Director of Finance

Job responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Governance

Provide strategic financial leadership to the Chief Executive and Board of Trustees.

Take part in the executive on-call duties as part of a scheduled rota, handling urgent issues outside regular business hours.

Lead on financial planning, business modelling, forecasting, and long-term sustainability strategy.

Prepare and present management accounts, financial dashboards, forecasts, and strategic reports to the Board and Finance Sub-Committee.

Ensure the organisations financial governance, policies, and reporting meet all statutory, regulatory, and charity commission requirements.

Act as the executive lead for governance reporting, supporting the Board and its committees with accurate, timely information.

Play a central role in business planning and annual budget setting, ensuring alignment with hospice strategy and values.

Finance Team Leadership

Lead, support, and inspire the staff in the Finance, IT and Data Protection and Facilities teams.

Provide oversight of day-to-day financial operations including payroll, banking, VAT, gift aid, accounts payable/receivable, and reconciliations.

Ensure financial systems (e.g., Xero and fundraising CRM) are accurate and up-to-date, supporting timely decision-making.

Oversee the monthly and annual accounts processes, including audit preparation and liaison with external auditors.

Embed strong financial controls and continuously improve internal processes to enhance transparency, efficiency, and risk management.

Fundraising and Grant Support

Work closely with the Fundraising Team to ensure accurate financial recording and reporting of fundraising income streams.

Support financial aspects of grant funding bids and ensure effective financial monitoring and reporting of grant conditions and claims.

Facilities Oversight

Provide leadership to the facilities function, ensuring effective maintenance, safety, and compliance of all premises and equipment.

Ensure facilities and estates management align with health and safety standards and regulatory requirements.

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Key Tasks

Lead the annual budgeting process and monitor progress against plans throughout the year.

Support income generation through financial insights, modelling, and performance reporting.

Ensure effective cash flow management and reporting.

Deliver monthly and quarterly management accounts, variance analysis, and forecasts to SLT and Trustees.

Oversee all statutory returns, including VAT, pensions, and charity commission filings.

Lead continuous improvement initiatives across finance and facilities operations.

Ensure all aspects of compliance relating to finance, facilities, contracts, and health & safety are met.

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Communication and Relationship Management

Act as a senior liaison between Trustees, the Executive Team, and operational managers.

Communicate complex financial information clearly to non-finance stakeholders.

Build collaborative relationships with external auditors, banks, insurers, regulators, and funding bodies.

Maintain confidentiality and demonstrate integrity in all financial and operational matters.

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General Responsibilities

Promote and model the hospices values and leadership behaviours.

Maintain up-to-date knowledge of charity accounting standards, financial legislation, and regulatory frameworks.

Attend and contribute to team, SLT, and Trustee meetings as required.

Support cross-organisational initiatives and project teams, including digital and systems development.

Act as a member of the Hospices Safeguarding and Equality & Inclusion leadership responsibilities, ensuring financial and facilities policies meet all safeguarding and diversity standards.

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Safeguarding

Ensure finance and facilities operations adhere to safeguarding standards and reporting procedures.

Support Trustees and the Executive Team in fulfilling their safeguarding governance duties.

Experience

Essential

• Senior financial leadership in a complex organisation
• Leading annual budgeting, forecasting and financial strategy
• Preparing and presenting reports to Boards or Trustee Committees
• Managing audits and statutory accounts
• Leading, developing and motivating teams

Desirable

• Experience in a hospice, charity, or healthcare organisation
• Facilities and premises oversight
• Experience of working with grant funders and fundraising teams

Qualifications

Essential

• Recognised accountancy qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent)
• Evidence of ongoing professional development

Desirable

• Relevant CPD in charity or healthcare finance

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Able to interpret and communicate complex financial data to non-finance stakeholders
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills
• Highly organised, with the ability to prioritise and meet deadlines
• Able to contribute at both strategic and hands-on operational level

Desirable

• Project and risk management experience
• Experience in developing business cases and funding proposals

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Empathy with the aims and values of Halton Haven Hospice
• High standards of integrity and confidentiality
• Resilient, collaborative, and solution-focused
• Committed to diversity, inclusion, and safeguarding best practice
• Willingness to work flexibly across 4 days and occasionally attend meetings outside core hours
• Right to work in the UK

Technical Knowledge

Essential

• Strong understanding of financial controls, charity SORP, VAT, and governance
• Competent in using finance systems (e.g. Xero), Excel, and CRMs
• Understanding of UK charity regulations and Charity Commission guidance

Desirable

• Knowledge of NHS and local authority commissioning
• Understanding of JustGiving or online giving platforms

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).