Wiltshire Music Centre is looking for a Head of Finance to drive financial strategy, ensure robust financial management, and provide clear insight to support decision-making across all areas of activity of our music and education venue. This role sits on our Senior Leadership Team.
Key Responsibilities
1. Financial Management & Reporting
- Lead preparation of management accounts, cash flow forecasts, and variance analysis
- Produce quarterly finance reports and manage month end processes and reports
- Oversee preparation of the annual statutory accounts and audit
- Maintain a clear reserves policy and monitor cash flow
- Administer finances raised through fundraising campaigns, donations, sponsorship and grants, and claim back Gift Aid from HMRC
- Prepare and process VAT returns, handling partial exemption when applicable
- Be the first point of contact for any HMRC query
2. Budgeting & Strategy
- Coordinate the annual budgeting process across departments
- Provide financial modelling and analysis for strategic planning and fundraising bids
- Support the Executive Director and trustees in scenario planning and long-term forecasting
- Advise on risk management and internal controls
3. Operations & Systems
- Oversee day-to-day finance operations (invoicing, payments, payroll, expenses, reconciliations)
- Maintain accurate event and project accounts, reconciling Box Office data to financial systems
- Ensure efficient provision and use of merchant services and card payment solutions
- Manage and improve financial systems e.g. Sage
- Work closely with Executive Director to track restricted and unrestricted funds
4. Governance & Compliance
- Ensure compliance with the Charities Act, Companies Act, and funder requirements
- Prepare data and documents as required for reporting to key funders
- Prepare finance reports and dashboards for board meetings
- Liaise with external accountants, auditors, and the Charity Commission
- Support the Treasurer and Finance & Resource Committee and attend board meetings as required
5. Organisational strategy and growth
- Work collaboratively to identify strategic opportunities for growth
Job Requirements
Ideal Candidate Profile
Essential
- Professional qualification (or part-qualified) such as ACA / ACCA / CIMA / CIPFA, or equivalent
- Strong financial and accounting experience within a Finance Department covering all relevant functions
- Excellent budgeting, forecasting, and analytical skills.
- Knowledge of Charity SORP and statutory charitable reporting and accounts preparation.
- Technical knowledge of tax matters (VAT and PAYE).
- Experience of managing VAT and gift aid for a charity.
- Experience with Sage or another cloud-based accounting platform.
- High attention to detail and ability to communicate financial information clearly to non-financial colleagues
Desirable
- Experience with arts, education, or cultural sector charities.
- Experience working with fundraising and grant-making bodies, including an understanding of restricted funds, grant management and project reporting
- Experience of box office systems
Job Responsibilities
Key Deliverables
- Accurate and timely monthly management accounts and Board reports.
- Month end processes timely and fulsome.
- Annual budget, forecasts, and audited statutory accounts.
- Effective cash flow and investment management.
- Clear, concise financial insight to support strategic decisions.
- Strong financial controls, policies, and risk management processes.
- A financially informed, confident leadership team.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
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ESPE is Europe's leading and largest charity focused on improving the clinical care of children and adolescents with endocrine conditions. We aim for excellence in clinical care, research and education through innovation, collaboration and technology. Our charity is growing its membership and activities at pace, and we are now searching for a Finance Manager who will be the first member of the permanent staff team who is a qualified accountant.
The Finance Manager role will make a significant difference to how we manage our finances, at an operational and strategic planning level. We are looking for an individual who is excited by the prospect of transforming our financial governance and management.
Role overview:
The Finance Manager will work closely with the CEO, Treasurer, and bookkeeper to manage daily financial functions, ensure regulatory compliance, and drive financial performance - including budgeting and forecasting.
• Contract and working conditions: This is a fixed-term role (initially 18 months) which we envisage will transition to a permanent position. Hours will initially be 17.5 hours per week with remote and flexible working arrangements. Candidates must have the right to work in the UK and be based in the UK.
• Strategic responsibilities: The Finance Manager will support financial target delivery, ensure robust financial systems, and align financial processes with organisational growth and strategy.
• Operational duties: Responsibilities include preparation of management accounts and all financial reporting, cash flow forecasting, grant management, VAT and tax compliance, audit support, and process improvements. The role also involves liaising with external suppliers and stakeholders and overseeing payroll and pension scheme implementation and management.
• Governance and compliance: The Finance Manager will ensure adherence to the requirements of the Companies Act, Charities Act, and HMRC regulations, ensuring we prepare and submit our statutory accounts on time. You will coordinate the annual audit, review internal controls, and report financial risks to the ESPE leadership.
• Leadership and collaboration: The role includes providing financial guidance to coordinators and teams to support informed decision-making.
• Required experience and skills: Candidates must be a qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA/AAT/ICAEW) with at least three years experience in financial or management accounting, preferably in a professional body or learned society. Proficiency in accounting software, and having significant knowledge and understanding of VAT (ideally across Europe), analytical skills, communication, and project management skills are essential.
• Personal attributes: The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong attention to detail, resilience, collaborative skills, ability to manage multiple priorities, and alignment with ESPE’s mission. You should be proactive, enjoy challenge, be capable of working under pressure, and skilled in influencing and strategic thinking. Must be willing to travel to Europe as required (2-4 times per annum).
Benefits:
- 30 days annual leave, plus UK Bank Holidays
- Flexible working
- Matched pension scheme (up to 7% of salary)
- Employee assistance programme
- European travel
First interview date: 20th February, online.
Candidates must submit a CV and covering letter. The covering letter should demonstrate an understanding of ESPE and the current compliance challenges we have faced in recent years.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Reporting to, and working closely with, the Head of Fundraising and Engagement, the Senior Philanthropy and Partnerships Lead will shape and implement innovative strategies, driving growth in philanthropic giving, secure corporate partnerships and obtain critical funding. With a focus on cultivating mutually beneficial, long-term relationships, you’ll craft compelling proposals, develop tailored stewardship plans, and create sponsorship opportunities that inspire ongoing support.
You’ll lead the way in securing multi-year corporate partnerships and nurturing donor relationships to meet ambitious income targets. As a key player in the senior fundraising team, you’ll contribute to strategic planning, represent the charity at events, and champion new approaches to fundraising.
With our newly formed Development Board, the Senior Philanthropy and Partnerships Lead will identify and utilise key networks to grow our philanthropic supporter base across corporate and major donor income streams. With strong writing skills, this person will also craft tailored and compelling corporate proposals and trust and foundation applications.
Who are we looking for?
To support our vision and ensure the achievement of ambitious income targets to support children and families affected by neuroblastoma, we are looking for a strategic and results-driven high-value fundraiser to join our team.
We are particularly keen to speak with interested candidates who enjoy cultivating high-value relationships from scratch and stewarding five- and six-figure corporate partnerships, and/or major donor relationships.
Person specification:
- Demonstrable significant experience working in corporate fundraising (experience in major donor and trusts & foundations fundraising would also be of benefit).
- Strategic thinker with significant experience at a managerial level, developing strategic plans to grow and optimise high-value fundraising.
- A proven record of being results-driven and working to achieve income targets, KPIs and outcomes.
- Proven ability to proactively identify, cultivate and secure new corporate relationships, demonstrate strong new business development acumen and confidence opening new opportunities.
See our Recruitment Pack for the full role description and specification and for information about Solving Kids' Cancer UK.
Location: Home-based within England with regular travel to London and elsewhere in the UK as required
First stage interviews: Thursday 26th February
Second stage interviews: Wednesday 4th March
As a safeguarding charity whose work and practice are underpinned by safeguarding principles to protect children and young people and enhance their welfare, we always work in accordance with legislation, statutory guidance, and best safeguarding practices. All our roles require a basic criminal record check.
Registered Charity
11 - 20
Our vision is a future where no child dies of the childhood cancer neuroblastoma or suffers due to the treatment they receive.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.