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Head of Finance Policy
Job reference: REQ000970
£ 56,297pa + excellent benefits
Woking, Surrey GU21 4LL / Hybrid Working
Hybrid working: Minimum 40% in person collaboration per month
About the role
We’re excited to be recruiting a Head of Finance Policy to lead WWF-UK’s work on shaping and influencing financial sector policy in support of a net zero, nature-positive transition.
In this role, you’ll set the strategic direction for WWF-UK’s finance policy agenda, developing and advocating for policy solutions that align the financial system with climate and nature goals. You’ll lead a specialist policy team and work closely with colleagues across Advocacy, Conservation, Science and Business Advocacy to turn evidence into credible, politically relevant policy change.
You’ll represent WWF-UK with senior policymakers, regulators, financial institutions and partners, building strong coalitions and influencing decision-makers in the UK and internationally. You’ll also play a key role in shaping how the financial sector’s voice supports stronger government action, and in ensuring WWF’s finance policy work connects to wider priorities such as deforestation, food systems and nature restoration.
This is a senior leadership role for someone with deep expertise in finance policy, strong political judgement, and the ability to lead teams and partnerships to deliver real-world impact.
Skills and experience
You’ll bring the following skills and experience to succeed in this role:
Essential
• Significant experience leading policy development and influencing in the area of financial sector regulation or sustainable finance
• Strong understanding of how government policy is developed and influenced, and how political context shapes policy outcomes
• Proven track record of influencing senior stakeholders, decision-makers or regulators to achieve policy change
• Deep expertise in one or more relevant areas such as climate and environment, nature restoration, deforestation or sustainable supply chains
• Experience developing and delivering policy strategies from concept through to implementation
• Strong analytical capability, confident working with evidence, data and complex policy detail
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, able to make complex issues clear and compelling
• Proven people leadership experience, including leading, motivating and developing specialist teams
• Experience managing programmes, projects or budgets in a complex organisational setting
• Strong alignment with WWF-UK’s mission, values and commitment to inclusive, equitable policy making
Desirable
• Experience working with or within government, regulators, central banks or international policy institutions
• Experience operating across devolved UK policy contexts (e.g. Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland)
• Experience working in international policy environments or with global networks
• Experience managing grants or working with external funders and partners
• Experience developing policy approaches that involve affected communities or diverse stakeholders
What we offer
We believe in rewarding our team with more than just a salary. Here’s what you can expect:
· Annual leave starting at 26 days a year, rising one day each year to 31 days plus bank holidays
· Flexible working options, to support your work life balance
· 7.5% employer contribution to pension, rising to 10% with employee contribution
· Learning and development opportunities to help you grow
· Regular wellbeing initiatives to support your health and happiness.
This is a UK based contract, and you are required to have the Right to Work in the UK. Unfortunately, we’re unable to offer sponsorship and any offer of employment will be subject to evidence of your Right to Work in the UK.
This role is hybrid with a minimum 40% of your contracted hours spent at our beautiful UK head office, the Living Planet Centre in Woking, Surrey, where you’ll hot desk among trees and gardens.
About WWF-UK
We’re a global conservation charity with millions of supporters and hundreds of projects around the world.
At WWF-UK, we’re bringing our world back to life. Protecting what’s left isn’t enough. We’re racing to restore nature and prevent catastrophic climate change. And it’s a race we can win with everyone’s help.
We’re courageous, passionate, and driven by science. For more than 60 years we’ve been at the forefront of global efforts to protect wildlife and the natural world. We work with integrity, collaboration and deep respect for those we partner with.
How to apply
Click the link to apply via our website.
You’ll be asked to complete an application form and upload your CV and a supporting statement that tells us why you’ll be a great addition to WWF-UK.
Application closing date : 08/03/2026
Our Diversity Promise to You
At the heart of our mission is a simple truth: the planet needs everyone. That means you - in all your uniqueness, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or how you choose to express yourself.
We don’t do stereotypes. We work together with purpose, driven by passion and enhanced by respect, courage, and integrity. We pull together from all walks of life to fight for a better future, and we want you to feel supported every step of the way.
We’re proud to be a Disability Confident employer and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels they belong. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and identities.
So, if there’s anything we can do to make your application or interview experience more comfortable or accessible, just give our Talent Acquisition Team a shout via our website.
Safeguarding Commitment
Just as we celebrate diversity in all its forms, we are equally dedicated to creating a safe environment for every person we work with or encounter.
Our commitment extends to children, adults at risk, and individuals experiencing any form of vulnerability, whether temporary or permanent.
We proudly stand behind CAPSEAH (Common Approach to Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Sexual Abuse and Sexual Harassment) and put this commitment into action through clear policies, thorough training, and recruitment checks tailored to each role, which may include external vetting.
If you ever have a concern, however big or small, know that there are confidential channels ready to support you at WWF-UK. We promise to respond promptly and with care, because protecting every individual is at the heart of everything we do.
Thank you!
Hofesh Shechter Company seeks a Head of Finance and Operations to join our leadership team at Somerset House. This pivotal role manages strategic three-year budget planning and core functions including Finance, HR, IT and Governance.
Reporting to the Executive Producer, you will provide essential oversight to help achieve our creative and commercial goals. In this role, you will be expected to actively drive an entrepreneurial culture by adding your voice and ideas to the exploration of new income streams and providing the financial analysis and insight needed to strengthen fundraising initiatives and core business functions.
We require an experienced professional with accountancy qualifications and strong operational skills to oversee business functions and strategic planning. A supportive leadership style is essential.Knowledge of the arts or charity sector is required; experience with Theatre Tax Relief and NPO funding is highly desirable.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
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!
My client is a well-established, internationally focused organisation dedicated to ending human exploitation. Partnering with trusted local organisations it works tirelessly to address the root causes of forced labour and subjugation.
At present they are seeking to appoint an interim Head of Finance, who can provide cover to the permanent post holder, during a busy time.
Key responsibilities:
- Provide day-to-day leadership of the finance function (UK and overseas), ensuring effective delivery and prioritisation
- Take a lead role in the preparation of statutory accounts and supporting schedules
- Oversee annual budgeting and periodic reforecasting processes
- Provide financial insight and analysis to support programme and organisational decision-making
- Line manage six direct members of staff
The successful candidate will be a fully qualified accountant with significant senior finance leadership experience in an international charity setting. The role requires someone who can step in quickly, build trust, and provide calm, decisive leadership.
My client offers flexible hybrid working, with 2 days in their London office.
Thank you!
Opportunity: Head of Finance
Are you a hands-on finance professional who excels at balancing high-level strategy with meticulous operational control? We are seeking a fully qualified accountant to drive the end-to-end financial management, reporting, and stability of a small but impactful international development organisation.
Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), you will serve as a key advisor on strategic financial decisions while ensuring the accuracy of accounts and compliance standards.
The Role
You will be responsible for all aspects of finance and delivering timely, accurate financial reports to internal stakeholders, funders, and regulatory bodies.
Key Responsibilities Include:
- Producing monthly consolidated management accounts with variance analysis and reporting to the Board and Finance Sub-Committee.
- Leading annual budgeting, forecasting, and multi-year financial planning.
- Overseeing cashflow, treasury management, and the drafting of statutory accounts.
- Managing external audits and specialised donor financial reporting.
- Identifying financial risks for escalation to the COO/Board and providing direct line management for the Finance & Systems Officer.
Your Profile
You will be a grounded leader who brings a focus on delivery and stability.
- You must be a fully qualified accountant (ACCA, ACA, or CIMA).
- 8–10 years of experience working within complex, multi-entity environments.
- Experience within the Charity or International NGO (INGO) sector.
- A proven ability to manage end-to-end financial controls and provide high-level strategic advice.
Salary range is £55,000 - £60,000 Depending on Experience.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, therefore please apply ASAP to ensure your details are considered.
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!
Location: Reading, Hybrid (at least twice a month to Reading Office)
Hours: Full time, however will consider 0.8 FTE
Salary: £75,000 per annum
Contract Type: Permanent
Campaign Closes: 12th February 2026
First Stage Interviews: 19th & 20th February 2026
Second Stage Interviews: 25th & 26th February 2026 - there will be an informal meet with our CEO.
On occasion, we might close a vacancy early due to a high number of applications being received. Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their application as early as possible
At Make‑A‑Wish UK, every role plays a part in creating life changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. We are seeking a Head of Finance who will lead the operational delivery of our finance function, ensuring accurate financial reporting, robust financial controls and full compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements. In this vital role, you will support the Finance Director in delivering our strategic financial objectives and act as a key liaison between finance and the wider organisation.
Core Purpose
To lead the operational delivery of the charity’s finance function, ensuring accurate financial reporting, robust financial controls, and full compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements. The Head of Finance supports the Finance Director in delivering strategic financial objectives and acts as a key liaison between finance and other departments. As a member of the Extended Leadership Team (ExLT), the role contributes financial insight to organisation‑wide decision‑making and plays an active part in delivering cross‑charity priorities and operational goals.
To be successful in this role you will need:
Essential Criteria
- Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with minimum 3 years PQE
- Experience in a similar role.
- Excellent excel and financial modelling skills
- Proven experience in finance business partnering & management reporting.
- Proven ability to manage and develop a finance team.
- Experience of preparing consolidated financial statements from general ledger
- Solid understanding of VAT
- Analytical mindset with ability to problem solve, interpret data and to see the bigger picture, identifying inter relationships between different departments
- Strong attention to detail.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Experience of process improvements and automation
- Uses initiative, with ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Proactive, organised, and able to manage competing priorities.
- Collaborative with ability to work cross functionally
- Confident in using Microsoft Office tools and accounting software (e.g., Xero, Sage, QuickBooks)
- Integrity and discretion.
Desirable Criteria
- Similar experience with medium to large charity highly desirable
- Similar experience of business partnering with areas of fundraising highly desirable
- Strong technical knowledge of charity accounting and financial reporting.
- Experience of operating under partial exemption for VAT
- Experience with restricted/unrestricted funds and grant reporting.
- Experience with digital transformation or finance system upgrades.
- Experience of working with Xero and Salesforce
Key Responsibilities:
Finance operations
- Oversee day-to-day financial operations including accounts payable/receivable, payroll, and bank reconciliations.
- Ensure timely and accurate production of monthly management accounts and financial reports.
- Complete monthly balance sheet reconciliations in line with agreed timelines – balance sheet account ownership as agreed
- Process month end journals as required
- Review monthly balance sheet reconciliations in line with agreed timelines
- Ensure processes & procedures are documented and kept up to date, and recommend improvements to drive continuous improvement
- Maintain and improve financial systems, processes, and internal controls.
- Review finance policies on an annual basis and update in line with current legislation and best practice
- Support the organisation with any finance related queries
Management Accounting
- Prepare consolidated management accounts, including variance analysis, risks and opportunities, and advise budget holders as required.
- Design financial reports, processes and training guides to drive budget holder self service
- Recommend solutions to streamline month end reporting and other financial processes
Budgeting & Forecasting
- Coordinate the annual budgeting & forecast process across departments.
- Produce the consolidated annual budget and quarterly reforecasts for review by FD, in line with agreed timeframes, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and funding requirements (currently excel based).
- Review budget & forecast submissions, and challenge appropriately. Perform variance analysis (actuals vs budget/forecast) and explain key drivers.
- Monitor performance against budget/forecast and provide appropriate reports including variance analysis dependent on stakeholder.
- Ensure finance system and all associated systems are updated with budget / forecast information accordingly
- Recommend solutions to streamline budgeting and reforecasting process
Business Partnering
- Work closely and build strong relationships with operational teams to provide financial insight and support decision-making.
- Influence strategic decisions through clear communication of financial insights.
- Undertake financial evaluation of new projects, business cases, funding bids, and contracts, as required.
- Produce written reports on performance, highlighting key financial risks and opportunities.
- Upskill budget holders in financial awareness and management
- Own the finance business partner relationship and role with some of the more complex profit centres
Treasury & Cash Management
- Lead cash flow forecasting and liquidity planning across the organisation.
- Manage relationships with banks and investment managers, ensuring compliance with treasury policies.
- Oversee restricted and unrestricted fund reporting and ensure appropriate allocation and usage.
- Support the development and implementation of treasury strategies, including reserve management and ethical investment policies.
Financial Planning & Analysis
- Support the Finance Director & budget holders in preparing financial models, as required.
- Partner with budget holders to provide financial models and insightful financial analysis and to support decision-making.
- Monitor and report on financial performance against budgets & reforecasts, identifying risks and opportunities
- Deliver high-quality analysis to support new initiatives.
Finance Systems & Process Improvement
- Lead on the implementation and optimisation of finance systems (eg. Xero).
- Monitor and manage any payment and other system interfaces
- Drive automation and efficiency in financial processes & reporting.
- Support the integration of finance with wider organisational systems - finance representative on technology SCRUMS and SPRINTS
mCompliance & Reporting
- Ensure compliance with charity accounting standards (SORP), Companies House, HMRC, and Charity Commission requirements.
- Responsible for accurate and timely submission of HMRC returns, including quarterly VAT returns, annual employee benefits and Corporation Tax.
- Prepare statutory accounts and lead on the external audit process.
- Quarterly reporting to Make-A-Wish International - APD reporting
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of financial regulations and best practices.
Team leadership & Support
- Manage and develop the finance team, ensuring high performance and continuous improvement.
- Provide training and support to non-finance staff on budgeting and financial procedures
- to improve financial literacy across the organization.
- Create Finance resources to encourage self-service for common queries
General and ad-hoc Support
- Deputise for Finance Director in their absence
- Provide cover for finance team members during periods of absence, ensuring continuity of service and workload management.
- Take on additional duties as appropriate to the level of the role and contribute to team objectives.
- Support fundraising events from a finance perspective
Registered Charity
51 - 100
Together, we create joy, happiness and magical memories through life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Interim Head of Finance | 6 Month + | £300 - £325 per day (outside IR35) | Hybrid | London
For a small London-based charity, we are recruiting an Interim Head of Finance for 6 + months, starting ASAP. Reporting to C-suite, the main accountabilities will focus on providing insightful monthly management accounts and reporting to the Senior Leadership Team and Trustees / Board, and to ensure the correct allocation of expenditure to a high number of grant funds. This role will oversee the Finance Assistant and the day-to-day finance transactions, including expenses, payroll, and balance sheet reconciliations.
Main Duties:
- Produce regular management accounts and financial reporting
- Support the Leadership Team, Finance Committee and Board with long-term financial planning
- Lead and review budgeting, re-forecasting and cash-flow management
- Review and re-negotiate all contracts, including office premises, IT, grants, and services
- Oversee the Finance Assistants day-to-day work including transactions and payroll processing
- Work with the Head of Fundraising and Senior Leadership to ensure income generation and fundraising strategy is in line with long-term goals
What will you bring to this role?
- Qualified Accountant or QBE with solid experience
- Strong knowledge and experience of Charity SORP, Grant funding and restricted and unrestricted funding
- Strong experience of management accounts and reporting within a small but complex charity organisation including budget preparation and year-end accounting and Audit
- Strong IT skills including Xero and Excel
- Experience of contracts, facilities management, HR processes and IT would be desirable
- Solid experience of managing and motivating staff
________
As an employer, we are committed to ensuring the representation of people from all backgrounds regardless of their gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, religion, ethnicity, age, neurodiversity, disability status, or any other aspect which makes them unique. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds to apply and would encourage you to let us know if there are steps, we can take to ensure that your recruitment process enables you to present yourself in a way that makes you comfortable.