The Role

A purpose-led organisation in Oxfordshire is seeking a Director of Corporate & Finance to join its senior leadership team and lead across finance, governance, risk, and corporate services.

Working closely with the Managing Director, Board, and wider leadership team, the role will support the organisation through an important period of change. Although the organisation is relatively small, it operates in a complex environment involving public funding, grant programmes, government-backed initiatives, local authorities, and other external stakeholders.

The role requires strong understanding of the governance, scrutiny, and accountability associated with public money and externally funded programmes.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Leadership

• Lead financial strategy and long-term planning.
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and Board reporting.
• Manage financial controls, cash flow, and statutory reporting.
• Provide financial leadership during changes to the organisation's structure and funding model.
• Support long-term financial sustainability.

Governance, Risk & Compliance

• Oversee public and grant funding governance and compliance.
• Lead corporate governance, risk, and assurance activities.
• Advise the Managing Director, Board, and senior leadership team on governance and financial matters.

Corporate Services

• Oversee procurement, contracts, and supplier relationships.
• Provide leadership across wider corporate services.
• Ensure effective corporate processes and controls.

Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Lead and develop the finance and corporate teams.
• Work closely with the Managing Director, Board, and senior leadership team.
• Build effective relationships with local authorities and other external stakeholders.
• Provide challenge and influence across the organisation.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant — ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA, or equivalent.
• Substantial senior finance leadership experience.
• Experience as a Finance Director, Director of Finance, Head of Finance, or equivalent.
• Strong Board and senior stakeholder experience.
• Experience managing public money, grant funding, or government-backed programmes.
• Strong governance, risk management, and financial control experience.
• Leadership and people management experience.
• Confidence to challenge, influence, and operate effectively within a relatively small organisation.
• Pragmatic, open, and commercially aware approach.
• Ability to move between strategic leadership and detailed execution when required.

Preferred Background

Experience in one or more of the following environments is particularly relevant:

• Local government
• Public sector
• Economic development
• Education
• Charities
• Housing
• Regulated organisations
• Other publicly funded environments

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: Up to £95,000.
• Pension: 12% employer contribution, with a minimum 4% employee contribution.
• Healthcare support.
• Flexible working arrangements.

Working Arrangement

• Contract: Fixed-term to 2028, with a realistic possibility of becoming permanent as the organisation's longer-term structure becomes clearer.
• Working week: Four days per week.
• Hours: 30 hours worked while being paid for 37.5 hours.
• Typically either Monday or Friday will be a non-working day.
• Remote: Predominantly home-based.
• In-person: Approximately once per week, typically Wednesdays.
• Occasional travel around Oxfordshire may be required.
• Annual leave: 23 days based on the four-day working week, plus additional leave for Bank Holidays falling outside the employee's normal working pattern.

‍