting date: 1 July 2026.

Interviews will be a two-stage process comprising an Assessment Morning on 6 July 2026 followed by a final interview on the afternoon of 8 July 2026. 

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a high level of interest in the role. Therefore, candidates are advised to apply at their earliest convenience to avoid missing out.

We are an equal opportunity employer and proud to serve a diverse student population and our communities. We strongly believe that representation matters and so encourage applications from underrepresented and global majority groups, including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.

As a Disability Confident Committed Employer, we are dedicated to equity and inclusion and commit to interviewing applicants with a disability who meet the essential criteria. We aim to provide an inclusive and accessible recruitment process and support employees throughout their employment. If you have a disability, are neurodivergent, or require any adjustments to support you through the application or interview process, please let us know how we can assist.

Are you a qualified finance professional looking for a high-impact contract role within an international charity? This is a unique opportunity to join during a pivotal period of growth and transformation, helping integrate UK and US finance operations while ensuring robust financial control, compliance, reporting and governance.

Working closely with the VP of Finance, you will provide strategic financial leadership while remaining hands-on with financial operations, systems migration, board reporting and statutory compliance. This role would suit someone who thrives in a changing environment and enjoys improving processes, systems and reporting.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the integration of UK finance operations into a global finance function
• Support the migration from QuickBooks to NetSuite and Barclays to HSBC
• Support budgeting, forecasting and financial planning activities
• Prepare board reports and provide financial insights to senior stakeholders
• Lead UK audit activity and support statutory filings with Companies House and the Charity Commission
• Review and improve financial policies, processes and reporting frameworks

Essential Skills & Experience

• ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified
• 5+ years' finance experience
• Experience managing change, finance transformation or systems projects
• Board reporting and stakeholder management experience
• Experience managing or mentoring finance staff

Desirable Skills & Experience

• Charity or international NGO experience
• NetSuite implementation or migration experience
• Gift Aid knowledge

Applications for this role are now under review, and the deadline could well be brought forward if the suitable candidate is found. Therefore, do not delay in submitting your application!