Robertson Bell is exclusively partnering with Social Interest Group (SIG) to recruit an Interim Finance Director on a 9-month fixed-term contract. This is a pivotal senior leadership role within a dynamic, mission-driven organisation delivering life-changing support services across housing, mental health, addiction recovery, and complex needs.
With the Group’s new five-year strategy recently launched, this role will play a vital part in shaping and delivering the organisation’s financial approach to support its long-term ambitions. Reporting directly to the CEO and working closely with both the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and Board, the Interim Finance Director will provide visible, robust financial leadership while safeguarding the long-term financial sustainability of the Group.
Key Responsibilities include:
- Providing robust, strategic financial advice to the CEO, SLT, and Board, ensuring sound financial insight underpins all key decisions.
- Driving the development and implementation of short, medium, and long-term financial strategies aligned to the Group’s new five-year strategic plan.
- Ensuring effective management of corporate risks, working through the Director of Compliance, Risk, and Internal Audit, and reporting to the Board as required.
- Acting as the SLT lead for contract oversight and procurement, ensuring appropriate financial governance, pricing models, and value-for-money outcomes.
- Providing clear leadership to the finance team, working closely with the Head of Finance (direct report), and supporting the ongoing development of a high-performing finance function.
- Taking ownership of finance system optimisation, budgeting, scenario planning, and overseeing both internal and external audits.
- Managing legal, insurance, and risk arrangements, including acting as the lead for Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery planning.
- Supporting the implementation and delivery of SIG’s environmental strategy, embedding sustainable practices across the Group’s operations.
The successful candidate will bring:
- Proven experience in leading organisational change within the charity (ideally social care) or housing sectors, acting as a trusted advisor to senior leadership.
- Strong cashflow management expertise, ideally gained in environments with high staffing costs and low margins.
- Demonstrated ability to engage with and influence Boards and committees, with a clear articulation of financial risks and strategy.
- A balance of strategic vision and hands-on financial leadership, with a proactive and solutions-focused approach.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a track record of developing high-performing teams and fostering cross-functional engagement.
- A recognised accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent).
This is an exciting opportunity to join a purpose-led organisation and make a lasting impact at a critical time. Based at SIG’s Head Office in Highbury & Islington, the role offers the opportunity to lead a key finance function at the heart of an ambitious and growing Group.
Registered Charity 
101 - 500
Thank you!
East End Homes are partnering exclusively with Robertson Bell in their search for a permanent Financial Controller. East End Homes, is a locally based and community-led housing association in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. This year East End Homes is celebrating its 20th anniversary. In 2005 residents of five estates across Tower Hamlets voted for their homes and communities to be transferred to the newly established social landlord. Today, its 120-strong team manages over 3,900 homes with local offices in each neighbourhood.
The newly created Financial Controller position offers a rare opportunity for a technically strong, ambitious, and commercially aware finance professional to play a key role in reshaping East End’s finance function and influencing decision-making at a senior level. The Financial Controller will be a member of the Senior Management Team and this role is seen as a natural stepping stone toward Finance Director level within the sector.
The Role:
- Work closely with the Finance Director and Executive Team to support strategic planning and organisational transformation.
- Oversee the development and delivery of Eastend Homes’ long-term financial plans, annual budgets, and business modelling (including BRIXX).
- Deliver and embed a proactive finance business partnering approach across the organisation, influencing decision-making and performance management.
- Drive improvements to financial reporting, insight, and analysis, delivering value across the organisation.
- Coordinate the production of our financial plans and reports including monthly management accounts, the annual statutory accounts, forecasts and the budget.
- Oversee day-to-day financial operations, ensuring sound internal controls, process improvement, and compliance with relevant regulations (FRS102, SORP, RSH).
- Manage cash flow forecasting, covenant compliance, and other treasury responsibilities, with support available for professional treasury qualifications if desired.
- Play a leading role in mentoring, developing, and embedding a high-performing, collaborative finance team (c.3–4 staff).
- Actively contribute to the Senior Management Team and support wider change initiatives across the business.
The Organisation:
East End Homes has made significant progress in stabilising its operations and strengthening its governance. With the appointment of a highly experienced new CEO and completion of key commitments to the Regulator of Social Housing, the organisation is now focused on long-term sustainability, performance improvement, and resident impact. The recent appointment of an Interim FD has brought further structure and capability to the finance function, and this Financial Controller hire will be a cornerstone of building a modern, resilient, and insight-led finance team.
Person Specification – Essential:
- Qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA/CIPFA).
- Strong technical knowledge of financial and statutory reporting including FRS102 and Housing SORP.
- Demonstrable experience in social housing finance including business planning, management accounting and regulatory compliance.
- Experience of delivering improvements in management reporting, financial controls, and/or business partnering.
- A confident communicator with excellent interpersonal skills and a track record of engaging with and challenging senior stakeholders.
- Digitally confident with strong Excel skills and familiarity with financial planning tools (e.g., BRIXX).
- Forward-thinking and inquisitive, with a continuous improvement mindset and strong problem-solving ability.
- Experience of coaching or leading teams and ability to develop others.
This role will be based at East End Homes’ head office in Tower Hamlets, with travel between estate-based local offices as required. The closing date for applications is 6th July with interviews taking place week commencing 21st July (first stage) and final interviews scheduled for week commencing 28th July.
Applications will be reviewed continuously before the closing date. Please apply via our exclusive search partner Robertson Bell.
