Interim Director of Finance & Resources

Interim Director of Finance & Resources – FTC until 31 December 2026 (with possibility for extension/ permanent)

The Director of Finance & Resources role is a pivotal position at Leukaemia UK. You will be part of the Senior Management Team reporting to the Chief Executive, working closely with them and fellow Directors to drive the charity’s long-term business strategy and organisational culture. You will oversee the day to day Financial, HR, IT, and Facilities Management operations, and work closely with the CEO on charity governance.

You will be an exceptional people leader, able to inspire and motivate team at all levels, and galvanise a high performing, values driven culture. You will be values-driven and passionate about being part of an organisation that will make a difference to people’s lives.

Leukaemia UK – Our Charity

We are a ‘small but mighty’ charity with one big ambition: to stop leukaemia devastating lives. Over the next 10 years we want to help save and improve the lives of more people with leukaemia through finding and funding life-changing research, awareness and advocacy.

Despite progress in recent decades, someone in the UK is diagnosed with a blood cancer every 16 minutes and survival rates are among some of the worst of any cancer.  And the physical and psychological impact can be lifelong.   

Over the next 5 years we plan to increase our investment in ground-breaking world class research and policy development focused on improving access to kinder, more effective diagnosis, treatment and care for leukaemia. To do this, we have embarked on a period of significant growth, investing strategically to grow our income, profile, influence, and engagement and impact.

The Director of Finance and Resources is key to our strategy and to leading the charity to the next level as part of the Senior Leadership Team. We are looking for an experienced Director to help us lead the transition from one strategy to the next in 2026 by leading our financial planning and reporting, together with our people first culture. The role of Director of Finance and Resources is central to almost every area of our work. You will be responsible for:

·       effective financial management,

·       people and organisational design and culture,

·       governance and legal,

·       IT and premises.

This role is an exciting opportunity to support Leukaemia UK to make a huge impact on the lives of people diagnosed with leukaemia and other blood cancers over the coming years, by working as part of a professional, highly motivated Senior Leadership Team that works hard to achieve our goals and bring our values to life in every aspect of our work.

We want to ensure that there is a diversity of perspectives across the charity, which are truly representative of the communities and individuals we serve. We particularly encourage applications from under-represented groups with the relevant skills and experience, including those from ethnically diverse backgrounds and people living with disabilities across a broad age- range.

Reporting to the Chief Executive, the post holder will be able to work strategically, autonomously and collaboratively as a critical member of the Senior Leadership Team which consists of this role and a Director of Research & Advocacy, Director of Fundraising, and Director of Communications. You will have responsibility for working with the Board and managing the Finance Committee, People & Culture Committee and Remuneration Committee. The post holder will consistently embody our values of bold, curious and collaborative in their strategic leadership of the Directorate.

You will be able to step into the role quickly, already being experienced in senior financial leadership alongside oversight of other support functions. Your background could be within the charity sector or other dynamic organisations,  and you will bring a real drive to be part of making something great! The role mixes strategic oversight with hands-on doing as is usual in smaller organisations, and you will be comfortable balancing these ways of working.

Team

We are a close-knit team, who are all passionate about Leukaemia UK and putting those affected by the disease at the heart of everything we do.  We are all focused on “keeping it real” with pragmatic, practical solutions, as well as ensuring that our charity maximises voluntary income to invest in invest in more life-changing research, so that we can continue to have impact for those with a leukaemia diagnosis.  

From us you can expect all the laughter you can handle, as well as great challenge and support. We are all about delivering exceptional supporter experience and making a real difference to people’s lives.  

Leukaemia UK and You 

This role requires managing several internal disciplines and external partners, and is a great role for someone looking to develop and evolve a relatively new directorate, enhancing organisational capability in key areas. You will have real autonomy in your work and get stuck into a range of disciplines, helping to drive us forward and make an impact for all those affected by leukaemia.

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

• Qualified accountant.
• Successful track record in leading a finance function, ideally in a charity or not-for-profit organisation.
• Previous experience in managing external audit, risk management, payroll, pension, and procurement functions.
• Successful track record in line management, building teams and engaging working climates, where staff are motivated, performing to a high standard and engaged.
• Experience building an inclusive culture and creating workplace systems and processes in line with this culture.
• Evidence of working with board members and other senior management to help deliver strategic objectives, good governance and financial priorities.
• Evidence of identifying new strategic initiatives and leading change.

Desirable

• Experience in leading one or all of HR, IT, Legal, Premises highly desirable.

• Experience of leading Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion within an organisation.

• Experience in a governance role as a Trustee or equivalent.

• Experience of working with outsourced providers.

• Experience of interim roles.

Skills and Abilities

• A proven ability to think and act strategically.
• Evidence of strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Sharp commercial acumen; able to spot opportunities and make connections.
• Strong and effective leadership and management skills - supporting, involving and guiding staff so they feel valued, inspired and empowered to succeed.
• Strong communicator with the ability to tailor communications to suit a range of different audiences.
• Ability to operate effectively at all levels across the organisation, with proven influence and persuasion skills at board level.
• A highly organised, meticulous and thorough approach to work.

Styles and Behaviours

• Highly personable – a genuine ʻpeople personʼ – who can secure the confidence of others quickly and help build a diverse and effective culture.
• True team player who can thrive in a highly collegiate environment where matrix working is the norm.
• Results orientated with high standards and a strong can-do attitude and a sense of personal responsibility.
• Tenacious and resilient, with a positive and enthusiastic mind-set.
• A strong empathy with and understanding of the work that the Charity do – supporting life changing care for patients.
• Willing to take a hands-on approach when necessary, and lead by example.