Head of finance jobs

A fantastic opportunity has arisen for a Head of Finance on a full-time, permanent basis. This role is a key member of the Senior Management Team and responsible for the Trust’s financial management including financial and management accounts, financial planning and budget submissions, forecasting and cashflow management, compliance and financial governance and the statutory accounts and audit.

Please note, there is hybrid working in place with this organisation with 3 days per week required in the office.

As Head of Finance, you will:

- Have day to day responsibility for the Trust’s finance function ensuring robust financial control, accurate reporting, and effective systems that underpin the charity’s strategic ambitions and operational delivery

- Prepare the quarterly management accounts with supporting commentary for the Finance Committee and Trustees

- Prepare the Trust’s annual budget and 10-year income & expenditure and investment assessment with supporting schedules for submission to the Finance Committee and Trustees

- Be responsible for the payroll management of the organisation, including salaries, pension contributions and medical insurance

- Lead the Finance Team with 1 direct report

The successful applicant will:

- Have significant demonstrable experience in finance within the charity sector, in a similar role

- Have experience and strong track record in financial management at a senior level

- Be a fully qualified accountant (ACCA, ACA, CIMA or equivalent)

- Demonstrate the ability to work both strategically and operationally

- Have excellent communication skills, both written and verbal

If this sounds like you and you're keen to hear more, please do get in touch ASAP!

Please note, only successful applicants will be contacted with further information.

As leading charity recruitment specialists and a certified B Corp™, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics.

The Organisation

The Armourers & Brasiers’ Company is one of the historic livery companies in the City of London, celebrating its 700th anniversary in 2022. Alongside its vibrant membership events programme, the Company operates the Gauntlet Trust, a charity supporting education and research in Materials Science, small charities, and technical excellence in the armed forces. Both the Company and the Trust are based at Armourers’ Hall, a prestigious venue in the City.

The Job

We are seeking a Head of Finance to oversee the financial operations of the Armourers & Brasiers’ Company and its charity, the Gauntlet Trust. This is a varied, hands-on role covering all aspects of financial management, including preparing management accounts, budgets, and statutory reports, and liaising with auditors and external stakeholders such as fund managers, pension providers, and banks. You will also manage the accounting system and CRM development, and support project work such as systems and process improvements.

The role also includes responsibility for tax and compliance returns to HMRC, Companies House, and the Charity Commission. You will act as secretary for quarterly Finance Committee meetings and bi-annual Audit & Risk Committee meetings, as well as attend other committees to report and advise on financial matters.

The Person

You will be an experienced finance professional with strong technical skills and attention to detail. Ideally, you will have:

• Excellent organisational and communication skills
• Previous experience in a broad role
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities

• A collaborative approach as a team player

What’s in it for You

You will work with a collaborative and supportive team and within an organisation with a fascinating history which you will be surrounded by in their beautiful building. As well as that, Armourers offer a very competitive range of benefits.

• Salary: £39,000 per annum (pro rata for 3 days/week; £65,000 FTE)
• Hours: 21 hours per week, typically across 3 days (Mon–Thu)
• Location: Armourers’ Hall, City of London
• Benefits:
  • Discretionary annual bonus
  • Generous holiday entitlement (15 days + public holidays, plus 2 weeks paid Christmas closure)
  • Pension contribution of 15% after one year
  • Health cash plan from day one

What to Do Now

If you are ready to bring your finance expertise to a unique and historic organisation, contact Peter O’Sullivan at Hays who is managing the recruitment for this role.

The Role

The Blagrave Trust is looking to appoint a Head of Finance, who will play a critical leadership role in helping us reimagine how resources can be stewarded in creative and values led ways that advance social justice for young people. The role is offered as a permanent contract, hybrid, with one day in our office in London, Birmingham or Portsmouth per week.

Who We Are

The Blagrave Trust holds around £40m in investments, which, alongside other income, funds our work and grant making. We are ambitious about putting our full asset base to work for our mission, championing transparency in stewardship and inviting learning and input from our communities. As we enter our next chapter, the Head of Finance will be instrumental in embedding mission first finance across strategy, governance and practice.

Key Responsibilities

As the Trust’s senior finance professional and a key member of the leadership team, you will set and deliver the financial strategy, ensure robust controls and compliance, and translate financial insight into mission driven decisions.

• You will provide financial stewardship that aligns with Blagrave’s strategy, ensuring all our financial assets and providers are aligned to our mission.
• You will take our learning and understanding externally, to values aligned finance forums, peer networks and into the conversation around shifting power to best serve missions.
• To support this endeavour, on the day-to-day you’ll lead planning, budgeting, forecasting, scenario planning and cash flow, oversee statutory accounts and audit (UK Charity SORP), and provide clear reporting to the Board and Finance & Investment Committee.

Person Specification

We’re looking for a qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent) with substantial senior level experience, ideally in a foundation, charity or mission driven organisation.

• You’ll bring a proven track record in strategic financial planning, risk management and governance, fluency in charity accounting and excellent communication skills to support and challenge non-financial colleagues.
• Experience of endowment management / investment oversight and long-term capital strategy is important,
• Alongside the curiosity and courage to push boundaries in responsible, regenerative and climate conscious finance.

How to Apply

We are partnering with Doing Good Recruitment on this campaign. Please click apply to see the job pack and next steps on their site.

Blagrave is a disability friendly employer, do contact Tristan at Doing Good Recruitment, if you have any questions or would like to receive this document in a different format.

We also actively welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality, or other protected characteristics, as well as socio-economic background. We understand that applicants may not always meet every criterion listed in the job description, but if you meet most, we encourage you to apply.

The Head of Finance provides strategic and operational finance leadership across the organisation, working closely with the CEO, Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and Senior Management Team (SMT), to deliver to the organisation’s strategy, relevant external reporting and provide assurance to the Audit & Risk Committee.

The Head of Finance is critical to the ongoing financial health of the organisation. Ensuring teams are equipped with the knowledge and data to develop and manage their budgets, the organisation is compliant with statutory requirements and financial planning is applied with a strategic lens.  The role requires a leader who has the ability to effectively lead their team with kindness and care whilst also achieving agreed targets and outcomes.

The Head of Finance will collaborate with the Director of Finance, SLT, and Heads of Department to design and implement a long-term financial strategy that supports the organisation’s goals and growth aspirations. Ensure this strategy is continuously reviewed and enhanced as needed.

The Head of Finance will lead the annual budgeting process, ensuring effective resource allocation. They will work closely with budget holders and the SLT to maintain accurate and up-to-date budgets through quarterly reforecasting. They will provide financial expertise and insights to the Board of Trustees, CEO, and senior management, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities and financial sustainability.

The Organisation

The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) is a globally respected charity and the UK’s largest music education body, with a turnover of approximately £55 million—an increase of more than £10 million over the past decade. Around half of ABRSM’s exam income is generated internationally, underscoring the global scale of its operations and the need for strong financial governance across multiple jurisdictions. Supporting millions of learners and teachers in over 100 countries, ABRSM delivers world-renowned music exams, publications, and digital learning tools. As the organisation continues to grow internationally, it is strengthening its finance leadership team to ensure robust governance and enable its ambitious future plans.

The Job

ABRSM is seeking an experienced and proactive Head of Financial Accounting & Tax to lead statutory reporting, financial controls, and tax compliance. Reporting directly to the CFO, this pivotal role oversees one of three core finance functions, working alongside the Head of FP&A and the Head of Transactional Finance. You will manage a team of three directly and six in total.

You will be responsible for the monthly close, preparation of statutory accounts (including SORP‑compliant charity accounts), and management of external audit, while ensuring UK and international tax compliance in partnership with external advisors. In addition, you will strengthen financial controls, oversee treasury and cashflow, drive process improvements, and provide expert advice to senior leaders. As ABRSM expands internationally, this role is critical in safeguarding financial integrity and ensuring compliance across diverse jurisdictions, while upholding the charity’s high standards of governance.

The Person

We’re looking for a qualified finance professional (ACA, ACCA or equivalent) with a strong background in financial accounting and tax. The ideal candidate will bring:

• Proven leadership in financial accounting, statutory reporting, and audit management
• Strong technical knowledge of UK GAAP/IFRS
• Experience working within an international organisation, with exposure to cross‑border tax and reporting issues
• Strong track record of delivering continuous improvement and strengthening financial controls
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to advise senior leaders
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to motivate and develop a high‑performing team

What’s in it for You?

• A high‑impact leadership role in a purpose‑driven organisation
• The opportunity to shape and strengthen financial governance during a period of transformation and growth
• A chance to contribute to a global mission in music education
• A competitive salary and benefits package including matched pension contribution plus 2% (employer contribution capped at 10%), 25 days annual leave plus Christmas closure days, flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• Opportunities for professional development and continuous learning
• A collaborative and supportive work environment

How to Apply

ABRSM are working in partnership with Hays Senior Finance to identify the right person for this role. Please contact Peter O’Sullivan at Hays if you have any queries, but the first step towards being considered is to make your application. If suitable, Peter will follow up with a call to discuss next steps.