9 Trusts and statutory funding team manager volunteer roles in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire

The Hardman Trust is the only UK charity dedicated to supporting people serving long prison sentences as they prepare for life after release. Founded in 1994, we work across England, Wales and Scotland, providing practical, financial and relational support to people who often face significant barriers after many years in custody. 

We are seeking a strategic, financially experienced and mission-aligned individual  to join our Board of Trustees as Treasurer.  The Treasurer is the Board’s lead for financial governance, ensuring strong financial health, compliance, and effective resource allocation.

Key responsibilities

1. Strategy and Governance

• To advise in the development and evolvement of the Hardman Trust’s strategy and work with particular regard to ensuring that the organisation has resources to deliver the strategy.
• Ensure that the Board is aware of its financial duties and responsibilities and the need to comply with relevant charitable and company legislation.
• Ensure healthy management by the Board of agreed risks by overseeing the maintenance of the risk register.
• Ensure compliance with Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Charities Statement of Recommended practices (SORP), and other application legislation including Company and Charity law.
• Oversee annual audit/independent examination.

2. Financial Management

• Provide clear financial insight to support Board decisions.
• Ensure that the Board receives appropriate budgetary and financial information on the activities of the organisation.
• Monitor the financial performance, forecasting, cashflow and reserves of the Hardman Trust and report to the Board regularly and in line with best practice, on the robustness of internal controls, management accounting and budgeting.
• Oversee and recommend to the Board appropriate accounting/financial procedures, controls and policies. 
• Provide financial advice and guidance to the Board on strategic finance and investment issues.
• Work in close partnership with the CEO and SLT in developing and executing the Hardman Trust’s fundraising strategy.

3. Support to the CEO and Staff

• Work closely with the CEO and relevant staff on planning and reporting.
• Provide guidance on financial implications of strategic decisions
• Review of the quarterly management accounts and prepare summary paper for the Board meeting (bookkeeping is outsourced  to a 3rd party)
• Adhoc assistant with the monthly payment process.
• Review and challenge the annual budget prepared by the CEO and their team.
• Ensure cashflow management of the Trusts’ cash balances, ensure excess cash is appropriately invested.

4. General responsibilities

• Chair the Finance and Resources sub-committee in line with its terms of reference.
• Act as a counter signatory on bank accounts and relevant applications to funders or other legal documents.
• Oversee the appointment of the Independent Examiner annually.
• Support recruitment and mentoring of finance-related Trustees.
• Support donor and funder confidence through strong  stewardship.
• ● Represent the charity as required.

Person Specification

 We want our Board to look like the world we serve and to have different voices within it. We know that diverse groups of people make better decisions.  We are keen to hear from people who can bring perspectives or experiences often underrepresented in charity governance and how can help us progress our vision.  

Essential

• Chartered accountant
• Strong understanding of statutory and internal audit processes
• Prior experience as a charity trustee and solid understanding of good governance practices.
• Robust planning and organisational skills.
• Commitment to the HT’s aims and values
• Willingness to devote time to carry out responsibilities.
• Sound independent judgment and strategic vision; ability to think creatively and challenge constructively.
• A collegiate attitude and willingness to work with others.
• Honesty, integrity and commitment to act in the best interest of the charity at all times.

Desirable

• Previous experience as Treasurer and/or trustee in the charity sector.
• Expertise of lived experience of the criminal justice system.
• Understanding of the needs of people serving long sentences and of the systemic issues within our justice system .
• Experience of working in change management/ environments.
• Experience of charity fundraising and/or grantmaking.
• Experience of chairing meetings, committees or boards.
• Experience (voluntary or paid) within the criminal or social justice sector at leadership level.