Director of Finance & Resources 

It's an exciting time to join The Nelson Trust as we seek to appoint a strategic and commercially astute Director of Finance & Resources. 

Reporting to the Chief Executive and sitting as a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, you will provide financial leadership and strategic oversight across finance, estates and IT. Your work will underpin our network of Women's Centres across South West England and Wales, alongside our Gloucestershire-based Residential Rehabilitation services which have a national reach. 

You will lead our financial strategy and oversee estates and IT, strengthening organisational resilience and enabling sustainable growth. Working collaboratively across the organisation, you will ensure resources are aligned with our ambitions, maximise value for money and support the delivery of high-quality services that transform lives. 

We are seeking an experienced senior finance leader with strong commercial insight and a proven track record of translating complex financial information into sound strategic decisions. You will bring expertise in financial planning, governance and assurance, alongside the ability to lead specialist resource functions and support organisational change. Above all, you will be a collaborative, values-led leader who can confidently engage with Trustees, colleagues and external stakeholders, build high-performing teams and ensure financial and resource excellence enables people to heal, recover and thrive.  

Location: Based across the South West, with regular travel throughout our service locations in South West England and Wales 

What will you do? 

• Provide strategic financial leadership, ensuring the organisation remains financially sustainable and resilient in an evolving funding and commissioning landscape. 
• Lead and develop our Finance, Estates and IT functions, ensuring resources, assets and technology support organisational priorities and deliver maximum impact. 
• Oversee financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, scenario modelling and organisational performance reporting to support informed decision-making at Executive and Board level. 
• Drive commercial thinking across the organisation, supporting income generation, contract negotiations, investment decisions and long-term sustainability. 
• Provide executive leadership for estates strategy, capital planning, procurement, governance, risk management, business continuity and digital infrastructure. 
• Contribute fully as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, helping shape culture, strategy, organisational performance and future growth while acting as deputy to the CEO when required. 

What we are looking for 

• A qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent) with significant senior financial leadership experience at executive level. 
• Proven experience leading organisational financial strategy, long-term planning, governance, audit, risk and organisational resilience. 
• Strong commercial acumen with experience of pricing, contract negotiations, business case development and delivering value for money. 
• Experience leading broad corporate service functions beyond finance, including estates, facilities, IT, procurement or related resource functions. 
• An influential and collaborative leader who can build credibility with Trustees, senior stakeholders, commissioners, funders and colleagues across the organisation. 
• A values-led professional who is committed to equity, inclusion, trauma-informed practice and helping people and organisations reach their full potential. 

What we offer 

• Holidays: 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro-rata) 
• Pension: 6% employer contribution 
• Access to wellbeing and employee assistance support 
• Death in service benefit (2x salary) 
• Refer a Friend scheme 
• Blue Light Card discounts 
• Eye care scheme 
• Cycle to Work scheme 

How to apply 

To apply, please click on Apply Now and submit your CV along with a supporting statement demonstrating your suitability for the role. 

As part of your supporting statement, you will be asked to address the following: 

• Why you want to work for The Nelson Trust. 
• The skills, experience and personal qualities you would bring to the role. 
• How you would lead finance and resources as an integrated function, including an example of how you have connected financial planning and resource decisions with operational delivery, people and culture and strategic priorities. 
• An example of driving service excellence and maintaining high standards across a varied portfolio of services. 

Please also confirm: 

• Your notice period. 
• Any flexible working requests. 
• Any adjustments required to support your application. 

This role offers the opportunity to influence the future direction of a respected and growing charity, working alongside a committed Executive Team and Board to ensure The Nelson Trust continues to transform lives across the South West and beyond. If you are a strategic finance leader who combines commercial acumen with strong values and a passion for social impact, we would love to hear from you. 

The Nelson Trust is committed to safeguarding, the successful applicant will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check    

We have become known for the quality of our work and ability to provide bespoke care and support services.  While we are proud of our achievements so far, we are ambitious and want to continue to grow and diversify our workforce.    

We recognise that employees from different backgrounds bring unique knowledge, perspectives and experiences and we are committed to increasing the diversity of our workforce and welcome applications from individuals across all sectors of society.    

This is an opportunity for new, challenging and highly rewarding experiences. Our staff make a real difference to people’s lives and in return for your commitment and enthusiasm, we offer a comprehensive training and development programme a generous pension scheme and a positive working environment.