Who we are
46 Wildlife Trusts. One central charity.
The Wildlife Trusts is a federation made up of 46 Wildlife Trusts and a central charity (the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts). We work together across the UK, Alderney and the Isle of Man to:
Bring wildlife back.
Help everyone to take meaningful action for nature.
Create an inclusive society where nature matters.
Together, we have more than 944,000 members, over 38,000 volunteers, 3,600 staff and 600 trustees, and manage over 2,600 nature reserves.
The role
For our full recruitment pack and application form, follow this link.
Key Duties
1. To provide strategic support to the head of Finance and the wider Finance Team and oversee the presentation of regular management accounts and financial reports to Council (that meets typically 6 times a year; 4 online, 2 face to face).
2. Chair RSWT’s Resources & Audit Committee which meets online typically 4 times a year.
3. To advise Council on the financial implications of RSWT’s activities, and its present and future financial needs.
4. Analyse proposals presented to both Council and Resources & Audit Committee and examine their consequences.
5. To provide financial oversight and advice to Council in relation to RSWT’s annual budgets and strategic
projections
6. To ensure all financial information is provided to Council in a way that Trustees can make informed collective decisions surrounding financial governance.
7. To ensure that procedures and policies are in place to maintain RSWT’s financial stability and direct on financial reserves policy and investment policy.
8. Keeping Council informed about its financial duties and responsibilities including compliance with relevant legislation and Charity Commission guidance.
Additional Duties
– To act as a member of other RSWT Committees and panels, as agreed with the Chair.
– To play a full role as RSWT Trustee and Honorary Officer by fulfilling Trustee duties
– Promote and support inclusive leadership throughout Council as part of the RSWT Equality Diversity & Inclusion strategy.
– Be aware of their safeguarding responsibilities and take responsibility for promoting and safeguarding people and ensure that this is a priority for the charity.
– Complying with the legal duties of a trustee as laid out by the Charity Commission.
Essential Skills
– Financial qualifications and experience.
– The skills to analyse proposals and examine their financial consequences.
– An ability to engage effectively in financial strategy and funding relationships (ideally an understanding of the principles of charitable fundraising and financial governance).
Desirable Skills
– Experience of charity finance, fundraising and pension schemes.
– An understanding of wider financial markets.
– Experience of auditing and scrutinising accounts.
– Experience of a federated charity model.
– An interest in nature and wildlife.
Supporting document(s)
- honorary_treasurer_role_description_october_2025.pdf - Download
