The Ernest Cook Trust

Head of Finance We are seeking an experienced Head of Finance to provide strong financial leadership within a landowning and educational charity. Position: Head of Finance Salary: £57,500 per annum Location: Quenington, Gloucestershire, GL7 5BN Hours: Full time, 35 hours per week Contract: Permanent Closing Date: Wednesday 18 February 2026 Interview Date: Wednesday 25 February 2026 About the Role Reporting to the Director of Finance, this role leads the accounting and compliance functions and provides high quality financial insight to support informed decision making. You will manage the Financial Accountant and Management Accountant and act as a key finance business partner to senior leaders. Key responsibilities include: Delivering accurate financial reporting and strengthening financial controls Managing statutory accounts and the annual audit process Ensuring compliance with relevant financial and regulatory requirements Supporting cash and investment management strategies Improving management information with a focus on clarity and forward looking analysis Acting as a trusted finance business partner to senior and executive leaders Contributing to senior leadership and governance forums Driving continuous improvement across finance systems, processes and ways of working Owning financial risk and controls across commercial and product areas About You You will be a qualified finance professional with strong technical skills and experience of working at a senior level. Essential skills and experience include: Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent) Significant post qualification experience in a senior finance or finance business partnering role Experience within a charity or property related organisation is desirable Strong financial modelling, forecasting and scenario analysis skills Ability to translate complex financial data into clear insight Confident communicator with experience presenting to senior and executive stakeholders Ability to manage multiple priorities and work at pace High attention to detail with a practical, solutions focused approach Collaborative working style and strong cross functional skills About the Organisation This is a unique opportunity to join an educational charity that owns and manages farms, woodlands and natural habitats across the UK. The organisation delivers Outdoor Learning programmes, provides grants, undertakes research and works in partnership with others to inspire stronger connections with nature. As part of the team, you ll enjoy a friendly, creative and supportive working environment alongside a generous benefits package including: 10% employer pension contribution 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays and office closure over Christmas Life assurance Employee Assistance Programme Training and development opportunities Other roles you may have experience of could include; Finance Controller, Senior Finance Manager, Finance Business, Partner, Commercial Finance Manager, Head of Financial Planning and Analysis, Deputy Director of Finance.

Woodland Ranger We are seeking an experienced and practical Woodland Ranger to play a key role in managing and enhancing woodland and habitats across a large rural estate. Position: Woodland Ranger Salary: £27,000 to £31,000 Location: Gloucestershire, based across the Home Estates with an estate yard near Quenington Hours: Full time, Monday to Friday (08:00 to 16:30 Monday to Thursday, 08:00 to 15:30 Friday) Contract: Permanent Closing date: 8 February 2026 Interview date: 19 February 2026 About the role This is a varied, hands-on role working across woodland, habitats, access routes and estate land. Responsibilities will change seasonally, with a stronger focus on woodland management and tree safety in winter, and vegetation management and mowing during the summer months. Key responsibilities include: Supporting the delivery of woodland management plans and habitat strategies to promote biodiversity and ecological health Assisting with tree works and woodland operations as directed Wildlife management, including squirrel control, using best practice and innovative approaches Maintaining public footpaths and bridleways, ensuring they remain safe and accessible year-round Responding to fallen trees, storm damage and other access issues Working closely with estates, property and conservation colleagues across a broad landholding Supporting contractors and third parties working on site Leading or supporting volunteer working parties when required Contributing ideas and expertise to wider conservation and estates projects About you You will be practical, organised and confident working outdoors in all seasons, with a strong interest in conservation and land management. You will ideally have: Experience of working safely to industry best practice in tree and woodland work Experience of, or willingness to learn, wildlife control methods Good map reading and orientation skills Experience maintaining green spaces and estate environments to a high standard Confidence using machinery such as mowers, brush cutters, chippers and tractors The ability to work independently, use initiative and problem solve Strong communication and teamwork skills A background in arboriculture, forestry or conservation through study or industry experience Desirable skills include aerial tree work, tree inspection, winching, digger or MEWP use, spraying qualifications and highways safety training. About the organisation The organisation is an educational charity and landowning organisation with a mission to connect people with land through outdoor learning and responsible stewardship. The Trust manages over 9,000 hectares of land across England, balancing environmental protection, income generation and education. Other roles you may have experience of could include; Woodland Officer, Forestry Technician, Conservation Ranger, Arboricultural Technician, Estates Ranger, Land Management Officer, Environmental Operative, Etc.