At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead finance strategy and support decision-making at IWM.
- Company: Join a purpose-driven organisation connecting people with modern conflict stories.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, pension contributions, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on financial planning in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Proven finance leadership experience and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 67500 £ per year.
Location: IWM London (Hybrid: 3 days a week in office)
Salary: £65,000–£67,500 per annum
Working Hours: 36 hours per week (full time)
Contract Type: Permanent
What It’s Like to Work Here
Imperial War Museums (IWM) connects people with the stories of modern conflict, helping shape understanding of its impact on society. You’ll join a collaborative, purpose-driven organisation with a strong public mission and a focus on accountability, innovation and continuous improvement. Teams work closely across disciplines to deliver high-quality experiences for visitors while ensuring long-term sustainability.
Why This Role Matters
This role is central to how financial insight shapes decision-making across IWM. As Head of Finance Business Partnering, you’ll lead the function that connects finance with the wider organisation—ensuring leaders have the clarity, challenge and support they need to deliver against strategic and commercial objectives. You’ll play a key role in aligning financial planning with IWM’s mission, supporting both public-facing activity and commercial operations, while maintaining strong governance and value for money.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Lead and develop the Finance Business Partnering function, building a high-performing and well-structured team
- Act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, providing clear financial insight and constructive challenge
- Partner closely with the Commercial directorate to support income growth, pricing decisions and business planning
- Translate strategy into financial plans, budgets and performance measures
- Lead budgeting, forecasting and reforecasting processes, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities
- Deliver high-quality reporting, analysis and scenario modelling to support decision-making
- Support major strategic initiatives, investment cases and organisational change
- Improve financial systems, reporting and processes to increase efficiency, insight and transparency
- Promote financial understanding across the organisation, enabling better decision-making at all levels
What We’re Looking For
We’d love to hear from you if you have:
- Proven experience leading a finance business partnering or FP&A function
- Strong experience influencing and challenging senior stakeholders
- Track record of supporting commercial performance and strategic decision-making
- Experience leading budgeting, forecasting and financial planning processes
- Ability to turn complex financial data into clear, actionable insight
- Strong team leadership skills, with experience building or developing teams
- Qualified accountant (e.g. ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA) or equivalent experience
- Strong analytical skills and a proactive, problem-solving mindset
- Understanding of public sector, charity or grant-funded environments (desirable)
How You’ll Work
You’ll work closely with senior leaders across commercial, operational and support functions, acting as a key link between finance and the wider organisation. The role requires strong collaboration across directorates, including Collections, Exhibitions, Learning and Estates, to ensure consistent and high-quality financial support.
What Success Looks Like (First 6–12 Months)
- Build strong, trusted relationships with senior stakeholders across all directorates
- Establish a clear, effective Finance Business Partnering model and team structure
- Improve the quality and consistency of financial reporting, planning and insight
- Strengthen financial support to commercial decision-making and income generation
- Deliver measurable improvements to budgeting and forecasting processes
- Embed finance as a proactive and valued partner to the business
Application closing date: August 23rd 2026, 11:55 PM
Interview Details: First round interviews for this post are planned for early September.
Benefits
- Annual Leave: You'll have 25 days of annual leave, with public holidays on top. After 3 years, this increases to 27 days and after 5 years, you’ll get 30 days
- Company Group Pension Plan: Our commitment to your financial well-being includes competitive employer contributions to your pension starting at 7% to a maximum of 12%.
- Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Benefits: Celebrate life’s milestones with confidence, knowing that our policies support growing families.
- IWM4me: Tailor your benefits to your unique needs through IWM4me. Access health, protection, and lifestyle benefits at corporate rates, ensuring your holistic well-being.
- Free Sanitary Products: We prioritise your comfort by providing free sanitary products across all our sites.
- Retail Discounts: 25% off IWM Cafes, 20% discount in on-site shops, Benefits hub offering retail discounts to several high street shops (via our EAP provider) and MyActive discounts for health and wellbeing based retail discounts (via IWM4me)
- Free Entry to IWM Air Shows: Witness the thrill of vintage aircraft at our air shows.
- Free Entry to Partner Museums & Galleries: Immerse yourself in art, history, and culture through our reciprocal arrangements with other institutions.
- In-House Training Programmes: Fuel your intellectual curiosity and professional growth through our comprehensive training initiatives.
- Season Ticket Loan Scheme: Simplify your daily commute with our interest‑free loan program.
- Cycle 2 Work & Cycle Hire: Promote well‑being and environmental consciousness by cycling to work.
- Eye Tests: Money back up to £80 for an eye test and a new pair of glasses.
- Employee Assistance Programme: Access confidential support for personal or work‑related challenges.
- Benenden Healthcare & Dental Insurance: Prioritise your health with access to quality healthcare services (subject to terms and conditions).
- Civil Service Sports Club Membership: Opportunity to join and enjoy additional discounts and perks as part of a vibrant community.
- Staff Events and Networks: Join fellow colleagues in social gatherings and events, fostering camaraderie and shared experiences.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. This role is subject to: A basic check, which shows unspent convictions and conditional cautions.
IWM is committed to a policy of Equal Opportunities. We miss out when people feel IWM isn't for them, and are committed to removing and reducing barriers to make IWM open to everyone. Our Access and Inclusion strategy has been developed to promote openness, equal opportunities to access, inclusivity and encourage diversity in everything that we do, from employment practices, the services we provide to our visitors to the facilities we make available to public. At IWM we seek to address the need for greater diversity within our workforce as well as the wider museum and heritage sector. In all our practices we embrace diversity and promote equality of opportunity and we welcome applications from suitable candidates of all backgrounds. We value and respect difference and are committed to building an inclusive culture by creating an environment where you can balance a successful career with your commitments and interests outside of work. We believe that you will do your best at work if you have a work / life balance. Some roles lend themselves to flexible options more than others, so if this is important to you please raise this with your recruitment contact, as we are open to discussing agile working opportunities during the hiring process.
Head of Finance Business Partnering in London employer: Imperial War Museum London
Imperial War Museums (IWM) is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, where your contributions directly impact the organisation's mission. With a focus on employee growth, IWM offers opportunities for professional development and strategic involvement in financial planning, all within the vibrant setting of London. Join us to be part of a team that values meaningful work and drives income growth through informed decision-making.
Contact Details:
Imperial War Museum London Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Finance Business Partnering in London
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Imperial War Museum London. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Finance Business Partnering in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Imperial War Museum London.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Imperial War Museum London's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Imperial War Museum London
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Imperial War Museum London.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Imperial War Museum London will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Imperial War Museum London employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
