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.
Thank you!
Job title: The Social Change Nest Financial Controller (Client Funds)
Role Purpose:
This role sits at the heart of our financial controls at the Social Change Nest and combines cash management oversight, payment operations and financial compliance. However, this is not a traditional Financial Controller position. You will work with the team to ensure robust financial controls, accurate reconciliations, secure payment processes and transparent reporting for our diverse portfolio of social impact clients. You will also be a key driver of operational improvement, identifying better ways of working as we scale.
About the Social Change Nest
The Social Change Nest (SCN) is a fiscal hosting organisation that removes the financial and administrative barriers preventing grassroots groups and informal movements from accessing funding. Since 2021, we have supported 700+ groups across the UK and internationally, helping them access over £50 million in funding for causes ranging from climate and housing to racial justice and social wellbeing. We also work closely with funders, providing Grant Distribution and Fund Management services, enabling us to support social action with confidence and transparency. We are at the forefront of fiscal hosting in the UK!
We’re a growing business operating at pace. We’ve established a lot – but as we grow, we’re still working some things out. The right person will thrive in this environment and relish building out a future-facing finance function. You’ll enjoy problem-solving, feel comfortable handling multiple priorities at once, and seek collaborative solutions. You’ll be adaptable, able to shift focus quickly when things change, and ensure strong communication across the team and with clients to keep everything aligned.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Payment Processes & Systems Management
●Own and optimise the end-to-end payment infrastructure (banking platforms, expense management tools, Open Collective platform and accounting system integrations)
●Design, implement and monitor robust internal controls to prevent fraud, errors or unauthorised disbursements
●Streamline high-volume payment workflows while maintaining strict adherence to SCN policies
2. Bank Reconciliations & Treasury
●Ensure all client bank accounts are reconciled accurately and daily
●Investigate and resolve any variances between bank statements and the internal ledger immediately
●Track client cash positions to ensure sufficient liquidity for planned social project disbursements
3. Financial Reporting & Compliance
●Produce clear, concise financial reports for clients detailing fund movements and remaining balances
●Act as the lead contact for external audits regarding client cash and payment controls. Support the preparation of year end accounts and SCN’s external Audit as it interfaces with Client funds.
●Ensure all cash management and payment processes comply with UK Anti-Money Laundering supervision and relevant HMRC requirements
4. Operational Innovation & Client Service
●Proactively research and implement new financial technologies to enhance speed, security and transparency of client services
●Continuously evaluate existing workflows to eliminate bottlenecks and improve the client experience
●Lead the roll-out of new financial tools or system upgrades, ensuring smooth transition for internal teams and external partners
5. Leadership & Collaboration
●Line manage 1–2 members of the finance team, providing mentorship and support
●Being the point of escalation for the Finance and Delivery teams on more complex finance queries and dealing directly with our clients for financial solutions
●Contribute to finance team planning and lead on delivery of key projects
●Collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders across the organisation
Skills and Experience:
Essential
- Professional accounting qualification: ACA, ACCA or CIMA
- Proven experience in a Financial Controller, Head of Finance or senior audit role with a focus on cash controls and high-volume transactions
- Strong knowledge of financial governance, internal controls and compliance frameworks
- Experience in at least one of the following:
-managing multi-currency transactions, FX impacts and global banking corridors
-oversight of restricted funds, ensuring disbursements align with specific grant conditions and reporting requirements
-implementing AML and KYC protocols and ensuring rigorous due diligence on all fund movements
- IT-literate and confident with leading technological change; advanced Excel skills and track record of implementing operational improvements
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills — able to translate financial information clearly for non-finance stakeholders
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment while maintaining exceptional attention to detail, and being comfortable with shifting priorities and emerging risks
- Ability to lead, manage, and work effectively both as a member of a team and on own initiative.
- Ability to think strategically, supporting the implementation of a financial strategy and suggesting appropriate changes to SCN’s services.
Desirable
- Experience in the non-profit, charity or client-services sector
- Experience in a fast-growing or start-up environment
- Understanding of power dynamics and community engagement
- Experience with innovative approaches to governance
Location: London/Hybrid preferred – 2-3 days /week in the office
Reporting To: Finance Director
Contract: Full time, Permanent (flexible working considered)
Salary: £58,000-£60,000
Date Closes: Thursday 11th June
Right to Work in the UK required, no sponsorship available.
