At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial strategy and support income generation for a nationally recognised charity.
- Company: Well-established charity focused on social impact and community support.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and extensive benefits package.
- Other info: Opportunity for strategic leadership exposure and career growth in the non-profit sector.
- Why this job: Make a real difference while developing your finance leadership skills in a purpose-driven environment.
- Qualifications: Fully qualified accountant with experience in business partnering and financial modelling.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 70000 £ per year.
Our client, a well-established and nationally recognised charity, is seeking an experienced Head of Finance to lead its commercial finance and business partnering function. This is a strategic and hands-on leadership role, focused on strengthening financial modelling, project costing, forecasting, reporting, and systems improvement. The position plays a critical role in supporting income generation activities, ensuring financial sustainability, and partnering closely with senior stakeholders across service delivery, business development, and fundraising.
The successful candidate will combine strong technical accounting expertise with commercial insight and the ability to influence decision-making across non-finance teams.
The Role
As Head of Finance, you will lead the commercial finance agenda, ensuring robust financial governance across projects and commissioned services. A strong emphasis will be placed on bid support, margin and cost recovery optimisation, cashflow oversight, and enhancing financial reporting systems. This role is ideal for a commercially minded finance leader who thrives in a purpose-driven organisation and enjoys translating financial data into meaningful operational insight.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead commercial finance support across project and income-generating activities
- Provide insight on profitability, cost recovery, and cashflow, identifying risks and recommending actions
- Partner with Business Development and Fundraising teams on financial bid inputs, from development through to submission
- Own and continuously improve the project costing model, ensuring governance and timely sign-off
- Deliver bespoke financial modelling for complex commissioning and funding requirements
- Produce monthly project reporting, analyse variances, and support budget holders in managing performance
- Lead forecasting through to end-of-contract and consolidate into the rolling organisational forecast
- Improve ledger integrity for projects, including journals and adjustments where required
- Deliver accurate commissioner and donor reporting within strict deadlines
- Support finance systems improvements, including self-serve reporting, dashboards, and coding accuracy
- Conduct financial due diligence as required
Qualifications
- Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)
- Proven experience business partnering with senior non-finance stakeholders
- Strong track record of systems and process improvement
- Advanced Excel skills and confidence handling large datasets and complex reporting
- Demonstrated experience in financial modelling and supporting bids/tenders
- Strong communication skills with the ability to translate financial data into practical, commercial decisions
- Experience within charity and/or non-profit environments
- Exposure to Sage or similar reporting tools and dashboards
- Experience supporting regional or national service delivery models
What's on Offer
- Competitive salary (£65K–£70K)
- Hybrid working arrangement
- Extensive benefits package
- Opportunity to contribute to a mission-driven organisation delivering meaningful social impact
- Strategic cross-functional leadership exposure
Head of Finance in London employer: Success Matcher Recruitment
Join a leading AI communications company in London, where innovation meets opportunity. With a competitive compensation package and a culture that fosters collaboration and growth, you'll have the chance to engage with top-tier clients while advancing your career in a dynamic environment. Our commitment to employee development and success makes us an exceptional employer for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the tech industry.
Contact Details:
Success Matcher Recruitment Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Finance 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 Success Matcher Recruitment. 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 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 Success Matcher Recruitment.
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 Success Matcher Recruitment'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 Success Matcher Recruitment
✨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 Success Matcher Recruitment.
✨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 Success Matcher Recruitment 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 Success Matcher Recruitment 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.
