Group Financial Controller

The Soil Association is the charity joining forces with nature for a better future: a world with good health, in balance with nature, and a safe climate.

For over 75 years, the Soil Association has worked to transform the way we eat, farm and care for our natural world.

We build real solutions from the ground up. Because the only way to solve the issues facing our world is to understand that they are all connected - and that food, farming and forestry are a vital part of the solution.

Together, we are a force for nature.

Our charity helped to establish and has ongoing involvement in:

·         our wholly-owned subsidiary Soil Association Certification Limited - the UK’s largest organic certification body

·         Food for Life - our programme making good food the easy choice for everyone

·         the Soil Association Land Trust - who acquire and maintain farmland sustainably and connect the public with land stewardship

We’re also a lead partner in several programmes that work directly with communities to deliver positive change and hopeful solutions. These include: Innovative Farmers, Sustainable Food Places, Food For Life Get Togethers.

The role

We are currently looking to recruit a Group Financial Controller - an exciting opportunity to provide strategic financial leadership across the Soil Association Group, comprising both charities and commercial companies, including a new digital start-up, all working to transform the way we eat, farm and care for our natural world.

As an experienced finance professional you will lead the Group’s financial planning and accounting and provide high level analysis and advice to trustees and leadership teams.  The role heads up the Group finance function, a respected and motivated team, and works collaboratively across the Group supporting income generation and financial management.  We are in the process of updating our financial processes and systems and we are looking for someone to continue the journey to improve our efficiency, provide better data analysis and improve internal controls.

As a member of the Executive team you will also contribute to the strategic direction and sustainability of the organisation whilst ensuring its vision and core values are upheld.

About you

You will:

•         Be a qualified accountant with experience of leading a finance function in a complex organisation and have significant post qualification experience working in the not for profit sector ideally in a charity and a solid understanding of the Charity SORP  .

•         Be a strong leader able to communicate well with your peers and team members and have resilience to adapt quickly to changing priorities and demands from internal and external stakeholders. Experience of transforming finance systems and processes is also highly desirable.

•         Have excellent verbal and written communication skills and demonstrable experience of leading and engaging with finance and other corporate functions to develop a mature and rounded service. You will demand high standards, whilst being an empathetic and supportive manager who works collaboratively with people of all levels

•         Be financially and politically aware, bringing a high level of knowledge on the delivery of good financial control and financial governance ensuring that an effective service is delivered.

•         You will be passionate about the natural environment and be motivated by the Soil Association’s vision for regeneration.

In return for your hard work and dedication you will enjoy a wide variety of benefits including:

·         £69,000 - £73,000 plus excellent benefits and flexible working policy

·         Bristol / Hybrid working

·         27 days holiday plus Bank Holidays, increasing with length of service

For a candidate pack which contains a job description and full details on how to apply, please contact our retained consultant Nicola Shaw at Morgan Law.

Closing date: Monday 26th May

Interview date: 4th / 6th June over teams

Final interview 13th June in person in Bristol