Job Description

Head of Finance & Company Secretary

Salary: 46,000 - 48,000 per annum

Hours: 37.5 hours per week (full-time, hybrid working available)

Location: Lakeland Arts sites in Kendal and Bowness-on-Windermere

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer (currently Acting CEO)

Line Management: Senior Finance Assistant and Finance Assistants (total 2.4 FTE)

Contract: Permanent

Purpose of the Role

The Head of Finance will lead the financial management, control, and strategic development of Lakeland Arts and its subsidiaries. This is a key leadership role at an exciting time for the organisation. We have recently modernised our financial systems (migrating to Xero with integrated apps including ApprovalMax and Syft) and now need an experienced finance professional to optimise these systems, embed best practice, and help shape our financial future.

As a member of the Senior Management Team, the Head of Finance provides strategic and operational leadership in all areas of financial management, ensuring transparency, compliance, and sustainability. The role also includes acting as Company Secretary, ensuring compliance with all charity and company regulations.

This is both a hands-on and strategic position. You will work with modern cloud-based systems that are already established, with opportunities to drive continuous improvement, support upcoming CRM integration projects, and ensure that financial processes are efficient, accurate, and future-ready. You will also lead and develop a capable finance team, fostering collaboration and continuous improvement.

Key ResponsibilitiesFinancial Leadership and Strategy

Lead and deliver the financial strategy for Lakeland Arts to ensure long-term financial sustainability.

Support the CEO and Trustees in shaping financial planning and risk management.

Prepare annual budgets, forecasts, and cash flow plans aligned with strategic priorities.

Provide financial analysis and insight to support organisational decision-making and business planning.

Deputise for the CEO when required.

Financial Operations and Systems Optimisation

Oversee and continuously improve financial processes and systems, optimising our Xero-based platform and integrated apps (ApprovalMax, Syft).

Work with external contractors and internal teams to support integration projects between EPOS, CRM, and accounting systems, reducing manual processing and improving data accuracy.

Proactively identify opportunities for further automation, system improvements, and app integrations that enhance control, reduce costs, or increase capacity.

Ensure efficient month-end and year-end processes, including reconciliations, accruals, and reporting.

Maintain oversight of ledgers, payroll, VAT (including partial exemption), and banking arrangements.

Ensure compliance and accuracy in grant and restricted fund accounting.

Reporting and Analysis

Produce monthly management accounts for the Senior Management Team and quarterly reports for the Finance Committee and Trustee Board meetings.

Report on performance against budget, forecast, and prior year, including cash flow and balance sheet commentary.

Provide clear and concise analysis and recommendations to support decision-making.

Oversee preparation of detailed project and grant reports for funders and assist the development team with the financial aspects of fundraising bids.

Governance, Compliance, and Risk

Act as Company Secretary for Lakeland Arts and its subsidiaries.

Attend Finance Committee meetings and provide financial reports and advice to the Board.

Manage the audit process, ensuring delivery of compliant and timely statutory accounts in line with Charity SORP and Companies Act requirements.

Act as key point of contact for external auditors, HMRC, and other regulatory bodies.

Work with senior colleagues to ensure appropriate financial controls, risk management, and business continuity plans are in place.

Maintain awareness of developments in charity finance legislation and best practice.

Leadership and Team Development

Line manage and develop the finance team (currently 0.6 FTE Senior Finance Assistant and 1.8 FTE Finance Assistants).

Provide leadership, guidance, and professional development, building a collaborative and accountable team culture.

Work closely with colleagues across departments to improve financial literacy and promote robust financial management across the organisation.

Person SpecificationEssential

Significant, proven experience in a senior finance role, including both strategic and hands-on delivery (qualified accountant ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent demonstrable experience).

Experience working with modern cloud-based accounting systems (ideally Xero) and integrated financial apps.

Proven ability to design and embed effective financial controls and processes.

Experience producing management accounts, budgets, forecasts, and cash flow reports.

Experience liaising with auditors and preparing consolidated statutory accounts under Charity SORP.

Strong financial and analytical skills with excellent attention to detail.

Ability to work strategically while remaining hands-on in delivery.

Proactive problem-solver with a track record of delivering system and process improvements.

Excellent communication and presentation skills; able to explain finance clearly to non-financial colleagues.

Collaborative, supportive management style with the ability to motivate and develop staff.

High level of integrity, professionalism, and resilience, with the ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities.

Commitment to the mission and values of Lakeland Arts.

Desirable

Experience within the arts, heritage, or charitable sectors.

Experience preparing consolidated management and statutory accounts.

Experience with Xero, ApprovalMax, Syft, or similar modern finance tools.

Familiarity with CRM and EPOS systems and integration projects.

Experience in VAT for charities, including partial exemption.

Experience managing through organisational change.

Project management skills.

Why Join Lakeland Arts?

This is an exciting opportunity to play a defining role in shaping the future of one of the North's leading arts and heritage charities. You will step into well-established, modern financial systems and have the opportunity to optimise and build on this strong foundation. The role offers scope for significant professional impact and the chance to influence strategic direction at an important time in the organisation's journey.

As a key member of the Senior Management Team reporting directly to the CEO, you will have genuine influence and autonomy, working in a collaborative environment with passionate colleagues who care deeply about making arts and heritage accessible to all.

Additional Information

This is a full-time post (37.5 hours per week), working predominantly Monday to Friday, with occasional evening, weekend, or bank holiday requirements. As a key member of staff, the post holder will attend events connected with the responsibilities of the role.

Annual leave entitlement is 25 working days (20 statutory and 5 contractual) plus 8 public bank holidays.

The post holder may be required to act as a key holder and have emergency planning responsibilities as designated in the Disaster Plan for each Lakeland Arts site.

Lakeland Arts offers an auto-enrolment pension scheme and a range of benefits including free entry into partner venues, free admission for immediate family, and staff discounts in shops and cafes.

All duties are to be carried out in accordance with Lakeland Arts' Health and Safety and Equality policies, ensuring fair and respectful working practices at all times.

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Job Types: Part-time, Permanent

Pay: 46,000.00-48,000.00 per year

Expected hours: 37.5 per week

Benefits:

Additional leave Bereavement leave Casual dress Company pension Discounted or free food Employee discount Free parking Health & wellbeing programme On-site parking Sick pay Store discount
Work Location: In person