Director of Finance

Job title: Director of Finance 

Reports to: Chief Executive

Direct Reports:

  • Finance Officers (x2)
  • HR Administrator

Location: Shine Head Office, Peterborough 

Hours: Part-time, 3 days a week (to be discussed during selection)

Salary: £55k FTE per annum (pro-rata for 3 days)

Leave: 30 days plus bank holidays and discretionary leave between Christmas and New Year (pro rata)

Employer Pension Contribution: 6%


Working for Shine

At Shine, you'll be part of a charity that makes a meaningful difference to the lives of more than 15,000 people living with spina bifida, hydrocephalus, normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), and associated conditions. Our work goes beyond providing support. We empower individuals and families through trusted information, practical guidance, and a connected community that helps people thrive at every stage of life.

Joining Shine means contributing to an organisation with a clear mission: to improve awareness, inclusion, prevention, treatment, and care for those affected by these conditions. Every role at Shine plays a vital part in helping us deliver lasting impact and create positive change for our community.

As Director of Finance, you will have the opportunity to use your expertise to support a purpose-driven organisation, ensuring that our resources are managed sustainably and strategically so we can continue to expand our reach and maximise our impact. This is a chance to combine professional challenge with the satisfaction of helping transform lives.


Purpose

You will be a key member of Shine's Senior Leadership Team (SLT), playing a vital part in the development and implementation of the charity’s strategy. 

Working closely with the Chief Executive and the Board of Trustees, the Director of Finance will provide strategic leadership across finance and governance for both Shine and its trading subsidiary. 

You will be a fully qualified accountant (CCAB-recognised qualification, or CIMA), and will ensure the charity remains financially sustainable, well-governed and operationally resilient.  

You will lead the development of financial strategy and planning, and will also provide oversight and support for governance, organisational risk, people processes, operational infrastructure, information security and business continuity. 


Key responsibilities 

Financial leadership 

  • Lead the development of the financial strategy, including budget setting and provision of robust and management information to the SLT and the Board of Trustees.
  • Ensure the CEO and Trustees receive timely, accurate and accessible financial information, and are advised of significant financial risks, issues and opportunities.
  • Produce the annual Financial Statements in accordance with current legislation and accounting standards, liaising with auditors.
  • Lead all financial reporting, including monthly management accounts, cashflows, budgets and support the SLT on all financial planning.
  • Provide the Chief Executive and SLT with regular detailed analysis of financial performance and monitor key performance indicators.
  • Provide high-quality financial control across the organisation to ensure effective financial management.
  • Lead on internal audit including maintaining and updating policies and procedures such as the risk register ensuring, with input from the SLT, that all critical risks are mitigated as far as possible.
  • Lead on staff payroll, liaising with HR and Shine's external payroll processor.
  • Lead on all banking requirements.
  • Liaise with regulatory bodies: HMRC, Companies House and the Charity Commission.
  • Ensure value for money and effective resource management throughout the organisation.

Strategic leadership 

  • Act as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, working collaboratively to provide leadership, strategic oversight and support for the organisation, its employees and the Board of Trustees. 
  • Contribute to the development and delivery of Shine's strategic plan.
  • Support the Chief Executive and Trustees on organisational sustainability, growth and effectiveness.
  • Promote a culture of continuous improvement, accountability and collaboration across the charity.
  • Lead corporate planning processes and support the monitoring of organisational performance.
  • Act as representative of the charity to external audiences, representing the charity at networking events and opportunities. 

Governance 

  • Act as lead adviser to the Chief Executive and Board on governance matters.
  • Support the operation of the Board of Trustees and relevant committees.
  • Ensure compliance with Charity Commission, Companies House, HMRC and other regulatory requirements.  
  • Lead the review and development of organisational policies and governance frameworks.
  • Oversee delegated authorities and decision-making frameworks.
  • Support Trustee recruitment, induction and development.
  • Undertake governance and compliance responsibilities typically associated with a Company Secretary function, including maintaining statutory records, supporting Board administration and monitoring compliance with relevant legal and regulatory requirements. 

 Risk, compliance & assurance 

  • Lead the organisation's risk management framework.
  • Maintain and develop the corporate risk register, ensuring risks are identified, monitored and mitigated effectively. This builds directly on the current responsibility for risk management and internal audit. 
  • Manage all insurances, ensuring cover is relevant, up-to-date and that the premium is reviewed for best value.
  • Ensure appropriate internal controls and compliance processes are maintained across the charity.
  • Monitor emerging risks and regulatory developments and advise the CEO and Trustees accordingly.
  • Oversee business continuity and organisational resilience planning. 

People & HR

  • Oversee HR policies, procedures and employment practice.
  • Support workforce planning and organisational development.
  • Work closely with the HR Administrator and external HR advisers and ensure compliance with employment legislation and good practice. 


Person specification 

Essential qualifications 

  • A qualified accountant (ICAEW, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA, ICAS). 

Essential experience

  • Significant experience in both strategic and operational finance within a charity, commercial or mission-driven organisation. 
  • Demonstrable experience at senior management level.  
  • Advisor at Board level on legislative, policy and regulatory change.
  • Experience or understanding of corporate and charity governance. 
  • Proven experience of budget setting, financial procedures, management accounting, risk and asset management.
  • Experience of successfully developing and implementing financial policy and strategic plans.
  • Experience of leading and developing teams.
  • Experience of managing organisational change and improvement. 

Essential knowledge & skills 

  • Ability to present and explain complex financial and organisational information to varied audiences. 
  • Strong understanding of charity governance and regulation.
  • Well-developed leadership, strategic and organisational skills to provide firm and positive strategic oversight and direction.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build credibility with a wide range of stakeholders.  
  • Fully IT literate using Microsoft Office package.
  • Sound knowledge of GDPR and compliance requirements.
  • A collaborative and participative approach to inspire motivated team. 

Desirable qualifications  

  • Leadership & Management qualification - level 5 or above 

Desirable experience

  • Company Secretary duties.
  • Experience of MS Dynamics 365 Business Central and Salesforce CRM.
  • Experience of charity governance and board administration.
  • Experience of overseeing HR services. 

Personal attributes 

  • Confident and independent, with the ability to make decisions and take responsibility for them. 
  • Strategic yet operational.  
  • Collaborative leadership style with the ability to manage and develop teams effectively.  
  • High levels of integrity and professionalism. 
  • Strong relationship builder and team player.  
  • Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and the aims of Shine. 
  • Good communicator – actively listens and adapts communication style to the audience being addressed. 

 

Benefits 

  • Competitive salary
  • 6% pension contribution
  • 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with additional discretionary leave between Christmas and New Year
  • Additional annual leave awarded for ‘long service’
  • Opportunity to purchase additional annual leave
  • Life insurance after 12 months’ employment
  • A working week to support a good work-life balance.
  • Access to our Employee Support Programme and Mental Health First Aiders 
  • Support to learn and develop 


How to apply  

Shine is a Disability Confident employer and will offer guaranteed interviews if a disabled applicant meets the minimum criteria for the job.  

If you would like to discuss the role with our Chief Executive, Kate Steele, please contact kate.steele@shinecharity.org.uk to arrange a convenient time for a call.  

To apply, please submit your CV and supporting statement, which should outline your interest and explain how you meet the role criteria to recruitment@shinecharity.org.uk.

Please note applications without a supporting statement will not be accepted.  

We understand that you may wish to use AI tools to help you with some aspects of your application, but we do expect tailored applications which are personalised to your experiences and not generic applications which are completely AI generated. We encourage candidates to be transparent about AI usage in their applications.  


Closing date:  Monday 7th December 2026 at 11pm

Interviews: Week commencing 14th December 2026   

Please note:  We reserve the right to interview suitable candidates before the closing date, therefore we encourage applications as soon as possible.