Head of Finance & Resources

The Head of Finance & Resources plays a pivotal role in ensuring the Foundation is financially sustainable, well governed and equipped to deliver its mission to Tackle Disadvantage and Change Lives.

Reporting to the Chief Executive and working as a member of the Senior Management Team, the postholder provides strategic leadership and operational oversight across finance, people, IT, facilities, data protection, compliance and organisational support functions.

This is a hands-on role. While the postholder leads on financial strategy, planning, control and organisational development, they are also responsible for delivering key operational processes and ensuring the effective day-to-day management of the Foundation’s resources and infrastructure.

The role combines strategic thinking with practical delivery, providing expert advice to the Chief Executive, Trustees and managers, while ensuring robust financial management, effective internal controls, regulatory compliance and high-quality support services. The postholder will help create a positive, inclusive and values-led organisational culture, enabling colleagues to thrive and ensuring the Foundation has the systems, resources and governance arrangements needed to maximise its impact.

The Head of Finance & Resources will play a key role in supporting the Audit and Risk Committee, monitoring organisational risk, overseeing data protection and compliance requirements, and managing relationships with external advisers, suppliers and service providers. Through strong leadership and collaborative working, the postholder will contribute to the Foundation’s long-term sustainability, growth and effectiveness.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and Management

• As a member of the Senior Management Team, contribute to the development and delivery of the Foundation’s strategic and operational objectives.
• Provide leadership across the Foundation’s finance, people, IT, facilities (in partnership the organisation’s H&S Lead), and data protection functions, ensuring services are efficient, effective and aligned with organisational priorities.
• Line manage and support the development of the Financial Manager, People Manager and Business Support Officer, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, learning and continuous improvement.
• Build strong working relationships with managers across the organisation, providing advice, support and constructive challenge where appropriate.
• Promote a positive, inclusive and values-led organisational culture that supports staff wellbeing, engagement and professional development.
• Contribute to organisational change and improvement initiatives, ensuring systems, processes and resources evolve to meet the Foundation’s needs.
• Manage relationships with external advisers, contractors and service providers, ensuring high-quality and cost-effective support.

Finance and Financial Management

• Lead the Foundation’s financial management, ensuring financial sustainability and effective stewardship of resources.
• Prepare annual budgets, financial forecasts and cashflow projections in collaboration with the Chief Executive and budget holders.
• Produce and oversee accurate and timely management accounts, providing analysis and recommendations to support decision-making.
• Monitor organisational and project budgets, identifying variances, risks and opportunities and supporting managers to manage resources effectively.
• Oversee all financial operations, including banking, payroll, pensions, expenses, reconciliations and financial controls.
• Ensure appropriate management of restricted and unrestricted funds and compliance with funder requirements.
• Support income generation activity through the provision of financial information, project costings and reporting for funding applications, contracts and grants.
• Support the Financial Manager in the preparation of annual statutory accounts and their role as the principal liaison with external auditors.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant financial, charity and statutory requirements, including submissions to the Charity Commission and Companies House.
• Provide financial reports, analysis and advice to the Chief Executive, Board of Trustees and Audit Committee.

Human Resources and People Management

• Lead and oversee the Foundation’s People function, ensuring employment practices are compliant, effective and reflect organisational values.
• Support the People team to develop, review and implement HR policies, procedures and guidance in line with employment legislation and best practice.
• Maintain oversight of recruitment, onboarding and retention processes, supporting managers to attract and retain talented staff.
• Ensure employment contracts, HR records and associated documentation are maintained appropriately and confidentially.
• Oversee the advice and guidance given to managers on employee relations matters, including performance, absence, disciplinary and grievance issues.
• Support workforce planning and organisational development activities.
• Promote equality, diversity, inclusion and staff wellbeing across the organisation.
• Oversee relationships with external HR advisers and providers where applicable.

IT and Digital Systems

• Oversee the provision of IT and digital services, ensuring systems are secure, reliable and responsive to organisational needs.
• Manage contracts and relationships with outsourced IT providers and other technology suppliers.
• Support the development and implementation of digital systems and processes that improve organisational effectiveness and efficiency.
• Ensure appropriate cyber security arrangements are maintained and regularly reviewed.
• Lead the achievement and maintenance of relevant digital and cyber security standards and accreditations, including Cyber Essentials Plus or equivalent.
• Ensure appropriate business continuity and disaster recovery arrangements are in place for critical systems and information.

Facilities and Business Support

• Oversee the effective management of the Foundation’s premises and facilities, ensuring safe, secure and welcoming working environments and liaising with the Health & Safety lead to ensure that relevant policies and processes are maintained.
• Oversee management of contracts and service agreements relating to facilities, telecommunications, office equipment and other support services.
• Monitor facilities and operational budgets to ensure value for money and effective use of resources.
• Support the efficient day-to-day operation of the Foundation through effective business support systems and processes.

Data Protection and Information Governance

• Act as the Foundation’s designated Data Protection Officer.
• Ensure compliance with UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018 and associated information governance requirements.
• Develop, implement and review policies, procedures and controls relating to data protection and information security.
• Provide advice and guidance to staff and managers on data protection obligations and good practice.
• Monitor compliance through audits, reviews and risk assessments.
• Manage data breaches and information governance incidents, ensuring appropriate reporting and corrective action.
• Act as the principal point of contact with the Information Commissioner’s Office and other relevant regulatory bodies.

Governance, Risk and Quality Assurance

• Support the Chief Executive, Board of Trustees and Audit Committee in maintaining effective governance, assurance and risk management arrangements; serving as lead officer to the Audit and Risk Committee, ensuring members receive timely, accurate and relevant information to fulfil their responsibilities.
• Coordinate the Foundation’s policy framework, ensuring policies are reviewed, updated and implemented appropriately.
• Working with the CEO to maintain and develop organisational risk management processes, including risk registers and reporting mechanisms.
• Monitor compliance with legal, regulatory, contractual and charitable obligations.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen organisational effectiveness, compliance and continuous improvement.

Other Duties

• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the level and responsibilities of the post, as reasonably required by the Chief Executive.

Person Specification

Knowledge

• Hold a recognised professional accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent) and have experience of working in or alongside a finance function within a small to medium-sized organisation, in the private, public or not for profit sector.
• You will have a sound working knowledge of current financial reporting requirements, preferably including the Charity SORP and UK GAAP.

Experience

• You will have experience of providing advice to budget holders and communicating financial information to non-accountants.
• Experience of preparing, interpreting and presenting financial information to Boards, Trustees or senior leadership teams.
• You will have experience of managing contracts, preferably for outsourced services.
• Excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Office. Use of Xero accounting package advantageous but not essential.
• It will also be preferable that you have experience of managing an HR function although not essential.
• Understanding of UK GDPR and data protection requirements, with experience of supporting organisational compliance.

Skills

• Highly developed leadership skills with proven experience of leading, supporting and mentoring teams and focusing them on delivering agreed objectives and outcomes.
• Excellent communication, influencing and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrable ability to work effectively with people with different levels of experience.
• Ability to plan, prioritise and organise own workload and that of others.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Values and Attitudes

• Ability to think and act creatively, championing and promoting new ideas that contribute to the aims of the charity and its future strategy.
• Committed to Salford Foundation’s mission statement and ethos and to promoting this internally and externally.
• Committed to treating people equally, respecting differences and challenging prejudice and discrimination.
• A positive, enthusiastic and ‘can do’ approach to work.
• Committed to your own learning and development.