Head of Financial Control

Blair West are delighted to be supporting St John Ambulance to appoint a Head of Financial Control.

This is a senior leadership role, responsible for overseeing financial control, statutory reporting and transactional finance. Reporting into the Finance Director, the role offers significant visibility and influence across the organisation.

Leading a team (circa fifty with five direct reports) across financial reporting, management accounting, AP & AR, the successful candidate will ensure the delivery of robust financial control, high-quality reporting and an effective audit process.

The successful candidate will play a key role in driving continuous improvement, strengthening financial governance and supporting the organisation’s commercially driven operating model, where financial discipline and operational insight are essential to long-term sustainability.

This is a rare opportunity to join one of the UK’s most recognised and purpose-led organisations in a role that combines technical leadership, team development and transformation. The position offers the chance to make a meaningful and lasting impact, helping shape the future of the finance function while contributing to the continued success and mission of St John Ambulance.

• Lead the financial control environment and counter‑fraud framework, improving culture and controls.
• Lead production of audited statutory accounts and the external audit, ensuring timely, best‑practice reporting.
• Oversee accurate management accounts in collaboration with key stakeholders.
• Manage monthly rolling cash‑flow forecasting at charity level.
• Maintain ownership of the balance sheet with robust reconciliations.
• Strengthen processes and controls across transactional teams to optimise working capital.
• Oversee reconciliation, control and reporting activities, including Gift Aid, VAT, treasury and investments.
• Act as primary liaison for the charity’s bankers and investment managers.
• Serve as secretary to the Finance Committee and Investment Advisory Group.
• Identify, manage and advise on financial/tax risks and provide technical accounting guidance.

• Extensive post-qualified experience (minimum 8 years PQE) in senior financial accounting or financial control roles within large, complex organisations.
• Proven expertise in statutory reporting and audit leadership, including preparation of annual statutory accounts and managing external audit processes end-to-end.
• Strong leadership experience managing and developing large, multi-disciplinary finance teams, with the ability to build high-performing functions and foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Demonstrated track record of finance transformation, delivering process improvements, strengthening controls and driving operational efficiencies.
• Strong technical accounting knowledge, including financial controls, governance, risk management and the ability to provide clear technical accounting guidance.
• Resilient and delivery-focused leader, bringing the energy, determination and presence to drive performance, lead through challenge and maintain high standards in a complex and evolving environment.
• Credibility and confidence working with senior stakeholders, including executive and Board-level engagement, with the ability to influence decision-making and communicate complex financial matters clearly.
• Values-driven, emotionally intelligent leadership style, with a focus on collaboration, continuous improvement and developing engaged, high-performing teams aligned to organisational purpose.
• Charity or not-for-profit experience and knowledge of Charity SORP, Gift Aid and VAT is beneficial but not essential; candidates from commercial or other complex sectors with relevant transferable experience encouraged.

Blair West is an equal-opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and inclusion at every stage of the recruitment process. We are committed to fairness, equality, and ongoing diversity training for our team to give our candidates and clients a feeling of belonging during their experience with us. If you require reasonable adjustments at any stage during their experience with us, please speak to their consultant.