Director, Financial Management

Overview

Context of Role. Reporting to the Director of Finance & Technology, this position sits within the integrated Finance, Admin & IT function. The role plays a critical part in shaping and implementing global financial frameworks, supporting organisational evolution, and maintaining high standards of governance, transparency and accountability. The role requires close collaboration across functions and adherence to safeguarding reporting and monitoring obligations.

Role Purpose. The Director, Financial Management, will lead the development and delivery of robust financial management practices across the organisation. This role ensures effective systems, processes, and controls are in place to support global operations, drive compliance, and enable informed decision-making. They will provide strategic oversight of secretariat-wide financial transactions (unrestricted core funding), global audits, financial policies and procedures including those relating to procurement management, financial systems and compliance, ensuring alignment with organisational objectives and safeguarding requirements.

Responsibilities

• Policies & Procedures: Conceptualise, design, and keep up to date in line with the SROP guidelines, the global financial policies, frameworks, processes and systems that enhance service delivery aligned with IPPF’s financial strategy, internal resources and donor requirements. This includes overseeing the implementation of all these policies/frameworks/processes/systems.
• Accounting: Continually conceptualise, build and review frameworks and processes to improve overall financial KPIs. Build budgets and oversee their utilisation for the finance function in line with the journey developed to strengthen the finance and other functions. Advise and collaborate with the Director – Financial Planning and Analysis and Donor Reporting Global manager for all planning and budgeting processes and specific financial processes and policies applicable to restricted projects. Influence and galvanise a strong culture of transparency and financial control across the Secretariat by setting clear expectations, developing reporting and oversight tools and adequate follow up. Design and oversee implementation of regular review and approval systems in line with the policies and procedures. Design, update and oversee a robust month end and year end closure procedure across the Secretariat. Conceptualise, design and oversee implementation of a strong treasury and investment management system, optimizing returns on investment. Conceptualise, design and oversee implementation of a risk-based forex management system. Ensure timely review and sign off of monthly payroll transactions, ensuring all compliances in line with internal policies and HMRC requirements.
• Procurement: Conceptualise, design and oversee implementation of procurement policies and processes to ensure value for money, including speed, quality and timeliness of delivery. Conceptualise and design vendor management solutions to efficiently and transparently manage procurement across the secretariat.
• Statutory Reporting & Compliance: Oversee and direct implementation of systems/processes to ensure timely and accurate statutory compliance directly in the UK (VAT / PAYE / Gift Aid). Oversee compliance in line with the requirements of the UK Charities Commission, HMRC, US IRS and Donors. Oversee financial compliance across all secretariat offices, directing the team to establish oversight of financial compliance.
• Financial Systems Oversight: Conceptualise, design and manage financial systems for efficiently and transparently managing financial transactions across the secretariat. Conceptualise, design and manage a time sheet management system to ensure fair allocation of costs across different funding sources. Conceptualise and design accounting systems to support lead consolidation of accounts for the Charity and Group, ensuring timely closure of statutory audits.
• Audit and Oversight: Conceptualise and design a system for generating timely and accurate year-end statutory financial statements. Influence and oversee external audit processes to ensure timely closure of audits. Be the focal person for oversight and follow-up on fraud and mismanagement complaints within the finance function. Advise Director of Finance & Technology and, where needed, the internal audit to ensure efficient responses and follow up to internal audit recommendations. Assist the Director of Finance & Technology in preparation work related to the DLT, Finance, Audit and Risk committee and Board of Trustee meetings. Lead the global financial responses to internal/external audit requests. Attend and participate in the DLT, Finance, Audit and Risk Committee, Board of Trustees and the annual Donor Meeting, as required.
• People Management: Mentor and guide the team, building a culture of accountability, collaboration and mutual support. Advise senior management and staff on financial policy/process/system changes that embed new ways of working and improve financial management. Champion change within the team and with stakeholders on adopting new financial approaches that position IPPF at the forefront of innovation.

Reporting/Management Responsibility

• Head of Finance – Hub
• NetSuite Global Manager
• Investment Management (Outsourced)
• Treasury management
• Corporate services assistant

Essential Skills & Qualifications

• Fully qualified Chartered Accountant
• Strong knowledge of UK Charities Commission, SORP and other statutory requirements (including VAT)
• Experience of turning around a Finance function
• Proactive problem-solver
• Hands-on without getting lost in the weeds
• Great interpersonal skills and works well across different cultures
• Holds people to account
• Experience in ensuring value for money decision making processes
• Experience of working with global systems & processes
• Experience in the Charity Sector
• Evidence of setting and managing robust standards of performance and compliance to tight deadlines
• Evidence of creating an environment of visibility, transparency, integrity, learning and improvement
• Understanding of NetSuite and accustomed to working with various currencies
• Demonstrates good judgment and decision-making
• Excellent analytical skills with a keen eye for detail
• Excellent Excel skills
• Writing and reporting skills in English
• High level of organisational skills, planning and time management
• Ability to adapt to changing needs and a champion of change
• Collaborative and open style of working
• Demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to safeguarding in local and international context

About Us

IPPF is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all employees, volunteers, contractors and partners to share this commitment. Anyone employed with IPPF agrees to sign and adhere to IPPF’s Code of Conduct and Safeguarding (Children and Vulnerable Adults) Policy. IPPF is a global movement delivering sexual and reproductive health services and rights. We are a diverse, feminist, and values-driven workplace - multi-national, multi-cultural, multi-racial, multi-lingual, and intergenerational. We are an equal opportunities employer and appoint on merit through open competition. We actively encourage applications from people with lived experience and from the communities we serve, especially those from marginalised groups.

Why Join IPPF?

IPPF offers meaningful work, an inspiring environment, professional growth, and the chance to make a lasting impact on the lives of individuals and communities around the world.

• Mission-Driven Organization: IPPF is a globally recognized leader. By joining IPPF, you become part of a mission-driven organization dedicated to empowering individuals and communities, advancing gender equality, and improving access to comprehensive healthcare services.
• Bringing Positive Change: IPPF advances positive change to improve the lives of millions worldwide, including reducing maternal mortality, preventing unintended pregnancies, and promoting sexual and reproductive health, rights and justice.
• Global Reach and Influence: IPPF works across continents, providing opportunities to influence global change and implement innovative approaches.
• Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: IPPF is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of its work. You will help build an inclusive and equitable organization.

Your Ethos

• Demonstrates commitment to safeguarding in local and international contexts.
• Works in a diverse, multicultural, multilingual, and intergenerational environment that is anti-racist and respectful.
• Supports feminist, rights-based perspectives on sexual and reproductive health care rights + justice.
• Supports people’s rights regardless of sexuality or gender identity/expression and workers’ rights and access to health care in sex work.