Full job descriptionHead of Finance

Location: Suffolk

An exceptional opportunity has arisen for an experienced and commercially minded finance professional to join a well-established, values-led organisation operating within a dynamic and community-focused environment. This is a senior leadership role with responsibility for leading financial operations, supporting strategic decision-making, and ensuring robust financial control across a complex organisation.

The Role
Reporting to the Director of Finance, you will take ownership of all aspects of financial management and control. You will lead a small finance team and play a key role in supporting senior stakeholders with accurate, timely and insightful financial information.

Key responsibilities include:
Financial Management & Reporting
*Full responsibility for the integrity of financial records and accounting processes
*Production of timely monthly management accounts with insightful variance analysis
*Preparation of annual statutory accounts and management of the external audit process
*Oversight of all ledgers, including income, creditors, and fixed assets
*Monitoring financial performance, identifying risks and opportunities
Planning, Budgeting & Forecasting
*Lead the annual budgeting process and ongoing forecasting cycles
*Provide robust financial modelling and scenario planning
*Partner with budget holders to monitor expenditure and performance
Cashflow, Compliance & Controls
*Ensure effective cash management and financial controls
*Maintain compliance with relevant accounting standards and regulatory requirements
*Oversee VAT returns and liaise with external advisors
Payroll & Operational Finance
*Oversee outsourced payroll and ensure accuracy and compliance
*Manage income processes, including credit control and customer accounts
Governance & Stakeholder Engagement
*Prepare reports for senior leadership and governing bodies
*Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders
*Support strategic initiatives, process improvements and systems development
Leadership
*Lead, mentor and develop a team of four finance professionals
*Foster a culture of continuous improvement and high performance

About You
We are seeking a proactive, detail-oriented finance leader who combines technical excellence with strong interpersonal skills.
You will bring:
*A recognised accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)
*Significant experience in a broad financial management role
*Proven experience leading and developing teams
*Strong analytical capability and the ability to translate financial data into clear insights
*A hands-on, solution-focused mindset with a commitment to continuous improvement
*Excellent communication skills and the ability to build trust across stakeholders
Experience within a complex or multi-income organisation (e.g. education, not-for-profit, or similar) would be advantageous but is not essential.

The Opportunity
This role offers the chance to:
*Play a key role in a purpose-driven organisation with a strong sense of community
*Influence strategic and operational decision-making at senior level
*Lead financial improvements and systems development initiatives
*Work in a collaborative, values-led environment with strong leadership support
A competitive salary and attractive benefits package are on offer.

Next Steps
For a confidential discussion and full details, please get in touch directly.