Job Description
Finance Director at West Highland Museum Trust About the Role Commitment
4 Board meetings (including preparation time) and annual AGM attendance (ideally in person). Circa 2-4 days a month hand on additional support activity for our Museum & Collections Manager and Finance Manager throughout the year (which can be remote/hybrid working)
Role Purpose
The Finance Director maintains a strategic overview of the museum’s financial health, safeguards its assets, and ensures robust financial governance. The role acts as an active critical guide and advisor to the Museum & Collections manager and provides the wider Board clear, objective assurances regarding financial compliance, risk management, and the long-term sustainability of the museum.
Key Responsibilities Financial Governance & Compliance
- Regulatory Compliance: Ensure the Trust complies with its governing documents, OSCR and HMRC regulations regarding Gift Aid, VAT, and payroll tax.
- Annual Accounts: Oversee the timely preparation of annual statutory accounts in accordance with the SORP
- Independent Audit: Act as the primary Board liaison for the external independent auditor during the year-end financial review (as required)
- Financial Strategy: Lead the Board’s long-term financial strategy and vision that aligns with the charity’s goals, including forecasting and evaluation.
- Budget Management: Overseeing budget creation, monitoring, and evaluation to maximize resource efficiency.
- Investment Oversight: Managing investment activities to grow the charity’s financial portfolio responsibly.
Strategic Oversight & Board Assurance
- Financial Reporting: Review and present quarterly management accounts, cash flow statements, and budget variances to the Board in a clear, accessible manner.
- Budget Scrutiny: Advise and challenge the Museum & Collections Manager on the creation of the annual operating budget and rolling multi-year financial forecasts.
- Investment & Reserves Policy: Formulate, monitor, and periodically review the museum’s reserves policy and investment strategies to safeguard the trust’s long-term capital.
- Fundraising Support: Collaborating with our Fundraiser and the Fundraising team to ensure both capital and revenue funding in secured for the Museums continued longevity.
- Capital Project Scrutiny: Provide financial oversight on major upcoming capital redevelopment and historic building renovation projects, monitoring restricted vs. unrestricted funding allocations.
- Risk Management: Ensure appropriate internal financial controls, fraud prevention measures, and risk registers are maintained and reviewed regularly.
- Risk Assessment: Identifying and mitigating financial risks to protect the organization’s assets; liaising with the Audit Committee to support risk management.
For more information please visit the West Highland Museum website