Westcountry Rivers Trust is recruiting a Head of Finance

This is a permanent contract after a successful 6 month probation period.

 The starting salary for this role is £42,400.00 - £46,800.00 FTE per annum, this will be pro-rata for 30 hours (dependent on experience)

This role is a 30 hours per week, but full time (37.5 hours) will be considered

 Apply by midnight on 14th January 2026 by CV and Covering Letter to:  https://hr.breathehr.com/v/head-of-finance-44440

For queries about this role or the application process please contact recruitment@wrt.org.uk

Formed in 1994, the Trust was established to restore Westcountry rivers.  Measures to protect rivers can help to save money for farmers, lower costs for water companies, boost tourism, reduce the need to dredge estuaries and even benefit human health.  

Today the charity works with a wide range of stakeholders from landowners to local communities, businesses, farmers and water companies to restore and protect the rivers, lakes, estuaries and coastal areas for the benefit of people, wildlife and the local economy. There has never been a more important time to work on the rivers of the West Country as the impacts of climate emergency and the ecological crisis is forcing society to invest in building catchment resilience. 

Spurred by a shared love of rivers, the Westcountry Rivers Trust is very much a grassroots organisation, brought into existence from the bottom up. In the early 90s, a group of individuals,  passionate – but concerned – about the waterways around them, began to stitch together their ambitions for restoring Westcountry rivers, laying the foundations for the Trust we know today.

Everything the Trust does is informed by the best available science. Their work is driven by an ‘ecosystems approach,’ considering the function of the entire catchment, not just the rivers that flow within them.

It was this new perspective – not to mention the hands-on and tireless approach to river restoration – that grabbed the attention of so many supporters and funders, and which lies behind the flourishing rivers trust movement. Since then, the Trust now has circa 75 employees with an annual turnover of c£3m running multi-annual projects spread across a wide range of funders. 

The Trust has three main delivery teams and a support services team.  Our employees work on delivery sites, from home, and from the office.

Reporting directly to the Finance Director, the Head of Finance plays a central role in delivering a highly effective and well-governed finance function for the Trust. Acting as the FD’s second-in-command, the role provides leadership across a wide variety of financial and project-related activities, ensuring strong financial stewardship, consistent performance, and clear strategic insight.

 

As part of Westcountry Rivers Trust, this role sits at the heart of a successful and values-driven environmental charity leading a diverse portfolio of innovative conservation and river restoration projects. It offers the opportunity to support meaningful, high-impact work that is helping to protect and improve the natural environment across the region.

 

This role oversees the finance team’s day-to-day operations, ensuring accurate reporting, sound controls, and reliable financial management across both core operations and funded projects. With responsibility for coordinating complex financial workflows and multiple concurrent priorities, the Head of Finance brings adaptability, an exceptional eye for detail, and the ability to work calmly and effectively under pressure.

 

The Head of Finance also contributes proactively to the ongoing improvement of financial processes, systems, and working practices—driving enhanced efficiency, transparency, and operational effectiveness across the Trust.

 

Demonstrating a collaborative, professional, and solutions-focused approach, this individual works confidently with senior colleagues and external partners, communicating clearly and supporting the wider organisation with high-quality financial insight and guidance.

 

As a key member of the finance leadership team, the Head of Finance is consistent, dependable, and forward-thinking—ensuring the smooth and strategic management of the Trust’s financial activities while providing trusted support and cover for the Finance Director.

 

·        Support the Finance Director in ensuring the financial security of the Trust, including cashflow monitoring and short-to-medium–term financial planning.

·        Provide regular reports and updates to the Finance Director on the status of Trust-wide projects, highlighting any emerging risks or issues and recommending appropriate actions.

·        Provide financial analysis to support organisational planning, including contributions to the 5-year Charity Plan where required.

·        Assist in overseeing the preparation of grant claims (for both UK and EU projects) and maintaining accurate project accounting across multiple funding streams.

·        Ensure strong financial controls are applied across expenditure, procurement, and financial systems, promoting compliance with policies and audit requirements.

·        Manage day-to-day cash and banking processes, supporting the Finance Director with monitoring and payment authorisations. 

·        Assist with the preparation of year-end accounts and work with external auditors to provide high-quality evidence and ensure a smooth audit process.

·        Support, where required, in the preparation of bidding proposals for new projects.

·        Support financial oversight of the trading subsidiary, including assisting with inter-company transactions and reconciliations.

·        Assist in ensuring the Trust’s tax and VAT compliance, preparing VAT returns for Finance Director review, and evaluating funding for VAT considerations.

·        Support the Finance Director in managing the procurement process across the Trust, ensuring compliance, preparing NEC contracts, and reviewing tender assessments.

 

 

·        Act as deputy to the Finance Director, providing cover and decision-making support where appropriate.

·        Supervise and support the day-to-day work of the finance team, helping to develop skills, maintain performance, and embed good financial practice.

·        Provide financial information and clear communication to senior managers within the Trust, where required.

·        Manage and lead the Grade 4 Senior Finance Team, overseeing performance, development, and day-to-day activities.

·        Step in to support colleagues during absences, ensuring seamless team operations and contributing wherever needed.

·        Promote a consistent, professional, and collaborative approach to finance across the organisation.

 

Governance, Systems and Other Duties

 

·        Support the Finance Director in maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements, audit standards, and financial policies.

·        Contribute to improvements in financial systems, reporting, processes, and documentation to ensure accuracy, transparency, and efficiency.

·        Carry out any other duties aligned to the grade and role as may be reasonably required to support the Finance Director and the wider finance function.

 

·        Highly professional, and level-headed, fostering a collaborative approach across teams.

·        Honest, transparent, and consistent communicator, articulating challenges calmly, assertively, and in a balanced manner to build trust and engagement.

·        Ambitious and results-driven, striving for excellence in personal performance and team development, with the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines. 

·        Proactive and solution-focused, identifying issues early and tackling them effectively before they escalate.

 

·        Experience managing grants or multiple funding streams.

·        Experience with subsidiaries, inter-company transactions, or charity trading operations.