Interim Head of Finance - Operations

Lead a Finance Function That Powers Real Impact

This is a rare opportunity to step into a pivotal senior leadership role at the heart of a large, national charity.

As Interim Head of Finance Operations, you will lead a high-performing Finance Centre of Excellence—driving operational excellence, strengthening financial control, and delivering the insight needed to support strategic decision‑making across the organisation.

This is a 12-18 month fixed term contract with presence at our head office in Widnes required at least once a week so our ideal candidate will be based within an hour's commute of Widnes.

• Flexibility:
  You can work your 37.5 hours over 4 days and enjoy a long weekend, or split the hours over 5 days to accommodate your other commitments.
• Pension: contributory pension scheme
• Benefits: retail discounts, holiday discounts, cycle to work scheme and travel discounts through our benefits app
• Best Lives Possible:
  You'll be working for an award winning charity who is passionate about ensuring our colleagues and the people we support lead the best lives bolder
• Development:
  We’ll work with you to develop your career or to learn and experience new things. We're passionate about developing our people!
• Support:
  From our Employee Assistance Programme (available 24/7), financial support options, and wellbeing fund you'll have the support available to lead an easier (financial) life

You will take full ownership of the day‑to‑day Finance function, overseeing key areas including:

• Treasury and cashflow management
• Accounts Payable and Income Management
• Debt Management and reconciliations
• Personal Funds and Corporate Appointees

With a national team and a complex operational footprint, your leadership will ensure a robust, efficient, and future‑ready finance service.

• Lead and deliver the Finance functional plan, aligned to organisational strategy
• Provide strategic financial insight to Executive and senior stakeholders
• Support investment decisions through strong external partnerships

• Ensure best‑in‑class financial controls, processes, and governance
• Oversee balance sheet integrity and financial reporting accuracy
• Drive delivery of KPIs and SLAs across all Finance functions

• Champion automation, system enhancement, and process optimisation
• Build a sector‑leading Finance Centre of Excellence
• Explore innovative solutions to improve financial independence for the people we support

• Oversee financial onboarding of new services
• Ensure effective income recovery and management of uplifts
• Build strong relationships with banks and external partners

• Lead, inspire, and develop a large, multi‑disciplinary finance team
• Foster a high‑performance culture focused on service, accountability, and continuous improvement

You’ll be a qualified finance leader (ACA / ACCA / CIMA) with:

• Significant experience leading large, complex finance operations
• A track record of influencing at Executive and Board level
• Strong analytical capability and experience handling large data sets
• Experience in multi‑site, fast‑paced environments

• Exceptional leadership and stakeholder management skills
• A proactive, solutions‑focused mindset
• The ability to balance strategic thinking with operational delivery

• Impact:
  Your work will directly support services that make a real difference to people’s lives
• Influence:
  Operate at senior leadership level, shaping financial strategy and performance
• Scale & Complexity:
  Lead a national finance operation with genuine breadth and variety
• Transformation:
  Opportunity to leave a legacy through meaningful improvement and innovation

If you’re an experienced finance leader ready to step into a high‑impact interim role where you can drive performance, shape strategy, and lead transformation, we’d love to hear from you.