Head of Finance

Head of Finance

Head Office, Southampton, Hampshire

37 Hours per week, Full time

(Flexible working will be considered)

Permanent

Salary: £50,000 - £60,000 per annum (depending on experience)

About Us

This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic Charity and Housing Association.  The Society of St James (SSJ) has been working in Hampshire for over 50 years, delivering high impact, person-centred, accommodation services to adults and young people experiencing homelessness, problematic substance use and mental health problems. We believe that every person is of worth and we are prepared to take risks to house and support the most at risk and socially excluded members of society.

The Impact You'll Make

As our Head of Finance, you will you will drive the strength, integrity, and efficiency of our financial operations. Reporting directly to the CFO, you will hold day-to-day responsibility for all finance matters across the organisation. You won't just oversee numbers from afar—you will directly enable life-changing frontline services by ensuring financial integrity, robust budgeting, and clear risk management.

While this is a key leadership post involving board reporting and team management, our structure means you will also enjoy a hands-on approach. You will lead a dedicated team, act as a trusted business partner to senior operational managers, and manage your own suite of core finance projects to build a modern, progressive finance function.

Who We're Looking For

We are seeking a collaborative, forward-thinking finance professional who brings both technical excellence and strong leadership skills. You should possess significant accounting experience, formal accounting training, and a strong background in managing individuals or teams.

Because SSJ operates in a fast-changing environment, we need an approachable leader who can seamlessly translate complex, technical financial information into clear insights for non-financial colleagues. You will thrive here if you are passionate about process improvement, love developing people, and care deeply about supporting staff who are making a real difference to vulnerable people. A genuine alignment with our core values—Respect, Response, and Recognition—as well as a commitment to equity, diversity, and safeguarding, is essential.

Essential Qualities and Skills

Qualifications & Legal

• Professional Qualifications: Working towards a recognised chartered accountant status and/or equivalent relevant experience. 
• Right to Work: Legal rights to live and work in the UK.

Technical Experience & Knowledge

• Financial Management: Proven experience leading monthly management accounts processes, cash flow planning and monitoring, budgeting, and forecasting in a medium-to-large organisation. 
• Payroll & Benefits: Experience running monthly payroll and managing benefits. 
• Audit & Regulations: Experience preparing for and managing external accounting audits, along with a strong understanding of the UK financial regulatory framework. 
• Systems & Tools: Adaptability to work with accounting software such as Sage 200, alongside proficiency in Microsoft Office 365.

Leadership & Soft Skills

• People Leadership: Proven leadership and management experience, with a commitment to supporting and developing your team.
• Communication: Honest, articulate, confident, and approachable style with the ability to translate technical financial concepts for non-financial colleagues. 
• Process Improvement: Passion for developing systems, processes, and modern finance solutions. 
• Values Alignment: Demonstrable commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), safeguarding principles, and SSJ's overall mission.

Desirable Skills

• Full Qualification: Fully qualified chartered accountant from a recognised body (e.g., ACCA, CIMA, ICAEW, CIPFA). 
• Sector Expertise: Experience within the Charity Sector, alongside exposure to Housing and/or Charity SORP. 
• Specialist Technical Exposure: Knowledge or experience in general project accounting, VAT, Corporation Tax, or rent accounting. 
• Advanced Systems Skills: Direct experience using Sage 200 software and advanced skills in Microsoft Excel. 
• Senior Leadership: Experience managing or leading teams within a senior-level role. 
• Licensing: Full UK driver's licence for work purposes.

What we can offer you

We value and recognise our staff, offering some generous benefits, as well as the satisfaction of helping people at risk:

• A competitive annual leave entitlement of 25 days rising to 30 days, plus public holidays
• Flexible working options
• Buying additional annual leave
• Comprehensive induction and training
• Counselling, financial, personal support and health and wellbeing services via our Employee Assistance Programme
• Company cycle to work scheme
• Discounted laptops and computers with Jamie’s Computers
• Electric Car Scheme
• Blue Light Card 

To apply please visit:   

The application process will include some supplementary questions which are an opportunity for you to illustrate how you meet the requirements for the role and why you want to work for SSJ.

We would welcome any requests for an informal chat or informal visit during the recruitment process. Please message:  

Closing date: Week commencing 10th August 2026 

Interviews are provisionally scheduled for the week commencing: 17th August 2026

SSJ are an equal opportunity employer and we encourage applicants from all backgrounds and walks of life.

At SSJ, we recognise the benefits of a supported workplace. SSJ is affiliated with Unite the Union. To learn more about their membership benefits or to sign up, you can visit their official website.

Due to the high number of expected applicants, we do reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier.

Should you not hear from us within 21 days of the closing date, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.