Provide input and advice contributing to the overall strategy for Finance and Corporate Services.

Lead the development and implementation of the wider Finance and Governance strategy with support from Director – ensuring alignment with Directorate Strategy. 

Translate Charity, Directorate and Team strategy into meaningful targets and goals with clear measures.

Provide insight, analysis and challenge to help senior Leaders make good financial decisions.

Lead on the preparation of annual budgets, working closely with department heads and the leadership team.

Monitor the charity’s financial performance against budgets and forecasts, providing regular reports to the Executive Team and Board of Trustees.

Contribute to the development of long-term financial sustainability plans, including scenario planning.

Lead on the design and implementation of finance projects.

Design and maintain a proportionate and appropriate governance framework for the Charity.

Lead on risk management for the Charity – including appropriate challenge to all areas where concerns are identified.

Champion the creation of a risk aware (not risk averse) culture.

Lead, manage and develop the Finance and governance Teams to deliver against the agreed strategy, ensuring high levels of performance and professional development.

Lead by example in fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement within the finance department.

Provide coaching, mentorship, and support to staff members in the finance and governance team.

Develop and oversee the procurement strategy – ensuring this is understood and followed.

Set targets for Heads and wider Team to ensure delivery of agreed strategy.

Create  an environment to encourage and enable the development of colleagues across the wider team.

Proactively seek feedback regarding any aspect of Team performance – taking appropriate remedial action as required.

Develop and maintain contingency and succession plans for the Finance and Governance Team.

Ensure accurate and timely production of monthly management accounts, statutory accounts and donor reports.

Coordinate year-end financial activities, including the audit process, ensuring compliance with the Charity Commission’s financial reporting standards and other relevant regulations (e.g., SORP).

Oversee the management of restricted and unrestricted funds, ensuring compliance with donor requirements.

Support the preparation and submission of tax filings and other statutory financial returns.

Support with Finance and other committee matters, providing timely and relevant financial information for governance oversight.

Continuously review and improve financial systems, policies, and procedures to enhance efficiency and strengthen internal controls.

Ensure the finance team is using accounting systems effectively to maintain accurate financial records.

Provide financial training to budget holders and non-financial staff to enhance financial literacy across the organization.

Ensure processes and policies are in place to support compliance with all relevant regulations and obligations.

Ensure clear and up to date understanding of Finance risk profile and key risks have appropriate controls, mitigations and planned actions in place.

Oversee financial management policies and processes, ensuring these are fit for purpose, up to date, and followed across the Charity.

Oversee the design and performance of robust controls to protect accuracy of financial reporting.

Ensure statutory and regulatory compliance.

Manage cash flow to ensure sufficient liquidity for operations, capital projects, and reserves management.

Work with the Director to manage investments and monitor risk related to financial instruments, ensuring compliance with the investment policy.

Lead on the development of financial controls related to cash handling, banking, and payments.

Work closely with the fundraising and programs teams to ensure accurate financial management of grants and donations.

Lead on financial aspects of donor reporting, ensuring compliance with funding agreements.

Support the development of budgets for funding proposals and ensure alignment between donor requirements and the charity’s financial policies.

Be ambitious and proactive in identifying opportunities to improve Financial analysis and reporting across the Charity.

Oversee Finance projects, ensuring they are completed on time and within budget.

Collaborate with other departments, providing Financial expertise and input to support successful implementation of change.

Embrace and champion change.

Lead and motivate Teams to deliver change.

Make the case for any required change across areas of responsibility.

Oversee the development and implementation of the strategy for Governance, Compliance and Risk at Dementia UK.

Drive the embedding of a proportionate approach to risk management across the Charity.

Oversee the existence and quality of policies across the Charity – driving consistency, robustness and oversight.

Ensure an effective and efficient compliance program to provide assurance and confidence that the Charity complies with requirements of the Charities Act 2022, SORP, fundraising regulations, clinical safeguarding requirements and any other regulatory requirements.

Ensure processes are in place to scan the horizon in respect of regulatory changes and sector rulings / developments which may impact the Charity.

Manage the outsourced internal audit partner to manage a rolling program of audits throughout the charity to provide assurance that controls are designed and operating effectively

Provide confident and appropriate challenge where gaps or weaknesses are identified or concerns are raised.