4 CFO jobs in Belfast

Are you an accomplished finance executive looking to combine strategic financial leadership with meaningful climate impact?

We're seeking an exceptional Chief Financial Officer to join the executive team of a mission-driven international organisation working to accelerate the transition to a more sustainable, climate-resilient future. This is a rare opportunity to shape the financial future of a complex, multi-entity organisation as it evolves towards a more diversified and sustainable funding model.

As the organisation's senior finance leader, you will provide strategic oversight of finance while leading key enabling functions including funding operations and facilities. Working closely with the CEO, Board and Executive Leadership Team, you'll help drive organisational resilience, support informed decision-making and ensure robust governance across an international, remote-first environment.

We're looking for someone who can:

• Develop and deliver long-term financial strategy aligned to organisational growth, resilience and impact.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, scenario planning and financial performance across multiple entities.
• Strengthen financial resilience through effective governance, controls, risk management and commercial insight.
• Partner with executive leaders to support strategic investment decisions and organisational transformation.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams, fostering collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Enable high-quality financial reporting, data-driven decision making and operational excellence.

You'll bring:

• Significant experience as a CFO, Finance Director or equivalent within a complex, multi-entity organisation.
• A recognised professional accounting qualification.
• A track record of leading organisations through change, transformation or evolving funding and business models.
• Experience across multiple funding environments, ideally spanning institutional, commercial and/or philanthropic sectors.
• Strong commercial acumen combined with exceptional governance, leadership and stakeholder management skills.
• The ability to thrive in ambiguity while maintaining financial discipline and enabling innovation.

This role is ideal for a purpose-led finance leader who wants to apply their expertise to one of the defining challenges of our time. You'll join an ambitious, international organisation where financial leadership is central to enabling climate innovation, organisational resilience and long-term systems change.

Interested?

If you're an inspiring finance leader ready to shape the next chapter of a high-impact international organisation driving positive climate action, we'd love to hear from you.

Please apply with your CV and a covering letter outlining your suitability for the role. We will be interviewing on a rolling basis, as such an early application is highly recommended.

For an informal conversation about the role, please contact our exclusive partner, Bryony Thomas via the Allen Lane agency website.

The WEA is a leading education charity approaching its 124th anniversary. The WEA empowers adults by bringing great teaching to local communities across England and Scotland, reaching tens of thousands of students each year.

The WEA believes every adult should have access to education and its benefits within their local community. Currently, the opportunity for a better future is too often made inaccessible for reasons including cost, location and a lack of information.

The WEA is committed to removing these barriers enabling individuals to improve their own life chances and have a positive impact to their communities and wider society.

The Chief Financial Officer is a key member of the Leadership and Senior Post Holder to the Board, responsible for the Finance, IT, MIS, Procurement and Estates functions. The role will provide strategic insight and advice to the Board while leading a multidisciplinary national team.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Developing medium- to long-term financial models and leading strategic budget planning.
• Presenting strategic budget planning and other key financial information to the Board for sign off.
• Working closely with the Leadership Team and Board to shape financial and operational strategy and to identify and mitigate key financial and operational risks.
•  Lead the pursuit of income diversification and unrestricted income to stabilise and grow the charity
• Providing leadership across Finance, IT, MIS, Procurement and Estates.
• Providing financial leadership across both the WEA’s charitable and commercial activities
• Ensuring robust financial controls, accurate reporting and the provision of high-quality management information
• Setting the strategic direction for the WEA’s IT and cybersecurity infrastructure

About You

You will be a qualified accountant (CCAB or equivalent) with experience of overseeing the breadth of a finance function.

You will also bring:

• Strong experience of developing medium- to long-term financial models to support strategic and operational decision-making
• The ability to build effective relationships with a range of Leadership Team and Board members
• The confidence to provide constructive challenge and translate complex financial information into clear strategic advice
• An understanding of both commercial and charitable income streams, although candidates from all sectors will be considered understanding of public funding / restricted income is essential.
• Evidence of strong leadership in a senior role

Previous responsibility for non-finance functions is not essential. Applications are actively encouraged from candidates for whom this opportunity represents a step up in scope and responsibility.

What’s in it for you

• Salary of £85,000–£90,000, depending on experience;
• Generous annual leave allowance of 30 days, plus bank holidays;
• A remote-first working arrangement, with regular UK travel for Leadership Team meetings and visits to the WEA’s national offices. Travel is expected to include Leadership Team meetings approximately two days per month in London or Leeds, alongside quarterly Board meetings in London;
• The opportunity to shape the financial and operational strategy of an organisation at the forefront of delivering vital educational programmes at both community and national level;
• Agile working opportunities; 
• Life assurance cover;
• Well-being programme with Employee Assistance Programme, counselling and Mental Health First Aiders across the association;
• Learning and development opportunities; 
• Cycle to Work Scheme; 
• Eye care vouchers; 
• Staff recognition schemes; 
• Staff discounts on a range of products and services including travel and high street savings.

Key Information

The Chief Financial Officer post is being managed exclusively on behalf of WEA by Ivy Rock Partners. For a confidential conversation, please apply or contact Holly Arrowsmith at Ivy Rock Partners.

Interviews are expected to take place in mid-October.

Head of Finance and Operations

We are seeking an experienced finance and operations professional to provide strategic leadership within a growing environmental charity.

Salary: £60,000 FTE, £48,000 actual
Location: Home-based, UK, with some travel to London and occasional UK travel
Hours: 28 hours per week, four days
Contract: Permanent
Closing date: 23:59, Sunday 4 October

Interviews: First round on 13 & 14 October; Second round 16 October

About the role

This is a broad and influential senior leadership role covering finance, governance, operations, people and organisational development.

Working closely with the Executive Director, Senior Leadership Team and Board of Trustees, you will ensure the charity has the financial insight, effective systems and strong infrastructure needed to deliver its ambitions. You will also deputise for the Executive Director occasionally and provide line management for support functions.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading financial operations, controls, budgeting, cash flow forecasting and management reporting
• Producing statutory accounts and managing the annual audit
• Monitoring restricted, designated and unrestricted funds
• Supporting the Board and Finance Committee with clear reporting, papers and effective governance
• Overseeing organisational risk, compliance, data protection, cyber security, insurance and business continuity
• Improving HR, IT, CRM, digital and operational systems
• Leading the responsible adoption of digital tools, automation and AI
• Coordinating organisational workplans and monitoring delivery against strategic priorities
• Overseeing recruitment, onboarding, employment processes and staff development
• Supporting an inclusive, collaborative and high-performing remote working culture

About you

You will be a qualified ACA, ACCA, CIMA or AAT accountant with at least seven years’ experience in finance and operations management, ideally within a charity or similarly values-led organisation.

You will also bring:

• Experience across HR, IT, risk, data protection and health and safety
• Strong financial planning, reporting and analytical skills
• Knowledge of accounting software, spreadsheets and CRM systems
• Experience managing and developing people
• Strategic thinking and proven project management skills
• Confidence working with trustees and producing board-level reports
• An understanding of how organisational systems support small, remote teams
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a collaborative, self-directed approach

Knowledge of charity governance, philanthropy, Salesforce, Xero or digital transformation would be advantageous. An interest in environmental issues and improving the planet for future generations is also welcomed.

About the organisation

You will join a UK environmental charity working to strengthen philanthropy and increase its impact in response to the climate and nature emergency.

The organisation supports a significant network of funders, advisers and fundraisers by sharing research and expertise, building relationships and encouraging greater investment in environmental causes.

It is a fully remote organisation with a culture founded on kindness, trust, inclusion and mutual respect. Benefits include flexible working, a 7% employer pension contribution, learning and development opportunities, and additional discretionary closure between Christmas and New Year.

Applications are encouraged from people who may not meet every element of the person specification. Adjustments can be made to support an accessible and inclusive recruitment process.

Other roles you may have experience of could include; Finance Director, Director of Finance and Operations, Head of Finance, Head of Operations, Chief Operating Officer, Charity Finance Director, Head of Resources or Director of Resources.

Please note this role is advertised by the recruitment agency acting for the client, NFP People.