Director of Finance

Director of Finance. Salary £60,000pa ( fte £75,00.00pa).

Reports to

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Direct Reports

Finance & Systems Manager, Bookkeeper.

Location

Days /Hours: 4 days a week, flexible hours between 9am and 6pm

Hybrid currently, two days in the Hammersmith office.

Role Purpose

We are seeking an experienced, commercially astute and forward-thinking Director of Finance to provide strategic leadership of the organisation's financial management, planning and governance. This is a pivotal executive leadership role responsible for ensuring financial sustainability, supporting organisational growth, driving operational excellence, and enabling the charity to maximise its impact.

The successful candidate will be a qualified finance professional (or qualified by experience) with extensive experience of financial leadership, budgeting, forecasting, financial control, and strategic planning. They will bring a proactive and innovative approach to financial management, identifying opportunities for organisational development, efficiency, improvement, and sustainable growth.

Ideally, candidates will have experience within the charity, not-for-profit or public sector environment and possess a strong understanding of charity accounting, governance and regulatory compliance.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Financial Leadership

• Develop and implement the organisation's financial strategy in support of the overall strategic plan and charitable objectives.

• Act as a trusted adviser to the CEO, Senior Leadership Team, and Board of Trustees.

• Provide high-quality financial insights and analysis to inform strategic decision-making.

• Lead the development of long-term financial models and sustainability plans.

• Support the organisation in identifying and evaluating new systems to support sustainable growth opportunities.

• Monitor internal and external financial risks and opportunities, advising on appropriate mitigation strategies.

• Contribute fully as a member of the Senior Leadership Team.

Financial Planning, Budgeting and Forecasting

• Lead the annual budgeting process across the charity. Departments include Operational Services, Fundraising, and HR.

• Develop robust financial forecasting and scenario planning models.

• Ensure budgets align with strategic priorities and operational plans.

• Continually monitor financial performance against budgets and forecasts.

• Provide financial reports and recommendations to budget holders and senior leaders and Board of Trustee’s.

• Drive accountability for budget management throughout the organisation.

• Lead financial planning associated with new projects, tenders, contracts, and fundraising initiatives.

Financial Control and Governance

• Ensure strong financial controls, policies and procedures are in place, reviewed and consistently applied.

• Maintain a robust framework of internal controls and risk management processes.

• Ensure compliance with all relevant accounting standards, charity regulations and statutory requirements.

• Oversee cash flow management and provide the CEO with insight into areas of concern with suggested improvements.

• Monitor financial risks and implement appropriate controls.

• Ensure accurate financial records and effective financial systems are produced and maintained.

• Lead the development and continuous improvement of financial governance processes.

Financial Reporting

• Ensure the timely production of monthly management accounts and performance reports.

• Provide detailed financial information and analysis to the Senior Leadership Team, CEO and Board of Trustees.

• Prepare statutory accounts in accordance with the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) and relevant accounting standards.

• Lead relationships with external auditors and regulatory bodies.

• Present complex financial information in a clear and accessible manner for non-financial audiences.

Charity Compliance and Fund Management

• Ensure full compliance with Charity Commission requirements and relevant legislation.

• Oversee restricted, unrestricted, and designated fund accounting.

• Monitor grant funding, reporting requirements, and donor restrictions.

• Support contract management and funding compliance requirements.

• Ensure effective management of reserves in line with organisational policy.

Leadership and Team Development

• Lead, motivate, and develop a high-performing finance team.

• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement.

• Support the professional development of finance staff, by annual appraisals and a personal development training plan.

• Promote collaborative communication and working across departments.

• Ensure the finance function is viewed as a strategic partner to the wider organisation.

Systems and Continuous Improvement

• Drive the development and optimisation of financial systems and processes.

• Lead digital transformation initiatives within finance.

• Identify efficiencies and opportunities to improve financial reporting and decision-making.

• Ensure data integrity and robust financial information management.

• Champion innovation and best practice across financial operations.

Person Specification

Essential Qualifications

• Fully qualified accountants (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or CIPFA).

• Evidence of continuing professional development.

• Evidence of qualification by experience

Essential Experience

• Significant senior financial leadership experience.

• Proven experience of strategic financial planning and organisational growth.

• Extensive experience developing and managing complex budgets.

• Strong track record of financial control, governance, and risk management.

• Experience leading annual budgeting, forecasting, and business planning processes.

• Experience presenting financial information to Boards and senior stakeholders.

• Experience managing audits and statutory reporting requirements.

• Experience leading and developing finance teams.

Desirable Experience

• Experience within the charity, not-for-profit or public sector.

• Knowledge of Charity SORP and charity accounting requirements.

• Experience working with trustees and governance structures.

• Experience managing grant-funded program’s and restricted funding.

• Experience supporting organisational transformation and growth.

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Exceptional budgeting, forecasting, and financial modelling skills.

• Strong commercial and strategic acumen.

• Excellent understanding of financial controls and governance frameworks.

• Advanced financial analysis and reporting capability.

• Strong leadership and people management skills.

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

• Ability to influence decision-making at executive and Board level.

• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.

• High levels of integrity and professional judgement.

Desirable

• Knowledge of fundraising finance and charity funding models.

• Experience implementing finance systems and digital solutions.

• Understanding commissioning, contracts, and public sector funding.

Personal Attributes

• Strategic and forward-thinking.

• Commercially aware and growth focused.

• Influential and credible leader.

• Collaborative and supportive management style.

• Values-driven and committed to organisational purpose.

• Resilient and adaptable in a changing environment.

• Results-oriented with strong attention to detail.

• Passionate about enabling charitable impact through financial excellence.

Success Measures

Within the first 12 months the Director of Finance will:

• Deliver accurate and timely management information to support decision making.

• Strengthen financial planning and forecasting processes.

• Review of finance processes

• Discuss budgeting discipline and financial accountability across the organisation.

• Suggest ways where Finance can add value to the organisation

• Improve financial control and risk management frameworks.

• Support the organisation in achieving sustainable growth objectives.

• Ensure full compliance with charity and statutory requirements.

• Actively participate in the overall strategic modelling for the charity.

• Develop a proactive, high-performing finance function that adds strategic value across the organisation.