Finance director jobs in Bristol, city of bristol
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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.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
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!
Thank you!
Could you lead Babbasa into its next chapter?
Babbasa is one of Bristol’s most recognised youth empowerment organisations, supporting talented young people from low-income and ethnically diverse communities to progress into employment, education and enterprise.
Founded in 2010, our name comes from an ancient African word meaning “ordinary people coming together to act as a support bridge.” That belief continues to shape everything we do.
Over the past 15 years, we have supported more than 4,000 young people, built powerful partnerships across business, education and civic sectors, and received national recognition including the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for Promoting Opportunity through Social Mobility.
We are now entering an important new phase.
Following a period of organisational reset and renewal, Babbasa is implementing a bold and focused 2026 strategy centred on:
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A single Integrated Youth Empowerment Programme
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A stronger, values-led organisational culture
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A modernised operating model and digital infrastructure
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Sustainable growth and long-term impact
We are seeking an exceptional Managing Director to succeed our Founding Director and help lead Babbasa through this next chapter with clarity, discipline, compassion and ambition.
About the Role
As Managing Director, you will work closely with the Board, senior team, employees, partners and young people to:
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Provide strategic and operational leadership across the organisation
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Embed Babbasa’s new integrated programme model
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Strengthen financial sustainability, governance and organisational resilience
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Build trusted relationships with funders, employers, civic leaders and community partners
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Support and develop a committed, ambitious team
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Champion Babbasa’s manifesto and values of Kindness, Imagination and Determination
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Act as a visible and credible public leader for the organisation locally and nationally
This is a unique opportunity to lead a respected social mobility organisation at a pivotal moment in its journey.
Who We’re Looking For
We are looking for a values-led and emotionally intelligent leader who combines strategic thinking with strong operational capability.
You may come from the charity, social enterprise, education, youth, public or private sectors, but you will bring:
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Senior leadership experience within an organisation or service
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Experience of leading teams through change, growth or transition
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Strong financial, governance and operational management capability
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Experience of building partnerships, securing funding and/or developing income streams
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Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
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A genuine commitment to improving outcomes for young people
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A collaborative and inclusive leadership style
An understanding of the barriers faced by people living in ethnically diverse and/or low-income communities is vital.
Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application. We are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this role.
Why Join Babbasa?
At Babbasa, you will join an organisation with:
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A nationally recognised social mobility mission
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Deep roots within Bristol’s communities
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A strong manifesto and values-led culture
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An ambitious and committed Board and team
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Significant opportunity to shape the future direction of the organisation
We believe talent should never be limited by background — and we are looking for a leader who shares that belief.
Additional Information
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23 days annual leave plus bank holidays
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Pension contribution scheme
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Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
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Evening and occasional weekend representation required
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
Babbasa is proud to be an equal opportunity organisation. We actively encourage applications from individuals from underrepresented communities and backgrounds. We believe our diversity strengthens our work and helps us better serve the young people and communities we exist to support.
Babbasa exists to ensure that talent is never limited by background. Join us in building a more inclusive and opportunity-rich future.
Non Charity Employer
6 - 10
To inspire and support young people from low income and ethnically diverse communities to pursue their professional ambition
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.