Overview

The National Space Centre is a charity that gets people excited about space, helps students on their education pathway and nurtures talent. It does this through the operation of a science centre, associated education programmes for school and community groups and corporate events. It also runs the National Space Academy for 14-19 year old students and NSC Creative: an immersive storytelling studio.

The Charity is overseen by a Board of Trustees and has a subsidiary trading company to manage its non-charitable activities. It turns over £10m pa and has 190 employees. It receives no public funds towards its running costs and must cover them through earned income. It raises funds to help support its exhibition development, education and community engagement work. The building is twenty five years old: fabric and plant replacement will be a regular aspect of its future.

Hours, environment and salary

Hours of work: 35 hours per week, usually 9am until 5pm, although some flexibility will be required. We will consider applications from candidates who wish to work extensive part-time, dependent upon their skills and experience.

Working environment: National Space Centre offices.

Salary: Circa £100,000 per annum (FTE), depending upon skills and experience.

Closing date for completed applications is 12 Noon 3rd October 2025.

The Job

• The Finance Director will be a senior manager who works alongside Trustees and Directors of the subsidiary trading company. Reporting to the Chief Executive, they will: Play a full role in the origination and development of The Charity's Ten Year Vision and rolling Three Year Business Plan. Prepare a detailed annual budget and a minimum of two mid-year forecasts
• Oversee The Charity's finance function and management of the team. Originate finance strategy and manage policies including those relating to banking, reserves, investment, cash flow, payment and procurement. Maintain a good working relationship with The Charity's banking providers, auditors, insurers, lawyers and other professional service providers. Review procedures and recommend change. Consider the merits of further digitisation
• Present monthly management accounts including the Profit & Loss Account, Cash Flow Forecast and Balance Sheet to the Executive Team, the Trustco Operations Committee and the Tradingco Board. Analyse performance against budget & forecast, present appropriate Key Performance Indicators and report accordingly. Present periodic management accounts to the full Board of Trustees
• Service the Audit Committee. Manage the appointment of The Auditor. Facilitate the audit of the annual accounts and the submission of statutory accounts. Take initial responsibility for implementing any recommendations made by the Auditor or Audit Committee
• Seek development opportunities for team members; particularly those to whom aspects of team management and the management accounts may be delegated. Manage the Company Secretary, Personnel and Health & Safety functions
• Join project teams and committees as required and/or at the direction of the Chief Executive including, but not limited to, the Finance Committee, Remuneration Committee and Projects Committee
• Assess the prospective contribution of automation and AI to the efficiency of the finance function and to other aspects of the National Space Centre's work

Person specification

• Candidates for the role will: Be a qualified accountant
• Have a good track record as a senior manager and experience of originating strategy and presenting board reports
• Demonstrate a broad understanding of business and have outstanding communication, presentation and management skills
• Show the capability to manage the Company Secretary, Personnel and Health & Safety functions
• Enjoy working in a fast-paced environment and responding promptly to challenges posed by trading conditions and Government regulation
• Show a commitment to The Charity's purpose and matters relating to employee welfare, diversity and decarbonisation
• Enjoy representing The Charity at events on and off-site, including during the evening and at weekends
• Expect to contribute fully to the wellbeing of The Charity, helping identify income-generating, fundraising and cost-saving opportunities.

DBS - The successful candidate will be required to complete a Basic Disclosure check for this role. Information about the Disclosure service can be found at the Directgov website.