Salary: £80,000–£90,000 WTE (4 days a week preferable)
Location: Hybrid (Central London office with flexible working)
Closing date: 7th September
Contact: Rosemary Pini, Allen Lane
An opportunity to shape a better future for children across the UK.
Thrive at Five is seeking a strategic and hands-on Finance Director to join the organisation at an exciting time of growth. With programmes now live in Stoke-on-Trent, Redcar and Cleveland, and Middlesbrough—and a new site expected to launch in Scotland later this year—this is a pivotal role supporting national expansion and long-term impact.
As a national charity, Thrive at Five helps children in their early years build strong foundations for life and learning. Working in some of the UK’s most disadvantaged communities, the charity empowers parents and carers while enabling collaborative, place-based action across local systems of support. This work is already making a difference, with early progress recognised in Parliament and featured in recent government initiatives.
The Role
The Finance Director will provide strategic financial leadership across the charity, supporting its mission through robust financial management, long-term planning, and operational oversight. As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the postholder will work closely with the CEO, trustees, and place-based programme teams to ensure the organisation remains sustainable, agile, and mission-driven.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading financial strategy, planning, and forecasting
- Overseeing financial operations, systems, and compliance
- Managing restricted and unrestricted funds, budgets, audits, and risk
- Providing high-quality financial reporting to the Board and Finance & Risk Committee
- Supporting fundraising through effective bid modelling and financial insight
- Line-managing and developing finance team members
This is a hybrid role based in Central London (currently Victoria), with flexibility and occasional travel to programme locations.
The Person
Thrive at Five is looking for a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA) with significant experience at Finance Director or senior finance leadership level—ideally within the charity or not-for-profit sector.
The ideal candidate will bring:
- A strong understanding of charity finance, including SORP and fund accounting
- Experience of strategic financial planning and risk management
- A collaborative, solutions-focused mindset with excellent interpersonal skills
- The ability to influence at senior levels and build effective cross-functional relationships
- A commitment to Thrive at Five’s mission and values, and a willingness to roll up their sleeves in a growing, fast-paced organisation
Why Join Thrive at Five?
- Purpose-led work: Help give every child the best start in life
- Growth opportunity: Join a high-profile, ambitious charity on a national trajectory
- Flexible working: Hybrid model with supportive culture and work-life balance
- Influence and impact: Be part of a close-knit leadership team shaping strategy and systems
- Professional development: Thrive at Five supports continuous learning and personal growth
How to Apply
To apply, please send a CV and supporting statement.
For a confidential conversation about the role, please contact:
Rosemary Pini, Business Managerfrom Allen Lane
We’ve got a bold ambition, a clear strategy and a growing team of over 100 colleagues who are passionate about delivering on big goals. To do this well, our four senior leaders (the Executive Team) need to stay focused on the big picture—casting vision, galvanising our people, building relationships, and advancing strategic priorities. This team is highly collaborative, fast paced, extremely busy and is looking for Executive Assistance to become even more effective for colleagues and those we serve.
As a trusted partner to our CEO, Executive Team, and Trustees, this role ensures our leadership operates with clarity, focus, and momentum. From managing complex schedules to coordinating key projects and communications, you will create the space and structure that allows our leaders to lead —helping Stewardship remain agile, effective, and deeply aligned to its Christian mission.
This role isn’t just about worldly administration — it’s about the spiritual gift of administration and the stewardship of time, priorities, and relationships at the highest level of the organisation.
As a result of our Christian ethos, this post is covered by an Occupational Requirement (OR) under Part 1 of Schedule 9 to the Equality Act 2010. The successful applicant will be expected to be a practising Christian and to clearly demonstrate a personal commitment to the mission, principles, values and practices contained in our Ethos Statement, by:
· Active membership of local church congregation.
An understanding of the faith aspects of the work of Christian charities, including the preparedness to pray with colleagues, where appropriate.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.