Head of Finance

Head of Finance

Job brief

Daisy Chain is a growing charity dedicated to supporting autistic and neurodivergent individuals and their families. Located on a scenic 5.5-acre farm in Norton, we also operate two thriving charity retail stores - our Superstore in Stockton and our Megastore in Gateshead. Having recently been awarded "Charity of the Year" (2023 North East Charity Awards) and "Outstanding Social Enterprise of the Year" (2022), we're committed to creating a meaningful impact.

Why Join us?

• Make a Difference: Your expertise will directly influence our ability to provide life-changing support services.
• Award Winning Team: Work alongside passionate professionals in a unique, inclusive environment.
• Flexibility and Growth: Enjoy a healthy work-life balance and continuous professional development opportunities.

Hours: 37.5 hours per week (Flexibility for fewer hours considered).
Salary: £42,000 - £50,000 (pro rata)
Location: Norton - Primarily on-site at our HQ, as a day-to-day presence is essential for leading the finance team and collaborating directly with the CEO, Board of Trustees and Directors of Services and Income Generation.

Daisy Chain is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of everyone in our care, and therefore this post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.

Closing date: 24th February 2025 at 12 noon with interviews scheduled for 1st stage on 7th and 10th March & 2nd stage: 17th & 18th March 2025.
Please note that if enough applications are received, we will close the job early, please ensure you apply as soon as possible.

The Role:
As our Head of Finance, you will play a pivotal leadership role in ensuring Daisy Chain's financial health and sustainability. Reporting directly to the CEO and Board of Trustees, you will:

• Lead & Develop: Manage and mentor a small, experienced finance team, fostering excellence and continuous improvement.
• Drive Strategy: Develop and implement financial plans, oversee budgets and identify opportunities for efficiency and growth.
• Ensure Compliance: Manage audits, liaise with external agencies and maintain compliance with financial regulations.
• Collaborate for Success: Work closely with our Senior Leadership Team and fundraising colleagues, advising on new business ventures, feasibility studies and strategic decisions.

About You:

• Professionally Qualified: ACA, ACCA or equivalent experience and an understanding of VAT processes.
• Experienced: Background in senior financial leadership preferred (Charity sector experience is a plus, but training will be provided).
• Analytical & Detail Focused: Strong analytical skills, excellent attention to detail and adept at financial analysis and feasibility studies.
• Great Communicator: Able to present complex financial information clearly to diverse stakeholders, including Trustees and Senior Leaders.
• Tech Savvy: Proficient in financial software and MS Office.
• Driving Licence & DBS: Full UK driving licence and own transport, plus a clear DBS Certificate.

Company Benefits

Our staff do amazing jobs and as such we want to reward our staff. That is why we offer:

• Enhanced holiday leave of 33 days annual leave (pro rata for part-time employees) rising to 35 after 5 years' service.
• Flexitime options, plus your Birthday Day off.
• A bespoke induction plan specific to you and your role which starts as soon as a job offer is accepted.
• Alongside your induction plan, new members of staff have a 9-month induction programme and planned meetings with their line manager to ensure the employee is settling in and offer any support needed to fulfil their role.
• Ongoing training and development.
• Our Employee Assistance Programme offers a full range of confidential services designed to ensure you receive professional support that may affect work and home life.
• Company Pension Scheme.
• Staff discount.
• Free on-site car parking and refreshments.
• Social and charitable events.
• Company sick pay after successful completion of probationary period.
• Savings Club.
• Give as you earn scheme for staff to make donations to a charity of their choice if they wish.
• If your role requires membership of a professional body, we will pay your membership fees.

ETHOS & CULTURE

I am passionate about improving the lives of Autistic children and adults and committed to Daisy Chain's values, culture, and ethos. I will represent Daisy Chain in a positive manner and will always behave professionally. I will demonstrate empathy and support towards families and collaborate with staff and volunteers in the Daisy Chain team.

Vision: "Our shared vision is for every person we support to live a life they enjoy and is meaningful to them at every stage."
Mission: "To support and empower autistic and neurodivergent individuals through the provision of holistic person-centred services, whilst promoting training, wellbeing, inclusion and acceptance regionally and nationwide."
Values: Passionate; Inclusive; Empowering; Ambitious; Open; Innovative.

Daisy Chain's Six Core Values
Passionate: Caring deeply about what you do and where you work. Having a personal investment and motivation to see Daisy Chain succeed.
Open: Welcoming discussion, inquiry, and criticism. Having a mind open to new ideas and thoughts.
Inclusive: Including many different types of people whom we treat all fairly and equally.
Empowering: To give power to someone to enable them to be stronger and more confident within their role.
Ambitious: Having or showing a strong desire and determination to achieve.
Innovative: Bringing new ideas and creating improved products and services.

To be considered for the role, click on the apply button above and submit your CV and details along with The Daisy Chain Application Form. If you have any gaps within your employment history, please state the reasons for these gaps within your CV. If you have any questions or require further information, please contact us on 01642 531248.

We are committed to equality of opportunity for all and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation or marital status.
If you require any adjustments to the recruitment process to enable you to perform to the best of your ability, please let us know.