At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead finance and services, driving strategic and operational excellence in a diverse team.
- Company: Join the Royal Geographical Society, a historic charity at the forefront of geographical education.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 25 days leave, and a competitive salary of £100,000+ per annum.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth and a focus on work-life balance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact as we approach our 200th anniversary, shaping the future of geography.
- Qualifications: Proven executive-level financial experience and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 120000 € per year.
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full‑Time. We welcome requests for flexible working arrangements, including hybrid and part‑time working.
Location: South Kensington, London SW7
Salary: Circa £100,000+ per annum FTE
About Us
The Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers) is the learned society and professional body for geography and geographers. It is also a charity and a membership organisation. The Society was founded in 1830 and has been one of the most active of the learned societies ever since. It was pivotal in establishing geography as a teaching and research discipline in British universities and continues to play a key role in geographical and environmental education. The Society is a leading world centre for geographical learning – supporting education, teaching, research, professional practice and scientific expeditions, as well as promoting public understanding and enjoyment of geography and providing advice to policymakers. The Society offers professional accreditation to members through Chartered Geographer status.
About You and the Role
As the Society approaches its 200th anniversary in 2030, with ambitious associated goals, ensuring that we continue to have the best possible leadership team in place has never been more relevant. With the approaching retirement of our current Director of Finance & Services, we are looking for an exceptional, entrepreneurial senior leader with proven ability to balance strategic and operational impact. While an executive‑level financial background is a given, we are additionally seeking an individual who has led other functions and developed the professionals within them. This role leads a diverse team of 10, spanning Finance, Facilities & Estates, IT & Database Administration, and HR. It also holds additional responsibility for Safeguarding, Data Protection, Risk Management, Pensions, Company Secretarial, Insurance & Legal. We have exciting plans for our building, at the heart of London’s Exhibition Road Cultural Quarter, optimising and developing this space as a gathering point of global significance and influence for people intent on making a positive difference to the world. Accordingly, we are particularly interested in individuals who bring strong programme‑management skills and experience of managing heritage estate projects operationally, in partnership with external consultants. The successful candidate will drive and deliver effective and efficient financial planning, forecasting, budgeting, reporting, controls, operations, and management, while continuing to improve the Society’s processes and systems.
Salary and Benefits
This is a permanent post. We welcome requests for flexible working arrangements, including hybrid and part‑time working. This is looked at on a case‑by‑case basis, balancing the Society’s needs with the successful candidate’s other commitments, to support a good work‑life balance. The salary range for this post is c£100,000+ (FTE) per annum, depending on experience and qualifications. The post is based in Kensington, London. There are a range of benefits at the Society which include the following:
- 35‑hour working week with core working hours between 10.00am and 4.00pm. Flexible working arrangements are available with a mix of office‑based and home working.
- 25 days annual leave per annum, pro rata, plus public bank holidays.
- Society closure between Christmas and New Year, in addition to the basic annual leave allowance.
- Pension scheme – 3% employee, 7.5% employer.
- Group Life Assurance at four‑times basic annual salary.
- Corporate eye‑care vouchers.
- Cycle‑to‑work scheme.
- Free 24‑hour Employee Assistance helpline with available counselling support.
Equal Opportunity
The Society aims to be an equal opportunities employer. We strongly encourage applicants from those traditionally underrepresented in the geographical discipline. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. The Society is unable to offer work‑visa sponsorships.
Director of Finance & Services employer: Totalwellnessacupuncture
The Royal Geographical Society is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of South Kensington, London. With a commitment to flexible working arrangements and a strong focus on employee well-being, the Society provides generous benefits including 25 days of annual leave, a robust pension scheme, and opportunities for professional growth within a diverse team. As a leading institution in geographical education and research, employees are part of a meaningful mission that promotes public understanding and enjoyment of geography, making it a rewarding place to work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Finance & Services
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance and services sector, especially those who might have insights into the Royal Geographical Society. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the Society’s history and its impact on geography. Show us you’re not just interested in the role but also passionate about what we do. Tailor your answers to reflect how your experience aligns with our mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After your interview, drop us a thank-you email. It shows your enthusiasm and keeps you fresh in our minds. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate why you’re the perfect fit for the Director of Finance & Services.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team at the Royal Geographical Society.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Finance & Services
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Director of Finance & Services role. Highlight your executive-level financial background and any experience leading diverse teams. We want to see how your skills align with our ambitious goals!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your strategic and operational impact, especially in programme management and heritage estate projects.
Showcase Your Leadership Style:We’re looking for an entrepreneurial leader, so don’t hold back! Describe your leadership style and how you’ve developed professionals within your teams. We want to know how you inspire and drive success in others.
Apply Through Our Website:Ready to take the plunge? Make sure to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. We can’t wait to see your application and learn more about how you can contribute to our mission!
How to prepare for a job interview at Totalwellnessacupuncture
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Director of Finance & Services, you’ll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've used them to drive strategic decisions in previous roles.
✨Showcase Leadership Experience
This role involves leading a diverse team, so be prepared to share specific examples of how you've developed and managed teams in the past. Highlight your experience in balancing operational and strategic responsibilities.
✨Understand the Society's Mission
Familiarise yourself with the Royal Geographical Society’s goals and values. Be ready to discuss how your vision aligns with their mission, especially as they approach their 200th anniversary.
✨Prepare for Programme Management Questions
Given the emphasis on programme management and heritage estate projects, think about your past experiences in these areas. Prepare to discuss challenges you've faced and how you successfully navigated them.
