Job Description

The Finance Director will lead the financial strategy, planning, and operations of the charity. This pivotal role ensures financial sustainability, compliance, and transparency while enabling innovation and growth. You'll work closely with the CEO, the Senior Management Team and Trustees to shape the organisation's future
Develop and implement financial strategies aligned with the charity's mission and goals.

• Advise the CEO and Board on financial planning, risk management, and investment decisions.

• To ensure the delivery of the best possible learning and living outcomes for students through the strategic development of the finance and operational elements.

Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting processes.

• Ensure robust financial controls and compliance with charity regulations and accounting standards.

• Manage cash flow, reserves, and funding streams including grants, donations, and contracts.

• To maintain annual and five-year financial forecasts to underpin strategic objectives and plans, and develop and implement strategies for maximising the finances.

• Managing the budget and financials for all capital appeal projects.

• Responsibility for managing our investments, regular discussions with investment managers and monitoring our SLAs.

• Update finance policies and procedures taking account of relevant external changes and risk appetite.

Manage and develop the finance team, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

• Collaborate across departments to support financial literacy and budget ownership

Build strong relationships with funders, partners, and donors through transparent financial reporting.

• Build strong relationship with local authorities (specifically the commissioning teams).

• Support fundraising and grant applications with financial insights and projections

To optimise financial controls and processes in order to minimise financial risks, and ensure organisational compliance with these, updating risk registers as required.

• To ensure compliance with funding agreements across all teams and services, ensuring timely completion of DfE and ESFA audit reporting.

• To ensure monthly reconciliation of all control accounts including creditors, debtors, payroll and

banks; the preparation of monthly management accounts; and preparation/maintenance of control over all non-transactional journals such as accruals, prepayments, fixed assets/depreciation.

• To ensure accurate data input and analysis on accounting software, being the systems administrator for the financial software.

• To lead the strategic financial planning process, delivering annual and forecast budget plans,

periodic forecasts within year and funding requirements, working closely with CEO and SMT.

• To lead on expenditure and income budgets across the organisation in line with financial policy and schemes of delegation, providing a wide range of financial support to SMT including monthly meetings with budget holders to ensure tight budgetary control and enhanced financial understanding; liaise with other personnel to support them in understanding the financial needs and demands of the charity.

• Plan and coordinate all tax, finance and treasury management practice and policy, with reference

to charitable status, cash management and investments, reviewing and reporting on investment portfolios on a monthly basis.
Interim Director of Finance - Surrey/Kent borderCharity & Education sector - ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualified
Professional accountancy qualification (ACA/CIMA/ACCA)
Experience working with Boards and governance structures

• Experience in managing people/teams

• Experience of a financial background within the charity/education sectors

• Strong understanding of charity finance, SORP, and regulatory frameworks

• An excellent understanding of financial systems and procedures and reporting; including best digital practice

• Short-, mid- and long-term financial planning experience

Surrey/Kent border based Charity and College are looking to recruit an interim Director of Finance candidate on at least a 4 month basis.
Hybrid working opportunity
Generous daily rate
Possibility this requirement will go permanent should both parties be happy with this arrangement
Free parking
A chance to work for a particularly rewarding organisation doing so much in the local community

Skills Required