Director of Finance and Operations

Summary

• A senior leadership opportunity to shape the operational strength, financial sustainability, and future growth of a mission-led education partnership.
• Ideal for a commercially astute, values-driven leader with strong finance expertise and the confidence to lead operations, governance, and organisational development in a collaborative, community-focused environment.

Our Client

Tower Hamlets Education Partnership (THEP) is a locally rooted, values-led organisation supporting schools and education leaders across Tower Hamlets. The partnership brings schools together to improve outcomes for children through collaboration, innovation, and locally driven solutions.

The Role

This is a pivotal Executive Team role combining finance, operations, and business development, with responsibility to:

• Provide strategic financial leadership and long-term financial planning
• Lead and strengthen organisational operations and infrastructure
• Support income diversification, new services, and sustainable growth
• Act as a key advisor to the CEO, Board, and senior stakeholders

Main Duties

• Lead budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and compliance across the organisation
• Drive long-term financial planning, scenario modelling, and sustainability
• Oversee core operational functions including HR, communications, events, IT, and administration
• Strengthen governance, systems, and processes to improve efficiency and impact
• Support business development, funding bids, and new partnerships through robust financial insight

The Successful Candidate

• A qualified accountant. Full member of ICAEW, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent.
• Strong strategic thinker with the ability to balance financial rigour with organisational mission
• Confident leader with experience improving systems, processes, and team performance
• Excellent communicator able to translate complex financial information for non-financial audiences
• Ideally experienced in education, public sector, charity, or membership-based organisations and with a strong commitment to improving outcomes for Tower Hamlets’ children.

What’s on Offer?

• Salary: £73,266 - £78,090 per annum
• Location: Shoreditch, London (with flexible working)
• Benefits: 31 days annual leave plus bank holidays, local government pension scheme,
• Culture: Values-led, collaborative, community-focused organisation with high trust and autonomy
• Impact & Progression: Opportunity to shape the next phase of THEP’s growth, influence education outcomes locally, and work closely with schools, leaders, and partners

Application Process

Mackie Myers are leading on the recruitment of this role. The recruitment will be managed by our charity, finance recruitment specialist Felicity Akins.

All applicants will need to upload their CV to the job, posted on the Mackie Myers website. Mackie Myers will screen candidates through telephone and Teams calls. Mackie Myers will then conduct a longlisting and shortlisting exercise for the vacancy. All shortlisted candidates will be expected to come to the Mackie Myers office for a fae-to-face meeting.

Timelines

•            Shortlisting 1st of June

•            1st stage interviews (Teams) 4th and 5th June

•            2nd stage interviews (in-person) 12th June 

If you have any specific questions regarding the role, feel free to reach out to Felicity from Mackie Myers - contact details are on the website or LinkedIn. 

Our Commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

We believe that diverse teams drive innovation and success. That's why we're committed to promoting equality of opportunity and creating inclusive workplaces where everyone feels valued and supported. We actively seek out talent from all backgrounds and strive to reflect the rich diversity of the global workforce in every role we recruit for.