Director of Finance and Resources

The Brain Tumour Charity is leading the way in research, support, and advocacy for everyone affect by brain tumours. Our mission is simple but urgent: to accelerate a cure for brain tumours and improve life for everyone affected by this devastating disease. We have a five-year strategy with three strategic priorities: to transform the research landscape, to raise voices to campaign for change, and to improve quality of life through providing support and best care for everyone diagnosed with a brain tumour. Our work will include strengthening our research portfolio, developing internal research to understand and address under-served need, and building an evidence-based and sustainable charity that is fit for purpose for the future. This is a time of great opportunity for us as a charity. Ensuring our strong and sustainable financial health, with strong performance and planning, governance and IT Services in place is pivotal to achieving our bold ambitions. Reporting directly to the CEO and as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Director of Finance and Resources provides strategic leadership and operational oversight of the Finance, Governance, Planning and Performance, IT Services, and Facilities teams. The role is also Company Secretary and SLT Lead for the Finance Committee and Governance & Ethics Committee of The Charity. The postholder leads a department of c.15 colleagues, with five direct reports including three Heads of Teams covering Finance, IT and Planning and Performance; a Data Governance Manager; and a Facilities Manager.   WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR: We’re seeking a qualified accountant with strong, senior leadership experience in a similar role from within any sector. Whatever sector you come from, you will be a self-assured professional who can partner with others who don't have your financial background to support strategic change. You’ll be resourceful and innovative, keen to work alongside other leaders across The Charity to ensure our finances are secure, sustainable, and utilised for the greatest impact for the brain tumour community. You will have excellent business partnering skills and will operate as a strategic adviser and critical friend to the CEO, the wider Senior Leadership Team, and the board of trustees. This role leads a diverse range of enabling functions at The Charity, and a background of leading multi-disciplinary teams, and of leading planning and governance strategies and processes will be important.   KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES: Strategic leadership Operating as a key part of the Senior Leadership Team of The Charity, supporting the development and delivery of our strategic plans. Contributing to the development of The Charity’s medium and long-term vision and strategy and ensuring accurate monitoring of our achievements against the strategy. Developing and leading a medium-term finance and resources strategy aligned to organisational goals and risk appetite. Providing trusted advice to the CEO and Board on financial, operational and governance matters. Championing a culture of accountability, performance and continuous improvement. Strategic oversight of Charity finance, business planning and governance Accountable for the financial management and performance of The Charity, including through the design and delivery of finance strategy, financial modelling and strategic forecasting. Senior leadership of the finance team, ensuring strong financial analysis and plans, and sound financial controls, policies and risk management. Providing timely, accessible and useful financial information, KPIs and analysis to SLT, budget holders, Finance Committee and Trustees, proactively developing reporting analysis as required. Completing annual budgets and 5-year projections in a timely, detailed manner, providing analysis of key budget trends and year on year analysis. Working with the Head of Finance, as a direct report, to analyse trends in income and expenditure including restricted and designated funds, identifying, investigating and reporting on variances. Ensuring compliance with the relevant tax regulations for Gift Aid, VAT and submission of annual Corporation Tax returns. Overseeing corporate finance, including policies regarding capital requirements, debt, taxation, equity, disposals and acquisitions, investments and insurance as appropriate. Ensuring financial operations including payments are processed effectively and efficient by the Finance team and working with the Head of Finance on system improvements. Ultimate responsibility for financial audit and year-end processes, ensuring compliance with Charity SORP and other regulations. Overseeing The Charity’s performance framework and business planning cycle, enabling evidence-based decisions and clear reporting to the Board and SLT. Strategic oversight and leadership of governance, data security, risk and compliance As Data Protection Officer, ensuring The Charity is compliant and adheres to best practice and legislative compliance. Reviewing and acting upon data breaches processed by the Data Governance Manager. As Company Secretary, ensuring all reporting to Companies House and the Charity Commission is submitted on time and changes to the Board of Trustees are notified in a timely manner. Ensuring that the governance of The Charity including the Board of Trustees complies with all legislative requirements and best practice. Provide SLT leadership to the Governance and Ethics Committee, with SLT responsibility for investigating non-fundraising complaints against The Charity. Identifying, assessing and mitigating strategic risks that may inhibit the organisation’s ability to achieve our goals, income targets, our brand or reputation. Strategic oversight of IT Services and wider Charity operations Providing strategic oversight of IT and digital infrastructure, ensuring systems are secure, scalable and support efficient ways of working across The Charity. Reviewing all strategic funding and supplier contracts to ensure alignment with The Charity’s policies and terms. Overseeing supplier relationships and technology procurement as SLT sponsor to ensure resilience and value for money. Being the strategic sponsor for the development of a data and insight strategy to strengthen organisational learning and decision-making. Overseeing the management and maintenance of the Fleet office and our location strategy and plans. Ensuring effective health & safety, business continuity and environmental sustainability practices.