Finance Manager

Head of Finance

Contract type: Permanent

Working hours: Full Time - 37 hours per week

Location: Head Office - Newton Aycliffe, DL5

About Us

Groundwork NE & Cumbria is a long established environmental and community charity with over 30 years of experience creating greener, healthier and more resilient places across the region. Our mission centres on Creating Better Places, Improving People’s Prospects, and Promoting Greener Living, helping communities thrive no matter the challenges they face.

We deliver hundreds of locally led projects each year, including initiatives that support young people and adults into education, training and employment, helping them overcome barriers, build life skills, and reach their full potential.

About You and The Role

We are now seeking a strategic, forward thinking Head of Finance to lead our finance function and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our organisation.

Job Purpose

This is more than a finance role, it’s an opportunity to guide, influence and strengthen the financial sustainability of a charity creating meaningful, lasting change. We’re seeking someone with strong financial management experience, including statutory reporting and VAT. Experience of charity accounting and SORP is desirable, but candidates from the private sector with the ability to learn charity‑specific requirements are welcome, further requirements of the role are provided below.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic financial leadership across the organisation, working closely with the Chief Executive, Trustees, and Senior Leaders.
• Lead on financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and financial risk management.
• Ensure robust financial controls, compliance with charity accounting standards (SORP), and oversee VAT, statutory requirements, and audits.
• Manage and motivate the finance team, fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Strengthen financial systems, reporting, and automation to support operational efficiency.
• Support project managers with financial planning, grant management, and contract delivery.
• Drive improvements that support long term organisational sustainability.

This is a high impact role that blends hands on leadership with strategic influence.

Qualifications & Experience

• A recognised accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent).
• Experience delivering a wide range of finance duties, including management accounts, budgeting, strategic analysis, and year end processes.
• Experience managing finance teams.
• Outstanding analytical, organisational, and financial planning skills.
• Excellent communication skills, able to present complex information clearly to colleagues and trustees.
• High integrity, professionalism, and commitment to the values and mission of the charity.
• Experience in community based or grant funded projects.
• Experience strengthening financial controls and supporting fundraising or contract bidding.
• Knowledge of procurement procedures or state aid regulations.
• Familiarity with Sage Intacct.

Additional Information

Closing Date: Thursday, 30th April 2026

Interview Details: To be confirmed after the closing date.

This role is subject to a Standard Disclosure endorsed by the Disclosure and Barring Service.

As a Disability Confident employer we offer a guaranteed interview to applicants with a disability who meet the essential criteria for the role.

We are committed to creating a safe environment for adults, children and young people to take part in any activity or service that we organise, and to promote safeguarding and the welfare of all children, young people and adults at risk.

This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship – the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.

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