Assistant finance director jobs in central london, greater london

‘Communication is one of the most important things, and I feel the ESU has set us up for life.’ Schools’ Mace 2024 participant  

 Oracy gives young people the skills and confidence to shape their lives and to build a more connected and cooperative world   

Both nationally and internationally, public discussion and political debate are increasingly polarised and divided. Social media, fake news and new technologies such as AI can create echo chambers, where claims pass unchallenged, and different views are hard to find. The English-Speaking Union shows that there is a more constructive and collaborative path.  The ESU was founded in 1918 to build greater understanding and friendships between people and nations. We are an educational charity with international reach, with an ESU in over 50 countries. Today our work is focussed on training young people in oracy – speaking and listening skills, in critical thinking and self-expression - to build skilful communicators and engaged citizens and leaders.  

The English-Speaking Union and our work is more important now than ever.  

Overview of the Team  

The Corporate Services team provides essential strategic and operational support across the organisation. Our governance function oversees compliance, risk management, and performance frameworks. The finance team manages budgets, financial planning, and reporting. All of this contributes to effective decision making. We are also responsible for looking after our properties, which includes maintaining oversight of two commercial leases, and maintaining Dartmouth House which is a grade II* listed events venue and our Head Office in Mayfair.

 Purpose of this role  

The Senior Governance Officer will provide high quality support to the Board of Trustees and its sub-Committees, and the Chief Operating Officer. This role will work closely with the Executive Assistant to the Director General. 

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys being at the heart of an organisation’s operations—helping to keep the corporate services running smoothly, so that our Education and Supporter teams can focus on delivering impact through our programmes. 

Responsibilities and Expectations  

• Provide governance support including the preparation and timely circulation of agendas, papers, minutes and action logs for Board and Committee meetings. 
• Monitor and report on progress against Board and Committee actions, ensuring timely follow-up and delivery. 
• Ensure the charity complies with statutory, regulatory and sector best practice, including maintenance of key registers including the risk register, gift & hospitality register, declarations of interest, and compliance trackers. 
• Maintain the organisation’s contract register, tracking review dates and supporting internal contract reviews and renewals. 
• Provide high-quality administrative and organisational support to the Chief Operating Officer, helping to ensure smooth day-to-day operations. 
• Assist with the planning and delivery of the annual external audit, working with colleagues and auditors to meet key deadlines. 
• Support the delivery of the annual Board effectiveness review, gathering feedback and helping to implement improvements. 
• Facilitate due diligence checks as needed, liaising with legal advisors to ensure accuracy and compliance. 
• Deliver one-off projects and provide flexible support across the Corporate Services team as required. 

Skills and Experience  

• A good understanding of Charities Act and Charity Governance Code. 
• A track record of providing secretariat support, including minute taking. 
• Excellent administrative skills, highly organised with very good attention to detail. 
• A tactful and conscientious individual who can navigate through complex situations 
• Understands the importance of maintaining confidentiality
• Strong written and oral communication skills. 
• A motivated self-starter who can quickly translate issues into solutions. 
• A team player who can quickly build trusted relationships at all levels. 
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills. 
• Can confidently and professionally challenge and hold people to account. 
• The ability to manage several projects simultaneously whilst working at a high standard.
• Excellent IT skills including Microsoft Office. 

• 28 Days Annul leave plus bank holidays
• Enhanced pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Group life cover
• Employee Assistance
• Virtual GP
• Season Ticket Loan

We are now seeking a strong project manager with great people skills and an eye for detail to join as our Head of Operations. Join The Fore, the UK’s only venture philanthropy fund dedicated to backing the best small charities, and play a key role in achieving our goal of getting the most innovative solutions from grassroots to nationwide impact.

Reporting into the Director of Operations, you will lead the delivery of The Fore’s grant rounds, which are the core engine of our impact. You’ll  oversee our Programme Team and pool of Strategic Applicant Consultants (SACs) and will make sure the strongest proposals reach our  funding panels. The role is a key part in achieving our goal of getting the most innovative solutions from grassroots to nationwide impact.

You’ll drive our workshops and peer learning programme, enabling small charities to develop the skills and networks to take their solutions to  the next level. You will also take forward newer strategic initiatives, including our scale-up funding rounds and the launch of high-profile charity showcases that connect our most impactful organisations with government, funders and policy influencers.

Alongside this, you’ll own our impact and learning work, ensuring we capture and communicate the difference our work makes. You’ll work  closely with senior colleagues and be supported by the small but mighty Programme Team (a Programme Officer and Programme Assistant)  who you will also be line managing.

Key responsibilities

• Grant-making: Lead the end-to-end delivery of our core funding and scale-up programmes, from shaping programme design to ensuring the strongest applications reach our funding panels. You’ll keep the process running smoothly, support and steer our SACs, and maintain a  strong focus on quality and impact. This includes oversight of our Salesforce grants system, working with specialised contractors to ensure it  supports effective delivery.
• Strategic Applicant Consultants (SACs): Lead the recruitment, training, support and retention of our SAC pool, making sure they’re equipped,  motivated and connected. You’ll foster a strong sense of community and shared purpose across this talented group.
• Impact and monitoring: Lead The Fore’s impact and monitoring work, including producing our annual impact report and sector insights, and  commissioning external contractors for deeper analysis when needed. You’ll also ensure our portfolio is on track to deliver its plans, and support  organisations to adapt and thrive when challenges arise.
• Charity showcases: Spearhead our new high-profile showcase events, connecting outstanding small charities with policymakers, funders and  influencers.
• Peer learning and workshops: Maintain strategic oversight of our learning events for our portfolio, including peer-to-peer sessions and  workshops designed to build the skills and knowledge small charities need to maximise their impact.
• Funder engagement: Collaborate with the Partnerships Team to align programmes with funder interests and help build strong, enduring relationships.
• External representation: Represent The Fore by speaking at events, building relationships, and engaging with funders, networks, and sector  partners.
• Line management of Programme Team members – currently consists of the Programme Officer and Programme Assistant.

This is a broad and evolving role with plenty of scope to shape new initiatives and strengthen existing systems as the organisation grows.

Candidate profile
Skills and experience:

• 7+ years of professional experience in the business, public or third sector
• Strong project or programme management track record, with the ability to juggle multiple workstreams and deadlines
• Experience managing volunteers and/or direct reports
• Skilled at engaging a wide range of stakeholders and adapting communication style as needed
• Experience working in or with small charities or social enterprises is a bonus, but not essential. We’re looking for transferable skills and a clear  commitment to social impact

Attributes and mindset:

• Meticulously organised and confident managing complex logistics and timelines
• Excellent attention to detail, especially when coordinating multiple inputs and deliverables
• A clear, persuasive communicator and motivated people manager, able to bring others with you, maintain momentum, and foster collaboration
• Solutions-focused, curious, and energised by learning and problem-solving
• Comfortable in a small, fast-moving team and excited by the chance to take real ownership

Location: Vox Studios, 1–45 Durham Street, London, SE11 5JH (hybrid working, working from home on Wednesdays and Fridays)
Contract and salary: £50,000 (if full time). We’re ideally looking for someone able to work full time but would consider 3.5 days+ per week for  the right candidate. However, the role does require you to be in our London office three days a week.
Start: As soon as possible from August 2025

Deadline for applications: Monday 14 July, 9am.

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Technical Project Lead to manage and collaborate with an external development/implementation partner and coordinate the smooth adoption of Salesforce within the Charity.  This critical role will be responsible for the full project lifecycle, from planning and requirements gathering to execution, testing, training, and post-implementation support. You will be the central point of contact for all project stakeholders, ensuring seamless communication and collaboration throughout the project.

 Main Responsibilities

• Work with the Director or Finance & Operations (DFO)  to invite tenders for and engage a development / implementation partner to support the adoption of this phase of Salesforce implementation
• Work with the development/implementation partner to develop detailed project plans, timelines, budgets, and resource allocation. Manage the execution of these plans, tracking progress, and ensuring on-time and within-budget delivery.
• Coordinate with the implementation partner to gather and document business requirements from relevant team members to translate these into technical specifications.
• Lead and motivate key stakeholders including the implementation partner and end-users. Foster a collaborative environment and ensure effective communication between team members.
• Act as the primary point of contact for all project stakeholders, providing regular updates on project status, risks, and issues. Manage stakeholder expectations and ensure their buy-in throughout the project.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate potential project risks. Develop contingency plans to address unforeseen challenges and ensure project success.
• Define and implement quality assurance processes to ensure the delivered Salesforce solution meets business requirements and is free of defects. Oversee testing activities and ensure proper documentation of test results.
• Develop and execute change management plans to ensure smooth user adoption of the new Salesforce solution. Provide training and support to end-users.
• Manage project budgets effectively, tracking expenses and ensuring cost-effectiveness.
• Maintain comprehensive project documentation, including project plans, requirements documents, technical specifications, test plans, and user manuals.
• Providing updates against outcomes / budget to the Director of Development (Grants/Major Gifts) to enable rigorous, timely feedback to the project funder.

 Person specification 

• Proven experience (three years minimum) of leading digital transformation projects, with a strong focus on Salesforce implementations and customisations and a strong record of success.
• Deep understanding of Salesforce platform capabilities.
• Excellent project management skills, including budget and stakeholder management.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and leadership skills with the ability to explain technical concepts to diverse audiences.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.  
• Ability to manage, coordinate and get buy-in from technically inexperienced team members.
• Experience with data migration and integration is a plus.
• An understanding of safeguarding data, confidentiality, safe working practices and GDPR compliance.
• Knowledge of appropriate project management frameworks (agile, waterfall) to set project scope, meeting key milestones and budget constraints
• An understanding of equal opportunities issues and a commitment to diversity.
• Commitment to Create, its activities and mission.

Terms & Conditions

• This is a part-time (0.6 FTE), fixed term contract for one year, with a review to extend at the end of that term.
• This role is based in London.
• Salary: £45,000 per annum pro rata (0.6 FTE).
• Holiday: 25 days (including 3 faith days*) + 8 Public Holidays pro rata.
• A beautiful office based in the City of London. Hybrid working is available following induction period.
• 21-hour week: standard office hours are 9.30am-5.30pm, Monday to Friday with an hour for lunch. Work outside these hours is required on occasions.
• The opportunity to visit projects and Showcase events.
• As part of Create’s Green Action Plan, the charity offers the Cycle to Work scheme. T&C Apply.
• In line with Create’s Safeguarding Policy, all staff are required to have a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which Create will carry out upon appointment.

*  Create closes the office over the Christmas period. For staff members who celebrate other faith days, however, the charity is happy to discuss alternative dates.

Create is committed to a policy of equal opportunities embracing diversity in all areas of activity and positively welcomes applications from disabled people and people of all ethnicities.

Background:

Consumers International is the only global membership organisation bringing together over 200 member organisations in more than 100 countries to empower and champion the rights of consumers.

We work with our members and partners, across national borders to address critical, systemic global issues that impact and involve consumers. Representing and empowering consumers, we are their voice in international policy-making forums and the global marketplace to shape a world where everyone has access to safe and sustainable products and services.

Working for Consumers International provides the opportunity to build solutions and partnerships to address the foremost marketplace issues and opportunities at global scale.

Purpose of the role:

The purpose of the role is focused on generating and developing monthly management accounts information and providing insight and direction to the Director General and Leadership Team. Reporting directly to the ‘Head of Finance and Organisation Development’, the Management Accountant will play a key role across the business in improving data capture and managing reporting across the team. This role will be on a part time basis of 2 days a week.

This role will suit someone who is looking to join a small, dynamic and growing organisation to run the management reporting process and provide timely and accurate financial management information. Systems experience with ‘Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central’ accounting package would be an added advantage.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

· Preparing monthly management accounts, including comparatives to budgets, trends and forecasts

· Compiling Balance sheet reconciliations

· Preparing quarterly Project ‘Income and Expenditure’ reports for Project Managers

· Preparing interim/final financial Project reports for submission to Funders

· Preparing quarterly VAT returns

· Providing accurate and timely financial information to support the organisational financial strategy and decision-making process

· Ensuring all transactions are recorded, filed and reported correctly

· Streamlining and improving accounting systems, controls and process environment

· Reviewing and updating current suite of organisational policies

· Preparing annual budget

· Preparing supporting schedules for Annual audit and working with external Accountants to assist in the preparation of annual financial statements

We are looking for a passionate and ambitious Head of Fundraising to lead and grow our voluntary income. Your focus will span the full range of fundraising activities, from statutory and trust funding to developing and increasing income across major donor giving, legacies, corporate partnerships, and individual giving.

This role offers an opportunity to shape how we communicate our value to funders and supporters, build long-term partnerships that reflect our mission, and grow a culture of income awareness across the organisation. It is a fantastic opportunity for an existing Head of Fundraising, or someone who feels ready to take the next step in their career and play a key role in shaping the future of our fundraising strategy.

As Head of Fundraising, you will work closely with the CEO and senior leadership team to increase philanthropic support and voluntary income. You’ll lead our efforts to diversify and grow income streams – securing support from individuals, corporates, and other partners – with a focus on innovation, sustainability, and long-term impact. You’ll be part of an organisation where you can see the direct effect of your work on the services we deliver to keep children safe.

You will lead and support a small team, bring fresh thinking and strong relationship-building skills, and work closely with project leads to ensure our funding reflects real needs and delivers real impact. You will be able to combine strategic and commercial awareness, with hands-on delivery.

This role will give you the opportunity and responsibility to build on our successful fundraising and extend our appeal to new donors as well as maintain our existing supporters. You will need demonstrable fundraising experience and the ability to work confidently as a strategic thinker as well as a practical fundraiser. You will come with strong ideas and skills to implement them.

If you’re driven by making a difference – especially, in the field of child protection and want to bring your fundraising leadership to a mission that matters, we’d love to hear from you.

What you’ll get from us

We offer hybrid working, with a minimum of 2 days in the office after one month in the position, a NEST pension, 33 days’ annual leave rising to 38 days (inclusive of statutory bank holidays following qualifying period), up to 5 days’ learning and development per year, flu jabs, eye tests, charity discounts, an employee assistance programme and the option of Benenden medical cover. We are proud to partner with the Living Wage Foundation and be an accredited employer of choice.

Safeguarding

We are committed to safeguarding and protecting the vulnerable adults, children and young people that we work with. As such, all posts are subject to a safer recruitment process including the disclosure of criminal records and vetting checks. We ensure that we have a range of policies and procedures in place which promote safeguarding and safer working practices across our services.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

We believe in creating a positive environment where our differences are respected and each of us feels valued for our contribution. Showing respect and consideration to all is part of our values and at the core of our culture.

As an inclusive employer, all qualified candidates will be considered regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or belief, age, socioeconomic background, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity and caring responsibilities, marital status, nationality and disability including invisible disabilities and neurodiversity. As part of our safer recruitment process, we actively remove bias from applications i.e. applications are anonymised prior to sharing with the recruiting panel and equal opportunity monitoring forms are removed from applications on receipt and retained by HR for analysis reporting.

#fundraising #headoffundraising #charity #funding #partnerships

The role of Health and Safety Advisor will be to review, monitor and advise on Health and Safety (H&S) processes, policies, risk assessments and safe working practices across the charity.

The successful candidate will report to the charity’s Risk Manager, but be expected to work closely with other teams, in particular the Estates and Facilities, and Operations teams.

A recognised Health and Safety Qualification (e.g. NEBOSH General Certificate, or equivalent) is essential for this role.

Overall objectives:

• To be the subject matter expert for staff, volunteers, visitors and contractors dealing with health and safety issues across all three sites.
• Write high quality practical guidance and policies for H&S at Battersea.
• Embed H&S policies and processes across Battersea.
• Help train and educate managers and team leaders in their H&S responsibilities.
• Develop and sign-off H&S risk assessments where appropriate.
• Work closely with the H&S Officer in the Estates and Facilities Team.

What we can offer you:
In return for your commitment to our cause and to recognise the value of our employees, Battersea offers a range of benefits to support the wellbeing of our employees. These include:

• 28 days of annual leave (plus 8 days paid public holidays) per year
• Discounted gym memberships and cycle to work schemes
• Employee Assistance Programme and access to Wellbeing Resources
• Generous pension contributions – up to 10% employer contribution
• Free healthcare cash plan, where you can claim for a range of treatment including dental, optical, physiotherapy, chiropody and acupuncture every year
• Annual interest-free season ticket loans

We are also committed to providing learning and development to our employees. During your time with us, we provide support for your professional and career development, including access to digital and in-person training programmes, leadership and management training, mentoring and much more.

Our hybrid working model:
We operate a 50% onsite hybrid working model, with our office-based staff splitting their time between site based and home working. This enables our office-based staff to balance the benefits of home working with onsite collaboration and maintaining a connection to our cause.

Diversity and inclusion:
We are committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive experience for all staff, volunteers and trustees and those hoping to join us. We operate an anonymised shortlisting process and actively seek to ensure our process is fair and equitable for all.

We understand the value of diverse voices, perspectives, and experiences to help us deliver even more for our dogs and cats, and we welcome applicants from all sections of the community.

As a Disability Confident Committed Employer we will ask about any adjustments you may need at application and/or interview stage, and if you are offered a role with us, we’ll talk to you about any workplace adjustments you may need to help you perform at your best.

More about us:
At Battersea, we aim to never turn away a dog or cat in need of help. We give each one lots of love, expert care and get to know their characters and quirks so we can find them a new home that’s just right for them. Join us and help us be here for every dog and cat, wherever they are, for as long as they need us.

Closing date: 13th July 2025
Interview date(s): W/c 21st and 28th July 2025

All applications must be submitted before the closing date advertised. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications is received.