A growing £1million turnover charity dedicated to the health and wellbeing of children and adults through the healing power of music have newly created a Head of Finance and Operations role. This role will drive organisational impact with a values driven approach towards financial strategy, resource optimisation, and operational excellence.
As part of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), the Head of Finance and Operations provides a pivotal role in the strategic and operational leadership across the core support functions of the charity. Through sound management of resources, risk, people, systems and data, this role ensures robust governance, financial sustainability, regulatory compliance and organisational effectiveness enabling the charity to achieve its mission.
The core support functions of the charity include Finance, HR, technology and data, health and safety, and governance.
Salary: £60,000 per annum (this will be pro-rata'd for 30hours per week)
Benefits Excellent benefits package including 35 days per year (inclusive of bank holidays), Employer Pension contribution of 6%, Death in Service benefits, access to an Employee Assistance Programme, and the opportunity for flexible working.
Contract: Part time 30 hours per week, Permanent
Location: Remote based role with an occasional travel to London, we encourage applicants from across the UK.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
- As a member of the SLT, actively contribute to the development and delivery of the charity's strategic plan, leading on the organisational planning and performance for operational areas.
- Work with the CEO to ensure the Board fulfils its legal, regulatory, and financial responsibilities with effective controls through various Board meetings and sub-committees.
- Lead on the risk management for the charity, working with the Board and SLT to identify, record and mitigate risk.
- Act as the Data Protection Officer for the charity
- Lead, manage and develop the Finance Manager to oversee day to day financial operations and controls.
- Lead, manage and develop the Operations Manager to oversee day-to-day management of the charity's core support functions.
- Develop, lead and implement the financial strategy to ensure long-term financial sustainability. whilst managing cashflow, reserves and investments in line with the relevant policies.
- Lead on financial planning, budgeting, forecasting and reporting providing analysis to the CEO, SLT, Board and budget holders to support decision-making.
- Prepare and complete annual accounts and statutory returns ensuring compliance with charity finance regulations, managing relationships with auditors and financial institutions.
- Working with external providers, and advisors, lead on people strategy, including recruitment, retention, performance and people development.
- Ensure legal compliance with employment law and best practice HR policies.
- Promote an inclusive and supportive organisational culture, collaborating with other SLT colleagues to embed the actions on the charity's Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility (EDIA), leadership development and culture change strategic plans.
- Working with external provider and advisors, oversee IT infrastructure, cyber security and responsibility for the organisation's data protection compliance (including GDPR).
- Oversee organisational health and safety strategy, compliance and training.
- Deputise for the Chief Executive in their absence as required
- Act with integrity and maintain the highest professional standards at all times.
- Carry out other duties as necessary to meet the needs of the organisation.
Candidates applying for this role must have the following skills and experience:
- CCAB recognised qualifications (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA)
- Proven senior leadership experience in the charity or not for profit sector.
- Demonstrable experience of working with Boards and Trustees, experience in HR, governance, and compliance at a strategic level.
- Strong financial acumen and experience of preparing annual accounts, budgets, management accounts and financial reports.
- Proven track record of identification and management of risk.
- Knowledge of charity finance and reporting
- Knowledge of charity law, risk management and regulatory frameworks.
- Strong understanding of digital tools, systems and data governance.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate financial and performance information into accessible management information
- Demonstrable understanding of strategies for embedding change into ways of working.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills.
- Strategic thinker with the ability to focus, align, and deliver, on operational duties.
This role will be closing on 3rd November, 2025 and candidates shortlisted will be required to answer three questions which will form as part of shortlisting by the client.
First interview on 11th or 12th November, 2025
Second stage interview on 17th November, 2025
Charity People is a forward-thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background-e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.
Director of Finance and Operations
The Akshaya Patra Foundation UK
Salary: £60,000-£70,000 per annum
Remote (UK-based) with expensed travel to London
Full-time, permanent
Akshaya Patra is one of the world’s largest school meals charities – nourishing 2.35 million children in India every day and now expanding our impact across the UK.
Our UK after-school programme, Empower Hour, provides hot, nutritious meals and targeted tuition to children growing up in poverty – extending the school day by 60 minutes to give them the fuel, support and enrichment they need to thrive.
What began in one school in 2024 is already serving ten, and – alongside driving continued expansion in India – we are now ready to scale our delivery to reach thousands more children across the UK’s most disadvantaged communities.
To help lead this exciting phase of growth, we are seeking a Director of Finance and Operations – a senior leader who combines strong financial stewardship with operational leadership and is motivated by purpose as much as performance.
You will sit on the Senior Leadership Team, reporting to the CEO, and oversee two core portfolios:
- Programmes – overseeing Watford kitchen operations, Empower Hour delivery and holiday hunger initiatives.
- Finance and Resources – leading financial planning and reporting, systems, compliance, HR development and organisational infrastructure.
This role will suit someone who enjoys both strategic thinking and practical implementation – someone who finds energy in building strong foundations and helping a values-led organisation grow well.
You may have built your career in charity, education, food provision, public services, the private sector or elsewhere – but you will bring:
- Senior-level experience across finance, operations or programme delivery.
- Strong financial acumen and understanding of charity governance and compliance.
- A collaborative leadership style – supporting, challenging and uplifting those you lead.
- Deep alignment with our mission to fight child hunger and educational inequality.
What we offer:
- Flexible and remote working.
- 34 days’ leave (25 days annual leave + Diwali + English bank holidays).
- Employer pension contribution.
- Investment in professional and vocational development.
- A meaningful leadership role in a growing global movement – empowering children in both the UK and India.
How to apply:
- Download the full job description and application details here or on our website.
- Please send your CV and a cover letter to the email address in the applicant pack outlining both your suitability for the role and what attracts you to Akshaya Patra and our mission.
- Closing date: Monday 3 November 2025.
If you believe no child should be held back by hunger – and you have the leadership skills and desire to help grow an organisation that makes that possible – we would love to hear from you.
Akshaya Patra is one of the world’s largest school meals charities – nourishing 2.35 million children in India and now expanding our impact in the UK
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.