Director of fundraising jobs

Head of Finance | DFN Project SEARCH

Remote, with travel to London on average once a month plus occasional site visits | £51,500 – £61,500 | 9-day fortnight (after probation), flexible working welcome

DFN Project SEARCH is a national charity supporting young adults with a learning disability, autism, or both, into real, paid, lasting work. Last year alone, 431 young people started jobs through our programme. We work with around 200 employers, colleges and local authorities across the UK, and we've supported over 2,900 people since we started. We're good at what we do, and we want to do a lot more of it. Our aim is to support 10,000 interns by 2030.

We've grown rapidly, which is exciting, and this role has been newly created to make sure all the finance processes are set up so that we can continue to grow and scale properly. So, this isn't a steady-state job where you inherit clean processes and just keep them ticking. You'll be helping to build the structure as the charity grows around it.

That means we need someone who can lead and do. You'll own the finance function end to end: month-end, management accounts, statutory reporting, cash flow, controls. You'll also shape how all of it should work as we continue to grow. One day you're posting journals and reconciling the balance sheet; the next you're helping a budget holder who's never read a P&L understand their numbers, or modelling what reaching 10,000 interns actually means financially. You'll report to the Finance Director and line manage our Finance Administrator.

What your time will look like:

- Running the finance function day to day and ensuring everything is accurate, compliant and efficient, which means journals, reconciliations, month-end close, the monthly rhythm

- Producing management accounts and board-level reporting that people can act on, with clear commentary

- Working with the Finance Director on budgeting, statutory accounts, audit and VAT

- Strengthening cash flow forecasting, treasury, reserves and credit control

- Owning the controls framework, financial policies and procedures, and getting more out of Xero so we have real-time insight, not using out-of-date assumptions to make business critical decisions

- Managing restricted, designated and unrestricted funds, and reporting to funders properly and on time

- Supporting fundraising and bid colleagues with budgets for grant applications and tenders

- Overseeing payroll and pensions with our provider

- Helping non-finance colleagues across the charity get more confident in their own financial understanding

What we need from you:

- A qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent)

- Solid charity finance experience. You'll know Charity SORP, restricted funds and grant reporting, and you're across the changes coming to SORP

- Someone happy with their hands on the controls: month-end, reconciliations, statutory accounts and board reporting

- Strong on Xero (or quick to get there) and advanced Excel

- The ability to explain numbers clearly to people who don't think in numbers

- Experience setting up or developing financial instructions, controls and processes in a charity

You don't need to tick every single box. If you've been part of a finance team that's been through this kind of change and you're ready to step up and lead it yourself, we'd still really like to hear from you.

But honestly, the most important element is you, and how you bring people along with you through a period of change. You'll be comfortable bringing structure and calm to an organisation that's still growing into its processes. We need someone who can be calm and measured when the numbers feel busy, who can be a steady anchor point for the team when a lot is changing, and who knows when to help and when to teach someone how to help themselves. You'll be relentless about making things better, but able to bring people with you rather than drag them. If you want to lead a change rather than just be part of one, this is for you!

The practical stuff: This is a remote and flexible role, and we mean it, but it isn't a "never-leave-the-house" role. The leadership team comes together regularly, on average once a month, plus occasional travel to sites and the odd away day. Travel is always planned in advance and we cover the costs. If you can reach London comfortably and you value time with the people you work with, you'll get the best of both.

- 25 days' annual leave, plus your birthday off and bank holidays on top, with the option to buy back additional leave

- 9-day fortnight after successful completion of probation: 37.5 hours worked across nine days, with the tenth day off

- Flexible working genuinely considered: job share, part-time (minimum 4 days), compressed hours

- Pension: 6% employer contribution

- Employee Assistance Programme and NHS top-up wellbeing support

Please note we are unable to offer visa sponsorship, so you'll need the existing right to work in the UK.

It won't be a surprise that we're a Disability Confident employer. We share interview questions in advance, and if you need any adjustments to the process, or a different format for any stage, please just tell us.

If you're a charity finance person who wants their work to really mean something, and who fancies building something rather than just maintaining it, we'd love to hear from you.

Dates to note:

- Closing date: 16th June

- First interviews (remote): 24th–25th June

- Final interviews (London): 30th June

About Orbis UK

Orbis UK is an affiliate of Orbis International, an eye care charity that transforms lives through the prevention and treatment of avoidable blindness and visual impairment.

Over 1.1 billion people live with vision loss in the world today. Yet for a staggering 90% of these people, visual impairment is treatable or could have been prevented.

At Orbis we work to change this injustice by providing treatment to thousands of people each year, training new generations of eye health-workers, and leading cutting-edge scientific breakthroughs that restore sight. Our vision is a world where communities strive together in the fight to save sight, and no-one is needlessly blind.

Orbis UK (Orbis Charitable Trust) is a registered charity in the UK and raises income from funders across the UK, Europe and the Middle East, towards our global commitment to eliminate avoidable blindness. In 2025, the UK team raised £10m.  These funds supported 18 projects across 8 countries. With these funds we delivered 9,908 training sessions for health workers, enabled 469,287 eye screenings, 37,378 treatments and delivered 2.5m doses of antibiotics to tackle trachoma.

Our ambition is to grow our income consistently over £10 million per year within the next five years.

About the role

Orbis UK is offering the role of Senior Finance Officer, as the organisation seeks to grow and build on past successes to reach its target of achieving £10m income in the next 5 years.

This role is vital in order to support a highly performing group of staff as we seek to transform lives through the prevention and treatment of blindness. This role will sit within the Finance Team, which is responsible for the day-to-day finance operations of the organisation supporting both the Finance Manager and the Director of Finance and Operations in processing payments, payroll, journals, bank reconciliations and other key financial tasks needed for the successful running of a small international charity.

This is an ideal role for someone who has an appetite for growth in their skills and knowledge and who has an aptitude for process and structure, which is critical when helping to manage the resources of an organisation, ensuring financial discipline and effective controls are maintained throughout. This role would be perfect for any candidate looking to further their career in finance and accountancy and you will be supported by a team of experienced accountants to guide and train you as well as provide you with plenty of development and learning opportunities, especially in pursuit of an accountancy qualification.

Working within a team where new ideas are promoted and encouraged under an experienced Finance Manager, this role provides the perfect opportunity for the postholder to take ownership and make demonstrable change within a thriving international NGO.

We are looking for someone who has excellent, demonstrable financial acumen and experience, excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, who can demonstrate an ability to learn with a thirst for new ideas. A high degree of IT proficiency is important as the organisation seeks to use technology, including Artificial Intelligence, to work more effectively for the achievement of growth in the organisation. Knowledge of the NGO sector is desirable, but we are open to applications from across disciplines and expertise if you can demonstrate your aptitude for the role with a hunger to learn. Applications from candidates seeking to work part time (30 hours per week) will be considered for the right candidate, which can be worked flexibly.

The main responsibilities of this role are:

• To provide effective financial support to the Finance team and the wider organisation to ensure the smooth running of the charity.
• To ensure business continuity is maintained through the management of the purchase ledger function, including BACS, online banking payments and the review of expenses and credit card payments, payroll, income and bank reconciliations and other key tasks needed to ensure financial reporting can be made on schedule and in line with statutory, audit and trustee deadlines.
• To be organised, have excellent attention to detail and the ability to prioritise and manage a changing workload.

Benefits of working for Orbis UK

Before completion of probation:

• Competitive Salary benchmarked annually
• Minimum 25 days holiday pro-rated increasing with length of service
• Life Assurance Policy (4 x salary)
• Employee Assistance Programme
• E-learning Courses
• Social Activities
• Flexitime
• Free Sight test

After completion of probation:

• Matched employer pension contribution up to a maximum of 10% of basic salary
• Interest free season ticket loan
• Cycle to work scheme
• Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice scheme
• Contribution to cost of new prescription glasses
• Possibility of an overseas project visit after 3 years’ service

 Application and interviews

Closing Date: 11th June 2026
First Interviews: 19th and 22nd June 2026

Second Interviews: TBC

Start Date: ASAP

All applicants must have the legal right to live and work in the UK. Unfortunately, we won’t be able to reply to all applications, so if you haven’t heard from us by June 18th 2026, your application has not been successful. We reserve the right to close applications early, if we receive enough applications that meet the criteria for the role so we would encourage interested applicants to apply as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

Our Values

At Orbis we look to attract inspiring and motivated people to help fight blindness in communities around the world. Experience is vital to any application but over and above this we are looking for individuals who share our values. Our values of Accountability, Commitment, Innovation, Integrity and Equity are the thread that connect our global team across geographies, languages, job functions, and time zones. The Orbis values reflect the way we - as an organisation and as individuals - approach problems and communicate with each other.

Our Vision

To transform lives through the prevention and treatment of blindness

Our Mission

With out network of partners, we mentor, train and inspire local teams so they can save sight in their communities.

Equal opportunities

Orbis UK is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from any suitably qualified persons. We operate an anonymised recruitment procedure so that no job applicant receives less favourable treatment either directly or indirectly, on the grounds of age, gender reassignment, being married or in a civil partnership, being pregnant or on maternity leave, disability, race including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. This aims to ensure all applicants are assessed solely on the strength of their application and not be affected by unconscious bias or confirmation bias. Orbis UK acknowledges and recognises the disadvantages and barriers people from underrepresented and socially diverse groups face in the workforce. Orbis UK is committed to addressing this issue and we strongly encourage those from underrepresented and socially diverse groups (Black and Ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ and candidates with disabilities) to apply.

Safeguarding

Orbis UK is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and criminal records checks. Orbis UK is also a member of the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme

Application is via curriculum vitae and covering letter, via the Charity Jobs Website where applications will be kept anonymous to ensure a fair selection process. Enquiries about the role can be made by contacting us via our website.

The Sentencing Academy, established in 2019, has made significant strides in advocating for effective sentencing practices and enhancing the understanding of sentencing among professionals and the public. We are now looking for a visionary leader to join us as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). This pivotal role will oversee the strategic direction of the charity, strengthening future sustainability and marking a new chapter in its mission to promote evidenced-based approaches to sentencing to help reduce re-offending, provide justice to victims and improve public confidence.

About the Role

This key position offers the chance to shape and develop the future of the Sentencing Academy and its commitment to enhancing sentencing practices and research in England and Wales. It is a leadership opportunity that involves executing a strategic plan that supports the charity's longevity. It is a role that not only focuses on organisational growth and influence but also emphasises the importance of operational compliance, financial health, and fostering strong relationships with key stakeholders and partners. The budget for 2026/27 is fully funded but there is a need to significantly widen the organisation’s funding base to ensure its sustainability beyond the current financial year.

About You

We are seeking a passionate, and experienced leader with a proven track record in the non-profit sector to join our team as CEO. You will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with an interest in sentencing and the wider criminal justice system. Your background will include strategic planning, governance, and financial management, with a strong ability to secure funding through grants and partnerships.

You will inspire and lead a diverse team, with expertise to build and maintain strong relationships, and represent our organisation in public forums and the media. As a forward-thinking leader you will demonstrate strong analytical problem-solving skills, and the ability to make sound decisions under pressure.

What We Offer

The post is offered on a 0.5 to 0.8 FTE basis (18.75 to 30 hours per week) on a permanent basis. An attractive package is offered alongside flexible hybrid working arrangements. The Sentencing Academy is currently a remote organisation although attendance at regular meetings in London will be essential. The salary for this post is £70,000 pro rata.