Job Description

The John Muir Trust is looking for a 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 Director of Finance and Resources' deputy -- providing strategic support, technical expertise, and leadership on projects and core finance functions. You'll help free up the Director's time while adding capacity and capability across the wider 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 rest of the Finance and Resources Team 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

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.

Financial Planning & Business Partnering

Partner with a portfolio of departments to support reporting, 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.

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. Review and authorise monthly payroll, and provide cover for payroll processing during staff absence, ensuring accuracy and compliance with statutory requirements. 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.

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(s), Finance Committee, and Leadership Team. Ensure reports are timely, insightful, and clearly communicate financial performance and risks. Support the development and improvement of financial and management reporting tools. Promote good governance by ensuring compliance with finance-related policies and procedures.

Type of contract

: Permanent

Hours:

Full time (35 hours per week), with the opportunity of flexible working.

Location:

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

For more information on the role please download the full job description on the right hand side.

Interview dates:

Screening interviews

- 21st & 22nd of August

Interview

- 1st and 2nd of September