Financial Controller

Sightsavers is looking for an experienced Financial Controller to lead our global financial management, strengthen financial governance and controls, and help shape a modern, effective and service‑focused finance function across our international operations.

Salary: c. £90,000 plus benefits

Location: UK remote/hybrid – with monthly travel to our offices in Haywards Heath, West Sussex when required (perhaps more during induction phase).

Contract: Permanent

Hours: This is a full‑time role with some flexibility around hours worked and mostly home working.

Responsibilities:

• Leading and developing the Global Finance Team, creating a collaborative, accountable and high‑performing culture.
• Overseeing finance control, treasury, payroll, tax, accounting, reconciliation and compliance processes.
• Managing the preparation of statutory accounts and the external audit process in line with charity reporting requirements.
• Strengthening finance systems, processes, reporting and controls to support an efficient and scalable global finance function.
• Providing trusted advice, insight and challenge to senior leaders, committees and colleagues across the organisation.
• Driving transformation, continuous improvement and better ways of working across finance operations.

About you:

You will be a professionally qualified accountant (ideally ICEAW or equivalent) with senior financial management experience, including statutory accounts, audit, internal controls, finance systems and leading customer‑facing finance teams. You will bring strong communication and influencing skills, the ability to explain complex financial information clearly to non‑finance colleagues, and the confidence to challenge constructively at senior level. Experience of working in a complex international environment would be highly valuable, as would experience in the charity, INGO or donor‑funded sector. Most importantly, you will bring a strong commitment to inclusive leadership, continuous improvement and Sightsavers’ mission to protect sight and promote the rights of people with disabilities.

Benefits:

Sightsavers offers a comprehensive benefits package including generous annual leave allowance, pension, season ticket loan, cycle‑to‑work scheme, discounted gym memberships and wellness discounts. If you choose to work in or are visiting our collaborative, modern office space, you will find it an easy 20‑minute train journey from Brighton or 45 minutes from London. We are an equal‑opportunity employer and actively encourage applications from all sections of the community. Sightsavers is a Disability Confident Leader and qualified people with a disability are particularly encouraged to apply. All potential candidates will be subjected to rigorous background checks and controls. Due to the seniority and nature of this role, the successful candidate will be expected to undertake the relevant background checks, which may include a DBS check, in line with organisational policy and the requirements of the role. Our company has zero tolerance for harassment and sexual exploitation and abuse. We actively promote inclusive work practices and support safeguarding across all operations.