Head of Finance & Resources – The Bowes Museum

 The Role

The Bowes Museum seeks a new Head of Finance and Resources to lead the financial operations of its charitable trust and trading arm. This role is for 22.5 hours per week (working hours and days to be agreed within Monday-Friday) and, therefore, may suit people who desire to work flexibly and/or have more than one working commitment.

To be successful in this role, you will bring a combination of financial expertise, industry knowledge in a charity business and commercial environment, strategic thinking, and leadership skills. You will also have strong staff management skills and be able to contribute effectively to the broader leadership and direction of the Museum.

The post holder will lead and manage the financial affairs of The Bowes Museum Charitable Trust and Bowes Museum Enterprises Ltd. The Bowes Museum is a charitable trust and an Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation, with income from visitors, a growing membership scheme, growing commercial operations, donations, and grants.

A qualified accountant reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, you will play a critical role in supporting the Senior Leadership Team, providing strategic insights and financial guidance on all aspects of financial decision-making within the Museum. You will coordinate financial planning, budgeting, and monitoring, and help align our processes and resources so we work effectively and efficiently. Your role will include operational and financial planning, risk management, and investment management to support decision-making, project delivery and reporting, and driving commercial and economic performance. You will identify opportunities for increased efficiencies, savings and resource management improvements.

You will ensure the Museum works within all legal and legal parameters of financial, accounting, audit, and charity law.

Role Purpose

• To lead the Museum’s Finance operation, ensuring the Museum fulfils all legal and statutory financial obligations and remains compliant at all times. This includes ensuring suitable processes and organisational systems are robust and implemented across the organisation.
• To coordinate reports to the Directors, Board of Trustees, committees, funders and stakeholders in all areas relating to finance, resources and key performance management.
• To manage all financial matters pertaining to the museum and its commercial enterprises and ensure timely and accurate reporting.
• To assist the Senior Leadership Team with strategic thinking and financial acumen to help shape and deliver future ambition, including capital investments, financial models, business plans, and funding applications.

The Person

You will be enthusiastic, highly organised, methodical, and accurate. You will communicate well with colleagues and our external stakeholders, partners, and suppliers. You will be proactive in problem-solving in a dynamic museum environment. As a confident and visible leader, you will enjoy building effective working relationships with a broad range of people and advocating for the museum’s values and behaviours. As someone used to juggling multiple elements, you will be flexible and adaptable in your approach and passionate about maximising the resilience and sustainability of The Bowes Museum.

Please click here for the full job description and person specification>> 

How to apply

To apply, please send an up to date CV and Covering Letter to [email protected] Your Covering Letter should refer to the essential criteria noted in the role profile’s Person Specification. Please tell us about how your specific skills and professional experiences meet the different competencies, qualities and experiences required and give examples.

Closing date: 9am, Friday 10 May 2024