Rutherford Cross are delighted to partner with The Donaldson Trust in the recruitment of its Finance Manager. The Donaldson Trust (Donaldsons) is the national body for neurodiversity, leading in education, care and support for neurodivergent people across Scotland. Since the 1850’s, Donaldsons has been the catalyst for change — influencing policy, delivering training and consultancy, and working in partnership with neurodivergent individuals to shape a more inclusive society. The Donaldsons team is looking for a Finance Manager to continue the collaborative and compassionate approach to creating a meaningful impact for neurodivergent people across the UK and beyond. As a senior leader, the Finance Manager will play an impactful role in shaping the organisation's strategy in line with the ambitious growth plans, leading the finance and the IT function to deliver accurate forecasting and insights that support the executive board’s decision making and planning. The combination of ambitious growth, a supporting and collaborative environment and organisation loyal to its values makes for an exceptional offering as Finance Manager for The Donaldson Trust.
Duties & Responsibilities
* Provide financial expertise and insight to the Executive Team and Board, ensuring provision of accurate, timely and meaningful financial information including (but not limited to) monthly, quarterly and year-end accounts, cash flow projections, forecasts and financial KPIs
* Lead the development, implementation and oversight of robust financial controls, ensuring compliance with all statutory requirements and alignment with organisational policy, supported by documented systems and procedures
* Lead, develop and manage a high performing team (currently Finance Officer and Digital Projects Officer), ensuring the effective delivery of finance and digital services and fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement
* Produce and review the monthly management accounts, including detailed variance analysis and executive-level commentary highlighting performance trends, risks and opportunities for improvement
* Lead the statutory accounts process under Charity SORP, acting as the primary liaison with external auditors and ensuring all audit and governance requirements are met to a high standard
* Lead the annual budgeting and strategic financial planning processes, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities and involving senior leaders throughout, maintaining a rolling 12-month financial forecast
* Support development and evaluation of new services, funding proposals and commercial initiatives by leading on costing models, financial budgeting and cost-benefit analysis
* Manage Donaldsons’ Fixed Asset Register, undertaking asset verification and providing regular reports on asset condition and appropriateness of accounting policy
* Champion innovation and digital transformation within finance and operational systems, reviewing and implementing improved processes and technologies to enhance efficiency, reporting, and service delivery
* Provide strategic oversight of IT support across the organisation, ensuring IT systems and infrastructure effectively support business operations and data security requirements
* Play a key role in organisational leadership, ensuring that Donaldsons’ strategy, vision and values are articulated, embedded, and translated into agreed objectives and plans in the area of responsibility
Preferred Candidate
A qualified accountant, or finalist, you will bring a strong track record of financial leadership and operational delivery. You will be confident in interpreting and communicating complex financial data, with the ability to translate “the numbers” into clear insight and guidance that supports effective decision making across the organisation. Adept at balancing strategic oversight with hands-on delivery, you will demonstrate the credibility, presence, and integrity to influence at senior levels and lead a high-performing finance function in a dynamic environment.
Skills & Experience
* Demonstrable experience in leading the preparation and analysis of management accounts, financial reports and key performance indicators, with a strong understanding of budgeting, forecasting and variance analysis
* Strong strategic and commercial acumen, with the ability to contribute to organisational planning, assess financial viability of new initiatives, and support sustainable growth
* Proven experience of overseeing or contributing to the annual statutory accounts process, ideally within a regulated or charity/Not-for-Profit environment (e.g. under Charity SORP)
* Demonstrable ability to communicate financial concepts effectively to non-financial stakeholders, adapting your style to engage and inform a wide range of audiences
* Strong data analysis and presentation skills, with the ability to derive insight, identify trends, and inform decision making at both operational and strategic levels
* Excellent interpersonal and communications skills with the ability to interact with a wide variety of individuals both internally & externally and influence senior leaders
* Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to contribute strategically and operationally, across the organisation
* Strong organisational skills and an ability to prioritise to ensure that results are delivered within agreed deadlines and to a high standard
* Self-directed, results-driven and able to multi-task in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with continued attention to detail
* Proficiency in financial systems and advanced Excel skills, with the ability to develop and optimise reporting tools and processes
Our client is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status or pregnancy and maternity.
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