About the organisation
The local industrial and social history nearly blew away on the wind, high in the Lowther Hills. The meeting of two minds in 1974 lead to the establishment of the museum and the preservation of the story related to the lead mining industry that went back 300 years. The last mine closed in the early 1950s. Once a key industrial hub in Scotland, the area fell into decay. Today the history remains in an accredited museum which holds a Recognised Collection of historical importance.
Set in a conservation area and surrounded by both a SSSI and an Ancient Schedued Monument the museum sits on the Southern Upland Way. The story captures people and the commonest comment from visitors is,'I did not realise there would be so much here!'.
Vision
WMT is a national treasure which will inspire its audience to feel connected with the community of the past, present and future.
Mission –
To:
- care for, protect and share the industrial and social history of this rural community who were influenced by hard work, harsh conditions, education, and innovation.
- enable access to any member of the public
Objectives-
To:
- advance education through a heritage, social history museum
- promote the local history and cultural traditions of the former lead mining community
- protect and preserve the Collection from deterioration, damage, loss, accidental destruction or unauthorised disposal.
About the role
There are 4 Board meetings a year with the AGM following one. Most are held on-site, but we do use Zoom if the weather is bad. Occasionally there are additional meetings or sub-committees when necessary. The role is to lead the Board’s duty to ensure proper accounting records are kept; oversee planning/budgeting processes; liaise with the external auditors. Day to day activity is managed by the Office staff who liaise with the accountants.
This is an open ended position and is not related to a specific project.
The Finance Trustee reports to the Board of Trustees
Strategic input and financial oversight at board level, especially as the finances are managed by staff or external professionals.
- Statutory responsibilities
- Oversee budgets and financial risk management.
- Ensure regulatory compliance.
- Provide strategic insights to align finances with organisational goals.
- Monitor long-term sustainability.
- Finance or governance experience.
- Strategic thinking and risk assessment skills.
- Ideally, familiarity with charity regulations and SORP.
Our ideal candidate
Our ideal candidate would have the skills and experience as listed in the above section. We are a small, hard working unit, so an individual who is flexible and a team player is essential.
Essential:
- Experience in finance, accounting, or financial management.
- A good understanding of governance and trustee responsibilities, including legal and regulatory requirements.
- Strategic thinker with the ability to assess financial risks and opportunities effectively.
- Proven ability to analyse financial data and present clear insights to non-financial stakeholders.
- Commitment to the charity’s mission and ability to act in its best interests.
Desirable:
- Professional finance or accounting qualifications (e.g., ACCA, ACA, CIMA).
- Familiarity with charity finance regulations and reporting standards (e.g., SORP).
- Some experience with investment strategies, reserves management, or financial risk assessment.
- Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to mentor or guide others effectively.
What’s in it for you
The museum preserves the local history for the future generations - what can be more important in heritage?
The museum is the main employer in the area which hovers on the edge of being an area of rural deprivation. Most museums and galleries are having a challenging time financially at present. Our Board is committed to ensuring this heritage survives.
Two thirds of the museum's income is returned to the community as wages. The visitors to the museum support the local tourism infrastructure. It was a fascinating microculture, set in the hills with little access to coal, electricity or mechanical transport. In some ways it has changed little, although we have just fitted an EV charger!!
Apply for the role
Please provide a short cover note setting out your motivations for volunteering for the organisation, any relevant skills/experience and why you think you might be a suitable candidate.
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