Head Of Finance And Central Services Jobs

Are you passionate about nature’s recovery in our cities and towns? Do you have expertise in urban ecology and knowledge of nature-based solutions to contemporary challenges? We are currently seeking a Senior Ecologist (Urban Nature Recovery) to deliver vital work protecting nature across our urban landscape.

Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust is one of 46 local, independent Wildlife Trusts and is the charity that works to make the environment of Birmingham and the Black Country (Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton) a better place for wildlife and people through conservation management, environmental education, advocacy, and community involvement.

As a wildlife charity serving a heavily urbanised area, a major element of our work is to provide the ecological evidence that supports the designation of wildlife sites and informs the protection of nature in the face of urban development.

This is an exciting and rewarding opportunity to make a real difference to nature’s protection and recovery in Birmingham and the Black Country. The post holder will undertake ecological survey and management planning work to underpin the protection of local wildlife of great value to people, communities and organisations across our region.

This will be a varied role that will include biodiversity survey and site assessment work, biodiversity net gain calculation, development of the Trust’s engagement with nature-based solutions, and advancing the organisation’s staff, members’, and partners’ understanding of urban ecology. The successful applicant will be very well-organised, with a high level of attention to detail, and used to prioritising a complex workload. You will have excellent ecological survey skills, and the confidence and ambition to affect conservation outcomes through the provision of high quality ecological evidence. Above all you will be driven by a commitment to see nature’s recovery across Birmingham and the Black Country’s urban landscape.

Flexible role, based in our offices within Birmingham, but with the option of working from home, as required. Some travel regionally and nationally; a full UK driving licence is required for this role.

Benefits include 28 days of annual leave plus bank holidays (pro-rata), a 7% employer contribution pension, flexible and hybrid working opportunities, an Employee Assistance Programme and working alongside a supportive and friendly group of nature lovers!

To find out more information or apply for the role, please click the APPLY button to be taken to our website, where full job details can be found.

This role will require the successful candidate to undertake a basic DBS check as part of the pre-employment checks.

Please note that we are not a UK visa sponsoring organisation. Therefore, you will need to be
able to demonstrate that you have the right to work in the UK if you wish to apply for this
role.

We are committed to ensuring transparent and non-discriminatory recruitment and employment. As a progressive charitable organisation, we champion equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristic.

Are you passionate about nature’s recovery in our cities and towns? Do you have expert knowledge of the UK’s planning law and processes? We are currently seeking a Planning and Biodiversity Officer (or Senior Officer) to deliver our vital work to protect nature across our urban landscape.

Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust is one of 46 local, independent Wildlife Trusts and is the charity that works to make the environment of Birmingham and the Black Country (Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton) a better place for wildlife and people through conservation management, environmental education, advocacy, and community involvement.

As a wildlife charity serving a heavily urbanised area, a major element of our work is engagement with planning law and policy, through which we seek species and habitat protection along with wider nature recovery.

This is an exciting and rewarding opportunity to make a real difference to nature’s protection and recovery in Birmingham and the Black Country. The post holder will engage with planning processes to advocate for nature, and in doing so will protect local wildlife of great value to people, communities and organisations across our region.

This will be a varied role that will include significant partnership working, engagement with land managers and owners, policy and strategy development, and responding to the demands raised by local planning applications and plan development. The successful applicant will be very well-organised, with a high level of attention to detail, and used to prioritising a complex workload. You will have excellent communication skills, and the confidence and ambition to affect outcomes within planning processes. Above all you will be driven by a commitment to see nature’s recovery across Birmingham and the Black Country’s urban landscape.

Flexible role, based in our offices within Birmingham, but with the option of working from home, as required. Occasional travel regionally and nationally.

The role will be recruited at either Project Officer or Senior Project Officer grade, depending on the level of experience of the successful candidate. Please see the role's person specification for more details.

Benefits include 28 days of annual leave plus bank holidays (pro-rata), a 7% employer contribution pension, flexible and hybrid working opportunities, an Employee Assistance Programme and working alongside a supportive and friendly group of nature lovers!

This role will require the successful candidate to undertake a basic DBS check as part of the pre-employment checks.

Please note that we are not a UK visa sponsoring organisation. Therefore, you will need to be able to demonstrate that you have the right to work in the UK if you wish to apply for this role.

We are committed to ensuring transparent and non-discriminatory recruitment and employment. As a progressive charitable organisation, we champion equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristic.

As a Philanthropy Executive, you will work closely with the Philanthropy Manager supporting the development of a proactive and sustainable major donor programme. Your role will involve the relationship management of a portfolio of major donors and prospects; ensuring the donors you work with are engaged with our cause, and that you are responding to their individual stewardship needs as you keep them updated with our work.

Your responsibilities will include supporting the Philanthropy Manager in making strategic decisions to grow our major donor programme: providing insight from the excellent relationships you will manage, identifying opportunities and securing significant contributions ranging from four to six figures.

You will develop and use stewardship tools to guide donors through their giving journey, including cultivation plans, proposals, and reports. You will be involved in sourcing and presenting tailored information to donors, making appropriate financial and non-financial requests. You will facilitate and attend meetings and events, both in person and online, to nurture these relationships.

Collaboration is key in this role, as you will work with colleagues and volunteers across the organisation to support our fundraising efforts.

To succeed in this role, you should have a good understanding of sector trends, best practices, and regulatory requirements. You will also need to accurately record and report on your activities and portfolio, contributing to the team's KPIs.

What are we looking for?

A very skilled communicator with the ability to write and present clearly and persuasively. You should have experience securing major donations or other high-value support, or managing influential partnerships; ideally within a similar role in either the charity or commercial sector. Building and maintaining excellent relationships with individuals and organisations at all levels is essential.

A proven track record of meeting or exceeding financial targets is desirable. You should be creative and adaptable, able to identify and maximise opportunities. Strong IT skills are important, and knowledge of Raisers Edge is a plus.

You should be able to prioritise tasks and work flexibly across organisational boundaries, thriving as part of a team. A full driving licence for UK travel is desirable but not essential.

For full role responsibilities please view the job description located within the Candidate Pack.

Our Benefits

• 28 days holiday, rising to 33 days after 5 years' service, plus Bank Holidays
• Access to UK Healthcare which includes reimbursement for dental appointments, eyecare, Health & Wellbeing screening and therapies
• Access to a 24/7 phone and video GP Service
• Life assurance
• Confidential counselling helplines
• Salary sacrifice schemes to include: Cycle to work & Buy and sell annual leave
• BenefitHub which offers lifestyle discounts and offers on everyday shopping
• Enhanced pension scheme
• Opportunities for training and personal development
• Hybrid working

How to apply

Please submit a CV and supporting statement. Your supporting statement should be no longer than one side of A4 and demonstrate how you meet the following areas of the role.

• Experience of securing major donations or other high value gifts, managing partnerships or experience of working in a similar role in the commercial sector.
• Experience of developing and sustaining great working relationships with individuals and organisations, internally and externally at all levels.
• Excellent communication skills with ability to write and present in a clear and inspiring way.

Where experience is asked for, please give one example showing what you did and what it achieved. Where we require evidence of ability, please explain either how you would approach that particular competence or give an example to support your suitability.

Alternative Applications

To provide an inclusive application process for all our opportunities, we are open to receiving alternative applications from candidates who may find it difficult to complete our online form. For example, if you would like to apply via video or audio format, please send your recorded application, ensuring you cover the supporting statement.

About Us

Our vision is a world free from MND. Our mission is to improve care and support for people with MND, their families and carers. We fund and promote research that leads to new understanding and treatments and brings us closer to a cure for MND. The Association also campaigns and raises awareness so the needs of people with MND, and everyone who cares for them, are recognised, and addressed by wider society.

We are committed to equality and value diversity. We are working hard to remove perceived and actual barriers to participation for people with and affected by MND, current and future staff, volunteers, and stakeholders.

We guarantee interviews for disabled applicants that meet the requirements of the role as part of our commitment to the Disability Confident Scheme. Reasonable adjustments can be made as required.

Important Information

Adverts may be closed before the deadline once sufficient applications are received. To avoid disappointment, please apply early.

We request that recruitment agencies do not contact us in relation to this role.

Job title: Interim CEO

Reporting to: Board of Trustees

Location: Our main office is in London (near Kings Cross). We support remote working and recognise the importance of staff meeting in person for work and social purposes and aim to find a happy balance between the two. We actively encourage applications from candidates based across the UK.

Contract: Temporary. Expected to be c. one year depending on start date. We are open to secondments.

Benefits: 36 days’ leave pro rata, inclusive of bank holidays, employer contribution to pension, flexible working with opportunity to work from home.

Hours: 4-5 days per week Monday to Friday (please state your preferred working pattern in your application)

Start date: November / early December (negotiable)

We are looking to recruit an interim CEO, to cover up to one year’s maternity leave. This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced senior leader who is used to working in a fast paced, dynamic organisation with a focus on achieving results.

Key Responsibilities

1. Charity Governance: Working with the ELT and the charity’s Board of Trustees and Committees to lead the charity. Communicating progress against KPIs and challenges effectively, overseeing budgets and risk, and identifying resources needed.

2. Charity Leadership: Working with ELT, to act as an internal and external figurehead for the charity, embodying its culture and modelling its values, and supporting the development of staff across the organisation.

3. Executive Decision Making: Working with SLT to make decisions on key charity priorities and policies, e.g. expansion plans, programme adaptations, major resourcing decisions, and recruitment of senior staff.

4. Business Development: Working with the charity’s CPO to source new business opportunities both in terms of growing and expanding the charity’s core programmes and identifying new innovations and funding. This includes managing key stakeholders (e.g., senior leaders in colleges, sixth forms and training providers).

5. Operations and Finances: Working with the COO to ensure the financial stability of the charity and protecting and managing the charity’s assets.

6. Impact: Overseeing the work of the Director of Impact to ensure that the charity strengthens its approach to monitoring and evaluation, and that all preparations are successfully completed ahead of a potential independent external evaluation of our core programme in 25/26.

7. External Affairs: Overseeing both our fundraising and advocacy workstreams, including the development of relationships with new funders and politicians and policymakers. Representing the charity at external events (including certain conferences and fundraising events), and safeguarding the charity’s reputation and values, ensuring that risks are properly recognised and mitigated.

Required Experience / Characteristics

• Clear commitment to the work of the charity, its mission and its values
• A proven senior leader, with experience of delivering against ambitious targets across multiple departments or programmes and working with a Board of Trustees or directors
• An excellent relationship builder, including the development of commercial relationships with senior stakeholders (e.g., in the education sector, third sector and/or government)
• Demonstrable experience in exercising strategic development and sound judgment
• Strong line management skills, including evidence of managing and developing teams and nurturing autonomous senior leaders
• Strong interpersonal skills, with experience of managing diverse stakeholders including senior leaders, funders, politicians and/or policymakers
• Knowledge of the education system, including the policy and political context
• Clear vision for why you want the role, what you will bring as a leader and your own personal development
• Experience of overseeing budgets, risks and contingencies
• Experience of sales within the education sector and/or fundraising

 Desirable Experience

• Experience of overseeing quality assuring processes and/or impact measurement

We are passionate about diversity and inclusion and strongly encourage applications from people from black and minority ethnic backgrounds. We are committed to ensuring that all applicants are treated fairly and with respect, irrespective of their actual or assumed background including gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, race (including colour, nationality and ethnic origin), religion/belief or disability.

This is a UK-based post and applicants must be living in and have the right to work the UK; if applicable please detail your visa status in your covering email. Get Further is an equal opportunities employer and will not discriminate against any candidate on the basis of any characteristic protected by the Equality Act 2010.