Director of Finance & Operations
- Hours: 37.5 hours per week
- Location: Oxford
- Salary: £85,000 per annum
- Closing date: 26th March 2026 at 12 noon
Join Helen & Douglas House as our next Director of Finance & Operations
Help to shape the future of the world’s first children’s hospice and make a profound difference to the lives of local families.
Helen & Douglas House has been supporting children living with life‑limiting conditions and their families for more than 40 years. We are a place of compassion, expertise and unwavering commitment — and now, we are searching for an exceptional Director of Finance & Operations to help ensure we build upon our unique legacy of innovative and impactful care and support.
A role with purpose. A role with impact.
As a key member of our Executive Team and working closely with our CEO and Board of Trustees, you will be at the heart of strategic decision making — ensuring our resources, systems and operations are effective, efficient, and aligned with the needs of the children and families we serve. This is an opportunity to influence the long-term sustainability of a truly special organisation at an important and exciting time for the hospice sector.
What you’ll lead
In this role, you will provide strategic leadership across Finance, Estates & Operations, Information Systems, Data & Governance, Risk, Health & Safety and our Project Management Office.
- Providing insightful financial leadership to help shape our strategic plans.
- Oversee the annual corporate planning and budget cycle.
- Ensure strong governance, regulatory compliance and effective risk management.
- Lead our Estates & Facilities strategy, ensuring our buildings and environments remain safe, high quality and fit for purpose.
- Guide the development of an effective organisational information systems strategy.
- Support and empower a talented cohort of Heads of Department — fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability and excellence.
- Act as a trusted ambassador to regulators, partners, advisors and donors.
Who we’re looking for
You will be:
- A qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or CIPFA).
- A strategic and inspirational leader with experience overseeing diverse operational functions.
- Skilled at navigating complexity, shaping strategy and driving organisational performance.
- An exceptional communicator, able to build trust and confidence with stakeholders at every level.
- Passionate about making a meaningful difference through high quality, sustainable charitable services.
Experience in the non‑profit or healthcare sector is welcome but not essential — what matters most is your leadership, values and ability to deliver impact.
Why join us?
At Helen & Douglas House, every decision you make directly supports children and families facing life-limiting conditions. You will join a committed, values driven Executive Team and help to lead an organisation with a powerful mission and deep community roots. If you’re motivated by our purpose and ready to bring your expertise to an organisation where your leadership will truly matter, we would love to hear from you.
Apply today and help us secure an impactful and sustainable future for Helen & Douglas House and the families we serve.
Please note that everyone working for Helen & Douglas House are required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check. Helen & Douglas House is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We are an equal opportunities employer and value the benefits of a diverse workforce. We positively encourage applications from all areas of the community.
Registered Charity
101 - 500
Hospice charity based in Oxford, providing palliative, respite, end-of-life and bereavement care to life-limited children and their families.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) represents over 10,000 members across the UK and beyond, championing excellence in small‑animal veterinary practice through education, science, and community. As the leading membership association for vets working with companion animals, we provide world‑class professional development, publish respected clinical resources, and convene the profession through influential scientific events and networks.
The Association is now at a pivotal moment. We are undergoing a Programme of Change to redefine how BSAVA operates—modernising our systems, transforming member experience, and strengthening our role as a trusted, forward‑looking voice for the profession.
As we approach our 70th anniversary in 2027, we are building an organisation that is more adaptive, more connected, and more responsive to the changing needs of veterinary professionals.
Chief Executive Officer
Quedgeley, Gloucestershire, with hybrid working. Relocation package available.
Circa £110,000 per annum
This is an exciting time for a new Chief Executive to join us and lead BSAVA into its next chapter.
The Opportunity
Working closely with our President, Board, partners, staff, volunteers and our members, the CEO will be the visible voice of BSAVA—shaping our strategy, driving influence across the sector, and ensuring operational excellence. You will own the Programme of Change and lead its successful delivery, strengthening our organisational culture, systems and practices, while ensuring BSAVA continues to thrive as a values‑driven, evidence‑led and member‑centred Association.
The CEO will broaden our reach and impact, champion member value, and strengthen relationships across academia, industry, the wider veterinary profession, and international networks. You will position BSAVA as a modern, relevant, and agile organisation—one that supports veterinary professionals to deliver outstanding care and sustain fulfilling careers.
About You
We are looking for an inspirational and strategic leader who brings:
- A track record of shaping and delivering organisation‑wide strategy and growth at a senior level.
- Experience of leading complex change, with the ability to unite people behind a compelling vision.
- Commercial acumen and an entrepreneurial mindset, with the ability to develop and diversify income streams.
- Outstanding leadership credentials, with the ability to motivate, empower and develop high‑performing teams.
- Strong stakeholder engagement skills and the ability to build trusted relationships across diverse groups.
- Confidence navigating ambiguity, making measured decisions, and driving clarity and focus through times of transformation.
We are open to candidates from all sectors and whilst experience within membership associations or the non‑profit/charity sector is beneficial it is not essential. What matters most is your ability to influence, collaborate, innovate, and champion a profession that plays a vital role in improving the health and welfare of small animals.
How to Apply
For further information, to access the appointment brief and to apply, please visit the Prospectus website.
If you would like an informal conversation about the role, please contact our retained advisors Anna Gardet or Erica Ritchie.
Recruitment Timetable
Deadline for applications: Sunday 29th March 2026
Interviews with Prospectus: 2nd – 13th April 2026
Interviews with BSAVA: w/c 4th May 2026
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND OPERATIONS
Strategic Finance and Operations Director leading finance, HR, IT and compliance for a national lifesaving charity and its commercial subsidiaries.
- Location: Worcester / Hybrid (2–3 days a week in office)
- Benefits: 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays and discretionary birthday day off; private health and life assurance; Life Assurance Scheme; Enhanced Society Sick Pay
Are you a strategic finance leader ready to shape the future of a national charity? Do you have the experience and will to lead finance, HR, IT and compliance with authority and clarity?
Charisma Charity Recruitment has partnered with Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) to appoint a new Director of Finance and Operations. RLSS UK saves lives by leading in water safety education, lifeguarding and drowning prevention, with a thriving commercial directorate and a new 2025–2030 strategy.
Reporting to the CEO and leading the corporate services directorate, you will hold accountability for financial stewardship across the charity and its subsidiaries, ensuring strong governance, regulatory compliance and operational resilience.
You will:
- Lead financial strategy, budgeting, reserves and risk to secure long-term sustainability
- Prepare annual accounts under Charity SORP and report at Board level
- Lead HR, IT, compliance and facilities, driving performance and accountability
- Strengthen corporate governance and regulatory relationships
- Contribute as a key SLT member, shaping strategy and major projects
We are seeking a qualified accountant (ACCA/CIMA/ACA) with senior charity experience, commercial acumen and the credibility to operate at Board level.
For more information, please contact Katherine Anderson-Scott, Executive 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.
Closing date: Tuesday 24 March 2026
Charisma vetting interviews must be completed by: EOD Thursday 2 April 2026
Interviews with RLSS UK: w/c 13 April 2026 onwards
