Director jobs in bloomsbury, greater london

We are looking for someone who:

• Understands the power of sport to unite and uplift communities.
• Brings senior leadership experience in the required competencies of fundraising, communications and income strategy.
• Is confident managing relationships with high-value funders and partners.
• Has a deep understanding of inclusive storytelling and impact measurement.
• Can think big, act boldly, and build a strong and sustainable future for our movement.

We continue to be focused on our vision to create an inclusive world for all, driven by the power of sport, through which people with intellectual disabilities live active, healthy and fulfilling lives. 

We are looking for people who are passionate about Special Olympics and are completely aligned with our values. We are authentic. We act with honesty, integrity and respect. We are creative and innovative. We love to embrace difference and doing things differently. We are brave, courageous, resilient and determined. We listen and are led by the voice of our athletes. We are always kind. We are Inclusion in Action.

We are continuing to build a high-performing team who care for each other and care about our cause. Our athletes are incredibly inspirational, courageous and insightful people, and they deserve a team who are equally committed and passionate about our mission.

Plumstead Community Law Centre is a free specialist legal advice charity located in central Woolwich in South East London. We provide specialist legal advice and advocacy in the areas of immigration, welfare benefits and employment People can access our services via telephone or email, and through the Advice Hub outreach services we attend in local community centres. In 2024 over 1,400 local people accessed our advice and representation services, resulting in a range of financial and non-financial benefits.

Towards the end of 2024, we moved away from a collective model towards a functional management structure. We appointed an Interim CEO from the staff group and expanded our trustee board's size and expertise.

This Managing Director and Senior Solicitor role involves assuming the charity’s management from our interim CEO, who has established strong systems and secured new funding for the further strengthening of the charity. Our strategic plan includes improving our legal practice management with a view to obtaining a quality mark and securing an immigration legal aid contract. We anticipate securing further funding to expand our services, to support more people in need in our community.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, experienced solicitor who has a track record in supervision and management. Although the job description is wide ranging, support will be given through further recruitment of administrative support. 

​The Law Centre Managing Director and Senior Solicitor (“MD/SS”) is responsible for all aspects of the day-to-day operation of the Law Centre. Working within appropriate delegations from the Board, the post holder ensures that the Law Centre provides quality assured services that meet its charitable purposes. The MD/SS ensures that issues of risk and compliance are properly managed and that the Centre is an exciting, innovative and enjoyable place to work. The MD/SS ensures that the Centre operates within budgets set by the Board and 2 that it offers value for money. The MD/SS must ensure that legal, regulatory, grant, contractual and other relevant requirements are met and that the Centre continues to be relevant to its community. 

The British Psychotherapy Foundation (bpf), in partnership with Birkbeck, University of London, is recruiting a Director of the MSc in Psychodynamics of Human Development. This part-time position offers the opportunity to lead a well-established, two-year postgraduate programme that blends psychoanalytic and Jungian perspectives with experiential learning, including infant observation, work discussion seminars, and research. The successful candidate will bring academic and clinical expertise, strategic vision, and a collaborative spirit to ensure the programme’s continued excellence, innovation, and accessibility for a diverse student body.

The Trust is seeking a Fundraising Director to run the day-to-day operations of our small and successful charity, alongside our existing Director of Operations, starting 1 September 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter.

The annual salary is £33,000 and hours of work are 35 hours a week. The successful candidate must be able to work from home but be willing to travel to central London for regular meetings and occasional events. We are open to part-time or flexible working options.

22 days annual leave increasing one day per year up to 30 days, plus bank holidays.

Pension contribution: employer 3% and staff 5% at the People’s Pension.

Reports to: Chair of the Board of Trustees

Liaises with: Co-Director, project members, bursary holders, project facilitators, trustees, supporters & patrons

About

The National Youth Arts Trust (NYAT) is a small performing arts charity that exists to widen access to the performing arts for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds - through giving bursaries for music, dance, and drama lessons, running youth theatre projects, and taking children to the theatre, often for the first time.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and organised individual, who is a confident fundraiser to help scale up our work nationwide, support in the day-to-day management of the Trust, and assist in fulfilling the trustee’s strategic plans for 2025 and beyond. It is an essential role for this charity and offers a unique opportunity to be involved and have influence on a growing arts organisation with a strong board, a fantastic patron list and national ambitions.

The ideal candidate is an excellent communicator, who would like to build on their fundraising and management experience in the third sector and arts industry and is passionate about equal opportunity in the performing arts.

We are looking for a creative thinker, who takes initiative, is self-motivated and is looking for a varied role within a small but ambitious charity.

Purpose of the Job

· Supporting the day-to-day management of the Trust, with a particular focus on fundraising and event organisation for current and future projects.

· Working with the Board of Trustees to ensure the National Youth Arts Trust achieves its vision and charitable objectives, creating and implementing the strategy for NYAT and ensuring operating policies and procedures are fit for purpose and regularly reviewed.

Principal Tasks

Principal Tasks:
Lead fundraising strategy, write funding bids, and build donor relationships. Manage communications, stakeholder care, and project delivery. Support recruitment, planning, and marketing. Maintain donor databases and ensure strong supporter engagement. Drive new creative initiatives, track budgets and impact, and report regularly to the Board.

This job description is not exhaustive, please refer to the JD and the post holder may be required to undertake other such duties from time to time.

The role will require the successful candidate to complete an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check.

Please contact us if you need the job description in an alternative format or if you need any adjustments if invited to interview.

NYAT is an equal opportunities employer. We guarantee an interview for applicants with a disability providing they meet the minimum requirements for the post. Charity No: 1152367.

· Closing date for applications is 21st August 2025.

· Interviews will be held online and arranged with shortlisted candidates directly, on Mondays, Tuesdays or Wednesdays, with possible in person second interviews.

· Start date 1st September 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

We are looking for an experienced Finance Director to join the team, working closely with the Executive Director, Senior Management Team and board of Trustees to develop and monitor Stratford East's business planning and financial management. 

As Finance Director you will provide direction and inspiration for the Finance department, agreeing strategy, setting targets and monitoring performance. You will work closely with the Executive Director, Senior Leadership Team and board of Trustees to develop and monitor TRSE’s business planning and financial management. You will ensure that Trustees, Managers and external stakeholders are supplied with timely, accurate and relevant information including budgets, management accounts and cash flow forecasts. The Finance Director oversees the finances of Pioneer Theatres Limited (t/ a Theatre Royal Stratford East) and its two subsidiaries – Stratford East (Trading) Limited (SET) and Stratford East Productions Limited (SEPL – currently dormant). 

This is a permanent, part-time role (3 days a week).

Deadline: Midday, Mon 18 Aug

Contract type: Permanent, Part Time

Salary:  £65,000 to £70,000 pro rata, dependent on experience

Hours of Work: Office hours are generally 10am - 6pm; 3 days (24 hours) per week Holidays: 30 days per annum including bank holidays. This will increase by one day for each full holiday year of service completed to a maximum total of 33 days

Probation: 6 months

Notice Period: 4 months

Pension: Up to 5% matched pension contribution after qualifying period

Other Benefits: Season ticket loans, Cycle to Work Scheme, complimentary theatre tickets, staff catering discount, Employee Assistance Programme

For 140 years, the Forces Employment Charity has proudly supported Service leavers, veterans, and their families in building successful civilian careers.

We provide veterans with life-long, life-changing support, jobs, and training opportunities, regardless of circumstances, rank, length of service, or reason for leaving.
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We are now seeking a Director of Finance and Resources to join our senior leadership team. This is a strategic and mission-critical role that will shape the operational and financial foundations of the charity during an exciting phase of growth and transformation following recent mergers and expanded contracts.

About the Role

As Director of Finance and Resources, you will report directly to the Chief Executive and work closely with the Board of Trustees, leading the charity’s Finance, HR, Infrastructure, Legal, and Governance functions.

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You will:

• Develop and implement a forward-looking financial strategy that supports sustainable growth and fundraising

• Provide leadership across Finance, People, and Infrastructure teams (managing three Heads of Department)

• Oversee risk, compliance, procurement, legal and IT systems, ensuring efficiency, resilience and value for money

• Act as a trusted advisor to the CEO and Trustees, supporting strategic planning and business transformation

• ​Foster a collaborative, inclusive and high-performance culture across the organisation

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This is an ideal opportunity for a commercially savvy, values-driven leader who thrives on bringing clarity, stability, and strategic foresight to complex organisations.

About You

We’re looking for a senior finance leader with a professional accountancy qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or similar) or equivalent financial and commercial management experience gained in an organisation of comparable scale or complexity.

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Ideally, you will bring:

• ​A strong track record of financial leadership, strategic planning, and operational delivery
• ​Experience working with (or within) third sector organisations and/or government-funded programmes
• ​An inclusive, engaging leadership style, with the ability to inspire teams and influence stakeholders
• ​A deep understanding of compliance, risk, and governance in a mission-driven environment
• ​A genuine commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community

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Interested? Want to know more about the Charity? please visit our website

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Eager to know more the role? Have a look at the Job Description attached or if you'd like to discuss the role with someone, feel free to contact us.

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What’s in it for you? Check out the Benefits sheet attached.

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Have we convinced you to apply? If so, submit your CV and Covering Letter by closing date Tuesday, 17 August 2025.

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Please note: Applications will be reviewed and interviews conducted throughout the duration of this advert; therefore, we may at any time bring the closing date forward. We encourage all interested applicants to apply as soon as possible. If you are an internal applicant, please ensure you have made The People Team aware before applying.

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We are committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff by fostering an inclusive, supportive environment where everyone, including those with disabilities, can thrive, develop, and achieve their full potential. We actively encourage applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds and ensure reasonable adjustments are made to support candidates with disabilities throughout the recruitment process.

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We actively recruit citizens of all backgrounds, but the nature of our work in specific departments means that residency and security requirements can be more tightly defined than others. You will be asked about this throughout the recruitment process.

Contract: 4 – 6 months
Hours: 35 
Location: Finsbury Park, London
Starting salary: £84,194 per annum
Closing date: 26th August 2025 (we reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications)
Expected date of interviews: Candidates may be interviewed as they apply
Job ref: VA758 

This opportunity comes as we ready Freedom from Torture for a new “Tech Futures” agenda and are especially interested to hear from finance leaders with executive level experience of driving digital maturity in a charity finance setting.

You will join a cohesive, welcoming and deeply committed Senior Management Team and provide leadership support for our fantastic Finance, ICT and Estates teams.

At Board level, you’ll have the opportunity to work with the one and only Kate Sayer — our Chair and former partner and co-founder of Sayer Vincent — and with our Treasurer, Tim O’Sullivan-Guy, formerly of the Amnesty International finance team and now Chief Financial Officer at Home House.

Freedom from Torture is a very special charity, helping survivors of torture to rebuild their lives in the UK via our life-saving clinical services and setting the standard when it comes to human rights campaigns uniting survivors of torture and caring people to fight for a world free from torture and the rights of survivors. We were very proud to win the Overall Award for Excellence and the Campaigning & Advocacy award at the 2023 Charity Awards.

This is one of the most rewarding leadership roles imaginable in charity finance.

Please contact visit our website for further details on how to apply.

Please reach out quickly as we are keen to fill the role immediately to ensure outstanding support for our teams

Freedom from Torture is committed to its responsibilities under safeguarding, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS disclosure, as well as a need for full employment history and up to date employment references.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Freedom from Torture is an equal opportunity employer. People with lived experience of torture or asylum, from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQIA+ individuals and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

In the UK, in areas of disadvantage, up to 40% of children do not reach a good level of development by the age of 5. Our client’s vision is of a society that cherishes children’s development in the early years, where every child can thrive and achieve their full potential.

Using a collective impact approach, the organisation is driving and supporting collaboration between funders, the public, private and the voluntary sector to improve outcomes in the early years. Listening to the voice, and harnessing the power of parents, carers and families in local communities is central to the change that Thrive and Five seeks to make.

In just four years, our client’s work is making a difference, with positive progress of children who’ve had the benefit of the charity’s pilot programme.  The impact of our work was recognised in Parliament as the Secretary for State delivered the Best Start in Life Strategy and the charity was  invited to share our public/voluntary sector partnership model at the Government’ Summit to launch the Civil Society Covenant. The Department for Education is interested to see how our approach aligns with their mission to help 75% of children reach a Good Level of Development by 2028. 

Director 

North East, working in person in Teesside three days a week 

Up to £85,000, dependent on experience

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced leader, with a passion for giving children the best possible start and with a strong belief in the power of communities. The role will work both locally and nationally, as part of the wider team. 

The Director will manage our client’s existing programme in Redcar and Cleveland with a talented and committed team (10 staff). They will also develop and manage the new programme in Middlesbrough, currently in Discovery phase, and recruit a staff team of 8- 10 people, with support from the charity’s central team.  Once set up, the Director will lead the following across both areas: 

• Building relationships and networks in the areas, across the public, voluntary and private sector 

• Leading the team to support delivery of the charity's local early years strategy in the areas

• Leading the delivery of a portfolio of complementary workstreams, continuously refining and strengthening the work so that we make the greatest possible positive difference to local children and families 

• Working closely with local partners and the national team to ensure that data and learning is captured and fed into strategic thinking and our national model 

Supported by our central team, the Director will enable local stakeholders to collectively support parents and children under 5, to improve outcomes in the early years and particularly improve levels of school readiness. Crucial to this work will be engaging with and empowering local parents who are the key to successful delivery of the initiative.

This is an exciting opportunity for an impact focussed leader, who brings: 

• Experience of working at a senior level with public sector and/or voluntary organisations involved in the delivery of services and support to families with children under 5 

• A track record of implementing concurrent and complex workstreams effectively, with proven project management and evaluation skills 

• Experience at leading and developing staff teams

• Experience of building networks of solid relationships with a wide range of stakeholders

You will relish the opportunity to deliver a model that ensures strength in communities, achieves long term sustainability and aims to achieve long-term systemic improvements in early childhood development. 

We are committed to inclusion in all aspects of our work and our new Director will have the ability to collaborate effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures and nurture differing views. They will work sensitively with the changing needs of our communities and be comfortable talking about the importance of inclusion to a range of audiences. 

Recruitment Timetable

Closing date:  Sunday 31st August 2025 

Initial interviews with Prospectus: 5-12th September 2025 

Panel interviews with our client: w/c 15th September 2025 

Queries 

If you have any queries or wish to have an informal discussion about the opportunity, please contact our retained advisors Anna Gardet or Erica Ritchie with a copy of your CV.

Location: Hybrid / London
Contract type: Permanent
Salary: circa £75,000 FTE
 
Job Advert
 
The London Community Foundation (LCF) exist to improve the lives of the most disadvantaged people in London by working with donors to invest in small, local charities and community groups. LCF empower local community organisations and leaders to identify their needs and solutions and connect these groups with funders, distribute resources, and help increase their impact. Additionally, LCF promote the value of local organisations, encourage philanthropy, and build relationships between communities and funders, and have given £127 million in grants to grassroot organisations in London since 2010.
 
The Director of Development will be responsible for developing and achieving LCF’s income strategy, with particular focus on developing, prospecting, and building relationships with high value donors, corporates, financial advisors, and wealth management. As part of the Senior Leadership Team, this role will be a strategic Director, whilst also leading on key donor facing relationships. This role will be critical to leading and executing successful engagement strategies for both internal and external stakeholders, with the support of a small team of two.
 
The successful candidate will be able to evidence setting strategy and delivering successful high value income generation growth. This person will be able to demonstrate identifying and securing gifts of a six-figure plus level. They will have a proven track record of developing and maintaining strategic senior networks. This person will have managed other team members before and be a strong communicator with other senior internal stakeholders and external donors.
 
To apply for the role please submit your CV together with a supporting statement (of no more than 2 pages).
 
REF-223124

Are you looking for a varied and rewarding finance role? Join us as Director of Finance and support the transformational work in the social inclusion, education, scientific research, arts, and heritage sectors.

Location: The Peak, 5 Wilton Road, London SW1V 1AP (2-3 days per week in the office)

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Monday 8th September. 

The Sainsbury Family Charitable Trusts (SFCT) is an umbrella organisation that facilitates the work 16 grant-making trusts, along with its associated charitable companies, established by three generations of the Sainsbury family. 

Each Trust is an independent legal entity with a separate focus and Board of Trustees, and in many cases, led by the family member who established it. The Trust works in many fields, including climate and environment, arts and heritage, disability rights, social inclusion, healthcare, science, education, neuroscience, and international development. 

About the role

The Director of Finance will lead the finance team to ensure the effective support for SFCT’s complex requirements across all aspects of finance, investment management, governance, compliance and risk.

The role will report directly to the CEO, providing financial and operational oversight, as well as high-level strategic engagement with senior stakeholders. This will require you to establish effective working relationships across the office and with family members and Trustees.

The role is part of the Head of Central Services group, working closely with the Head of Finance (Gatsby) to play a key role in decision making and delivering shared ways of working across the group, strengthening cross-functional collaboration and continuous improvement to ensure that support for our Trusts and charitable organisations remains fit for the future.

This is a varied and complex role that covers three main areas of work.

1. Leading a team that is responding to changing needs from internal customers to ensure high performance.
2. Leading projects with a focus on continuous improvement.
3. Proactively supporting family members and trustees in managing investments.

The role’s challenge and variety come from a mix of central and tailored support for the entities that SFCT supports.

Who we are looking for

This role is a fully functional finance role with multiple entities that require support. You will be an experienced Finance Director (and/or perhaps a CFO of an endowment-funded foundation) with the people skills to lead and develop a large finance team, as well as the skills to manage a complex mix of stakeholders.

As a qualified accountant, you will be someone with knowledge and experience in charity finance, who also has a commercial focus and likely has had a stint in industry. Experience in managing a complex finance function and being proactive when it comes to change is essential, as well as the ability to inspire and develop a team to deliver high performance and continuous improvement.

You will enjoy working with people and come with a broad set of experiences. Experience in investments would be an advantage, as would any other additional areas of expertise. This role is a platform for value-added support.

Please click 'Apply on website’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the job description and register your interest to apply.

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Monday 8th September. 

Prospectus is supporting a London focused grant givng organisation in the search for a Director of Development. This organisation exist to improve the lives of the most disadvantaged people in London by working with donors to invest in small, local charities and community groups. They empower local community organisations and leaders to identify their needs and solutions and connect these groups with funders, distribute resources, and help increase their impact. Additionally, they promote the value of local organisations, encourage philanthropy, and build relationships between communities and funders, and have given £127 million in grants to grassroot organisations in London since 2010.

Director of Development

Permanent

circa £75,000 FTE

London with hybrid working 1 day per week

   

The Director of Development will be responsible for developing and achieving the organisation's income strategy, with particular focus on developing, prospecting, and building relationships with high value donors, corporates, financial advisors, and wealth management. As part of the Senior Leadership Team, this role will be a strategic Director, whilst also leading on key donor facing relationships. This role will be critical to leading and executing successful engagement strategies for both internal and external stakeholders, with the support of a small team of two.

The successful candidate will be able to evidence setting strategy and delivering successful high value income generation growth. This person will be able to demonstrate identifying and securing gifts of a six-figure plus level. They will have a proven track record of developing and maintaining strategic senior networks. This person will have managed other team members before and be a strong communicator with other senior internal stakeholders and external donors.

   

Application information

Closing date for completed applications is midday on 24th August.

   

To apply

To apply for the role please upload your CV together with a supporting statement (of no more than 2 pages) onto the Prospectus website via the link below.

Prospectus is committed to providing equality of opportunity and welcome candidates from a diverse range of backgrounds. For all job opportunities and progression, job applicants and employees will receive equal treatment regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. If you have any disability and would like assistance with completing an application, then please contact Rhiannon Mehta at Prospectus on      

If you feel you meet some of the criteria but not all, we really hope you'll enquire and learn more. Prospectus can advise and support on each part of the role and hopefully your application, so we look forward to hearing from you.

Director of Policy, Influencing and Change 
Location: London, hybrid working 
Contract: Permanent, full time 
Salary: £82,000 to £90,000 per annum plus benefits 
Reports to: Executive Director, Impact on Urban Health 

Impact on Urban Health works to tackle the deep-rooted health inequalities that affect people living in cities. As part of Guy’s and St Thomas’ Foundation, the organisation focuses on a small number of complex health challenges that disproportionately affect urban communities. These include air pollution, access to healthy and affordable food, financial security, and children’s mental health. 

The work begins in the London boroughs of Lambeth and Southwark, among the most diverse areas in the country. Here, Impact on Urban Health supports and tests new ideas in real-world settings. The insights gathered locally are used to shape national and international conversations and influence lasting change. The organisation works in partnership with communities, local authorities, government, the NHS, other funders, and civil society to build healthier urban environments. 

Impact on Urban Health is now recruiting a Director of Policy, Influencing and Change. This senior leadership role is responsible for shaping and delivering the organisation’s policy and influencing agenda, ensuring that its programmes lead to broader systems change. The Director will lead a skilled and committed team, strengthen strategic partnerships, and play a central role in scaling proven approaches to health equity. 

The ideal candidate will bring: 

• A strong track record of influencing decision-makers and shaping public policy at both local and national levels, with demonstrable experience driving change through engagement with a broad range of stakeholders 

• Experience of strategic leadership in complex settings, including securing large-scale partnerships to scale and sustain what we know works 

• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with confidence working across government, local authorities, and the voluntary and community sector 

• A clear and long-standing commitment to advancing health equity, racial justice, and inclusive leadership 

This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the future of urban health and to play a meaningful part in building a fairer, healthier society. 

To find out more about the role and how to apply, please view the dedicated microsite.

Recruitment Timetable

Interviews with Prospectus: w/c 8th September

Interviews with IoUH: w/c 22nd & 29th September

A fantastic opportunity has arisen for a Director of Finance and Services with a Christian membership charity, on a full-time, permanent basis. Due to the values of this organisation, this vacancy is open to practicing Christians only (exempt under the Equality Act 2010 Schedule 9, Part 1). As Director of Finance and Services, you will play a critical role in enabling the necessary resource and support to colleagues to deliver, and also provide advice and guidance as required to the volunteer leaders, including the Board of Trustees, and ensure that the charity operates within its means and in compliance with the laws of England and Wales.

Please note, there is hybrid working in place with this organisation with 2 days per week required in the office.

As Director of Finance and Services, you will:

- Have responsibility for all financial aspects of the charity

- Lead a Team of 5-6

- Lead on strategic and operational planning for the organisation, ensuring effective forecasting, budgeting, reporting and risk management

- Provide appropriate advice to the volunteer Boards of over 60 affiliated local charities in Britain and Ireland, and on an as-needs basis with Provinces worldwide, to ensure compliance with statutory requirements

- Have oversight of IT strategy and implementation

- Provide organisational leadership as part of the Senior Leadership Team

The successful applicant will:

- Have significant demonstrable experience in finance within the charity sector, in a similar role

- Be fully qualified (ACCA, CIMA, ACA etc)

- Have good working knowledge of the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP)

- Have experience of planning and implementation of process improvement or change programmes

- Have significant demonstrable experience of working at senior level (with Board contribution), contributing and leading on an organisation’s strategic plans

- Have excellent communication skills, both written and verbal

If this sounds like you and you're keen to hear more, please do get in touch ASAP!

Please note, only successful applicants will be contacted with further information.

As leading charity recruitment specialists and a certified B Corp™, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics.

We're looking for a confident and compassionate Co-Director to lead our mental health charity using gardens, creativity & community for recovery.

**We offer mentoring support for applicants who might benefit from additional guidance - please see the full Job Description for further details**

About Sydenham Garden

Based in Lewisham in South-East London, Sydenham Garden is a unique wellbeing centre utilising its gardens, nature reserve and activity rooms to help people living with and recovering from mental and physical ill-health. We provide nature and arts based creative, social and therapeutic activities for co-workers (the name we give to our primary beneficiaries).

About the role 

Our Director has been in post since November 2021 and on returning from maternity leave in January 2026 she will be working 3 days a week.  We are seeking a Co-Director to jointly lead the organisation going forwards as we have made a positive decision to move towards a co-director model.  This is an exciting opportunity which can have benefits of increasing capacity, efficiency, and transparency and allow for a broader range of identities both to better reflect the diverse populations they serve and as a way to include more diverse leaders. It is a model that can also reduce burnout, build equity, and support flexible working.

As Co-Director you will be jointly responsible for leading and manage the day-to-day running of Sydenham Garden for the benefit of our co-workers.  This will involve overseeing implementation and regular review of Sydenham Garden’s strategic plan and to ensure all governance arrangements are in place to monitor the work of the organisation and to report to the Board of Trustees and to funders.

You will ensure fundraising and financial plans and processes are in place to deliver the agreed services, including fundraising from Trusts & Foundations, community fundraising and developing contracted services as necessary.

The Co-Directors will be jointly accountable to the Trustee Board for all aspects of the job description. You may take lead responsibility on particular areas which will be discussed and agreed with the existing Co-Director and Trustee Board.

About You

You are a confident and compassionate leader with a commitment to the mental health and wellbeing sector.  You bring a thoughtful, strategic and inclusive approach to leadership.

Your communication skills are excellent, and you’re able to build strong, trusting relationships with colleagues at all levels, as well as with external partners, funders, and stakeholders.  You are deeply committed to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, with a clear track record of putting these values into practice.

You have a proven experience in securing income for charitable work and are confident in financial management and planning. 

You also understand the value of co-production and have experience working collaboratively with volunteers and co-workers (service users), ensuring their voices are central to service design and delivery.

We’re looking for someone who is dedicated to the mission of Sydenham Garden and has relevant experience at management level in a mental health charity of similar organisation. 

How to apply

Candidates will be shortlisted based on:

· Experience of working at a management level in a mental health charity or comparable organisation. 

· An excellent strategic thinker with experience of input into strategic development and implementation.

· Good communication skills and the ability to build relationships with colleagues at all levels in an organisation and with external contacts and partners. 

· A proven commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.

· Experience of line managing and developing staff, including through appraisal systems. 

· Proven ability to secure income, manage fundraising processes and to manage and produce fundraising applications. 

· Experience of financial management and planning, including managing budgets. 

· Experience of working with volunteers and co-workers (service users). 

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Sydenham Garden is committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). We want to build a diverse and inclusive staff, volunteer and trustee team where everyone feels that they belong and that reflects the profile of the communities we serve. Therefore, we will welcome and consider applications from candidates of all backgrounds and protected characteristics, and we particularly encourage applications from people of African or Caribbean heritage to ensure our staff team represents the communities we serve.

To apply, please send us a CV together with a supporting statement (maximum 2 pages, minimum font size of 11) that addresses how you meet the Person Specification listed above.