Chief Financial Officer

The WEA is a leading education charity approaching its 124th anniversary. The WEA empowers adults by bringing great teaching to local communities across England and Scotland, reaching tens of thousands of students each year.

The WEA believes every adult should have access to education and its benefits within their local community. Currently, the opportunity for a better future is too often made inaccessible for reasons including cost, location and a lack of information.

The WEA is committed to removing these barriers enabling individuals to improve their own life chances and have a positive impact to their communities and wider society.
The Chief Financial Officer is a key member of the Leadership and Senior Post Holder to the Board, responsible for the Finance, IT, MIS, Procurement and Estates functions. The role will provide strategic insight and advice to the Board while leading a multidisciplinary national team.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Developing medium- to long-term financial models and leading strategic budget planning.
• Presenting strategic budget planning and other key financial information to the Board for sign off.
• Working closely with the Leadership Team and Board to shape financial and operational strategy and to identify and mitigate key financial and operational risks.
• Lead the pursuit of income diversification and unrestricted income to stabilise and grow the charity
• Providing leadership across Finance, IT, MIS, Procurement and Estates.
• Providing financial leadership across both the WEA’s charitable and commercial activities
• Ensuring robust financial controls, accurate reporting and the provision of high-quality management information
• Setting the strategic direction for the WEA’s IT and cybersecurity infrastructure

About You

You will be a qualified accountant (CCAB or equivalent) with experience of overseeing the breadth of a finance function.

You will also bring:

• Strong experience of developing medium- to long-term financial models to support strategic and operational decision-making
• The ability to build effective relationships with a range of Leadership Team and Board members
• The confidence to provide constructive challenge and translate complex financial information into clear strategic advice
• An understanding of both commercial and charitable income streams, although candidates from all sectors will be considered understanding of public funding / restricted income is essential.
• Evidence of strong leadership in a senior role
• Previous responsibility for non-finance functions is not essential. Applications are actively encouraged from candidates for whom this opportunity represents a step up in scope and responsibility.

What’s in it for you:

• Salary of £85,000–£90,000, depending on experience;
• Generous annual leave allowance of 30 days, plus bank holidays;
• A remote-first working arrangement, with regular UK travel for Leadership Team meetings and visits to the WEA’s national offices. Travel is expected to include Leadership Team meetings approximately two days per month in London or Leeds, alongside quarterly Board meetings in London;
• The opportunity to shape the financial and operational strategy of an organisation at the forefront of delivering vital educational programmes at both community and national level;
• Agile working opportunities;
• Life assurance cover;
• Well-being programme with Employee Assistance Programme, counselling and Mental Health First Aiders across the association;
• Learning and development opportunities;
• Cycle to Work Scheme;
• Eye care vouchers;
• Staff recognition schemes;
• Staff discounts on a range of products and services including travel and high street savings.

Key Information

The Chief Financial Officer post is being managed exclusively on behalf of WEA by Ivy Rock Partners. For a confidential conversation, please apply or contact Holly Arrowsmith at Ivy Rock Partners.
Interviews are expected to take place in mid-October.