Treasurer and Trustee

We’re looking for our next Treasurer and Trustee, join us to help manage one of Yorkshire’s biggest environmental charities with a turnover of £14 million, 190 staff and big ambitions for nature recovery.

We'd like our new Treasurer and Trustee to join our Board in October when our current Treasurer steps down. In particular, we are seeking a qualified management accountant who can provide insights and leadership to support the financial management and governance of the Trust. The Treasurer works in close co-operation with, and provides support and advice to, the Finance Director and the Chief Executive. Our Trustees have a key leadership role at Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, setting the direction of the organisation and help us to achieve our goals of creating wildlife-rich places and wildlife-rich lives. 

Becoming a Trustee means taking on a voluntary role to support and guide a charitable organisation to achieve agreed vision and goals. Trustees are responsible for the overall governance of a charity. Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s Trustees set our strategic direction and provide guidance, support and challenge to the Senior Leadership Team. They are passionate ambassadors for the charity’s work, influencing key partners and helping to secure funding. Trustees also contribute through their own professional expertise and background as collegiate members of the team, to ensure the charity is positioned to deliver its strategic priorities. 

Our Trustees bring strategic vision, independent judgement and a willingness to commit to leading the Trust through challenges and opportunities. Our Board and Senior Leadership Team are a partnership, with mutual trust and respect – who work together with the shared purpose of achieving the Trust’s vision and mission.

The Treasurer works in close co-operation with, and provides support and advice to, the Finance Director and the Chief Executive. 

Specific duties include:

• Guide and advise the Board in the approval of budgets, accounts and financial statements, within a relevant financial policy framework.
• Keep the Board informed about its financial duties and responsibilities.
• Advise the Board on the financial implications of the Trust’s strategic plans and key assumptions, including the operational plan and annual budget.
• Confirm the financial resources of the Trust meet its present and future needs and that there are appropriate reserves and investment policies.
• Understand the accounting procedures and key internal controls, to be able to assure the Board that the Trust’s financial integrity is sound.
• Lead the open tender process of independent auditors, ideally at least every five years.
• Ensure the accounts are properly audited, that accepted recommendations of the auditors are implemented and provide financial expertise to the Finance and Risk committee, as appropriate.
• Ensure that the annual accounts are presented at the AGM.
• The Treasurer will be a member of the Finance and Risk committee and act as its Chair.
• Through the Finance and Risk committee, monitor the Trust’s investment activity and ensure that its investment policy is consistent with the organisation’s values, policies, aims, objectives and legal responsibilities.

Your skills and expertise will enable us to achieve our ambitious strategy, which focuses on these areas:

• Nature’s recovery – more land and sea are positively managed for nature to achieve the 30% by 2030 goal.
• Nature-positive system – active support for wildlife and natural systems are embedded into the framework of society, where nature-based solutions provide opportunities and help to solve societal problems.
• 1 in 4 people take action for Nature – individuals, communities and organisations are empowered to make a positive difference for nature and drive the creation of nature positive societal & economic system.

What’s in it for you: 

• the knowledge that you’re making a real and lasting difference to some of the most amazing green and blue spaces in the country; 
• working with a group of like-minded, enthusiastic people;
• training and mentoring opportunities; 
• all expenses covered; 
• amazing insight into the work of an organisation working at the cutting edge of nature conservation and working alongside experts in their field.

Further details about the role and person specification and how to apply can be found in the the application pack.