Head of finance transformation jobs in Edinburgh
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Contract
Full-time, permanent
(We welcome proposals for flexible working arrangements)
Salary
£55k per annum
This is a newly created role. with responsibility for financial management owned previously by the Executive Director, supported by the Head of Finance & Operations. In the refreshed structure operational and finance functions are separated.
The purpose of this role is to ensure the organisation is financially sustainable, well governed, and able to deliver its mission effectively. You will lead the financial management of the organisation, ensuring robust financial control, high-quality reporting, and effective financial planning to support strategic decision-making and long-term sustainability. This is a hands-on, collaborative role in a busy team, spanning both strategic and operational finance.
Being a success in this role will essentially balance three things at the same time:
1. Financial stability, control and risk management
2. Artistic and charitable ambition
3. Long-term organisational resilience and sustainable growth
Over the last two years the Festival has refreshed a number of our platforms and ways of working, including updating our CRM, ticketing and finance systems (Xero). We have worked with an external consultancy firm who have reviewed our systems and processes in finance and recommended new approaches; we are seeking a financial leader who can continue to progress this transformation, embedding new systems and ways of working across the team, while managing the busy annual BAU finance operations. We are in year two of a refreshed Strategic Plan, with a focus on building organisational resilience, maximising income and building new revenue streams; our new Finance Director will play a key role in realising these ambitions.
The role will be the key liaison with the Audit & Risk Committee of the Board of Trustees.
Key Responsibilities:
- Financial leadership
- Financial reporting and insight
- Festival and programme support
- Sustainability and development support
- Systems and data
- Compliance, governance and risk management
- Leadership and team management
Essential Knowledge, skills and experience
- Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent experience)
- Significant senior financial management experience including Xero accounting system
- Experience of budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning
- Experience preparing statutory accounts and managing audits
- Strong understanding of financial controls and governance
- Experience presenting financial information to boards or trustees
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
- Ability to work strategically and operationally in a fast-paced environment
For full information on key responsibilities and person specifications please see full Job Description on Edinburgh International Book Festival Website.
Key Dates:
Closing date for applications: Monday 29th June 2026. Please complete the online application using the links on our website.
Interviews will be held in central Edinburgh during the week of 6th July. Remote interview requests will be considered but in person is preferred.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
This is an exciting new opportunity to shape the future of technology and digital capability across five South West charities. We are seeking an exceptional Regional Chief Technology Officer who is motivated by both challenge and purpose; someone who can harness technology to make a tangible difference to how our faith-based charities support church communities.
Working across Bath & Wells, Bristol, Exeter, Salisbury and Truro, this role offers a rare platform to influence at scale. The successful candidate will lead a region-wide programme of digital transformation and process optimisation, helping modernise systems, strengthen cyber resilience and unlock efficiencies that release resources for mission and ministry.
This is not technology for its own sake. We are looking for someone who combines strategic insight with practical delivery; a leader who can translate complex technical possibilities into real-world improvements for staff, clergy and volunteers. You will play a key role in shaping the responsible adoption of emerging technologies, including AI, while ensuring strong governance, security and compliance.
Please note that, whilst the role will be primarily home-based, the post-holder will be required to travel regularly across the Southwest region, with an onsite presence in each organisation at least once per month.
Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership:
- Develop, articulate, and implement a shared digital transformation and technology strategy that is directly aligned with the overarching mission and strategic goals of the five dioceses.
- Act as the principal technology advisor to the Diocesan Secretaries and their senior leadership teams.
Process Mapping & Optimisation:
- Lead a comprehensive, collaborative review of key administrative and operational processes within the Diocesan Boards of Finance (DBFs) and in parishes where appropriate.
- Use process mapping techniques to identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and areas for improvement, and then design and implement optimised workflows.
AI & Responsible Innovation:
- Actively research, evaluate, pilot, and implement appropriate AI and automation tools to enhance efficiency, support fundraising, and improve service delivery.
- Ensure all innovation is undertaken responsibly, ethically, and with a clear focus on tangible benefits.
Stakeholder Management & Engagement:
- Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders across all five dioceses, including clergy, staff, and volunteers.
- Foster a culture of digital literacy and champion the benefits of change in a clear, accessible, and empathetic manner.
Project & Change Management:
- Oversee the full lifecycle of technology and process improvement projects, from initial conception and business case development through to delivery, user training, and final handover.
- Employ robust project management methodologies to ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget.
Qualifications, Training & Experience:
- Proven and extensive senior technology leadership experience (e.g., CTO, Head of IT, Director of Digital Transformation) with clear evidence of strategic impact.
- Relevant degree (or equivalent) in a technology-related discipline, with appropriate professional certifications in technology, architecture, project or change management, and membership of a relevant professional body.
- Strong track record in business process mapping, analysis and re-engineering delivering measurable efficiency gains.
- Practical experience evaluating, procuring and implementing modern technology solutions, including cloud platforms (e.g., Microsoft 365), CRM systems and data analytics tools.
- Experience in the charity, non-profit or similarly complex, values-driven sector is highly desirable. Demonstrable experience of, or well-informed and practical interest in, the responsible and ethical application of AI and automation in an organisational context.
- Significant experience in technology strategy, budget management, vendor negotiation and delivery of complex, multi-stakeholder programmes.
Competencies & Behavioural requirements:
- Exceptional communicator and translator: Able to convey complex technical concepts in clear, accessible language and influence a wide range of non-technical stakeholders with confidence.
- Strategic yet pragmatic thinker: Sees the big picture and aligns technology with organisational priorities, while remaining hands-on and focused on practical, value adding solutions.
- Collaborative and emotionally intelligent leader: Builds trust and consensus across diverse stakeholders and cultures, leading change with empathy, credibility and sensitivity.
- Resilient and delivery-focused: Proactive and self-motivated, with the drive and discipline to deliver complex, multi-year programmes and achieve measurable outcomes.
- Culturally astute and values-aware: Demonstrates understanding of, and respect for, the Church of England’s context, governance and ethos, navigating the environment with diplomacy and good judgement.
Our benefits include:
- Generous company pension
- A comprehensive health & wellbeing programme, inlcuding an Employee Assistance Programme
- Paid volunteering & study leave allowace
- Company events
- Home working
Registered Charity
51 - 100
The Diocese of Salisbury is a Christian community of churches, schools and chaplaincies serving one million people over 2000 square miles.