Help us protect the legal rights of children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and strengthen SEND Support in law
Job title: Head of Finance and Resources
Location: Home-based or Hybrid (with occasional travel to our office in Takeley, Essex, and other locations in England for events and meetings)
Reports to: Chief Executive
Contract type: Permanent
Hours: Part‑time (up to 28 hours per week considered)
Who we are
IPSEA is a national charity working to ensure that children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) receive the educational support they are legally entitled to. Since we were formed in 1983, we have helped to improve the education experience of thousands of children and young people across England. We do this by providing free and independent legal advice and casework support for families, undertaking policy work and delivering training on the SEND legal framework.
What you’ll do
We are seeking a Head of Finance and Resources to provide strategic leadership and operational management across IPSEA’s finance, HR and Fundraising functions, ensuring the charity has robust financial management, effective systems, and sustainable infrastructure to deliver its mission. This role focuses on organisational management, financial integrity and coordination across functions, rather than providing specialist Fundraising or HR expertise.
This is a hands‑on role. While the postholder leads on financial strategy, planning and control, they are also responsible for delivering key financial processes and day‑to‑day operations. The role oversees key organisational functions including HR and fundraising.
They line manage the Finance Administrator, HR Manager and Fundraising Manager, ensuring alignment, coordination and effective use of organisational resources across the organisation.
Professional expertise and delivery within HR and fundraising remain the responsibility of the relevant managers. The role does not carry responsibility for income generation targets but ensures robust financial and operational support for fundraising activity.
As Head of Finance and Resources, you will be responsible for:
* Financial systems, control and operations
* Financial reporting and Management Accounts
* Budgeting, forecasting and financial strategy
* Restricted funds, compliance and governance
* Fundraising and income support
* Leadership, resources and organisational operations
This role offers the opportunity to make a real difference as part of a small, friendly, and dedicated team. If you are passionate about helping children and young people with SEND and have the skills and experience needed, we would love to hear from you.
Who are we looking for?
You’ll need to be a fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent) with a strong understanding and experience of charity finance, SORP, compliance, risk management and governance.
Significantly experienced in charity finance and financial management or organisational resources, you will be able to prepare management accounts, budgets, forecasts and financial reports and support budgeting and longer‑term financial planning.
You will have experience of managing and motivating staff while working with senior leadership teams and/or trustees.
You have strong organisational and analytical skills and can analyse financial information and translate it for non‑financial stakeholders. Experience improving systems, processes or digital infrastructure would be preferred but is not essential.
It would be desirable if you had experience overseeing HR, fundraising or wider operational functions, or managing multi‑disciplinary teams.
IPSEA should also reflect the communities we support. We would particularly like to hear from candidates from ethnic minority backgrounds, LGBTQIA+ people, under‑served communities and disabled people, as well as those with lived experience of the SEND system, either as a child or as a parent/carer.
What we can offer you
* 5% employer pension contributions
* Flexible working arrangements
* 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays plus an additional day off for your birthday (pro‑rated if part‑time)
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