Lead financial accountant jobs

"Lead finance. Shape strategy. Change lives."

Aspire Oxfordshire is an ambitious charity working to tackle inequality and create lasting opportunities for people and communities facing disadvantage. Every year, we support people experiencing homelessness, poverty, poor mental health, digital exclusion, unemployment and other barriers to reaching their potential.

Through supported housing, homelessness prevention, education, training and employment programmes and digital inclusion projects, we help people take positive steps towards greater independence, wellbeing and opportunity.

We are now seeking a values-led and commercially minded Head of Finance and Resources to join our Leadership Team and play a key role in shaping Aspire's future.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced finance professional who wants to combine strategic leadership with hands-on operational delivery in an organisation that makes a tangible difference every day.

As Head of Finance and Resources, you will lead Aspire's finance and resource functions, ensuring strong financial stewardship, effective governance, organisational resilience and sustainable growth. Working closely with the Chief Executive, Trustees and senior colleagues, you will help shape organisational strategy, support business development and fundraising activity, and ensure the charity remains financially strong and well positioned for the future.

Who We Are Looking For

We are looking for someone who combines strong technical finance expertise with excellent leadership and relationship-building skills. You will be equally comfortable presenting financial information to Trustees, supporting managers to improve financial performance, and helping to identify opportunities that strengthen our impact and sustainability.

You will bring:

• A recognised accountancy qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) and/or significant senior financial management experience.

• Experience of leading finance and operational functions within a charity, public sector, social enterprise or similarly complex organisation.

• Strong strategic financial planning, budgeting, forecasting and reporting skills.

• Experience of producing meaningful management information and using data to support organisational decision-making.

• Advanced Power BI and financial reporting skills, with the ability to develop insightful dashboards and reporting solutions.

• Knowledge of grant funding, commissioned services and restricted fund management.

• Experience of developing and improving systems, processes and organisational effectiveness.

• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate, support and develop others.

• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to build effective relationships with Trustees, funders, partners and colleagues.

• A practical, solutions-focused approach and willingness to work collaboratively across the organisation.

• A commitment to Aspire's values and a genuine passion for creating opportunities for people facing disadvantage.

Why Join Aspire?

This is an opportunity to join an ambitious organisation at an exciting point in its development. You will play a key role in helping Aspire deliver its Strategy 2025–2030, supporting innovative services that help people secure safe housing, improve their wellbeing, gain qualifications, access employment and build brighter futures.

In return we offer:

• Salary: £50,000 – £55,000 per annum

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

• Pension contribution

• Cycle to Work scheme

• Employee Assistance Programme

• Hybrid working arrangements

• The opportunity to make a genuine difference in the lives of people across Oxfordshire

Aspire Oxfordshire celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and particularly encourage applications from groups currently underrepresented in the charity sector.

CASEwork is a growing finance shared service centre working exclusively with charities and not-for-profit organisations. Due to a significant growth in our charity clients in 2026, we are now seeking a Financial Controller to lead our team, reporting to our Finance Director.

What we offer

• Fully remote working
• 28 days annual leave, plus bank holidays
• Flexible working arrangements around home life and caring responsibilities
• 4–5 days per week, with working pattern open to discussion
• A values-led organisation working only with charities
• The opportunity to shape a growing finance shared service centre
• A varied role across multiple charity clients
• A supportive, practical and improvement-focused working environment

Why join CASEwork?

This is a chance to take on a senior finance role with real influence.

You will help shape how CASEwork delivers finance support to charities, strengthen the quality of our work, support a growing team, and improve the systems and processes that sit behind our client service.

If you are a charity finance professional who enjoys detail, likes making things better and wants to use your finance skills to support the charity sector, we would love to hear from you.

How to apply

Please download our job description and person specification. Send us your CV and a covering letter which clearly evidences how you meet the person specification.

his is an exciting time to join Discover 

In spring 2026 we delivered a major programme of business transformation including rebuilding site infrastructure, new visitor spaces, an improved ticketing model and revised accounting system and procedures. 

We’re now looking for a permanent, part-time Finance Director to join our Senior Management team, shape and manage the finance department and bring financial insight to all areas of decision making. 

Overview of the role 

• Overseeing and continuously improving our financial systems, controls and processes 

• Leading, mentoring and developing the finance team 

• Producing management accounts and reports to funders 

• Analysis of financial performance and drivers 

• Leading budgeting, forecasting and financial planning processes. 

• Cash and treasury management 

• Prepare statutory accounts and run the external audit processes. 

• VAT checks and returns 

• Ensuring compliance with charity, company and tax regulations and funder requirements 

More information and a Job Description can be found on our website.

Management Accountant

(HEO)

£36,000 - £39,494 (National)

plus an Accountancy Allowance of £5,000 pa (Fully Qualified) or £2,500 (Part Qualified)

The Government Property Agency is the largest property holder in government, with more than £2.1 billion in property assets and over 50% of the government’s office estate. We are transforming the way the Civil Service works by creating great places to work, leading the largest commercial office programme in the UK, working towards halving carbon emissions from government offices, and achieving greater value for taxpayers.  We are looking for innovative, solutions-focused people to join our team.

Representing the best covenant in the UK – His Majesty’s Government – we are leading ground-breaking programmes such as the Government Hubs Programme, Whitehall Campus Programme and Net Zero Programme, as well as delivering modern and cost-effective real estate service solutions. 

Innovation and progress are at the heart of our behaviours.  We foster a culture of lifelong learning, where curiosity and self-improvement are encouraged, and we’re dedicated to becoming a leading, inclusive employer both in the external market and throughout the Civil Service.  Our strong emphasis on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) is not just about driving inclusion across our organisation, it is also about ensuring our services meet the needs of government departments and the civil servants who use our spaces. 

Join our dynamic and diverse team that leads with purpose, improving sustainability, nurturing social value, driving inclusivity and flexibility, and kickstarting economic growth.  We are driven by purpose, and you can be part of it too: where you make a meaningful impact; where you influence; where your voice really matters; where you help to shape our future direction.

The responsibilities of the Management Accountant will include:

• Facilitating forecasting and reporting
• Producing management accounts for relevant budget holders
• Producing financial reports for corporate stakeholders and GPA clients
• Supporting internal and external audits
• Preparing balance sheet reconciliations including accruals and prepayments
• Investigate variances and ensure transactions are accounted for correctly, as well as identifying trends, risks and opportunities in the financial data
• Supporting the payroll and staff costs, ad-hoc recharging and purchase to pay processes
• Preparing and processing journals

Qualifications & Experience 

• Ideally AAT Qualified, or working towards CCAB qualification
• Good experience of management accounting
• Strong attention to detail and ability to analyse and interpret significant amounts of financial data
• Ability to seek out new information and self-develop
• Highly IT literate and experienced at using multiple software tools, including Microsoft Excel and/or Google Sheets
• Excellent communicator, with the ability to communicate complex financial information to non-finance stakeholders

For more information, please apply using the link, or contact Emma Fuller at our retained search agent, Robertson Bell.

The GPA is committed to representing the communities we serve by making Diversity, Equality and Inclusion part of everything we do. To ensure that we are always recruiting and retaining a diverse mix of talent, we are particularly inviting applications from candidates who are disabled, ethnically or gender diverse, and people who identify as being part of the LGBTQ+ community. 

Help us tackle disadvantage and change lives

Salford Foundation is looking for an experienced, values-driven Head of Finance & Resources to join our Senior Management Team and play a key role in ensuring the organisation is financially sustainable, well governed and equipped to deliver lasting impact for local people.

This is a varied and hands-on leadership role combining strategic responsibility with operational delivery. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, you will lead our finance function while providing oversight of people, IT, facilities, data protection and organisational compliance.

You will be responsible for financial planning and reporting, budgeting, risk management and governance, while supporting colleagues across the organisation with the systems, processes and resources they need to succeed. You will also act as the Foundation's Data Protection Officer and lead officer to the Audit and Risk Committee.

About you

You will be a qualified accountant with strong financial management experience and the ability to communicate financial information clearly to a wide range of audiences. You will be comfortable operating both strategically and operationally, bringing a collaborative and solutions-focused approach to leadership.

You will have experience of supporting organisational decision-making, managing people and resources, and building effective relationships with colleagues, trustees and external partners.

Most importantly, you will share our commitment to tackling disadvantage, supporting communities and creating opportunities for people to thrive.

We offer

• Salary of £45,000 - £50,000 per annum
• Hybrid working
• Opportunity to influence the future direction of a respected local charity
• Supportive and values-led working environment
• The chance to make a meaningful difference in the lives of people across Salford

Join us and help ensure Salford Foundation has the resources, systems and leadership needed to continue tackling disadvantage and changing lives.

A job and person specification is attached along with our company benefits.

ABOUT THE ORGANISATION
Join one of the UK's largest and most impactful charities - an organisation delivering life-changing services across communities nationwide. With a long history of social mission, they operate at scale across community development, education, homelessness and support services.

THE ROLE
You will lead the provision of full management accounting support for a portfolio of key business areas, offering financial insight, analysis and proactive business partnering. Working closely with a Mission Management Accountant, you will help operational leaders understand performance, make informed decisions and plan effectively.

Key responsibilities include:
* Delivering management accounts, forecasts, variance analysis and commentary.
* Supporting budget holders with budgeting, planning and monthly monitoring.
* Providing financial advice, insights and training to non-finance stakeholders.
* Preparing journals, accruals, prepayments and month-end schedules.
* Supporting staffing/establishment analysis and headcount monitoring.
* Assisting income streams through invoice management.
* Producing financial modelling and strategic planning reports.
* Preparing year-end schedules and handling audit queries.

ABOUT YOU
* Significant experience in management accounting, budgeting and financial analysis within a large complex organisation.
* Fully qualified accountant - such as ACCA, ACA.
* Strong Excel and data analysis skills.
* Ability to run full month-end independently.
* Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
* Organised, proactive and solutions-focused.

Desirable experience: charity accounting, VAT/Gift Aid, KPI development, strong excel ability.

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU
* Hybrid working: two days per week in the London office.
* 35-hour working week with a strong work-life balance.
* Pension: Matched pension contribution
* On-site café with discounts.
* Minimum 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays and Christmas closure.

Please apply now for the opportunity to work with a large, purpose-led charity making a real difference across communities every day.

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About us

Carers UK is the leading national charity for unpaid carers. The Finance Manager is responsible for the management of the financial accounting functions of the organisation, for the preparation of statutory accounts, regular management reports, the preparation of all tax returns, supporting budget holders and assisting them fulfil their responsibilities, and for compliance with statutory requirements including compliance with tax laws and regulations.
 

About the role

The Finance Manager will work closely with colleagues across the organisation, including the nation offices, supporting and advising, building excellence in standards within the finance office and injecting innovative solutions to the organisation’s financial strategy.
 

About you

We are looking for a proactive and visible finance professional who is able to engage and build relationships across the organisation as a pivotal member within a values led high performing organisation. You will be a qualified accountant with proven track record of financial management awareness and a solid understanding of charity audits and statutory accounts preparation. You will have the ability to work with staff across the organisation in supporting good financial governance and oversight of financial operational matters. You will have the ability to analyse financial information and present this in a suitable format for the audience. You will have good ability to meet deadlines, be IT literate with an emphasis on financial systems, spreadsheets, Quickbooks and Excel. You will be highly organised with excellent attention to detail and be able to work with minimum supervision.

The role will involve the management of the day-to-day financial activities, VAT, gift aid, payroll and the monthly, quarterly and annual reconciliations and statutory accounts preparation. The job holder will work closely with the Chief Operating Officer, Finance Officer and volunteers within the team. There will be a requirement to work closely with the income generating staff, budget holders, auditors, banks and credit card providers on a regular basis. The Finance Manager will be responsible for managing the Finance Officer and Finance volunteer. 
 

Diversity and inclusion

Carers UK is committed to becoming a diverse and truly inclusive organisation. We strive to create a workplace where our colleagues and volunteers can truly be themselves and feel like they belong and constantly seek to ensure all voices are heard.

To embrace this culture of diversity, our employee and volunteer recruitment should reflect our stakeholders and the society that we serve and support, regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, physical abilities, disabilities or religious practices. We value individual diversity and are actively building diverse teams here at Carers UK and value our colleagues from a wide range of backgrounds.

As a membership charity for carers, we particularly seek employees and volunteers with a real understanding of the issues faced by carers. Reasonable adjustments can be made to the process and role dependent on the needs of the applicant.

At Carers UK, we want our application process to be as accessible as possible. If you need any adjustments to apply please email the recruitment team to discuss.

The closing date for applications is Friday 24 July 2026, 5pm.

Carers UK anonymises all applications prior to shortlisting.

Carers UK are actively interviewing as we receive applications. 

Carers UK reserves the right to appoint at any stage, should an outstanding candidate emerge.

Carers UK may carry out online and social media checks before a formal offer is made.

Amnesty International UK (AIUK) has a simple aim: an end to human rights abuses. Independent, international and influential, we campaign for justice, fairness, freedom and truth wherever they are denied. If you want to use your financial reporting, systems and analytical skills to help fight for human rights, you could be our new Reporting and Systems Accountant.

About the role

With an income of almost £35 million, our Finance Team plays a vital role in supporting the organisation and ensuring funds are used effectively.

Reporting to the Financial Planning and Analysis Lead, you'll prepare management accounts and reporting packs, support budgeting and forecasting, maintain reporting systems, and provide financial insights to support decision-making.

Working closely with colleagues across the organisation, you'll help improve reporting processes and the quality of financial information. This is an excellent opportunity to develop your reporting, systems, and analytical skills within a collaborative and supportive team.

More details can be found by downloading the job description from our career's portal.

The role may be for you if:

• You're skilled in producing financial and management reports for a range of stakeholders.
• You have a recognised accounting qualification (or substantial equivalent experience) and a good understanding of financial reporting and accounting principles.
• You can support budget and forecasting processes and work accurately with complex financial information.
• You're comfortable working with financial systems, reporting tools and large datasets, and have strong Excel skills.
• You collaborate effectively and positively contribute to an inclusive culture.

Our Commitment to you

Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Anti-Racism (IDEA) are at the core of our values. We want to be an organisation that tackles structural inequality and prejudice as well as be an actively anti-racist organisation. This means taking a meaningful and equitable approach to supporting and developing you and others during your time with us.

New colleagues receive 27 days leave annually (29 after five years), as well as bank holidays (pro-rated for part time) and 3 wellbeing days. 2-5% employee pension contributions are matched at 6-9% and we offer 6 months full pay for family leave. We offer flexible working such as compressed work patterns and job shares.

Apply for this role

This vacancy advert may be taken down from job boards earlier than the stated deadline if a high standard of applications is received (if you have started an application in our portal, you will still have opportunity to complete it by the original deadline).

We welcome applications from everyone and particularly encourage applications from people from an ethnic minority background, and people with a disability to help us achieve a balanced representation in our workforce, especially at senior grades.

To reduce bias in our shortlisting process, AIUK operates an anonymised application process. If for any reason you prefer to apply in a different format, or require adjustments in the process, please get in touch. To support all candidates to perform their best at interview, we send questions 24 hours in advance. We are a disability confident organisation.

Visit amnesty.org.uk/jobs for application guidance and information on benefits, recruitment inclusion and hybrid working.

Endometriosis UK is looking for a Head of Finance to help shape the next stage of our development as a charity with growing ambition, increasing complexity and a powerful mission. This is an exciting new role for the charity, and is core to ensuring our ongoing success.

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will work closely with the Chief Executive, senior colleagues and Trustees to shape organisational direction, strengthen financial planning and ensure resources are aligned with impact. You will provide strategic financial insight, constructive challenge and practical support across the organisation.

You will lead budgeting, forecasting, management accounts, statutory reporting, audit, financial governance, risk, reserves and controls. You will also support business cases, financial models, capital project oversight, trading activity and commercial decision-making.

We are looking for a qualified accountant with senior finance leadership experience, ideally gained in a charity or similarly complex organisation. You will bring strong technical finance skills, sound judgement, commercial awareness and the ability to communicate clearly with non-finance colleagues. Just as importantly, you will be collaborative, values-led and motivated by the opportunity to use finance as an enabler of delivering impact.

This role will suit someone who combines strategic leadership with a practical, hands-on approach, and who enjoys helping colleagues build financial confidence, accountability and discipline.

About Ataxia UK 

Ataxia’ is an umbrella term for a group of progressive, neurological conditions which involve problems with co-ordination, balance and speech caused by disruption of the messages sent from our brains to our muscles. 

Ataxia UK funds research into cures and treatments for ataxia, including stem cell and gene therapy. By collaborating with ataxia researchers across the globe, and pharmaceutical and research organisations, we’re confident that cures can one day be found. Until then, we work towards getting better treatments for people with ataxia and providing information and  support to everyone affected. Improving their quality of life and helping to slow the progression of the disease.   

About the Role   

As our Financial Controller, you'll lead the day-to-day financial operations of the charity, ensuring robust financial controls, accurate reporting and efficient processes that support our mission. You'll oversee month-end reporting, budgeting, forecasting and financial analysis, providing clear insights to inform decision-making across the organisation. Working closely with colleagues throughout the charity, you'll manage grant and restricted fund reporting, support annual planning, drive continuous improvement in financial systems and processes, and lead a small finance team. You'll also play a key role in ensuring compliance with charity accounting standards, governance requirements and best practice.

About you 

We're looking for a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA ,CIPFA or similar) with at least five years' post-qualification experience and a proven track record in senior finance or audit roles. You'll be confident leading finance operations, managing staff, and turning complex financial information into clear, actionable insights.

You'll bring experience of charity finance, including grant management, restricted and unrestricted funds, and Charity SORP, alongside strong skills in Xero and Excel. Experience with Fathom and Raiser's Edge (or similar CRM/database systems) would be an advantage.

Just as importantly, you'll be passionate about making a difference for people affected by ataxia. You'll understand the barriers faced by disabled people, approach our members with empathy and respect, and share our commitment to equality, inclusion and ethical medical research.

This is an opportunity for a skilled finance professional to use their expertise to help drive our mission and make a meaningful impact.

Benefits of working for us. 

• 25 days annual leave pro rata (rising to 30 with a length of service)
• Extra holiday day for your birthday
• Access to a free Health Plan, Employee Assistance Programme & Employee Hotline
• Flexible hybrid working
• Pension scheme
• Enhanced maternity and co-parental leave
• Cycle to work scheme
• Training and development opportunities
• Accredited Living Wage Employer

Please see full Job Description for further details including Person Specifications. Your covering letter will be used to assess you against the person specification for this role.

*First round interviews will take place online. Second round interviews will take place in person at our office in Highgate.*

Senior Systems Accountant

(SEO)

£42,450 to £46,636 (National)

plus an Accountancy Allowance of £5,000 pa (Fully Qualified) or £2,500 (Part Qualified)

The Government Property Agency is the largest property holder in government, with more than £2.1 billion in property assets and over 50% of the government’s office estate. We are transforming the way the Civil Service works by creating great places to work, leading the largest commercial office programme in the UK, working towards halving carbon emissions from government offices, and achieving greater value for taxpayers.  We are looking for innovative, solutions-focused people to join our team.

Representing the best covenant in the UK – His Majesty’s Government – we are leading ground-breaking programmes such as the Government Hubs Programme, Whitehall Campus Programme and Net Zero Programme, as well as delivering modern and cost-effective real estate service solutions. 

Innovation and progress are at the heart of our behaviours.  We foster a culture of lifelong learning, where curiosity and self-improvement are encouraged, and we’re dedicated to becoming a leading, inclusive employer both in the external market and throughout the Civil Service.  Our strong emphasis on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) is not just about driving inclusion across our organisation, it is also about ensuring our services meet the needs of government departments and the civil servants who use our spaces. 

Join our dynamic and diverse team that leads with purpose, improving sustainability, nurturing social value, driving inclusivity and flexibility, and kickstarting economic growth.  We are driven by purpose, and you can be part of it too: where you make a meaningful impact; where you influence; where your voice really matters; where you help to shape our future direction.

The responsibilities of the Senior Systems Accountant will include:

• Systems administration and maintenance for Microsoft Business Central, Proactis, Horizon and Power BI.
• Act as a finance system expert to manage and resolve day to day queries and issues occurring on the finance systems, and communicating with users.
• Provide technical guidance and day-to-day task direction to junior team members.
• Quality assure finance system inputs and output, monitor system integrations, and lead on resolving any problems that occur.
• Build, test and maintain finance system reports.
• Lead specific finance system improvements, systemising currently manual processes, and assist with finance system testing.
• Lead specific finance systems and process training to colleagues across the GPA.
• The post holder may be required to undertake additional responsibilities as expected in relation to the role and grade.

Key Skills & Experience:

• Ideally, AAT Qualified, or working towards CCAB qualification.

• Experience of using financial systems in an admin capacity, ideally Business Central, Proactis or Horizon, and have a working knowledge of finance integrations.
• Highly IT literate and experienced at using multiple software tools, including Power BI, Microsoft Excel and/or Google Sheets.
• A good understanding of financial processes and terminology, preferably in a public sector environment
• Strong attention to detail and organisational skills to meet deadlines in a fast paced environment

Behaviours Assessed:

• Working together.
• Managing a quality service.
• Changing and improving.
• Delivering at pace.

For more information contact Emma Fuller at our retained search agent, Robertson Bell at . To apply, please send your CV to .

The GPA is committed to representing the communities we serve by making Diversity, Equality and Inclusion part of everything we do. To ensure that we are always recruiting and retaining a diverse mix of talent, we are particularly inviting applications from candidates who are disabled, ethnically or gender diverse, and people who identify as being part of the LGBTQ+ community. 

International Financial Controller - Forum for the Future

About Forum for the Future

Forum for the Future is a leading international sustainability charity working with business, government and civil society to accelerate the transition to a just and regenerative future.

Operating across the UK, US, India and Singapore, Forum for the Future focuses on transforming food systems, accelerating a clean energy transition, and redefining the role of business in delivering long-term value.

The Opportunity

Ivy Rock Partners is supporting Forum for the Future in the search for a International Financial Controller to lead financial control, statutory reporting and audit across a complex international group.

This is a hands-on, technically focused role overseeing financial reporting across four legal entities (UK, US, India and Singapore), ensuring strong controls, accurate consolidation and high-quality statutory reporting.

A key feature of the role is managing audit cycles across different jurisdictions. The role suits a qualified accountant with a strong audit or practice background who enjoys working in complex, multi-entity environments and bringing structure and discipline to financial operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead financial control and statutory reporting across UK, US, India and Singapore entities
• Manage month-end, year-end close and group consolidation processes
• Oversee intercompany accounting, FX and cash management
• Lead multiple annual audits, coordinating timelines across jurisdictions
• Ensure compliance with local tax, statutory and regulatory requirements
• Maintain and strengthen financial controls and governance frameworks
• Manage a team of two finance professionals
• Act as a key point of contact for auditors and senior stakeholders
• Drive continuous improvements in systems, processes, and reporting to enhance efficiency and minimise risk.

About You

• ACA / ACCA / CA qualified, ideally trained in audit or practice
• Strong technical accounting and statutory reporting experience
• Confident managing audits and external stakeholders

Desirable

• Charity / not-for-profit or international development experience
• Knowledge of SORP
• Group consolidation and FX exposure
• Line management experience

Working Arrangements

• Salary: £56,500–£60,000
• Hybrid working (1-2 days per week in London office)
• This role can be recruited on a full time, 0.8 or 0.9 FTE basis. For further information, please contact Ivy Rock Partners. Permanent role (candidates interested in the position on a fixed-term contract basis are also invited to apply).

Cerebra is the national charity dedicated to improving the lives of children with neurological conditions and their families. We provide vital research, support, and practical solutions that empower families facing complex challenges.

With an annual income of £3 million and a headcount of 68 employees, we have ambitious plans to double our income between 2025 and 2027, ensuring we can extend our impact, reach more families, and drive real change. To achieve this, we are investing in fundraising innovation, income generating ventures, and strategic partnerships, alongside enhancing our brand to increase our national recognition.

Our work is underpinned by our values ensuring that everything we do aligns with our mission to create a better world for children with neurological conditions.

This is an incredibly exciting time to join Cerebra, as we are preparing to launch our new strategy and brand. The COO is a vital leadership role that will support the drive towards even greater impact for children and families across the UK.

Our Services

Sleep Advice Service

Cerebra understands that if you have a child that doesn’t sleep, the whole family suffers. Many children with neurological conditions suffer from disrupted sleep. Our sleep advice service provides bespoke advice and support so that everyone can get a good night’s sleep.

Legal Rights Service

Our Legal Rights Service provides help and support to families of children with neurological conditions when they are faced with barriers and difficulties in accessing statutory support services they are entitled to. The service provides information on their legal entitlements.

Book and Toy Library Service

Our specialist postal lending library contains a wide range of books for both adults and children, plus a selection of sensory toys specifically chosen for children with a neurological condition.

Innovation and Product Design Service

Our Innovation Service designs and builds bespoke products that cater to the specific needs of children with neurological conditions. The aim of the service is to make products that are desirable and exciting, therefore promoting social inclusion, peer acceptance and enabling children to participate in everyday activities that are so often close to them.

Information Products

Cerebra publishes different information products to help families with a child with a neurological condition. Our information products offer comprehensive, up-to-date support and research-driven strategies to assist families with a wide range of issues.

Buzgi and Toy Adaptation Service

Cerebra designs and builds bespoke assistive equipment for disabled children, this includes creating custom mobility aids, switch‑adapted toys, and other innovative solutions to help children access play, learning, and independence.

The Bugzi - a mini powered wheelchair for children offers many children their first experience of independent mobility. It uses either a joystick or switches and adaptable seating for complex needs, and helps develop spatial awareness, confidence, and early mobility skills. The Bugzi is available through a national loan scheme.

Additionally, we operate commercial services (including a web shop) to supplement our income to support children and their families.

Our services are provided to families free of charge.

Job Title:

Chief Operating Officer

Reports To:

Chief Executive Officer

Direct reports:

3 senior managers (Finance (headcount of 3), HR (headcount of 1), IT (headcount of 5))

Purpose of the Role:

The Chief Operating Officer will play a vital role in supporting the Chief Executive Officer, Board and Leadership Team to deliver Cerebra’s vision and ambitious strategic aims. The Chief Operating Officer will provide strategic leadership and operational management across key areas within Cerebra including:

• Operational Systems
• Governance
• Compliance
• Finance and Growth

This is a pivotal executive leadership role, responsible for driving organisational performance, sustainability and growth. The COO will translate Cerebra’s strategic ambitions into effective operational delivery, ensuring robust governance, financial stewardship and a high-performing, values-led culture.

As a trusted advisor to the CEO and Board, the COO will lead core operational services and commercial activity, enabling the charity to maximise impact and generate sustainable income in support of its charitable objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Executive Leadership

• Partner with the CEO and Board to deliver strategic priorities, growth and long-term sustainability
• Collaboration with the Director’s Group to ensure strategic alignment across the charity. The Director’s Group consists of:

            Chief Executive Officer

            Chief Operating Officer

            Director of Fundraising, Marketing and Communications

            Director of Research and Support Services

• Provide expert advice on finance, operations, commercial performance and organisational risk
• Lead organisational planning, business continuity, and operational resilience
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, accountability and inclusion

Finance, Commercial & Sustainability

• Lead financial strategy, planning and performance, ensuring long-term sustainability
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, cashflow and financial controls
• Lead and develop Cerebra’s strategy for commercial income , ensuring alignment with charitable objectives
• Support funding growth through strong financial insight and business case development
• Ensure robust financial governance, audit and compliance

Operations & Infrastructure

• Lead and strengthen operational functions including HR, IT, governance and administration
• Ensure effective systems, processes and infrastructure that enable growth, efficiency and impact
• Oversee procurement, contracts, facilities, and organisational compliance
• Drive innovation and value for money across operations

People & Culture

• Champion a positive, inclusive and high-performing organisational culture
• Oversee HR strategy, workforce planning and leadership development
• Ensure compliance with employment law and best practice
• Promote wellbeing, engagement and organisational effectiveness

Digital & Technology

• Provide strategic oversight of IT, data and digital development
• Ensure systems are secure, resilient and aligned to organisational needs
• Leverage data and technology to improve insight, decision-making and organisational impact

Governance, Risk & Compliance

• Ensure effective governance frameworks, risk management and regulatory compliance
• Support the CEO and Board with high-quality reporting and strategic insight
• Lead safeguarding, data protection and organisational risk strategy
• Drive a strong culture of accountability and ethical practice

Leadership & Management

• Lead and develop a small senior team across finance, HR and IT
• Build capability, strengthen performance, and embed a collaborative culture
• Model Cerebra’s values and leadership behaviours

Key Attributes

• Strategic and commercially minded leader with strong operational delivery experience
• Strong financial leadership and business acumen
• Proven track record of driving income growth, sustainability and organisational performance
• Skilled in governance, risk and stakeholder engagement

Please see attached job description for the Person Specification.

About Us

Cabot Learning Federation is a large and diverse multi-academy trust in the South West of England that runs and supports more than 36 schools, including primary, secondary, specialist, and post-16 education settings. It serves around 18,000 students and employs over 3,000 staff.

CLF is committed to excellence and making a positive impact and our people bring unique perspectives, all driven by a shared moral purpose and a passion for making a positive impact, whether in a teaching, leadership or support role. We’re proud to foster a culture where everyone can thrive, feel valued, and make a meaningful difference to the lives of others.

The Role

CLF are seeking to recruit an experienced and visionary Financial Controller who will provide leadership capacity to the finance team as well as technical expertise.

You will be responsible for the day-to-day operations and transactions of the finance department and will lead on delivering statutory financial information

The FC will support the Finance Director to deliver the vision for finance across the Trust and ensure the output from the finance department will be accurate, timely, current and to a high standard. This role will develop and embed a culture of continuous improvement within the team and ensure the service provided to our academies and other provisions is of the highest quality requiring the establishment of key relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.

The scope of their role and responsibilities has Trust wide impact and the post holder will need to develop an in-depth knowledge of the Federation’s activities and goals. 

About You

To succeed in this role you will:

• Be a qualified accountant or QBE with substantial financial and management accounting experience.
• 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.
• Have an excellent understanding of financial and management accounting processes, financial reporting and audit planning as well as being adept at managing both your own and your team’s priorities.
• Working with the Leadership team particularly the Estates and Facilities team, Operations, IT team and HR team, you will be a strong leader able to communicate well with your peers and teams members and have resilience to adapt quickly to changing priorities and demands from internal and external stakeholders.
• Knowledge of Public Sector accounting, SORP, Charity law and VAT

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

• Access to a generous pension through the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
• Generous annual leave.
• A comprehensive induction and ongoing commitment to wellbeing and career progression, through a range of training, apprenticeships and in-role/wider-trust development opportunities.
• Well-being support through an Employee Assistance Programme.
• Health benefits, including wellness sessions, gym discounts, and flu jabs.
• A range of generous family leave options, including above industry average occupational maternity pay.
• Additional benefits like cycle to work scheme, on-site parking plus many more!

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds.

Closing date 5th July ; Interview date 17th July