Salary £68k to £74k per annum - negotiable based on skills and experience
Head of Finance, permanent, £68 to £74 per annum negotiable based on skills and experience, plus staff benefits
Lowry is a visual and performing arts venue situated at the heart of MediaCityUK in Salford, one of the world's most exciting culture and media destinations.
We are looking for a technically strong, hands-on-qualified financial controller to join our team as Head of Finance. This is a key leadership role responsible for the day-to-day operations of the finance function, with a focus on accuracy, compliance, and continuous improvement.
About the Role
As Head of Finance, you will lead the preparation of management accounts, statutory reporting, and audits. You will manage a dedicated finance team, act as a key business partner across the organisation, and play a central role in driving financial efficiency and integrity. This is a hands-on role suited to someone who thrives in a dynamic environment and is comfortable working with manual systems while leading the transition to more automated processes.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead the preparation of monthly management accounts, forecasts, and financial reports.
* Take full ownership of group consolidated statutory accounts and lead the year-end audit process.
* Ensure robust financial controls and compliance with accounting standards and regulatory requirements.
* Manage and develop the finance team, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
* Work with manual and legacy systems while identifying and implementing process improvements and automation.
* Act as a key business partner to teams across the organisation, providing financial insight to support decision-making.
* Oversee the payroll process and all associated end-to-end tasks.
* Lead the preparation and review of balance sheet reconciliations.
* Manage the recognition of grant income and reporting of restricted and unrestricted funds in line with charity regulations.
* Serve as the central point of contact for insurance policies and claims.
* Lead cash flow forecasting and working capital management.
* Maintain and develop financial policies and procedures.
* Work with the Finance Director to deliver a first-class Finance function that supports the organisations values and strategic vision.
About You
* Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
* Strong technical accounting knowledge with experience in statutory reporting and audit leadership.
* Proven ability to lead and develop a finance team.
* Hands-on and proactive with exceptional attention to detail.
* Comfortable working with manual systems and driving process improvements.
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
* Experience with financial systems and process improvement initiatives.
* Understanding of charity finance, including fund accounting and grant compliance, is highly desirable.
If you are a detail-oriented finance professional looking to make a strategic impact, we would love to hear from you.
The role has a number of staff benefits including:
* Complimentary and discounted theatre and live event tickets.
* Free car parking just a few minutes' walk from the Lowry building.
* Paid day off for your birthday.
* Discounts at the bars, restaurant and gift shop located within the Lowry building.
* Access to Lowry's Wellbeing Hub and to other health and wellbeing services, including counselling, physiotherapy and remote GP appointments.
* Group Life Assurance Scheme.
Please note that Salford Quays is a well-connected destination with a variety of different transport options - bus, car, tram and bike.
The application deadline for this vacancy is Sunday 7 September at 5pm.
For more information, please download the Lowry recruitment pack. To apply for this position please submit your CV and a covering letter by clicking on 'Apply for this job' via the vacancy on Lowry's Careers page. Your application should describe how you would apply your knowledge, experience and skills to fulfil the main duties and responsibilities of the post.
To ensure fairness and to enable us to process your application through our shortlisting exercise, we ask that you remove all personal details (such as name, age, location, ethnicity, marital status etc) from your CV and covering letter before uploading. This reduces the risk of any potential bias during our recruitment process and ensures that all shortlisting is based on skills, experience and suitability for a role. Thank you for your understanding.
Lowry is committed to creating an inclusive workforce by reflecting and representing the diversity of Salford and the UK. We want to attract the broadest range of talented people to be part of Lowry - whether that is to work in our creative or support roles. We particularly encourage applications from the following two people groups who are currently under-represented in our work force and in the wider performing and visual arts sector; those people who experience racism and marginalisation, including those from African, Caribbean, North African, LatinX, South Asian, East Asian and South East Asian heritage and their diasporas, those who are disabled, Deaf and neurodivergent or have long-term health conditions. #J-18808-Ljbffr