Head of Finance

Head of Finance

Lead with Purpose. Empower Communities. Drive Impact.

Join a mission-driven charity as Head of Finance and guide a high-performing team at the heart of life-changing international support work. For over 50 years, The Gurkha Welfare Trust has delivered essential welfare, medical, and community support to people who need it most, including extensive programmes across Nepal.

With a strong heritage of compassion, resilience and service, they provide financial aid, medical care, safe housing, disaster relief, and community development initiatives that transform lives. Their work is rooted in dignity, respect, and long-term impact, ensuring vulnerable communities are supported with practical help, sustainable solutions, and unwavering commitment.

Why Join?

This is a rare opportunity to use your financial expertise to create real, measurable impact. You'll join a compassionate, mission-led team dedicated to improving lives, strengthening communities, and delivering crucial welfare support. If you want a role where you can be genuinely proud of the organisation you represent, and the difference you make every day, this is the place for you.

The Role

As Head of Finance, you will play a pivotal role in safeguarding the organisation's financial wellbeing and enabling frontline teams to deliver critical services across the UK and Nepal.

Reporting directly to the CEO and working closely with Trustees, you will lead the entire finance function and serve as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team. You will guide strategic decision-making, maintain financial integrity, champion financial governance, and support the organisation's next phase of modernisation, including the introduction of a new finance system.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Leadership & Strategy

• Lead financial strategy, budgeting, forecasting and long-term planning
• Provide clear financial insight to Trustees, senior leaders and operational teams
• Support organisational strategy with sound financial direction

Financial Management & Control

• Oversee day-to-day finance operations, including payroll, banking and cashflow
• Prepare quarterly management accounts and monthly group consolidations
• Manage UK and international multi-currency cash flows
• Act as the key interface with investment managers
• Lead statutory reporting, external audit, and compliance with SORP requirements

Governance & Compliance

• Maintain robust internal controls and oversee internal audits
• Lead on fraud prevention and financial policies
• Ensure ongoing compliance with Charity Commission and HMRC regulations

Stakeholder Engagement

• Liaise confidently with banks, auditors, advisers, investment managers and government bodies
• Support colleagues with grants, project proposals, budgeting and financial oversight
• Provide financial advice across all departments and international teams

Leadership

• Lead and develop a UK finance team and support finance colleagues overseas
• Provide mentoring and professional development
• Serve as Secretary to both the Audit and Investment Committees

About You

You are a dynamic, influential and strategic finance leader who thrives in purpose-driven environments. You will bring:

• A recognised accountancy qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)
• Charity/third sector experience or the ability to quickly adapt to SORP
• Strong financial reporting, controls and systems confidence
• Experience leading and developing high-performing teams
• Ability to work both strategically and hands-on
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to engage with diverse stakeholders
• Experience implementing a new finance system

What's on Offer

• Hybrid role based in Salisbury, Wiltshire
• Full-time, 37.5 hours per week
• Competitive salary
• 25 days annual leave + bank holidays
• Generous pension scheme (up to 10% employer contribution)
• Private medical insurance
• Free on-site parking
• Opportunities to visit overseas programmes and see the impact first-hand
• A supportive, passionate and values-driven culture

Interested? Let's Talk.

Click 'apply now' to send your CV or contact me directly for a confidential discussion about your career.Emily Oakes - Hays Senior Business Director

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