Organisation: People First

Salary Details: £45,150.00 FTE

Closing date for applications: 31 Jul 2025

Job title: Head of Finance
Department: Business
Reporting to: Director of Finance & Business
Direct Line Management: Finance Manager
Hours: 37.5 Per Week
Contract: Permanent
Salary: £45,150.00 FTE
Holiday Entitlement: 20 days (FTE) plus bank holidays and Christmas closure, length of service increments.
Location: Carlisle Office
Benefits: 6% Pension Employer Contribution, Values-Based organisation.

Who we are.

People First is an independent customer-led charitable organisation that has worked in Cumbria for over 30 years. We are passionate about our values of equality, respect, and inclusion. We provide a wide range of support and information services across Cumbria, Lancashire, and Teesside, all aimed at helping people to live informed, respected, healthy, and fulfilled lives. Our Head office is based in Carlisle, supported by offices in Barrow, Stockton and Lancashire.

Role Summary.

The Head of Finance will play a pivotal role in leading and strengthening financial management across two entities. As a key member of the senior leadership team (SLT), you will provide financial insight, ensure robust financial controls, and support the Director of Finance and Business in delivering strong financial governance. You will lead financial reporting and compliance processes, oversee a high-performing finance team, and contribute to business growth and sustainability.

The Person.

The successful candidate must believe in the core values of People First and be driven by our mission.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Financial Leadership
• Support the Director of Finance and Business in shaping long-term financial strategy and decision-making.
• Provide financial insight and analysis to the SLT to support strategic initiatives and organisational growth.
• Lead on financial risk management and ensure sustainability planning is embedded in financial modelling.

Financial Reporting and Compliance
• Oversee the preparation of timely and accurate monthly management accounts.
• Lead the statutory accounts process and annual audit, ensuring compliance with relevant charity SORP, tax, and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure that all balance sheet accounts are correctly reconciled and fully detailed (included relevant backup)

Budgeting, Forecasting and Planning
• Lead the annual budget process, including consolidation, challenge, and presentation to SLT.
• Oversee quarterly reforecasting and variance analysis, identifying risks and opportunities.
• Provide business partnering to budget holders to improve financial understanding and accountability.
• Lead the financial planning and costing of projects, ensuring robust and sustainable budgeting.

Leadership and Development
• Manage, develop and support the Finance Manager.
• Oversee the management and development of the wider finance team across multiple locations and two entities.
• Foster a high-performance culture through coaching, objective setting, and skills development.
• Champion continuous improvement and promote strong communication within the finance function.

Operations and Controls
• Ensure strong financial controls and processes are in place and continually improved.
• Oversee accounts payable, receivable, payroll, bank reconciliations, and daily operations across both entities.
• Lead the development and optimisation of financial systems to enhance efficiency and support organisational growth.

External Relationships and Representation
• Liaise with external stakeholders including auditors, banks, suppliers, and regulatory bodies.
• Deputise for the Director of Finance & Business as required, representing finance at SLT and trustee board meetings.

Other Responsibilities
• Play an active role in the SLT, contributing to cross-organisational planning, decision-making, and collaboration.
• Any other duties as required by the directors

Person Specification

Essential:

• At least 3 years’ experience in a senior finance role.
• Strong leadership experience managing multiple staff and functions.
• Proven track record of improving financial processes and delivering strategic insight.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience presenting to senior managers and trustees.
• Advanced Excel and familiarity with accounting software, particularly Sage 50.

Desirable:

• Qualified, or working towards qualification in CIMA, ACCA, or ACA.
• Experience working across multiple entities or complex structures.
• Understanding of charity accounting principles, regulations, and SORP

Other Duties

The duties outlined above are not intended to be exhaustive and may change as the needs of the organisation alter in line with current agendas. Due to the developing nature of our organisation, we require staff to remain highly flexible in their approach, and work to meet the changing needs of the projects.

• Post is subject to satisfactory DBS Clearance.

To Apply

If you’re interested in the role and think you’d be a good fit, we’d like to hear from you.
To apply for this position, please email a copy of your CV including details of two references, to recruitment@wearepeoplefirst.co.uk
or alternatively, you can post for the attention of Barry to People First Conference Centre, Milbourne Street, Carlisle, CA2 5XB

All applications should be clearly marked: Confidential – Head of Finance
Closing date – 5.00pm , 31st July 2025 (may close sooner)
If you do not hear from us within two weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful