Finance director jobs in Central london, greater london

Robertson Bell are partnering with a large and nationally recognised charitable organisation to recruit an experienced Finance Transformation Director to lead a major finance modernisation programme.

Following a comprehensive review of the finance function, the organisation is embarking on a significant 2-year transformation programme designed to move finance from a highly transactional environment to a more strategic, insight-led, and mission-focused function.

Operating within a highly complex organisation with revenues exceeding several hundred million pounds, this is a high-profile leadership opportunity to shape and deliver a complex programme spanning process improvement, systems simplification, reporting enhancement, automation, and cultural change.

The Opportunity

Reporting into the Executive leadership team, you will lead a large-scale transformation programme across several interconnected workstreams, helping to modernise finance operations and improve organisational effectiveness.

Key areas of focus will include:

• Leading a multi-stream finance transformation programme across process, systems, reporting, and operating model improvements
• Driving the shift from manual, transactional finance activities towards strategic analysis and insight
• Simplifying complex finance structures, processes, and reporting frameworks
• Improving automation and reporting capabilities to support better decision-making
• Managing a blended delivery team of internal staff, consultants, and interim resource
• Building strong stakeholder engagement and driving organisational buy-in across the transformation journey
• Supporting wider cultural change to align finance more closely with organisational mission and outcomes

The Successful Candidate

The successful candidate will bring a strong blend of senior finance leadership experience alongside demonstrable transformation and programme delivery expertise.

You will ideally have:

• A proven track record leading large-scale finance transformation programmes within the charity or wider not-for-profit sector
• Experience operating at CFO, Finance Director, or equivalent senior leadership level within organisations of comparable scale and complexity
• Experience working within large, multi-entity or operationally complex environments
• Strong programme management and organisational change capability
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the ability to build trust and credibility quickly
• A collaborative and emotionally intelligent leadership style
• The ability to operate effectively within complex and evolving environments

This role offers the opportunity to lead a highly visible 2-year transformation programme with genuine long-term organisational impact.

The role operates on a hybrid basis, with approximately two days per week in the office, although flexibility can be considered for the right individual. Candidates seeking day-rate opportunities are also encouraged to apply, as alternative engagement options can be discussed.

Our client is a leading healthcare charity working in close partnership with a major NHS Trust to support outstanding patient care across hospitals, clinics and community services serving more than 1.5 million people.

The organisation funds projects that go beyond statutory NHS funding, investing in world-class facilities, healthcare innovation and research, staff wellbeing, and a distinctive arts and design programme that transforms healthcare spaces.

The charity is also delivering an ambitious multi-year fundraising initiative, aiming to significantly grow its impact and long-term sustainability.

Director of Finance
Salary: £80,000–£85,000
Location: London (hybrid working available 2–3 days per week)

Our client is seeking an exceptional Director of Finance to safeguard financial integrity and resilience, and to provide the strategic insight needed to maximise impact in a complex and evolving healthcare environment.

Reporting to the Chief Executive and working closely with the Board of Trustees as a senior member of the SMT, you will lead financial strategy, planning and governance, ensuring the highest standards of stewardship, transparency and accountability.

You will oversee all aspects of financial leadership, support the administration and management of investment and property portfolios, and partner across the organisation to support innovation, fundraising and programme delivery through rigorous appraisal, modelling and decision support.

This is a hands-on, high-trust role at the heart of the organisation’s leadership, strengthening controls and insight, enabling disciplined resource allocation and supporting sustainable growth.

We are looking for a senior finance leader who brings:

• A professional accountancy qualification (ACA/ACCA/CIMA)
• Senior post-qualification experience at Head/Director level within the charity sector
• Experience of investment and property management, and managing restricted and unrestricted funds
• Confidence operating at Board/committee level, with strong stakeholder skills and the ability to challenge constructively
• A pragmatic, analytical and collaborative approach, with a commitment to the organisation’s purpose and values

How to Apply
Further information and details on how to apply are available via Prospectus.

Deadline for applications: Sunday 7 June 2026
Interviews with Prospectus: 11-17 June 2026
Interviews with client: w/c 22 June 2026

Help shape financial decision-making at one of the UK’s leading universities

King’s is a large, complex and internationally engaged university with ambitious plans for the years ahead. We are looking for an experienced finance leader to join us as Deputy Director of Finance Business Partnering (Operations), playing a key role in strengthening financial performance, decision-making and long-term sustainability across our Professional Services directorates.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who wants to make a real impact. You will be part of our Financial Strategy, Planning and Performance function, helping King’s maintain the sustainable financial foundation needed to support our education, research and wider contribution to society.

The role

Reporting to the Director of Finance Business Partnering (Operations), you will lead high-quality finance business partnering services across a range of Professional Services areas, including Student Services, IT, Philanthropy and Alumni, Executive portfolios and other directorates.

You will directly line manage a team of Finance Business Partners and their Management Accountant teams, with overall responsibility for a team of around eight people, including three direct reports. You will also play a substantial leadership role across the wider Operations Finance Business Partnering team, supporting a team of around 19 colleagues.

This is a hands-on senior leadership role. You will work closely with senior stakeholders, providing expert advice, constructive challenge, analysis and timely decision support. You will help ensure financial plans are robust, risks and opportunities are understood, and resources are aligned with King’s strategic priorities.

What you will be doing

You will model excellent finance business partnering, using high-quality data and insight to support leaders across King’s Professional Services and Operations directorates. You will help stakeholders understand financial performance, make evidence-based decisions and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, value for money and long-term financial resilience.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading the delivery of finance business partnering across multiple Professional Services areas.
• Providing strategic financial advice, scenario modelling and long-term forecasting to support decision-making.
• Leading and supporting annual planning, monthly reporting, quarterly updates and forecasting processes.
• Developing clear, robust reporting and commentary for senior stakeholders, including Executive-level audiences.
• Supporting business cases, complex financial issues and cross-cutting initiatives.
• Ensuring income and expenditure are recorded correctly and that management accounts provide meaningful insight.
• Promoting compliance with financial policies, controls, data protection and secure use of financial information.
• Championing improvements to reporting, tools, dashboards, templates and processes.
• Supporting the Director in leading the Operations Finance Business Partnering team, including culture, priorities, development and ways of working.
• Deputising for the Director when required.

About you

We are looking for a qualified accountant with significant experience of leading financial advice, planning, forecasting and reporting services in a large, complex organisation.

You will bring strong leadership skills, a service-focused approach and the ability to develop high-performing teams. You will be comfortable operating in complex stakeholder environments, managing competing priorities and influencing senior leaders with clarity, confidence and credibility.

You will be someone who can combine technical financial expertise with sound judgement, strong relationship-building skills and a commitment to continuous improvement.

You will need to bring

• A professional accountancy qualification.
• Experience of leading financial support, advice or business partnering services relevant to this role.
• Strong leadership skills, including the ability to manage and develop professional staff.
• Experience of leading short- and long-term planning, forecasting and reporting processes.
• The ability to deliver change and financial improvement across a finance function and wider organisation.
• Resilience and the ability to manage multiple objectives across teams and complex stakeholder groups.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present clearly to senior stakeholders and committees.
• Strong numeracy and IT skills, including Excel and experience using corporate finance and reporting systems.

A degree-level qualification and experience of working in or with the university sector would be advantageous, but are not essential.

Why join King’s?

This role offers the chance to help shape a step change in finance business partnering at King’s. You will be joining at a time when the team is embedding a refreshed business partnering offer, improving reporting and forecasting tools, strengthening stakeholder support and building financial capability across the organisation.

You will have the opportunity to work on high-profile priorities, influence senior decision-making and contribute to financial sustainability across a university with a powerful mission in education, research and service to society.

How to apply

To apply, please send your CV by 25th May 2026. 

For an informal conversation about the role, please contact Phil Southern at Ivy Rock Partners. 

The organisation

I am recruiting for a mission-led organisation with an income of c.£8m, operating across the UK as part of a wider international network. The organisation works within a complex, multi-stakeholder environment and is entering an exciting period of transformation. With an ambitious 10-year strategy in place, there is a clear focus on strengthening financial sustainability, evolving funding models and enhancing digital capability. The organisation also operates with a wholly owned commercial subsidiary, supporting a diversified income base and enabling growth through a range of revenue-generating activities.

The Job

This is a senior leadership role, sitting on the Senior Management Team and playing a key part in delivering long-term strategic objectives. You will lead both the Finance and IT functions (total team of 6 with 2 direct reports), ensuring the organisation is financially robust, operationally effective and supported by modern, secure technology.

• Leading the development and delivery of the long-term financial strategy
• Ensuring strong financial control, governance and risk management
• Overseeing budgeting, forecasting, reporting and audit processes
• Managing the relationship with the organisation's wholly owned trading subsidiary
• Supporting the development of new and sustainable funding models
• Leading the IT and digital strategy to improve systems, insight and operational efficiency
• Strengthening cyber security and organisational resilience
• Providing clear and insightful financial reporting to senior leadership and the Board
• Building effective relationships across an international network of stakeholders

The person

We are seeking a commercially minded and values-led finance leader who is comfortable operating in a complex and evolving environment.

• A recognised accounting qualification such as ACA, ACCA or CIMA
• Significant experience operating at a senior level within a finance function
• A track record of developing and delivering financial strategy
• Strong technical knowledge across financial control, reporting and compliance
• Experience of working within organisations with diverse income streams
• Understanding of trading subsidiaries and group structures
• Exposure to overseeing IT or digital functions at a strategic level
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence at Board level
• A collaborative leadership style and clear communication skills

What's in it for you

• Salary of £80,000 with some flexibility for the right candidate
• Matched pension contribution up to 4%, increasing to 5% after 2 years and 7% after 4 years
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• 35 hour working week with flexible working arrangements
• Hybrid working - minimum 1 day per week in the office
• The opportunity to play a key role in shaping strategy and driving change
• A collaborative and purpose driven working environment

Please apply ASAP if you would like to be considered! Interviews are currently being organised.

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Finance Director

London Community Foundation
Salary: c. £80,000 pro rata
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full-time or 28 hours per week (0.8 FTE)
Location: London (hybrid, typically 1 day per week in the office)

London Community Foundation 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.

We are now seeking a Finance Director to play a pivotal role in shaping our future, strengthening our financial sustainability, supporting our governance, and enabling us to deliver greater impact for London’s communities.

The role

As Finance Director, you will sit at the heart of decision-making within a purpose-driven organisation, influencing strategy, supporting the Board, guiding investment decisions and ensuring that resources are directed where they matter most.

As a key member of the Senior Management Team, working closely with the CEO, Board, and committees to ensure strong financial leadership, governance, and long-term sustainability.

You will:

· Lead financial strategy, planning, and performance across the organisation

· Provide clear, accessible financial insight to support decision-making at Board and executive level

· Oversee financial control, reporting, audit, and compliance (including SORP)

· Support stewardship of investments and endowment funds

· Lead risk, assurance, and governance processes, including engagement with the Finance, Risk & Resources Committee

· Act as Company Secretary, ensuring robust governance and regulatory compliance

· Oversee contracts, supply chain, and value-for-money across the organisation

· Provide strategic oversight of systems, data, and technology, including line management of the Technology Manager

· Lead and develop a high-performing finance team

This is a broad and influential role, combining strategic leadership with hands-on delivery, well-suited to someone who enjoys working across organisational boundaries and shaping how an organisation operates.

About you

You will be a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with experience operating at a senior level and advising Boards and executive teams.

You will bring:

· A track record of leading financial strategy, planning, and organisational performance

· Strong experience in governance, risk, and compliance within complex environments

· Confidence working with Boards, committees, and senior stakeholders

· The ability to translate financial information into clear, actionable insight

· Experience leading teams and developing people

· An understanding of systems, data, and organisational infrastructure

· A commitment to inclusive leadership and equity

Experience in grant-making, philanthropy, or endowment management is welcome, but not essential.

Our commitment to inclusion

At London Community Foundation, we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that reflects the communities we serve.

We actively encourage applications from individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, including those with lived experience of the issues our work seeks to address.

Further Information

For an informal discussion about the opportunity or if you require any additional support with your application, please contact Alex Williams at Giving Back Recruitment

Recruitment timetable 

• Closing date: Wednesday, 20th May 2026
• Interviews with London Community Foundation W/C 15th June