Director of strategy and performance jobs

Shape the future of the voice of the rare condition community.

Genetic Alliance UK is looking for an exceptional Director of Engagement and Impact to transform how we connect with our 220+ member organisations, communicate our mission, and foster a thriving, supportive team culture.

If you’re a strategic leader with a gift for building relationships, crafting compelling messages, and creating positive change, this is your opportunity to make a lasting difference for the 3.5 million people in the UK affected by genetic, rare and undiagnosed conditions. 

Director of Engagement and Impact
Salary: £55,167 – £63,654 (with new starters usually starting at the lower end of the range)
Location: Home-based, UK (occasional travel required)
Contract: Permanent, full-time (35 hours per week) with applications for up to 28 hours per week considered.
Closing date: 09:00 on Monday 22 Sept 2025 

About Genetic Alliance UK
Genetic Alliance UK is the national charity working to improve the lives of the 3.5 million people in the UK affected by genetic, rare and undiagnosed conditions. We are an alliance of over 220 charities and support groups, bringing together patient voices to campaign for timely diagnosis, better care, and improved access to treatments. We host Rare Disease UK and SWAN UK, and lead national activity for Rare Disease Day.

About the role
This is a new senior leadership position designed to strengthen our membership engagement, amplify our communications impact, and support a positive, collaborative working culture.

As part of our Senior Management Team, you will:

• Lead and develop our approach to engaging and supporting our diverse membership.

• Provide strategic oversight for all communications, ensuring our messages are clear, consistent and impactful across multiple audiences.

• Champion and embed systems for staff performance, development and wellbeing, ensuring our culture is inclusive, supportive, and sustainable.

You will oversee the Head of Membership and Communications, the Communications and Engagement Manager (SWAN UK), and two new posts (Communications Officer and Project Support Officer). You will also provide operational oversight of SWAN UK, and work closely with the Policy, Public Affairs and Research teams to maximise impact.

About you
We are looking for a strategic leader who combines a talent for building relationships with outstanding communication skills. You will bring experience of leading teams, delivering organisational change, and working effectively with diverse stakeholders. You will be comfortable navigating the needs of a membership organisation, and passionate about making a tangible difference for people living with rare conditions.

What we offer

• Generous pension (5% employer, 3% employee)

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays and full office closure over Christmas/New Year

• Flexible, home-based working with occasional UK travel. 

• The opportunity to lead work that has a direct and lasting impact for people affected by rare conditions

The Director of Policy, Strategy and Governance is a new leadership role at the forefront of shaping and communicating our strategic direction.

As a member of the executive team reporting to the CEO, the Director will work with school leaders, other key external partners and teams within Camden Learning to drive high standards and grow a school-led system striving for both excellence and equity.

The Director will be responsible for leading, developing and communicating Camden Learning’s strategic direction, including plans for future growth and success. This entails keeping abreast of current developments, not only identifying opportunities and trends but also developing and supporting innovative approaches while ensuring alignment with Camden Learning’s goals.

The Director will be responsible for overall governance effectiveness, as well as provide strategic leadership for school governor services, ensuring effective support for governors in their key strategic and statutory roles. This includes establishing high-quality development and training programmes, the provision of a clerking service and bespoke support for governing bodies, as needed.

We are looking for a leader who can take ownership of shaping this role from day one – a strategic thinker, a skilled communicator, and a champion of inclusive governance. This is a rare opportunity to influence the future of education in Camden and beyond. Your leadership will help us tell our story, measure our impact, and ensure that our strategy remains both ambitious and grounded in the realities of our schools.

Key dates

• Applications close: 9am Mon 6 October
• First round interviews: Tue 21 and Wed 22 October (online)
• Final round interviews: Tue 28 October (in person at 5 Pancras Square, London)
• Start date: As soon as possible (January 2026), to be agreed with the successful candidate.

ImpactEd Consulting is acting as recruitment advisor to Camden Learning on this appointment.

The Childhood Trust is London's child poverty charity. We are dedicated to creating opportunities and brighter futures for the 700,000 children growing up in poverty in London. While we work to alleviate today’s impact of poverty, we support children and families to build pathways to become happier, healthier, safer and more resilient, breaking the cycles of inequity. Listening to and engaging with young people who have experience of living in poverty, is critical to ensuring our efforts truly reflect their needs and aspirations.  

As Director of Fundraising, you will be a key member of our senior leadership team delivering on the strategic objectives of the charity with responsibility for raising £4m this financial year in voluntary income for the Childhood Trust across trusts & foundations, corporates, major donors and community.  Delivering growth year on year to support the ambitious plans of the organisation.  Directly managing three ‘Heads Of’ fundraising roles, you will create a new fundraising strategy, steer the fundraising team’s activities, secure funding, and cultivate relationships that fuel our mission. 

Benefits to working at the Childhood Trust include: 

• Competitive holiday package including a day off for your birthday and the days between Christmas and New Year Off
• Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave
• Flexible working environment
• Hybrid working, with the expectation of ideally two days in our office in Victoria a week
• Part time hours are considered

To read more about the responsibilities in the role, please read the attached Job description. 

We are aiming to hold interviews the week beginning the 6th October. 

We are looking for an autonomous, inspiring, confident and organised leader. A transformer, capable of leading change and of developing services systematically and robustly. Someone who is inspired by the work we are doing now, and the opportunity to continue to lead growth and development. 

Joining at an exciting time as we prepare a three-year strategy, you will have experience of charity sector, be able to evidence service leadership, change management, service design / transformation. You will have a strong understanding of governance, quality and safety in service design, as well as lived experience impact.

You will have had experience of working in or alongside the NHS. You will be an empowering leader, supportive and coaching in style, bringing people with you through development and change work.

You will be collaborative in your approach and credible in your leadership. You will have worked with other senior leaders and be comfortable presenting to boards and to a wide range of internal and external stakeholders. 

Please refer to the attached recruitment pack for the full Job Specification.

Please upload your CV and supporting cover letter, outlining why you’re interested in the role. Please take your time to explain how your experience is relevant to this post and how you meet the criteria.

Closing date: Midnight Sunday 21st September 2025 

First stage virtual interviews: Monday 29th September 2025 

Second stage in-person interviews: Wednesday 15th October 2025 

LUX is seeking an exceptional Deputy Director to help lead its next chapter. This new senior role, created to strengthen internal capacity, operational resilience, and strategic delivery, will work closely with the recently appointed Director, Ali Roche, to shape and implement a vision for the organisation’s future. Overseeing operational and financial management, the Deputy Director will bring a broad skillset across finance, operations, HR, fundraising, legal, and governance to ensure LUX’s long-term success.

About Us

LUX is a publicly funded arts organisation and accredited museum that supports and promotes visual artists working with the moving image. Based in London and Glasgow, it delivers a range of activities including exhibitions, screenings, educational projects, commissioning and research.

It also manages Europe’s largest collection of films and videos made by artists and distributes them to museums, galleries and festivals around the world. We are a small organisation with offices in London and Glasgow. LUX’s collection is based at its London location in Waterlow Park, Highgate, North London, a beautiful location in a public park with its own gardens. LUX Scotland is based in Glasgow and delivers a public programme of activity in Scotland dedicated to supporting, developing and promoting artists’ moving image practices across the country. 

This is a rare opportunity to join LUX at a moment of renewal. Together with the Board and our dedicated team, you will help guide strategic growth, seize new opportunities, and uphold our artist-centred mission—building on LUXs rich history and commitment to championing artists’ moving image in the UK. The Deputy Director will lead on income generation, develop forward-thinking strategies, and help maintain and continue to build a vibrant, sustainable organisation for artists, collaborators and audiences.

Key Information:

Job Title: Deputy Director
Hours: 5 days a week (35 hours)
Salary: £45,000 pro-rata
Benefits Include: 25 days per year plus statutory holidays with an increase of 1 day per year worked up to a maximum of 30 days in total.
Location: This role is based at the LUX London office. This position will require at least 3 days per week working at the LUX office. Hybrid working options available.

The Deputy Director main responsibilities will include:

• Develop and maintain operational policies, procedures, and risk management aligned with organisational values and Arts Council Investment Principles.
• Co-lead the business plan and long-term strategy with the Director, translating goals into operational delivery.
• Oversee financial management, including budgeting, audits, payroll, procurement, cash flow, statutory reporting, and fundraising and income generation strategies, ensuring compliance and value for money.
• Prepare and submit quarterly and annual reports to public funders, ensuring data accuracy and compliance.
• Ensure legal and governance compliance across charity, company, employment, safeguarding, health & safety, and data protection; support the Board of Trustees with reports and governance documentation.
• Manage operations, including admin systems, IT, building maintenance, insurance, accessibility, sustainability, and lease compliance.
• Lead HR processes: recruitment, contracts, onboarding, appraisals, staff development, and fostering a positive, inclusive workplace with HR consultant support.
• Contribute to LUX’s success and culture, upholding our values and supporting an inclusive environment.

We are working in partnership with the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK), the charity supporting communities of all backgrounds to enjoy being in, on and around water safely, to secure their new Director of Membership and Education.

RLSS UK has a proud history of helping to reduce the number of lives lost to drowning through the fantastic work undertaken by their volunteers, staff, trustees, and members who advocate for and promote water safety in the communities they serve. The charity utilises their extensive, world-leading knowledge of water safety and training in developing a comprehensive range of vocational qualifications and a series of awards and education programmes, which all have the ultimate aim of preventing drowning and stopping unnecessary loss of life. Their portfolio includes the National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) - the premier lifeguard training programme.

The Director of Membership and Education will be responsible for strengthening, developing and growing the RLSS UK membership offering, deepening engagement with existing and prospective members and developing, implementing, and evaluating educational programmes, courses, and resources. The development and implementation of an organisation wide membership and education strategy, which is aligned with organisational goals and aimed at enhancing the member experience, and driving educational initiatives, including current and potential qualifications and training programmes will be key.

The Director of Membership and Education will also be an empowering leader, managing a team of 13 with 4 direct reports, ensuring the effective delivery of member initiatives and lifesaving and lifeguarding training, and water safety education.

The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate:

• Track record of driving membership/audience growth, and membership engagement, with the ability to use data insight to shape strategy.
• Experience of establishing educational goals, policies, and procedures.
• Experience of working with governing bodies, and high-level stakeholders, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements.
• Experience of monitoring and evaluating the performance of educational programmes.
• Experience of budget creation and management.

We are seeking an individual with the ability to foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement, while promoting best practices across membership and education development, assessment, and inclusion. The postholder will be the organisational lead for safeguarding.

For more information, please contact Katherine Anderson-Scott, Associate Director, Charisma Charity Recruitment. Your application should be submitted through the Charisma website and include your CV and supporting statement.

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, or other category protected by law.

Location: Worcester / Hybrid - 3 days in the office per week

Closing date: 10 September 2025

Charisma vetting interviews must be completed by 18 September prior to shortlist submission on 19 September.

Interviews with RLSS UK:

• 1st stage: 2 October 2025 (virtual)
• 2nd stage: 21 October 2025 (in person)

Director of Fundraising & Partnerships 
 

Location: Hybrid flexible working,

Winchester based office (expectation 1 day per week) 

Salary: £60,000–£70,000 

At the British Liver Trust, we are fighting to improve liver health for everyone. Liver disease and liver cancer are a public health crisis, yet too often overlooked. We raise awareness, provide vital information and support, campaign for earlier diagnosis, and give a voice to those affected. 

We are looking for a dynamic and strategic Director of Fundraising & Partnerships to join our Senior Management Team and lead our ambitious plans to grow income and impact. This pivotal role will shape and deliver our fundraising strategy, diversify income streams, and build long-term relationships with major donors, corporate partners, trusts, and foundations. 

Having merged with the Children’s Liver Disease Foundation in 2024, we are here for everyone, from tiny babies to adults, diagnosed with a liver condition. We are preparing to launch an exciting rebrand and a new name, Liver UK, in 2026. This is an incredible opportunity for the new Director of Fundraising and Partnerships to engage supporters of both charities in our new strategy and shared mission.

What You’ll Do: 

• Lead a multi-year fundraising and partnerships strategy across trusts, foundations, major donors, corporates, legacies, individuals, community, and digital channels. 

• Personally cultivate and manage high-value supporters and corporate partners. 

• Drive innovation using the latest fundraising tools, technology, and analytics to embed a data-driven approach across the team. 

• Lead, motivate, and develop a high-performing fundraising team. 

• Provide strategic insight and reporting to the CEO, SMT, and Trustees. 

What We’re Looking For: 

• Proven senior-level fundraising experience with multi-stream, high-value income growth. 

• Someone who can represent the charity as a trusted ambassador, building strong and lasting relationships with trustees, donors, corporate partners and other key stakeholders, while using their networking skills to confidently promote our work and open up new opportunities. 

• Experience maximising the benefits of CRM systems, analytics, and emerging technologies to drive data-led fundraising decisions.

• Inspirational leader, collaborative team player, and strategic thinker. 

• Someone who enjoys working collaboratively with Trustees to connect with new supporters and partners, inspiring them to get involved and champion our mission. 

• Enthusiasm for our mission to improve liver health, combined with a commitment to working in line with the Trust’s values. 

Why Join Us? 
With a new strategy (2026-2032) and a rebrand launching in 2026, this is a fantastic time to join us. This is a high-profile leadership role with the opportunity to shape the future of fundraising at a mission-driven charity.

We are at a pivotal point for liver disease, with the Government’s 10-year health plan and the support of senior policymakers, we have a once in a generation opportunity to drive and create real change for liver health.

As an employer, we are proud to offer: 

• Flexible and hybrid working to support your work-life balance 

• A supportive and friendly culture where your wellbeing matters 

• Opportunities for personal and professional development, including access to training programmes, support for professional memberships, and chances to represent the Trust at external events and conferences 

• Regular supervision and Personal Development Plans that focus on your work goals, alongside opportunities to collaborate across teams 

• The opportunity to play a leading role in a major project to modernise our CRM system within the next two years, ensuring our fundraising and supporter care systems are fit for the future 

• The chance to lead and inspire, while making a tangible difference to people’s lives every day 

Closing Date:

17 October 2025 - applications will be reviewed, and interviews may be conducted, as they are received. 

Harris Hill is delighted to be working with The Borrow Foundation to recruit its new Director of Finance and Operations (DFO).

The DFO will be the principal employee of the charity and will:
• Work closely with the Board, providing essential support to the trustees in the furtherance of the charity’s objects whilst fulfilling its legal, governance and financial obligations.
• Develop, strengthen and lead a small team that is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the charity and its subsidiary company, and oversee the implementation of the policies, strategies, and decisions of the Board
• Build strong and effective relationships with the charity’s stakeholders, internal and external

The Borrow Foundation’s mission is to promote the improvement of oral health primarily in children through the prevention of oral diseases. The charity’s focus is on population oral health and the need to reduce inequalities within and between countries.

It provides grants to leading health agencies, government bodies, academic institutes, dental associations, and charities. These are being applied in many parts of the world to help improve oral health, primarily in children, through the prevention of oral diseases.

Job title                          Director of Finance and Operations
Hours                             3 – 5 days per week (negotiable)
Salary                             £85,000 - £95,000 p.a. FTE
Employment term         Permanent
Location                        Waterlooville, Hampshire with hybrid working options
Benefits                        25 days annual leave plus bank holidays; 7% employer pension contributions; private health insurance

How to apply:
Please review the recruitment pack for further information about The Borrow Foundation, the DFO position and for details on how to apply

Closing date for applications: 9am, Friday 12th September

Both The Borrow Foundation and Harris Hill operate an equal opportunity policy and commit to treating all of our candidates and jobseekers fairly. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

As Director of Fundraising, you’ll be part of the Strategic Leadership Team (SLT), leading fundraising development and investment. An experienced leader, you’ll manage diverse income streams and teams, excelling in high-value individual and corporate relationships. Strong communication, strategic thinking, and team development skills are essential - you’ll oversee a fundraising strategy, collaborate with other SLT members on grants and campaigns, and help shape the charity’s culture, ensuring all staff align with its values. 

Please see the website for the complete job pack Join Us | Sheffield Hospitals Charity

We are working in partnership with the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK), the charity supporting communities of all backgrounds to enjoy being in, on and around water safely, to secure their new Director of Income Generation and Engagement.

RLSS UK has a proud history of helping to reduce the number of lives lost to drowning through the fantastic work undertaken by their volunteers, staff, trustees, and members who advocate for and promote water safety in the communities they serve. The charity utilises their extensive, world-leading knowledge of water safety and training in developing a comprehensive range of vocational qualifications and a series of awards and education programmes, which all have the ultimate aim of preventing drowning and stopping unnecessary loss of life. Their portfolio includes the National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) - the premier lifeguard training programme.

The Director of Income Generation and Engagement will be responsible for diversifying and developing RLSS UK’s income streams, predominately through fundraising. The role will also be accountable for strengthening and developing the RLSS UK brand, increasing visibility, growing engagement levels and income through enhanced presence and public awareness. This is a fantastic opportunity to develop and implement an organisation wide income generation and engagement strategy, which is aligned with organisational goals and aimed at providing long-term and sustainable income sources. Growing and fostering a high performing and motivated team, with excellent working relationships across the organisation, will be key.

The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate:

• Extensive experience in fundraising/income generation roles in a not-for-profit context.
• Track record of delivery at strategic and operational business level, and able to translate strategic vision into clear direction for the organisation.
• Experience in and/or understanding of operating in a commercially motivated environment embracing wide income generation opportunities.
• Track record of managing teams, both salaried and volunteers, to deliver income targets, and with a proven ability to recruit, train and monitor performance.
• Experience of budget creation and management.

We are seeking an individual with excellent communications skills, including negotiation and influencing skills and a high level of integrity, dependability, and personal drive.

For more information, please contact Katherine Anderson-Scott, Associate Director, Charisma Charity Recruitment. Your application should be submitted through the Charisma website and include your CV and supporting statement.

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, or other category protected by law.

Location: Worcester / Hybrid - 2-3 days in the office per week

Closing date: 15 September 2025

Charisma vetting interviews must be completed by 23 September prior to shortlist submission on 24 September.

Interviews with RLSS UK:

• 1st stage: 3rd October 2025 (virtual)
• 2nd stage: 16th October 2025 (in person)

Help shape the future of England’s common land.

We’re the only charity in England dedicated to protecting and enhancing common land and supporting the tradition of sustainable pastoral commoning. Fresh from completing a landmark £3.1 million National Lottery project, we’re growing fast — and we’re looking for our first Operations Director to help us scale up our impact.

You’ll lead on operational strategy, build strong systems and processes, and make sure our small but talented team has what they need to deliver their best work. If you’re an experienced, adaptable leader who thrives in a small charity and cares about landscapes, heritage, and community, we’d love to hear from you.

Role: 0.8 FTE fixed 2 year contract extendable subject to funding.

Deadline for applications: Wednesday 24th September 2025.

Vist our website to apply and for further information

Location: South Kensington, London (with hybrid working)
Salary: c. £85,000K + generous benefits package
Closing date: 14th September
Contact: Rosemary Pini - Allen Lane

The V&A is seeking a strategic, collaborative, and inspiring Deputy Finance Director to play a pivotal role in safeguarding the museum’s financial resilience and supporting its mission to champion creativity in all its forms.

As part of the V&A family of museums, the role offers the chance to contribute to an organisation with a global reputation, a national collection of over 2.8 million objects, and a 5,000-year-old story of creativity told through exhibitions, education programmes, research, and digital experiences.

About the Role

Reporting to the Director of Finance and Resources, the Deputy Finance Director will work at the heart of the V&A’s strategic and operational decision-making. The postholder will provide leadership to the Finance and Procurement teams, ensuring the delivery of high-quality financial management, business partnering, statutory reporting, and compliance across a complex, multi-site organisation.

Key priorities will include:

• Developing and delivering a multi-year strategic financial model to strengthen resilience and support commercial growth.
•  Leading the annual business planning cycle and aligning financial plans to strategic objectives.
• Enhancing financial systems, reporting, and processes to improve decision-making and efficiency.
• Championing strong financial controls, risk management, and compliance across the organisation.
• Overseeing statutory accounts, external reporting, and technical advice on VAT, Gift Aid, and other tax matters.
• Acting as a trusted adviser to senior leaders, the Board, and external stakeholders.

About You

The V&A is looking for a qualified CCAB accountant (or equivalent) with experience leading finance teams in large, complex organisations. You will have:

• A strong track record in statutory accounts, budgeting, and forecasting
• Technical expertise in accounting and charity taxation
• The ability to present complex financial information clearly to varied audiences
• A collaborative leadership style with a commitment to developing high-performing teams
• Alignment with the V&A’s values: Sustainability, Equity, Creativity, Collaboration, and Generosity

Why Join the V&A?

The V&A offers an inclusive, values-driven environment where staff are supported to thrive. The museum is proud to be an open and diverse organisation and is committed to a strict zero-tolerance approach to discrimination, harassment, or bullying.

Benefits include:

• 29 days’ holiday plus public holidays
• 10% employer pension contribution (post-probation)
• Life assurance (4x salary)
• Enhanced family-friendly policies
• Interest-free loans (travelcard, bike, rental deposit)
• Free entry to major museums and exhibitions
• Discounts in V&A shops and cafés
• Employee Assistance Programme and staff social events

How to Apply

For further information or to apply, please contact: Rosemary Pini at  Allen Lane who has partnered with V&A on this appointment or apply below. 

We are seeking an inspiring and strategic leader to join us as our Director of Service Delivery. This is a pivotal role leading the design and delivery of our frontline services, ensuring they are high quality, person centred and making a lasting difference in the lives of individuals and communities across Surrey and surrounding areas.

Location: Woking / Hybrid

Salary: £60,000 - £70,000 DOE

Permanent | Full Time (35 hours/week)

Benefits: 26 days annual leave (rising with service) + bank holidays + 1 extra days leave on your birthday, Pension, Access to Simply Health, Blended working, Employee discount programme and more…..

About Us

Catalyst Support, is a respected non-profit organisation in Surrey that’s been supporting people facing mental health challenges, substance use, and wellbeing needs for over 35 years. Operating with values at the heart of everything they do, Catalyst empowers communities through responsive, high-quality services and compassionate care.

About the Role

Reporting directly to the CEO and as part of the senior leadership team, you will provide compassionate and strategic leadership across all operational areas – including mental health, substance use, and outreach – the Director of Service Delivery ensures services are safe, inclusive, and trauma-informed, and that they reflect the diversity and lived experience of the communities we support.

You will hold accountability for service performance, safeguarding, quality assurance, and system partnerships. They work closely with the CEO, the Director of Operations (internal systems and transformation), and the Head of Finance and Resources to ensure operational delivery is effectively supported by infrastructure, systems, and financial stewardship.

Who We’re Looking For

Proven track record of delivering high quality, person led and socially impactful services and managing internal functions

Senior operational leadership experience in health, care, VCSE or related sectors

Experience in managing service compliance and staff wellbeing

Demonstrated success in leading performance improvement and impact measurement

Strong partnership working experience across statutory, VCSE and community systems

Budget management, including responsibility for service level budget setting, monitoring and decision making

Deep understanding of safeguarding frameworks, regulation and operational risk

Strong leadership and coaching skills rooted in empathy, empowerment and inclusion

Applications are open until 29th September, though we may close earlier if we receive a high number of applications, so we encourage you to apply soon. Please note, we are not working with recruitment agencies for this vacancy.

This post is subject to the DBS check. Please note past drug and/or alcohol or criminality history will not necessarily discount you from undertaking this role.

We are looking for an experienced Finance Director to join our team of nearly 100 staff, ideally before the end of 2025.

This is a full-time, home-based, permanent position. You can be based anywhere in mainland UK or Ireland, with some travel and occasional overnight stays to meeting and conferences mainly in England and Wales.

We offer flexibility around working hours, including the option of a 9 day fortnight - time off in lieu is also available. We offer 25 days holiday pro rata (rising to 28 days) plus statutory public holidays. We are happy to make adjustments for people with disabilities and/or caring responsibilities, and we welcome applications from all communities.

The role is a grade 7 position with a starting salary circa £75,000 plus benefits including 9% employer pension contribution.

The Finance Director (“FD”) works alongside the Chief Executive and Operations Director to manage the finances and governance of The Rivers Trust, a leading conservation charity with three associated trading subsidiaries operating across the UK and Ireland, with a collective annual income approaching £10m.

Given the prospective retirement of the current postholder at the end of 2025, we are seeking a well-qualified and experienced individual to take on this senior leadership role as soon as possible to enable handover to occur.

The role is very varied and wide-ranging, including presenting financial information to the Trustees and senior management on a quarterly basis, reviewing monthly management accounts, leading on annual budgeting, appraising internal project concepts and contracts, statutory compliance administration and liaising with auditors.

The postholder will lead a team of eight in the Finance department and join a very welcoming team of 95 highly engaged and passionate staff at The Rivers Trust.

Main duties and responsibilities:

Working alongside the CEO, the Finance Director will provide commercial, financial and governance management and leadership for The Rivers Trust ("the Charity") and its associated subsidiaries (“The Companies”). The FD will not only be an exceptional accountant, with executive oversight of the finance function, but will be commercially astute and have the confidence to represent robustly the best interests of The Companies. The FD will also be an experienced manager of people.

Key Accountabilities:

1. Act as a business partner to support and constructively challenge the CEO in the general management of the Charity and the Companies, reporting to the board.
2. Lead all aspects of the finance function (including maintaining and developing the financial control environment; robust financial accounting; cashflow management; incisive management information; clear and concise reporting to Board) to ensure that the Charity and the Companies’ assets are secured, risks are managed, and the Board of Trustees, subsidiary boards and committees can make well-informed decisions.
3. Manage relationships with auditors, funders, IT specialists, banks, investment platforms and other external organisations.
4. Provide support to project bids and the development of other commercial opportunities to ensure that bids/opportunities are optimised for the Charity and the Companies as a whole.
5. Provide input to project and programme delivery from time to time, to ensure that performance is maximised for the Charity and the Companies.
6. Attend Board meetings and Business Audit and Risk Committee meetings to guide the Board and the Senior Management Team on financial, commercial and governance issues.
7. Ensure compliance with the requirements of the Charity Commission and Companies House and, from time to time, provide guidance to members of the Rivers Trust movement on good governance practice.
8. Maintain the finance department operational manual for business continuity.
9. Serve as the Company Secretary for the Charity and Companies.

Staff Management:

1. Lead, manage and develop the finance team (who work remotely) and ensure the team understands their respective and collective contribution to achieving the Charity's and the Companies’ objectives.
2. Support the team in their professional development.
3. Ensure the team delivers a high-quality service focused on internal and external customers and funders.

Knowledge, skills, experience, and personal qualities:

Essential

• Significant experience in financial management and senior leadership roles, ideally gained in a range of organisations.
• A strategic thinker, able to see the big-picture, shape long-term direction and balance this with attention to detail.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills combined with creativity and openness to innovate.
• Strong IT and digital skills, with experience of using technology to improve efficiency and automate processes.
• Proven people leadership experience, with a track record of managing, developing, and inspiring teams and creating a supportive, inclusive, and collaborative culture.
• Excellent relationship builder, with the interpersonal skills to influence, collaborate, and provide constructive challenge while maintaining positive relationships across the organisation, including with trustees and senior stakeholders.
• Experience reporting to boards of trustees and/or directors, with the confidence to contribute to board-level discussions as a trusted adviser.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills, able to distil complexity into pertinent, concise and understandable messages tailored to diverse audiences.
• The courage to make and communicate tough decisions and be open about risks and setbacks.
• Resilient and calm under pressure, with the ability to maintain focus and steady leadership in challenging circumstances.
• Impeccable standards of integrity and personal ethics, acting as a role model for the organisation values.
• Knowledge of Sage financial software packages.
• Work to a good standard in Microsoft 365, especially Excel, Word, Outlook and Teams.

Desirable

• Experience of working in the charitable sector.
• Experience of being a Company Secretary.
• Understanding of the environmental sector or a passion for making a positive impact.
• Familiarity in using Sharepoint, Sage and Slack.
• Knowledge of Partial Exemption VAT rules.
• A basic understanding of Irish tax law, Irish and UK payroll taxes and corporate governance.

Qualifications/ Education

• Qualified Accountant, preferably ICAEW or ACCA.

Additional information

Everyone who works for us is expected to contribute to a respectful and inclusive working culture and follow our policies and procedures including Health & Safety, EDI, Cybersecurity and GDPR.

Please note we can only accept applications made through this site, and not sent by email or other methods.

We are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible. We warmly welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. If you would benefit from any adjustments to support you through the process, please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.

To apply please send your CV and a covering letter.

Closing date: Wednesday 24th September 2025

We may close this vacancy early if we receive a strong pool of applications, so we encourage early submission