Job Description

You will be responsible for managing the accounts, financial operations and will play a key role in the future planning and development of the zoo. You will also play a key role within our senior leadership team, which will involve working closely with the Managing Director and Owners.

Experience of working in tourism, conservation and/or the charity sector is desirable but not essential.

• Line Management and support for the accounts assistant.
• Strategic input as the financial lead.
• Provide financial leadership and support for the senior leadership team.
• Payroll including pensions.
• Suppliers and payments.
• Customer invoices and credit control.
• Prepare annual accounts, to provide reports and lead communication with external auditors.
• Annual and strategic plans.
• Forecasts and projections.
• Setting budgets and reporting.
• Provide support for applications for planning, grant funding and other business initiatives.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Flexible and adaptable. Happy to be hands-on as well as the ability to think strategically.
• Enthusiastic and highly motivated with a drive for continuous improvement.
• Able to communicate with a wide variety of team members and disciplines.
• Sensitive to the ethos and character of an owner-run family business.
• Clear-thinking and organized with the ability to work effectively under time pressure.
• Enthusiasm for animals, wildlife and conservation.
• Willingness to work within an organization with Christian ethos.
• Educated to degree level in a relevant subject or have equivalent work-based experience.
• A professional accounting qualification or equivalent work-based learning.
• A broad range of finance and business skills ideally gained at a senior level in a customer-facing business or visitor attraction.
• Highly numerate and familiar with accounting systems and financial software and able to learn new systems.
• Excellent communication skills - including verbal and written.
• Strong organization skills and the ability to priorities and multi-task numerous projects and work streams.
• Proven track record of team leadership and line management.
• At least 3 years operating as a senior finance manager.
• Experience of developing budgets and financial plans and working with a range of managers from non-financial roles.
• Experience with producing financial reports and working with auditors.
• Business savvy with experience in driving commercial revenue and effective cost management.
• Experience of working with banks and other external contacts.
• Digital banking and online financial systems.
• Financial management experience with a visitor attraction or in the leisure/hospitality or tourism sector.
• Experience of working in or with a charity and the associated finance and reporting.