Head of finance jobs

About Us

Health Exchange (HEx) charity and its trading subsidiary Living Well Taking Control (LWTC) are purpose-driven organisations committed to improving health, wellbeing and reducing health inequalities through prevention, behaviour change and community-based support.

Together, we deliver innovative health improvement, social prescribing and lifestyle intervention services that support tens of thousands of people each year. Working alongside the NHS, local authorities, Primary Care Networks, community organisations and national and international partners, we are helping to shape the future of prevention and population health.

With a combined annual income of approximately £7.5 million and a team of nearly 50 permanent staff, we are entering an exciting phase of transformation and sustainable growth.

As we continue to evolve, we are seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Head of Finance to provide strategic financial leadership across both organisations.

Job Purpose

The Head of Finance will lead and develop the finance function across Health Exchange and Living Well Taking Control, ensuring robust financial management, effective governance and long-term financial sustainability.

As a member of the Senior Management Team, the postholder will work closely with the Chief Executive, Director of Operations, Head of Growth, Service leads and Trustees to provide financial insight, planning and analysis that supports strategic decision-making, organisational development and future sustainability.

This role combines leadership with operational oversight and offers an opportunity to play a central role in shaping the future direction of two ambitious organisations committed to improving health outcomes and reducing inequalities.

Key Responsibilities

I. Strategic Financial Leadership

Lead the development of medium and long-term financial plans that align with organisational priorities and strategic objectives, providing high-quality financial advice and insight to the Chief Executive, Senior Management Team, Board of Trustees and relevant committees. Support strategic decision-making through robust financial analysis, forecasting and scenario planning, identifying financial risks and opportunities and making recommendations to strengthen organisational sustainability. Contribute proactively to organisational transformation, continuous improvement and the successful delivery of strategic initiatives across Health Exchange and Living Well Taking Control.

II. Financial Management and Reporting

Lead all aspects of financial management across Health Exchange and Living Well Taking Control, ensuring the production of timely and accurate management accounts, financial reports and performance analysis. Work collaboratively with budget holders and senior managers to develop and manage annual budgets and reforecasts, while monitoring financial performance, cash flow and reserves to ensure robust financial controls are maintained. Oversee payroll, pensions and financial administration, and lead procurement activity and value-for-money initiatives that support the effective and efficient use of organisational resources.

III. Business Partnering and Strategic Support

Work closely with the Chief Executive, Director of Operations and Head of Growth to assess the financial viability of new opportunities, partnerships and service developments, providing robust costing, pricing and financial modelling to support bids, tenders and contract negotiations. Support the mobilisation, delivery and performance monitoring of contracts through high-quality financial reporting and analysis, while developing business cases and investment appraisals to inform strategic decision-making. Ensure effective financial governance, transparency and appropriate financial arrangements across Health Exchange and Living Well Taking Control, supporting the efficient operation of both organisations.

IV. Governance, Audit and Compliance

Ensure compliance with all statutory and regulatory requirements, lead the preparation of annual accounts and external audits, and act as the main point of contact for auditors and professional advisers. Maintain effective financial controls, policies and governance arrangements, oversee organisational risk and asset registers, and support the Board of Trustees and Audit & Risk Committee in fulfilling their responsibilities.

V. Systems and Continuous Improvement

Lead the development and continuous improvement of financial systems, processes and reporting tools, maximising the use of technology to enhance efficiency, accuracy and management information. Lead, motivate and develop the finance team, fostering a high-performing and supportive culture, while contributing positively to the Senior Management Team and promoting organisational values of collaboration, integrity, accountability and inclusion. Support organisational change and continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen performance and effectiveness across both organisations.

Do you want to be part of making a difference to, and supporting, the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector across Hampshire? 

Action Hampshire works with communities across Hampshire and beyond on innovative, impactful, asset-based projects. We support communities to have their voices heard and to take action together. We support and partner with a range of voluntary community and social enterprise organisations to help make great things happen. We celebrate diversity and challenge inequalities.

We are seeking a values-led finance and operations professional to lead on our finance and operations systems at Action Hampshire. In this senior leadership role, you will guide the finance team, support strategic objectives, and influence decision-making processes at our organisation. Your expertise in charity finance operations will be crucial to informing the Senior Leadership team and guiding the finance team to ensure our compliance and adherence to financial planning, budgeting and reporting.

Who You Are: 

• Proven experience in charity finance and operations management

• Strong leadership, coaching, and team management skills 

• Excellent understanding of financial compliance and operational best practices for VCSE organisations 

• Ability to convey complex information effectively to internal and external stakeholders 

• A commitment to fostering a positive team culture and supporting the professional growth of others 

• Be committed to Action Hampshire’s values and have an understanding of and an empathy with the culture and values of the VCSE sector.

Head of Finance | DFN Project SEARCH

Remote, with travel to London on average once a month plus occasional site visits | £51,500 – £61,500 | 9-day fortnight (after probation), flexible working welcome

DFN Project SEARCH is a national charity supporting young adults with a learning disability, autism, or both, into real, paid, lasting work. Last year alone, 431 young people started jobs through our programme. We work with around 200 employers, colleges and local authorities across the UK, and we've supported over 2,900 people since we started. We're good at what we do, and we want to do a lot more of it. Our aim is to support 10,000 interns by 2030.

We've grown rapidly, which is exciting, and this role has been newly created to make sure all the finance processes are set up so that we can continue to grow and scale properly. So, this isn't a steady-state job where you inherit clean processes and just keep them ticking. You'll be helping to build the structure as the charity grows around it.

That means we need someone who can lead and do. You'll own the finance function end to end: month-end, management accounts, statutory reporting, cash flow, controls. You'll also shape how all of it should work as we continue to grow. One day you're posting journals and reconciling the balance sheet; the next you're helping a budget holder who's never read a P&L understand their numbers, or modelling what reaching 10,000 interns actually means financially. You'll report to the Finance Director and line manage our Finance Administrator.

What your time will look like:

- Running the finance function day to day and ensuring everything is accurate, compliant and efficient, which means journals, reconciliations, month-end close, the monthly rhythm

- Producing management accounts and board-level reporting that people can act on, with clear commentary

- Working with the Finance Director on budgeting, statutory accounts, audit and VAT

- Strengthening cash flow forecasting, treasury, reserves and credit control

- Owning the controls framework, financial policies and procedures, and getting more out of Xero so we have real-time insight, not using out-of-date assumptions to make business critical decisions

- Managing restricted, designated and unrestricted funds, and reporting to funders properly and on time

- Supporting fundraising and bid colleagues with budgets for grant applications and tenders

- Overseeing payroll and pensions with our provider

- Helping non-finance colleagues across the charity get more confident in their own financial understanding

What we need from you:

- A qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent)

- Solid charity finance experience. You'll know Charity SORP, restricted funds and grant reporting, and you're across the changes coming to SORP

- Someone happy with their hands on the controls: month-end, reconciliations, statutory accounts and board reporting

- Strong on Xero (or quick to get there) and advanced Excel

- The ability to explain numbers clearly to people who don't think in numbers

- Experience setting up or developing financial instructions, controls and processes in a charity

You don't need to tick every single box. If you've been part of a finance team that's been through this kind of change and you're ready to step up and lead it yourself, we'd still really like to hear from you.

But honestly, the most important element is you, and how you bring people along with you through a period of change. You'll be comfortable bringing structure and calm to an organisation that's still growing into its processes. We need someone who can be calm and measured when the numbers feel busy, who can be a steady anchor point for the team when a lot is changing, and who knows when to help and when to teach someone how to help themselves. You'll be relentless about making things better, but able to bring people with you rather than drag them. If you want to lead a change rather than just be part of one, this is for you!

The practical stuff: This is a remote and flexible role, and we mean it, but it isn't a "never-leave-the-house" role. The leadership team comes together regularly, on average once a month, plus occasional travel to sites and the odd away day. Travel is always planned in advance and we cover the costs. If you can reach London comfortably and you value time with the people you work with, you'll get the best of both.

- 25 days' annual leave, plus your birthday off and bank holidays on top, with the option to buy back additional leave

- 9-day fortnight after successful completion of probation: 37.5 hours worked across nine days, with the tenth day off

- Flexible working genuinely considered: job share, part-time (minimum 4 days), compressed hours

- Pension: 6% employer contribution

- Employee Assistance Programme and NHS top-up wellbeing support

Please note we are unable to offer visa sponsorship, so you'll need the existing right to work in the UK.

It won't be a surprise that we're a Disability Confident employer. We share interview questions in advance, and if you need any adjustments to the process, or a different format for any stage, please just tell us.

If you're a charity finance person who wants their work to really mean something, and who fancies building something rather than just maintaining it, we'd love to hear from you.

Dates to note:

- Closing date: 16th June

- First interviews (remote): 24th–25th June

- Final interviews (London): 30th June

Hays Senior Finance is proud to be working in partnership with St Nicholas Hospice, who are looking to appoint a Head of Finance. This is a pivotal appointment where you will lead and deliver on financial aspects of their ambitious plans.

St Nicholas Hospice Care is a local charity, which strives for something better in the provision of high-quality, specialist palliative care, emotional and practical support, so that no-one in West Suffolk and Thetford has to face dying, death and grief alone.

St Nic’s supports thousands of local people. Hospice support is there not just for patients, but for their families and friends too, offering everything from specialist medical and bereavement care to practical help. They aim to provide the very best experiences for those facing dying, death and grief, with our actions and behaviours promoting the charity’s values of compassion, accountability, respect, and equity.

The charity and its trading subsidiary have a combined annual turnover of circa £9m. The Finance Department has responsibility for delivering all finance functions across the group.

In addition, the Finance team plays a strong and increasingly strategic business‑partnering role across the organisation, working closely with directors, heads of departments and managers to provide financial insight, challenge, and support decision‑making, enabling effective operational planning, financial sustainability, and alignment with the charity’s strategic objectives.

The Head of Finance is responsible for the leadership and performance of the Finance team to provide sound financial information and specialist advice to directorate and committees to facilitate the Hospice’s strategic and operational business plans, ensure the effective management of financial resources and to support change and enable improvement.

The Role:

• Strategic Leadership: Drive the financial direction and long-term viability of the hospice and contribute to the financial health of the charity.
• Operational Excellence: Oversee the finance function, ensuring sustainable planning, budgeting, and financial management.
• Team Collaboration: Be a visible member of the Senior Leadership Team, enhancing our positive, values-based culture.

What They’re Looking For:

• Qualifications: ACA, ACCA, CIPFA, CIMA, or equivalent.
• Experience: Proven leadership in finance within a charity or similar organisation.
• Skills: Strong financial acumen, stakeholder communication, and team management.

You will also fulfil the role of Company Secretary for the charity and the trading company. whilst operating as a senior leader within the Charity.

St Nicholas Hospice has a collaborative and supportive team culture, so it is essential that you have the ability to “roll up your sleeves” and be involved in the day-to-day operations. In addition, a key element of the role will be leading and influencing others to continue to innovate and improve their financial processes.

Why Join the St Nicholas Hospice?

• Impactful Work: Play a central role in developing and delivering financial plans to support in an environment where everyone is encouraged, energised and enabled to play their part in delivering the Hospice's vision
• Supportive Culture: Join a collaborative team that values innovation and continuous improvement in its service of local communities.
• Great Benefits: Competitive salary, attractive annual leave, life cover, and flexible working arrangements, including hybrid working.

Ready to Make a Difference? If you have the drive, passion, and enthusiasm to help them to achieve their mission and vision, we want to hear from you!

For more information about the role and organisation please contact Senan Pierce, Senior Business Director at Hays Senior Finance who is the retained consultant working in partnership with St Nicholas Hospice.

Closing date for all applications:  28th June, 2026.

Interviews will take place: 7th and 8th July, 2026.

All third party & direct applicants will be forwarded directly to Senan Pierce at Hays Senior Finance to be screened as part of the recruitment process.

Your new organisation
A long-established humanitarian and environmental charity is seeking a qualified and proactive Financial Controller to join its small, dedicated finance team.

Your new role
Reporting to the Finance Director, you will play a key role in strengthening financial processes, improving reporting, and supporting senior leadership with timely, accurate management information.
Key responsibilities include:

• Financial support for operational teams
• Process and controls improvement across the finance function
• Balance sheet reconciliations and core accounting duties
• Assisting with management accounts and statutory accounts for multiple entities
• Preparing statutory returns (HMRC, Charity Commission, etc.)
• Manage one member of staff

What you'll need to succeed
You will be a fully qualified accountant and enjoy a hands-on, detail-focused role. You will enjoy working collaboratively and using your initiative to improve systems and processes.

If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.
If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.

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Dignity in Dying and Compassion in Dying are partnering with Robertson Bell to recruit a Head of Finance on a permanent basis.

This is an exciting opportunity to join two sister organisations working at the centre of an important and evolving area of public policy and individual choice. Operating with a shared vision and strong collaborative culture, both organisations are committed to supporting people through high-quality information and support services, advocacy and campaigns.

Reporting to the Deputy CEO, the Head of Finance will play a key role in supporting the organisations’ ongoing work by providing integrity and efficiency across financial processes, systems, controls and reporting. This role offers the opportunity to join a collaborative and values-led organisation with a supportive leadership team, flexible hybrid working and the chance to contribute meaningfully within a small but highly impactful environment.

The role:

• Provide integrity and efficiency in the financial processes, systems, controls and reporting across both organisations.
• Prepare statutory annual accounts in accordance with Charity and Company law.
• Work with the Senior Management Team (SMT) to prepare, present and implement annual budgets.
• Monitor and manage financial performance including production of quarterly management accounts, finance reports and ongoing cash flow forecasts.
• Reconcile major balance sheet accounts and revenue reporting between systems.
• Oversee transactional input of income and expenditure transactions, and all payroll procedures.
• Support the Finance and Audit Sub Committees, preparing relevant papers and attending meetings.
• Work closely with auditors and maintain relationships with professional advisors, insurance brokers and bankers.
• Ensure compliance with all statutory reporting and filing requirements, including the Charity Commission and Companies House.
• Provide support and advice to the SMT on financial and relevant matters as they arise.
• Monitor and manage organisational funds on cash deposit platforms.
• Manage partial VAT exemption and VAT reporting requirements.
• Develop and implement financial systems and procedures to ensure best practice and adherence to applicable accounting standards.
• Identify opportunities to improve reporting, operational efficiency and financial processes.
• Line manage and support the development of the Finance Officer.

The organisations:

Dignity in Dying and Compassion in Dying share the aim of improve dying in the UK by putting people in charge of decisions about the end of their life. Dignity in Dying campaigns to change the law to allow the option of assisted dying for terminally ill, mentally competent adults in the UK. It is a not-for-profit membership organisation. Compassion in Dying is a registered charity which provides information and support to people to be in control of their end-of-life decisions, alongside gathering evidence to improve culture and policy.

Operating within a collaborative and supportive culture, this role offers the opportunity to work alongside committed and passionate colleagues within a flat organisational structure. The successful candidate will join a team that values initiative, accountability and strong working relationships, while offering the autonomy to take ownership of the finance function and contribute to future improvements.

Essential criteria:

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Experience in a managerial finance role, ideally within a charity or not for profit organisation.
• Strong understanding of charity accounting and Charity SORP.
• Experience preparing management accounts, budgets, forecasts and statutory accounts.
• Strong understanding of financial controls, governance and compliance requirements.
• Experience supporting audit processes and working with external auditors.
• Knowledge of VAT reporting and partial VAT exemption.
• Ability to explain financial concepts to non-financial colleagues and managers.
• Self-starter with the ability to manage responsibility within a small team environment.
• Strong relationship-building skills with the ability to quickly establish credibility internally and externally.

If you are a qualified finance professional looking to join a collaborative and mission-led organisation where you can contribute both strategically and operationally, we would love to hear from you. Apply before the 7^th June to be considered!

This role is based in London with hybrid working and an expectation of a minimum of two days per week in the office at Oxford Street.

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.