Job Description

The John Muir Trust is looking for Senior Finance Manager. This is a new role and is a critical addition to our Finance team at a time of modernisation. As Senior Finance Manager, you will be the Finance Director's key deputy -- providing strategic support, technical expertise, and leadership on projects and core finance functions. You'll help free up the Finance Director's time while adding capacity and capability across the team. You will also support cross-organisational initiatives such as systems upgrades, financial analysis, and improving value for money.


You'll work closely with the established Finance Officers and have a broad and interesting portfolio of work.


The John Muir Trust is committed to working together to promote a more inclusive environment and we need a diverse team to realise this. Applicants are welcome from all walks of life with diverse backgrounds, cultures, perspectives, and experiences to support our work on behalf of wild places.


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Main Responsibilities

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Strategic Support & Leadership

Act as the principal deputy to the Finance Director, including attending key meetings, advising senior leaders, and making delegated decisions. Provide technical oversight and day-to-day support to colleagues, especially the Finance Officers, to ensure continuity and resilience across the team. Lead initiatives to strengthen financial capability and improve financial processes across the organisation. Promote and drive value for money, helping the charity achieve more with its available resources.
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Financial Planning & Business Partnering

Partner with a portfolio of departments to support budgeting, forecasting, and decision-making. Coordinate and consolidate outputs from other finance business partnering activity across the team, ensuring high-quality, joined-up insights. Help improve financial awareness and capability across budget holders through coaching and clear communication. Lead and contribute to the annual budget process, in-year reforecasts, and longer-term financial planning.
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Technical Oversight & Controls

Provide expert technical financial advice and ensure accounting practices align with UK charity regulations (e.g., SORP). Oversee preparation and finalisation of monthly management accounts, ensuring accurate and timely reporting. Sign off payroll and act as lead for cover during staff absence or leave. Serve as the main point of contact for the annual audit and insurance renewal processes, coordinating inputs and responses across teams. Maintain strong financial controls and contribute to the charity's risk management framework.
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Systems & Project Delivery

Lead finance projects to improve systems, processes and reporting, including implementation of new tools and upgrades. Act as finance lead for cross-organisational projects, such as CRM implementation and digital transformation initiatives. Drive adoption of technology and automation to improve financial efficiency and insight. Work with teams across the Trust to ensure data integrity and alignment between systems.
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Reporting & Governance

Draft and contribute to high-quality financial reports for the Board, Audit & Risk Committee, and Executive Team. Ensure reports are timely, insightful, and clearly communicate financial performance and risks. Support the development and improvement of financial dashboards and management reporting tools. Promote good governance by ensuring compliance with finance-related policies and procedures.
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Person Specification

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Essential

A qualified accountant (e.g., ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent). Experience of working closely with senior leaders and providing strategic financial advice. Proven experience in financial planning, budgeting, and management reporting. Experience of working as a business partner to non-finance colleagues. Excellent communication, influencing, and relationship-building skills. Track record of delivering process and systems improvements. Comfortable leading on projects and managing work across teams without formal line management. Advanced Excel skills and the ability to manipulate and analyse large datasets, build models, and present financial information clearly.
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Desirable

Experience with CRM or finance system implementations. Experience using Power BI or similar data visualisation tools to create dashboards and present financial insights. Understanding of risk management. Commitment to the protection of wild places.
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Other details

Type of contract: Permanent


Hours: full time (35 hours per week)


Salary: Band D (Commensurate with experience and qualifications)


Pension: 5% employer contribution to a group auto-enrolment pension scheme


Reporting to: Director of Finance and Resources


Location: Remote working, with occasional travel to the Pitlochry or Edinburgh office

First interviews will be held remotely on the 5th and 6th of June 2025