At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead finance and services, driving strategic and operational excellence.
- Company: Join the Royal Geographical Society, a historic charity and professional body for geography.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 25 days leave, and a competitive salary of £100,000+.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to manage heritage estate projects in a vibrant cultural setting.
- Why this job: Make a real impact as we approach our 200th anniversary with ambitious goals.
- 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.
- 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 in London 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 supportive pension scheme, and opportunities for professional growth within a diverse team. As a leading institution in geographical education and research, employees are empowered to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a collaborative and inclusive culture.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Finance & Services in London
✨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 interviews by researching the Society’s recent projects and initiatives. Show us you’re genuinely interested in their mission and how your skills can contribute to their goals, especially as they approach their 200th anniversary!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of a follow-up! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your enthusiasm for the role.
✨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 you’re tech-savvy and ready to embrace the digital side of finance and services.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Finance & Services in London
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 on showcasing your leadership style. Talk about how you've developed professionals within your teams and how you balance strategic vision with day-to-day operations.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smooth application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
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.
