FINANCE & COMPLIANCE MANAGER – (GARDEN CHARITY)

Full job description
A Finance & Compliance Manager is needed to join Garden Organic, the UK’s leading organic growing charity based at Ryton Organic Gardens near Coventry. If you’re an experienced finance professional with a flair for operations and compliance, this is a brilliant opportunity to step into a varied, hands-on role with real purpose.

Whether you’re looking for a fulfilling part-time position (4 days/week) or open to full-time hours, this role offers meaningful work, flexible hybrid working, and the chance to join a friendly, values-driven organisation making a real difference in sustainable living.

You’ll work closely with our Director of Finance & Corporate Resources, manage a Finance Assistant, and collaborate with our internal Accountant – playing a key role in the day-to-day running of our finance function while also supporting wider compliance across HR, health & safety, IT, and more.

What you’ll be doing:

As a Finance Manager expect a broad, varied role where your time will be split roughly 70% finance, 30% compliance. Day-to-day duties will include:

Leading the production of management accounts, budgets and forecasts
Handling VAT returns, Gift Aid claims, and reconciliations (cashflow, balance sheet, TB etc.)
Supporting audit prep and year-end close
Helping embed and maximise our new finance system (Microsoft Dynamics 365 – Business Central)
Working with budget holders and senior leadership on financial planning and reporting
Supporting compliance activity – from health & safety to contracts and data protection
Line managing our Finance Assistant and supporting their day-to-day development
Being a trusted partner across the organisation – helping teams make sound financial decisions
What we’re looking for:

You might be a qualified (or QBE) Finance Manager, Accountant or Finance Business Partner with a background in charities or the not-for-profit sector, or someone stepping up from a hands-on finance role who’s ready to broaden their scope. Either way, we’d love to hear from you if you can bring:

Solid experience in management accounting, forecasting and financial reporting
Charity finance knowledge – Gift Aid, VAT rules, income tracking etc.
Hands-on experience with year-end, audits and working with external auditors
Strong Excel skills and confidence using finance systems (Dynamics 365 ideal)
A collaborative, practical mindset and the confidence to get stuck in
Experience supporting HR/payroll or wider compliance – helpful, but not essential
Great communication skills and the ability to work closely with non-finance colleagues
A values-led approach and passion for sustainability, community and organic principles
In return, you’ll enjoy a salary of £34,000 – £38,000 FTE, flexible hybrid working (typically 3 days on-site, 1 from home), 25 days holiday plus bank holidays (pro-rata), pension scheme, and the chance to be part of a friendly, purpose-driven team based at the beautiful Ryton Organic Gardens.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent

Pay: £34,000.00-£38,000.00 per year

Expected hours: 28 – 35 per week

Benefits:

Company pension
Work Location: In person