Academy finance business partner jobs
This is an exciting opportunity for someone with excellent strategic, analytical and leadership skills to join Impetus as an Investment Director and support us in our mission to transform the lives of young people.
The Investment Director (ID) is a key member of the Investment Team, playing a leading role in identifying, assessing, and supporting portfolio partner charities and other non-profit organisations to deepen their impact and scale their outcomes. This role works closely with other Investment Directors and Investment Managers to deliver external facing support to portfolio partners as well as internal projects to support the development of the investment model and portfolio strategy.
Investment Directors use strategic thinking, analytical rigour, and senior relationship skills to support a portfolio of amazing organisations that, together, will help shift the life chances and outcomes of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in the UK.
About the Investment Team
The Investment Team is responsible for selecting portfolio partners, managing our charity investments and supporting our portfolio partners to improve and scale their impact.
The Investment Team also leads the Impetus Leadership Academy, a leadership development programme to support talent from ethnic minority backgrounds in the UK youth sector to progress into senior leadership roles.
The team is made up of 18 people, including former teachers, charity chief executives, charity impact leads, management consultants, social investment portfolio managers and impact consultants.
The team is led by a Portfolio Director who sits on the Senior Management Team. The Portfolio Director has 5 direct reports: a Deputy Portfolio Director, three Sector Leads (who lead our work in School engagement, School attainment and Employment Sectors) and an Impact Lead. Sector Leads line manage 6 Investment Directors. Investment Directors line manage Investment Managers (currently 5). Investment Directors and Investment Managers tend to primarily focus on a sector but might have mixed portfolios, depending on need, experience and interest.
The Investment Team has a good track record of role progression. All four Leads and a number of our Investment Directors were promoted from within the team.
The team is passionate, rigorous, determined, creative and warm. We come from a range of backgrounds and bring a broad mix of perspectives. We care deeply for our colleagues, our portfolio partners and the young people we serve.
About this role
We believe that all young people deserve to succeed in school and in work, whatever their background. As we enter a challenging time with rising inflation and a likely recession, our work feels more vital than ever before. We are pleased to be able to expand our team to support our growing portfolio of charity and non-profit partners, in order to reach and impact more lives. The role of Investment Director presents an exciting opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the charities we serve, the team itself and the whole of Impetus.
Key responsibilities
Finding high potential charities and non-profit partners for our portfolio
- Identifying potential charitable organisations for investment
- Leading in-depth due diligence process within the scope of a grant round, to assess and build partnership foundations with potential partners – covering leadership and governance, and their impact, scale, and partnership potential;
- Modelling from first contact of origination, our approach to engaged and trust-based investment management support;
- Developing and presenting high quality investment propositions to our Investment Committee.
Managing partnerships with portfolio partners
- Managing relationships with partner Chairs and CEOs
- Agreeing Service Funding Agreements, including appropriate annual investment milestones to allow for a clear assessment of re-investment potential at end of phase
- Regularly monitoring and assessing partner progress / risks against milestones and making evidence-based recommendations on progression or exit to Leads, Portfolio Director and the Investment Committee
- Escalating key risks on performance, leadership and safeguarding
- Conducting annual partnership review with Sector Leads and partner CEOs
- Working with Impetus Finance colleagues to ensure timely distribution of grant payments, in line with Service Funding Agreements.
Supporting portfolio partners
- Providing direct support to CEOs and senior colleagues on key strategic topics, using a mix of at least monthly one-to-one meetings and group facilitation to:
- clarify theory of change,
- define long term ambition,
- develop growth strategy
- achieve a step change in the delivery and performance management of outcomes,
- strengthen leadership (individual and collective) and governance capabilities,
- develop path to scale,
- build financial resilience;
- Scoping and project managing pro bono capacity-building projects (in addition to providing direct management support). Ensure projects are delivered to a high standard and contribute to charity progression;
- Identifying engagement opportunities for our donors and supporters with portfolio partners that are aligned with the partner’s activities and do not distract or undermine their core work;
- Collaborating with the Impetus Philanthropy team to support the development of additional funding opportunities for portfolio partners, enhancing their ability to deliver impact at scale;
- Effectively leveraging the support of investment managers to advance the objectives developed for each portfolio partner that is managed by an Investment Director.
Support to Impetus
- Developing expertise about “what works” in the sector through cultivation and use of expert input and engagement as well as investigation into key research and evaluative literature;
- Contributing insights and learning from portfolio work to inform Impetus’ strategy, model and delivery;
- Contributing to internal priorities and working groups (e.g. team strategy discussions, digital improvement initiatives, or equity, diversity, and inclusion)
- Contribute towards Impetus’ public affairs and philanthropy objectives through input into case studies, research and policy campaigns, donor reports and fundraising events
- Sharing the learning from our work across the team, across the organisation and externally working within Impetus strategy and agreed forums
- Engaging in Impetus pro bono, communications, and advocacy events, and engage portfolio partners appropriately in these events.
- Where appropriate, line-managing and supporting Investment Managers on the team to grow and develop, and achieve their project, role and team objectives.
Person specification
Essential
- A commitment to Impetus’ mission.
- Senior level responsibility and a strong track record of building trust-based relationships with senior stakeholders, advising them on key strategic decisions, and challenging them in a respectful and collaborative manner.
- A talent for strategic thinking around complex issues.
- Strong financial acumen and analytical skills.
- Understanding of impact measurement and evaluation fundamentals.
- Tenacity and initiative.
- Ability to flex personal style to needs of charity and leadership.
- Growth mind-set to seek out and act on feedback.
- Proven ability to work independently, and to exercise good judgment.
- Strong planning and time management skills.
- Interest in partnering closely with charities that are doing what it takes to get better.
- A commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
If you don't tick all these boxes, but still feel that you fit the profile, please apply anyway.
Desirable
- Experience in the non-profit (charity or social enterprise) sector, through work, as a pro-bono volunteer or Trustee capacity.
- Experience in consulting, investment management, senior charity management, or other in-depth grant making and advisory work.
- Knowledge and expertise in UK education or youth employability sectors.
- Board experience in private, public or third sector.
- Understanding of or experience with commissioning impact evaluations.
Registered Charity
51 - 100
Impetus transforms the lives of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds by ensuring they get support to succeed in school, in work and in life.
Thank you!
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
ESPE is Europe's leading and largest charity focused on improving the clinical care of children and adolescents with endocrine conditions. We aim for excellence in clinical care, research and education through innovation, collaboration and technology. Our charity is growing its membership and activities at pace, and we are now searching for a Finance Manager who will be the first member of the permanent staff team who is a qualified accountant.
The Finance Manager role will make a significant difference to how we manage our finances, at an operational and strategic planning level. We are looking for an individual who is excited by the prospect of transforming our financial governance and management.
Role overview:
The Finance Manager will work closely with the CEO, Treasurer, and bookkeeper to manage daily financial functions, ensure regulatory compliance, and drive financial performance - including budgeting and forecasting.
• Contract and working conditions: This is a fixed-term role (initially 18 months) which we envisage will transition to a permanent position. Hours will initially be 17.5 hours per week with remote and flexible working arrangements. Candidates must have the right to work in the UK and be based in the UK.
• Strategic responsibilities: The Finance Manager will support financial target delivery, ensure robust financial systems, and align financial processes with organisational growth and strategy.
• Operational duties: Responsibilities include preparation of management accounts and all financial reporting, cash flow forecasting, grant management, VAT and tax compliance, audit support, and process improvements. The role also involves liaising with external suppliers and stakeholders and overseeing payroll and pension scheme implementation and management.
• Governance and compliance: The Finance Manager will ensure adherence to the requirements of the Companies Act, Charities Act, and HMRC regulations, ensuring we prepare and submit our statutory accounts on time. You will coordinate the annual audit, review internal controls, and report financial risks to the ESPE leadership.
• Leadership and collaboration: The role includes providing financial guidance to coordinators and teams to support informed decision-making.
• Required experience and skills: Candidates must be a qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA/AAT/ICAEW) with at least three years experience in financial or management accounting, preferably in a professional body or learned society. Proficiency in accounting software, and having significant knowledge and understanding of VAT (ideally across Europe), analytical skills, communication, and project management skills are essential.
• Personal attributes: The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong attention to detail, resilience, collaborative skills, ability to manage multiple priorities, and alignment with ESPE’s mission. You should be proactive, enjoy challenge, be capable of working under pressure, and skilled in influencing and strategic thinking. Must be willing to travel to Europe as required (2-4 times per annum).
Benefits:
- 30 days annual leave, plus UK Bank Holidays
- Flexible working
- Matched pension scheme (up to 7% of salary)
- Employee assistance programme
- European travel
First interview date: 20th February, online.
Candidates must submit a CV and covering letter. The covering letter should demonstrate an understanding of ESPE and the current compliance challenges we have faced in recent years.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Organisational Vision & Context:
As we journey towards our vision to bring fulness of life for every child, no matter what struggles they face, we’re looking for a motivated and mission-driven individual to join our team as Head of Programme Development.
While our programmes vary, they share one common thread: an unwavering commitment to seeing lives transformed for good. With two well-established and hugely effective volunteer-driven programmes operating at scale, and two new developing programmes in the early stages of roll-out, TLG is at a pivotal time of innovation.
This Role’s Impact:
We are looking for a dynamic, pioneering leader to energise, shape, and elevate the impact of TLG’s programmes. This person will bring strengths in innovation, collaboration, and strategic delivery – able to inspire others, spot emerging opportunities, and drive meaningful change across the organisation. They will have a strong track record in developing high-quality resources and training, ensuring best practice is consistently embedded across all functions. Naturally creative and forward-thinking, they will champion the exploration and implementation of digital solutions that enhance programme delivery and extend our reach.
The new Head of Programme Development will navigate change with resilience and optimism, leading the way as we explore new approaches and refine what we already do so well. Confident on their feet, yet equally comfortable developing content and materials, they will balance big-picture thinking with a keen eye for detail. Their leadership will drive continuous improvement, so our programmes remain relevant, missional, and high-impact as we pursue our ten-year vision.
As TLG positions itself as a leading practitioner in therapeutic coaching, this leader will bring a solid understanding of coaching practice and how therapeutic coaching can transform a young person’s thinking and strengthen the culture of support we offer. Their expertise will help embed coaching-informed approaches across TLG, shaping programme design and creating richer opportunities for children and young people to reflect and grow, strengthening their wellbeing and future outcomes.
TLG is a Christian charity and, as a team, we want to bring our faith to the work we do; as such, we are recruiting an individual with a strong and vibrant Christian faith. We would welcome applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds to enable us to better reflect the needs of the communities we serve.
Hours: Part time, 30 hours per week (0.8 FTE, equivalent 4 days)
Closing Date: Sunday 15th February 2026
Initial Interviews: Monday 23rd February – Online
Final Interviews: Monday 2nd March – at our National Support Centre in West Yorkshire
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.