These are uncertain times for wildlife and the environment.

Never have the threats to nature been greater or more pressing - whether its climate change, habitat and land-use change or inappropriate development many factors are driving the wildlife crisis and climate emergency. Together these make up some of the most pressing risks and challenges of our time.

Never have people in local communities needed a healthier environment for their health and mental wellbeing – and for the economic vitality of their communities. Cumbria Wildlife Trust is an independent not-for-profit charity working to reverse the environmental crisis and put nature at the heart of everyone’s lives for the sake of wildlife and for the sake and benefit of people. Already we look after and protect more than 10,000 acres of the most wildlife-rich parts of Cumbria and have restored 15,000 acres of peatlands … We’re doing great things but we need to do more.

Due to the retirement of the current post holder, we now need someone with the financial and business acumen to continue our vital work and to help us grow as a charity and scale-up our work.

We are looking for a self-starting, commercially-minded, Director of Finance and Resources to provide oversight and strategic financial leadership to Cumbria Wildlife Trust.

You will join us at an exciting time of growth and ambition and you will bring confidence, aptitude and diplomacy alongside professional skills and expertise.

Help us on our journey to reach 30% of land managed for wildlife by 2030 and 1 in 4 people taking action for wildlife in Cumbria.

About the Role
You will be able to operate in a fast-paced and often complex environment and demonstrate good judgement. You will exhibit a curiosity about the work going on across the organisation, and can share with others the impactful work of the charity.

You will develop the team and support others, oversee charity financial reporting as well as the key controls and processes within the team, enabling the organisation to operate effectively and drive forward a long-term financial plan.

This role will be crucial in transforming financial processes and systems and developing the team, all in support of delivering our strategy for bringing wildlife back to Cumbria. You will be responsible for the Trust’s Finance and Resources function in its entirety, supporting and ensuring the achievement of the organisation's strategic and financial objectives.

The role holder will focus on implementing systems and procedures necessary for the efficient running of the finance department and the organisation generally. They will operate as the financial gatekeeper and ensure all relevant financial statutory and regulatory requirements are met.

About You.
You will have a strong empathy for the charity sector and for Cumbria Wildlife Trust’s purposes, mission and values.

Ideally candidates will be a fully qualified Accountant (ICAEW, ACCA or CIMA) with previous experience of managing a finance function and be able to demonstrate decision-making experience. You’re a trusted finance business partner with experience of developing strategies, as well as being able to carry out transactional work.

You will be an effective communicator who is comfortable in working collaboratively with colleagues across multi-disciplinary teams and at Board level.

We are seeking candidates who can work across all teams and be comfortable communicating with non-finance colleagues. In addition to the technical skills, we are seeking candidates with a passion for the charity sector.

Please apply immediately if you wish to join a great, fast-growing charity focused on a fantastic cause.

Benefits:
Salary: £45,101- £48,859
Flexible working
30 days Annual leave, increasing each year to 35 days after 5 years’ service, inclusive of Bank Holidays plus additional ex gratia days over the Christmas and New Year period.
9% employer pension contribution
Employee assistance programme
Non-contributory Life Assurance scheme

About Us
Cumbria Wildlife Trust is the only voluntary organisation devoted solely to engaging people in wildlife and the conservation and recovery of the wildlife and wild places of Cumbria.

Formed in 1962 and supported by thousands of members, supporters and volunteers, the Trust cares for over 40 nature reserves, campaigns for the protection of endangered habitats and species and is working for the creation of nature recovery networks on land and in the Irish Sea. Our strategy is focussed on:
- Putting nature into recovery.
- Working to connect people with the natural environment and help them take local action
- Delivering Nature-Based Solutions to address the climate emergency and other societal problems in Cumbria.
- Growing our resources and getting better at what we do.

Cumbria Wildlife Trust is part of a partnership of 46 Wildlife Trusts across the UK.

If that sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you! Please apply online at www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk/jobs

Closing date: 09.00am Monday 26th September 2022
Provisional date for first interview: Wednesday 12th October 2022 (to be confirmed)