Head of finance and central services jobs in Milton keynes, england

About Us

The National Landscapes Association represents and supports the UK’s National Landscapes (Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty) – places where we want nature and people to flourish together. These living, protected landscapes are vital to the UK’s nature recovery, climate resilience, sustainable farming and wellbeing.

We work collaboratively and inclusively to ensure these treasured places are protected, restored, and accessible to all. Our policy work is central to this mission – and we’re looking for a proficient and motivated individual to help shape and drive it forward.

About the Role

As a Nature-based Solutions Officer you will support the delivery of the National Landscapes Association’s Nature-based Solutions programme, working closely with the Head of Nature-based Solutions to develop projects, partnerships and investment opportunities across the National Landscapes network.

You will help build a strong pipeline of investable nature-based solutions projects, support National Landscapes teams to design, develop and deliver high-quality initiatives aligned to national policy and market opportunities.

You will play a key role in translating strategic ambition into practical delivery, providing coordination, technical support and stakeholder engagement across a range of projects and programmes.

About you

We are looking for someone who is;

• A dynamic and enthusiastic team player, someone who is up for a creative challenge and will work well with others to find innovative solutions.
• An active listener, able to analyse and reflect the views and needs of others without letting your own opinions or ego get in the way.
• Dedicated to your own self learning and improvement, both for the success of the team and your own career. You maximise opportunities offered to you, and you will be excited to share resources that you find useful, and help others to access these as well.
• Comfortable with the uncertain, and excited by a space that is always changing and evolving.
• Open, honest, and encouraging, keen to work as part of a team that champions emotional awareness, kindness, and compassion.

This role is varied, exciting, and rewarding. You will have the opportunity to attend industry events, workshops, and webinars regularly. It is important that you are willing and able to maximise these opportunities and drive your own self-development as well as grow and evolve with the team.

Key Responsibilities

• Project and programme delivery; develop and deliver projects, coordinate a programme of activities, develop project proposals, funding applications and delivery plans and contribute to monitoring and evaluation of the above.
• Pipeline development and technical support; identify and develop investable projects, develop supporting resources, provide practical project support to National Landscapes teams, and stay informed on emerging policy, market mechanisms and best practice.
• Stakeholder engagement and partnerships; engage with stakeholders, building on relationships, contribute to workshops events and forums, and, support the development of partnership materials and communications.
• Data, evidence and reporting; support the collection and analysis of data, develop reporting outputs, maintain oversight of project pipelines, tracking progress and identifying risks or opportunities.
• Team support and collaboration; Contribute to a collaborative and supportive team culture.

See the role description for more information.

Why Join Us?
At the National Landscapes Association, you’ll be part of a passionate and forward-thinking team making a meaningful impact. You’ll gain exposure to a wide range of high-profile policy issues, work alongside experts across the UK, and help shape the future of our most valued landscapes.

You will be part of a small energetic and committed team supporting the delivery of Northamptonshire Community Foundation’s philanthropy and income generation ambitions. Working collaboratively with colleagues, you will help grow and steward support from individuals, corporate, charitable and statutory donors, with a lead responsibility for a defined portfolio of relationships and initiatives.

Fundraising and relationship building happen across the charity, and you will manage your own portfolio of donors and partners and work with the Chief Executive and wider team to co-ordinate activity, share insight and maximise opportunities for place based philanthropy in Northamptonshire.

You will need confidence, excellent communication skills and the ability to plan and deliver projects as part of a highly collaborative team. You will be comfortable cultivating, stewarding and sometimes soliciting charitable donations yourself, as well as creating opportunities for the Chief Executive to engage with donors and prospective supporters.

Location London based, requiring two days per week at Society Building, 8 All Saints Street, London N1, or Regional based with your place of work being your primary residence or suitable workplace close to your home.

Flexibility/Hours Full-time (35 hours per week)

Salary £33,963 per annum, rising to £38,365 if London based.

Contract Fixed Term (12 months fixed term contract) 

Interview 1 stage totalling around 1 hour. 

Reporting to Chief Financial Officer

The Role

Join NCVO as a Credit Controller and play a key role in maintaining financial stability and cash flow by managing outstanding debt, assessing credit risk and ensuring timely payments, while supporting accurate financial reporting, reconciling accounts, resolving queries, and working closely with customers, budget holders and project managers to maintain strong relationships and up-to-date records across systems such as CRM and Business Central.

Key responsibilities:

• Manage outstanding debt, including evaluating credit requests, monitoring debtor balances, preparing aged debt reports, and providing cash flow forecasts
• Reconcile accounts, process invoices and payments, and resolve queries to ensure accurate and timely financial records
• Support monthly income accrual and deferral processes, working with budget holders to maintain accuracy and take corrective action where needed
• Maintain accurate financial and project records, and raise sales and purchase orders in line with agreed processes and contracts
• Collaborate with project managers, department heads and finance colleagues to support smooth financial operations and strong stakeholder relationships

This is a great role for someone who is detail-oriented, proactive and confident working with financial data, while also building strong relationships across teams and with external stakeholders.

Your background:

• Experience in Credit Control, Accounts Receivable or a Debt Management environment
• Strong Excel skills and confidence working with financial systems (CRM experience desirable)
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to manage queries and build relationships with a range of stakeholders
• High attention to detail, with strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities
• A proactive, confident and professional approach, with the ability to work under pressure

This role is an excellent opportunity to further develop your finance and credit control expertise while contributing to the financial sustainability of NCVO and supporting its wider mission.

Why Join Us?

With members at the heart of everything we do, we champion the charities and volunteers who make a daily difference to our communities across England. Join us and help us make communities stronger and support us making a bigger difference! 

Some of NCVO’s great benefits include:

• 25 days’ annual leave (pro-rata for part-time staff), increasing based on years of service. 
• five days’ volunteering leave (pro rata for part-time staff) 
• enhanced pay for maternity/adoption leave 
• generous employer pension contribution of up to 8.5% of salary 

About the Team

​Our Finance Team currently comprises of 5 finance professionals, who support NCVO with ensuring effective financial management and decision-making across the organisation, from financial queries from stakeholders to ensuring compliance with financial procedures and reporting standards.

How to Apply

For more information and to apply, please click on the Apply button. 

We’re not able to respond to or provide feedback on every application received. If you have not heard back within 72 hours of your application, unfortunately you’ve been unsuccessful in progressing to the next stage.