Head of Community Development Finance

Our Islamic Relief UK team is seeking a Head of Community Finance, Governance & Strategy to establish and lead an exciting new Community Finance function that will transform access to ethical and inclusive financial services for underserved communities across the UK. This is a unique opportunity to build a Community Development Finance Institution (CDFI) from the ground up, shaping strategy, governance, regulatory compliance, operations and partnerships while delivering meaningful social impact.

As Head of Community Finance, Governance & Strategy, you will lead the end-to-end creation of a UK CDFI, including legal and governance structures, regulatory authorisation, operational design, capital mobilisation and pilot delivery. Working closely with senior leadership, external partners, regulators and stakeholders, you will play a pivotal role in developing innovative financial solutions that are rooted in Islamic Relief's values and principles and safeguarding expectations and regulatory requirements.

Reporting directly to the Director of Islamic Relief UK, you will lead the end‐to‐end creation of a UK CDFI, including legal set‐up, governance, policy framework, operational design, capital mobilisation and regulatory engagement, and to initiate controlled pilot operations that demonstrate need, impact and viability. You will act as programme lead and (where required) nominated senior manager for regulatory applications, ensuring that the CDFI meets all prudential, conduct, AML/CTF and data protection expectations prior to any lending or customer onboarding.

The role works closely with the IRUK Director and Steering Committee to provide clear plans, risk reporting and decision papers, and will build effective partnerships to support product design, referrals, customer support and investment readiness.

You will have a proven ability to build partnerships, navigate complex regulatory environments and lead major programmes from concept through to implementation. Most importantly, you will share Islamic Relief's commitment to supporting vulnerable communities and promoting ethical approaches to economic empowerment, and a strong commitment to creating positive social impact.

You will have:

• Significant leadership experience in community finance, retail/consumer lending, financial inclusion, social investment or a related regulated financial services environment.
• Proven track record of designing and launching financial products and operations (including underwriting, affordability, collections, complaints handling and customer support).
• Strong understanding of UK regulatory expectations relevant to lending and customer-facing financial services (e.g., consumer credit, AML/CTF, sanctions, data protection, vulnerable customers, financial promotions as applicable).
• Experience leading governance and risk management processes, preparing Board/committee papers and managing stakeholders to decision.
• Excellent programme leadership skills: planning, budgeting, delivery management, prioritisation and reporting against milestones and KPIs.
• Strong analytical capability (financial modelling, portfolio performance, credit/risk MI) with the ability to translate analysis into clear recommendations.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills with the ability to work collaboratively across teams and build trusted relationships with community partners and funders.
• Commitment to IRW/IRUK values and the ability to work sensitively and effectively with diverse communities, including people in vulnerable circumstances.
• Relevant professional qualification (e.g., Islamic finance, risk, compliance) and/or postgraduate qualification in a relevant discipline.

We welcome applications from candidates with strong experience in financial management, governance, strategic planning and community-focused leadership. Please highlight any relevant experience in your application, particularly your experience leading teams, managing budgets, supporting organisational decision-making and developing strategies that deliver meaningful impact for communities.

Pre-employment Checks:

• screening clearance
• Criminal records check
• proof of eligibility to live and work within the UK
• receipt of satisfactory references

Please note, for UK-based roles, we are only able to accept applications from candidates who are eligible to work in the UK. We are unable to progress applications which would require sponsorship.

IRW is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people, adults and beneficiaries with whom IRW engages. IRW expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.

The post holder will undertake the appropriate level of training and is responsible for ensuring that they understand and work within the safeguarding policies of the organisation. All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records checks. IRW also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme.

Islamic Relief is an equal opportunities employer. The Company Islamic Relief is a faith-inspired humanitarian aid and development agency working to save and transform the lives of some of the world's most vulnerable people. We work in over 45 countries, assist people of all faiths and none according to need and do not discriminate in any way. Our proximity means we can often respond swiftly to emergencies and work in areas that other organisations cannot access.

We are the only UK-based Muslim faith-inspired charity to have been certified against the Core Humanitarian Standard on Quality and Accountability (CHS), which is designed to ensure that charities best meet the needs of the communities they serve. Islamic Relief is a member of the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), we have Consultative Status with the UN Economic and Social Council, and we are a signatory to the Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

Islamic Relief Worldwide recognises our staff as our biggest asset, and so we offer a range of benefits designed to support their professional development, mental and physical health, and work/life balance.

Our Values: Sincerity, Excellence, Compassion, Social Justice, Custodianship.