Finance Trustee – Financial Oversight

What will you be doing?

The Rock Pool Trust is entering an exciting new chapter as a newly registered charity, supporting the continued development of The Rock Pool Project and its flagship national programme, the Big Rock Pool Challenge.

Our existing Board brings experience and a strong understanding of the organisation. We're now looking to strengthen our financial expertise as we establish the Trust's governance and plan for a sustainable future.

What will you do?

As our Finance Trustee, you'll act as the Board's lead on financial matters, working alongside fellow trustees and our senior staff team to ensure that financial decisions are informed, responsible and aligned with our charitable objectives.

In particular, you'll:

• Help the Board understand and scrutinise the charity's financial position, management accounts and financial reports.
• Provide oversight of restricted and unrestricted funds, including grant-funded activities.
• Advise on cash-flow forecasting, financial planning and the implications of variable funding streams.
• Contribute to discussions about reserves, financial risks and the sustainability of future plans.
• Support effective financial controls, accountability and compliance with relevant charity finance requirements.
• Help ensure that financial information is presented clearly and that emerging issues are identified and addressed.

Regular financial oversight

Alongside quarterly Board meetings, you'll work with our CEO to review the Trust's monthly financial position and provide input into quarterly financial reports. This will involve reviewing information, discussing significant issues and helping ensure the Board has the information it needs.

This is a strategic oversight role, not an operational finance position. Our staff team manages routine bookkeeping and prepares financial information. Your contribution will be to provide proportionate scrutiny, constructive challenge and advice at trustee level.

Trustees meet quarterly, primarily online, for approximately two hours per meeting, with preparation beforehand. We anticipate an overall commitment of approximately 2–4 hours per month on average, although this may vary around reporting deadlines.

Trustees are appointed for a three-year term, with an initial two-way review after six months.

What are we looking for?

We're looking for someone who can bring relevant charity finance experience, sound judgement and enthusiasm for our mission to the Board of The Rock Pool Trust.

Essential experience and qualities

• Relevant experience of financial management, financial reporting or financial oversight within the charity or voluntary sector.
• Ability to interpret financial information, identify significant issues and communicate financial matters clearly to colleagues without specialist financial expertise.
• Sound judgement, strategic thinking and the confidence to provide constructive challenge.
• A collaborative approach and willingness to work with fellow trustees and senior staff.
• Genuine enthusiasm for the aims of The Rock Pool Trust, The Rock Pool Project and the Big Rock Pool Challenge.

Desirable experience

Experience in one or more of the following areas would be particularly welcome:

• Charity management accounts and financial reporting.
• Restricted and unrestricted funds, including grant-funded projects.
• Cash-flow forecasting, reserves policies and financial risk management.
• Charity accounting requirements, financial controls and regulatory compliance.
• Previous experience as a charity trustee or involvement in charity governance.
• A professional accountancy qualification.

Neither a formal accountancy qualification nor previous trustee experience is essential.

We're particularly interested in someone who can help the Board understand the financial implications of its decisions and establish effective, proportionate financial oversight.

You don't need a background in marine biology or conservation, or an existing connection with our organisation. However, you should share our enthusiasm for connecting people with coastal wildlife.

We welcome applications from people with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.

What difference will you make?

This is a key appointment for The Rock Pool Trust, helping us establish strong financial governance and support the long-term sustainability of our growing national programme.

The Rock Pool Project has developed considerably in recent years, supported by major grant funding and a growing network of volunteers, partners and coastal communities.

As we build on this success, your financial expertise will help the Board make confident, well-informed decisions about our resources, funding commitments and future development.

You'll play an important role in strengthening financial reporting, monitoring restricted funding, assessing financial risks and ensuring that our ambitions are supported by sound financial planning.

Ultimately, your contribution will help us sustain and develop our volunteer-led coastal hubs, support the communities involved in the Big Rock Pool Challenge and continue generating valuable marine biodiversity data for research and conservation.

You'll be joining at a particularly exciting stage, helping establish the financial foundations of a newly registered charity with an established programme and ambitious plans for the future.

Additional information

You can download the following documents:

Rock Pool Trust - Become a trustee info pack_2.pdf

Before you apply

We aim to make our recruitment process straightforward and welcoming.

How to apply

Please apply through Reach Volunteering with a short written expression of interest outlining:

• Why you would like to join the Board of The Rock Pool Trust.
• How your experience meets the essential criteria, particularly your experience of charity finance.
• What you feel you could contribute to the Board and the future development of the charity.

A lengthy application is not necessary, and a CV is not required.

We welcome optional informal conversations before applying. These provide an opportunity to learn more about the Trust and ask questions, but do not form part of the selection process. Please contact us through Reach to arrange a conversation.

Selection process and key dates

• Applications close: Thursday 19 November 2026.
• Shortlisting: 20–23 November.
• Interviews: Between 24 and 30 November, held online.
• Board appointment decisions: Targeted for 7 December 2026.

Applications will be assessed against the published criteria. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview with a panel including at least one existing trustee.

The panel will make recommendations to the Board, with appointments subject to the usual trustee eligibility and conflict-of-interest checks.

We aim to keep applicants informed throughout the process.

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