Chief Financial Officer

Changeworks is a leading Scottish charity and social enterprise focused on tackling fuel poverty, improving energy efficiency and supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy. For more than 35 years, the organisation has worked with households, local authorities, housing associations, energy providers and public sector organisations to deliver practical solutions that reduce energy costs, improve homes and support decarbonisation ambitions.

Today, Changeworks generates approximately £13 million of annual income across advice services, retrofit programmes and consultancy activities. Alongside its involvement in Warmworks, one of Scotland’s largest energy efficiency partnerships, the organisation plays an important role in delivering programmes that create both social and environmental impact.

A key differentiator is their end-to-end delivery model, spanning advice and engagement, programme design, project management, quality assurance and post-installation support. This integrated approach has established Changeworks as a trusted partner across the sectors and communities it serves.
Under the leadership of CEO Josiah Lockhart, the organisation is entering its next phase of development. While remaining firmly committed to its purpose-led mission and values-driven culture, Changeworks is increasingly focused on scaling its impact, strengthening its commercial capability and responding to growing demand across energy advice, retrofit and wider decarbonisation services.

Combining social purpose with commercial discipline, Changeworks is well positioned to play an increasingly significant role in addressing some of the UK’s most important economic, social and environmental challenges.

The Chief Financial Officer will lead the financial and commercial agenda for Changeworks, shaping strategy to support sustainable growth and long-term value. Reporting to CEO, they will operate as a core member of the executive team – combining oversight of performance, governance and risk with a strong delivery focus.

The role is both strategic and operational: translating opportunities into investable propositions, leading funding and capital decisions, and driving performance across a multi-entity structure. Working closely with the CEO, Board and senior team, the CFO will enable clear decision-making, strengthen partnerships and ensure the organisation has the financial discipline and insight to deliver on its ambitions.

Financial Strategy & Capital Management

• Lead and deliver financial strategy aligned to growth objectives
• Oversee capital allocation, investment appraisal and funding structures
• Translate business opportunities into robust financial frameworks
• Establish investment criteria for ventures, partnerships and acquisitions
• Lead financial due diligence on major initiatives
• Assess commercial viability of new services and market opportunities

Commercial Leadership & Value Creation

• Translate opportunities into scalable, financially viable propositions
• Partner on development of new services and market expansion
• Lead commercial negotiations and funding agreements
• Drive performance through analysis, benchmarking and insight
• Develop models to support planning and decision-making
• Support innovation in products, services and income streams

Governance, Risk & Compliance

• Establish and maintain enterprise-wide risk and governance frameworks
• Ensure compliance with charity, regulatory and commercial requirements
• Support Board and Audit & Risk Committee with clear reporting and insight
• Oversee risk management across financial, operational and strategic areas
• Ensure robust management information for decision-making
• Lead treasury, cash flow and financial risk management
• Maintain strong audit, assurance and control frameworks
• Lead business continuity and crisis financial planning
• Implement succession planning for critical finance capabilities

Partnership & Alliance Management

• Develop governance frameworks for partnerships and joint ventures
• Lead financial due diligence and risk assessment for alliances
• Define and monitor partnership performance metrics
• Ensure compliance with financial and contractual obligations

Subsidiary and Venture Oversight

• Oversee financial performance and governance of subsidiaries and ventures
• Support and deputise for the CEO on subsidiary boards as required
• Ensure regulatory and statutory compliance across all entities
• Lead performance monitoring through KPIs and reporting frameworks
• Drive alignment and value across the group structure
• Lead due diligence and integration of new ventures

Company Secretary Functions

• Act as Company Secretary where required
• Ensure statutory compliance across Companies House, OSCR and HMRC
• Maintain corporate records and statutory registers
• Support effective board and governance processes

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead and develop a high-performing finance function
• Build commercial capability within the team
• Set clear accountability and performance standards
• Drive continuous improvement and innovation
• Strengthen knowledge management and reduce dependency risks

Change Management & Organisational Development

• Lead financial input into organisational change initiatives
• Support delivery of major transformation programmes
• Communicate financial implications of strategic change
• Provide commercial insight to support executive decision-making

Stakeholder Management & External Relations

• Manage relationships with investors, lenders, auditors and regulators
• Lead engagement with funding and financing partners
• Represent the organisation in external and sector forums
• Provide financial and commercial thought leadership

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with significant post-qualification experience
• Proven senior finance leadership experience in a complex or growing organisation
• Strong commercial judgement, with the ability to translate strategy into financial outcomes
• Experience supporting executive decision-making and operating at Board level
• Track record of driving performance, investment decisions and organisational growth
• Deep understanding of financial governance, risk and control
• Ability to lead and develop high-performing teams and build organisational capability
• Strong stakeholder skills, with the credibility to engage across internal and external partners
• Values-led, with a clear alignment to purpose and impact