Could you use your financial expertise to help shape the future of a community-focused charity, at a pivotal moment of change?
Voluntary Action North Somerset (VANS) is an established infrastructure charity supporting, connecting and championing voluntary and community organisations across North Somerset and beyond. With a strong local reputation and a clear ambition for the future, VANS plays a vital role in strengthening communities by bringing organisations together, amplifying collective voice, and enabling others to deliver impact.
We’re looking for a new Finance Trustee to help ensure the charity remains financially resilient, sustainable and well-positioned for long-term growth.
Location: Based in North Somerset, working across the South West and beyond
Remuneration: Voluntary, with expenses covered
Time commitment: Approximately 1–2 days per month. Currently, 4 Board meetings and 2 Development Days per annum, 4 Finance Committee meetings, plus occasional ad-hoc meetings, preparation and support around budgeting, annual accounts and financial planning.
About the opportunity
You'll join a committed Board and work alongside the Chief Executive, Finance Committee and external finance support to help oversee the charity's financial health and sustainability.
As Lead Finance Trustee, you'll also chair the Finance Committee, helping to ensure robust financial oversight, effective governance and informed decision-making.
You'll play a key role in:
- Providing strategic financial oversight and assurance to the Board
- Supporting long-term financial sustainability and organisational resilience
- Chairing the Finance Committee and strengthening financial governance
- Ensuring financial information is accessible for non-financial trustees
- Supporting budgeting, forecasting, reserve management, risk oversight
About you
We're open to different backgrounds and pathways into this role. You may already be a Finance Trustee, Treasurer or Finance Committee Chair, or you may be a senior finance professional looking to take on your first board-level governance role. What matters most is your ability to provide relevant strategic financial leadership and support effective decision-making.
We're particularly interested in people who can:
- Bring a recognised accountancy qualification and strong financial management experience
- Interpret financial information and translate it clearly for non-financial audiences
- Support strategic thinking around growth, sustainability and income diversification
- Balance scrutiny and challenge in a collaborative and supportive way
- Operate confidently at both a strategic and governance level
Previous charity trustee experience would be welcome, but is not essential. Experience of charity finance, accounting regulations and SORP is also highly valuable.
How to apply
A CV or short profile is a great first step. We'd also welcome an informal conversation if you'd prefer to ask some questions first. Amelia Lee at Charity People is leading this search.
Deadline: Applications are being reviewed on a rolling basis. If you feel this approach disadvantages you in any way, please get in touch with Amelia, who will ensure you are given full and fair consideration and do not miss out.
Charity People is a forward-thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background, including age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.