Lifelink - Head of Finance & Commercial - Glasgow / Western central belt

Head of Finance and Commercial

W&A is partnering with Lifelink to appoint a Head of Finance and Commercial – a senior leadership role offering genuine influence, broad commercial exposure and the opportunity to help shape the next stage of an established social enterprise. 

The role can be full- or part-time, up to 35 hours per week, with around two days per week in Glasgow, ideally, and scope for further flexibility. 

About Lifelink 

Lifelink is a respected social enterprise focused on helping people to be healthier and happier wherever they live, work or learn. As the organisation expands its services into corporate and private-sector markets, it is entering an exciting phase of growth and diversification. 

The Opportunity 

This is more than a traditional Head of Finance role. You’ll combine strong financial leadership with commercial thinking, helping Lifelink strengthen financial resilience, improve insight and develop sustainable new income streams. 

Working closely with the CEO/Deputy CEO, Leadership Team, and Board, you’ll have a genuine voice in strategic decisions and the opportunity to influence the organisation's wider direction. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Lead the finance and commercial function, providing clear insight and challenge to senior leaders and the Board. 

• Own budgeting, forecasting, management reporting, financial planning and performance management. 

• Shape pricing, costing and profitability analysis for bids, tenders, contracts and new business opportunities along with support from the Deputy CEO. 

• Strengthen financial systems, controls, governance and reporting as the organisation grows. 

• Support commercial negotiations, procurement, contract renewals and sustainable growth decisions. 

• Lead and develop a small finance/commercial team while overseeing core finance operations. 

• Provide financial and commercial insight to support strategic decision-making across the organisation. 

About You 

You’ll be a qualified accountant who enjoys combining financial rigour with commercial judgement and wants a role with greater breadth, influence and purpose. 

You’ll bring: 

• A recognised accounting qualification such as CA, ACA, ACCA, CIMA or CIPFA or be qualified by experience. 

• Senior finance experience with strong budgeting, forecasting, reporting and financial performance experience. 

• Experience of commercial modelling, costing, pricing and profitability analysis would be beneficial. 

• Confidence translating complex financial information into clear recommendations for senior stakeholders. 

• Experience supporting bids, tenders, contracts or new business activity would be beneficial. 

• A collaborative, pragmatic leadership style, with the confidence to influence at Board and senior leadership level. 

• The ability to balance strategic thinking with a willingness to remain close to the detail when required. 

Third sector or social enterprise experience would be advantageous but is not essential. Experience within a service-led, commissioned, outsourced or similarly complex environment could translate particularly well. 

Package & Benefits 

• Salary from £51,500 FTE for a full-time appointment. 

• For a more experienced candidate able to deliver the full scope of the role over 3–4 days per week, there is flexibility to offer up to £64,375 FTE, pro-rated to the days worked. 

• Full or part-time working available, up to 35 hours per week. 

• Highly flexible working, with around two days per week in Glasgow and potential for further flexibility for the right candidate. 

• Strong holiday provision and wellbeing days. 

• A supportive, inclusive and people-focused culture. 

Why This Role? 

• A genuine senior leadership role with influence beyond finance. 

• The opportunity to broaden your remit into commercial development and growth. 

• Regular exposure to the Board and senior leadership team. 

• The chance to help shape sustainable income generation as Lifelink expands into new markets. 

• A purpose-led organisation offering an unusually flexible working proposition. 

To learn more or apply, please get in touch with Andrea Green at andrea@wilkinsonandassociates.co.uk for a private and confidential discussion. Alternatively, submit your CV and we’ll be in touch. 

Please note that this is a retained role and all direct applications and third-party CVs will be forwarded to W&A for consideration as part of the recruitment process.