Shape the Future of Finance at ABRSM
ABRSM is the UK’s leading music education body and a globally respected charity, supporting millions of learners and teachers across 90+ countries through world-renowned music exams, publications, and digital learning tools. With a turnover of approximately £50 million, ABRSM is undertaking an ambitious programme of digital transformation—modernising systems, operations, and ways of working to better serve its global community.
They are now seeking a dynamic Head of Transactional Finance to lead the evolution of finance operations and define the future of this function within a modern, collaborative finance team.
The Role
Reporting directly to the CFO, the Head of Transactional Finance as a pivotal leadership role that oversees payroll, accounts payable, and finance systems. It has a strong relationship to accounts receivable in an adjacent team. It’s a unique opportunity to lead a function through significant change.
You’ll be instrumental in driving automation, improving processes, and ensuring seamless integration between finance systems (UNIT4) and wider business platforms such as Microsoft Dynamics. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, change-oriented environment and is passionate about delivering operational excellence and strategic impact:
- Driving automation and process improvement across transactional finance
- Managing the successful deployment and optimisation of UNIT4 and its integration with wider business systems (notably Microsoft Dynamics)
- Enhancing financial compliance, policy, and controls
- Ensuring underlying data is clean and timely for reporting
- Supporting change management across finance and the broader organisation
The Person
We’re looking for a confident and forward-thinking finance professional who thrives in change-oriented environments and wants to put their stamp on a high-impact function. You'll play a critical role in bridging systems, processes, and people—bringing structure, clarity, and innovation to a function that underpins ABRSM’s financial strength and strategic direction.
You’ll bring:
- A recognised finance qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)
- Demonstrated leadership in finance operations, including payroll and accounts payable
- A track record of managing or supporting finance system implementations and integrations (experience with UNIT4 is essential)
- Excellent project management and stakeholder engagement skills
- A mindset geared toward continuous improvement, digital transformation, and cross-functional collaboration
- The ability to shape and position transactional finance as a partner to teams such as financial accounting and FP&A
- This role is not for a pure systems accountant—but for someone who thinks systemically, understands how to embed finance within digital workflows, and can bring a modern, strategic lens to transactional processes.
Why Join ABRSM?
- This is a rare opportunity to lead change in an organisation with a global reach and a purpose-driven mission. You’ll have the autonomy to define the transactional finance function and be part of a broader transformation journey that’s reshaping how ABRSM delivers value internally and externally.
- A high-impact leadership role in a purpose-driven organisation
- The opportunity to shape and modernise finance operations
- A chance to contribute to a global mission in music education
- A competitive salary and benefits package including matched pension contribution plus 2% (employer contribution capped at 10%), 25 days annual leave plus Xmas closure days, Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
- Contract: Permanent or 18-Month Fixed Term
- Opportunities for professional development and continuous learning.
- A collaborative and supportive work environment.
How to Apply
ABRSM are working in partnership with Hays Senior Finance to identify the right person for this role. Please contact Peter O’Sullivan at Hays if you have any queries, but the first step towards being considered is to make your application. If suitable, Peter will follow up with a call to discuss next steps.
Closing date: 4th June 2025
Interviews: 18th and 19th June
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Join a passionate, close knit team (soon to be 15 strong across the Foundation) at an exciting time of growth and ambition.
We're embarking on a new journey into fundraising—an area we haven’t formally explored in over 15 years. Encouraging early conversations suggest strong potential to secure five/six figure grants from multiple sources. These initial successes will play a vital role in laying the groundwork for larger scale, long term fundraising initiatives that support our ambitious vision.
Job Title: Fundraising Manager - Grants & Trusts
Reporting to: Foundation Manager (CEO)
Line management of: none at present possibly in future
About Us:
For over 130 years, our historic home at 14 Bride Lane has been more than just a building – it has been a beacon for creativity, learning, and community engagement, standing as a testament to London's rich printing heritage. The Foundation cares for an internationally significant collection celebrating the history of print, graphic design, and typography.
Our Grade II listed Victorian building also features the 130-seat Bridewell Theatre, a hands-on print workshop, and event spaces for hire. We offer a dynamic programme of workshops, events, and exhibitions, currently attracting around 42,000 visitors annually.
We are in an exciting period of organisational development, working on robust plans and policies and creating a new strategic direction to develop our collections, cultural offer, and bring them to a wider, diverse audience.
Job Purpose:
The Fundraising Manager (Grants & Trusts) will be responsible for developing and implementing a successful fundraising strategy focused on trusts, foundations, and statutory grants. They will identify new funding opportunities, build relationships with funders, and write compelling applications that align with St Bride Foundation’s mission and strategic priorities.
This role is crucial in securing core funding, project-specific grants, and capital funding, enabling us to expand our heritage, learning, and community engagement programmes.
This role will be closely involved in projects that, under our new vision and mission, aim to transform SBF into a contemporary institute serving the creative industries, researchers and the wider public. The role will suit someone with a passion to take on challenges with the aim of creating a cultural hub fit for the 21st century.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Grant & Trust Fundraising
- Develop and implement a revenue and capital fundraising strategy, identifying compelling propositions and packages, and setting and securing agreed targets.
- Research and identify trusts, foundations, and grant opportunities aligned with our mission.
- Develop and manage a pipeline of funding prospects, ensuring a strategic and proactive approach to fundraising.
- Write and submit high-quality, compelling funding applications for core, project, and capital funding.
- Track and meet application deadlines, ensuring compliance with funder requirements.
- Work with the Board of Trustees to establish and manage a Fundraising Committee.
2. Relationship Management & Stewardship
- Build and maintain strong relationships with grant funders, trustees, and key stakeholders.
- Prepare engaging impact reports, updates, and presentations for funders.
- Ensure timely and effective stewardship and recognition of funders, increasing long-term support.
- Building internal relationships to developing an understanding of the work/projects and funding needs.
3. Strategy & Income Growth
- Develop and implement a trusts and grants fundraising strategy, setting targets and KPIs to maximise income.
- Work as part of the Senior Management Team to align funding applications with strategic priorities.
- Identify opportunities for multi-year funding and partnerships that provide sustainable income.
4. Compliance & Reporting
- Prepare regular reports on fundraising activities, including progress towards goals, donor acquisition, and retention rates.
- Ensure all grants and funding received are managed effectively, with clear budgeting and financial reporting.
- Maintain up-to-date records of applications, funding received, and reporting deadlines.
- Work collaboratively with the Senior Management team to ensure effective grant delivery and reporting.
Essential Qualifications & Experience:
- Several years of proven experience in trusts and grants fundraising, with a track record of securing funding from foundations, trusts, and statutory bodies.
- Strong research and prospecting skills, identifying the right funders for key projects.
- Excellent writing and communication skills, able to create compelling grant applications and reports.
- Experience in relationship management, with the ability to engage funders and maintain long-term partnerships.
- Ability to manage multiple applications and deadlines simultaneously.
- Strong understanding of budgeting and financial reporting for grant-funded projects.
- Knowledge of the charity sector and fundraising best practices.
- Self-motivated, with the ability to work independently and as part of a small team.
Desirable Qualifications & Experience:
- Experience securing capital or heritage funding (e.g., National Lottery Heritage Fund).
- Knowledge of arts, culture, or heritage funding streams.
- Experience implementing and managing a fundraising database.
- Understanding of fundraising regulations and best practices.
- Experience in charity marketing and communications.
- Knowledge of the local community, including networks and organisations.
Organisational Values & Expectations:
- Promote and uphold St Bride Foundation’s commitment to cultural preservation, lifelong learning, and community engagement.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues, volunteers, and external partners to support the Foundation’s charitable objectives.
- Uphold ethical standards and best practices in charity governance and operations.
Health & Safety Responsibilities:
- Ensure compliance with all relevant Health & Safety policies and charitable sector guidelines.
- Promote a safe and inclusive environment for colleagues, volunteers, and visitors.
Terms & Conditions:
Working Hours: 4 or 5 days a week (28/ 35 hours a week, excluding 1 hour lunch per day) 1 or 0.8 FTE
Salary Banding: (Band 2 - £46 -55k pa) 4 days Pro rata salary for 0.8 FTE = £36,800 - £44,000 pa
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.