Director of Finance and Resources - Female Applicants Only

Rape Crisis South London is partnering with Robertson Bell on a retained basis to appoint a Director of Finance and Resources on a permanent part-time basis. This is a pivotal leadership role within a values-driven organisation supporting survivors of sexual violence across twelve South London boroughs.

As a specialist charity and proud member of Rape Crisis England & Wales, Rape Crisis South London delivers vital services including counselling, advocacy, prevention work and a 24/7 national support line. The organisation is grounded in a feminist, survivor-centred approach, tackling sexual violence as both a cause and consequence of gender inequality.

This is a unique opportunity to combine strategic financial leadership with broader organisational responsibility, helping shape the future sustainability and impact of a growing and essential charity.

The role

• Partner with the CEO and Senior Leadership Team to develop and deliver a long-term financial strategy, ensuring sustainability in a challenging funding environment.
• Lead the organisation’s financial planning, budgeting, forecasting and reporting, providing clear, insightful analysis to support decision-making.
• Act as the lead advisor to the Board of Trustees and Finance Committee, ensuring strong financial oversight, accountability and transparency.
• Oversee the year-end process and statutory accounts, ensuring full compliance with charity and regulatory requirements.
• Drive improvements in financial systems, controls and processes, embedding a culture of performance and accountability.
• Provide strategic input into income diversification and funding negotiations, working closely with programme and fundraising teams.
• Lead on audit processes, implementing recommendations and strengthening financial governance.
• Take responsibility for risk management, compliance and internal controls, ensuring robust frameworks across the organisation.
• Oversee IT, facilities and operational infrastructure, ensuring systems are fit for purpose and future-proofed.
• Build strong, collaborative relationships across teams, positioning finance as a proactive and enabling function.

The organisation

Rape Crisis South London is a specialist provider of support services for survivors of sexual violence, delivering a wide range of programmes including counselling, advocacy, group therapy, outreach and prevention work. Services are delivered from their Croydon centre, satellite locations, and remotely across South London, ensuring accessibility for diverse communities and those facing additional barriers to support.

The organisation plays a key role nationally as a delivery partner for the 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line, demonstrating both its scale and impact. With a committed team and strong values base, the charity is focused on expanding reach, strengthening impact and ensuring long-term sustainability.

Essential criteria

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) or equivalent experience
• Experience in a senior financial leadership role within the charity/not-for-profit sector
• Proven track record of leading financial strategy, planning and reporting
• Experience delivering statutory accounts and managing audit processes end-to-end
• Strong understanding of charity finance, compliance and governance frameworks
• Experience supporting strategic decision-making at Board and senior leadership level
• Demonstrable experience improving financial systems, processes and controls
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to develop teams and influence stakeholders
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present complex financial information clearly to non-finance audiences

Apply now

If you are a strategic finance leader looking to apply your expertise in a mission-driven, impactful organisation, we would love to hear from you. Please note this is a part time three day a week role and requires one day a week of office attendance at their Croydon Head office.

The closing date for applications is 19th April.

The post is open to female applicants only as the role is deemed to be a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010. 

Rape Crisis South London are an equal opportunities employer, and are particularly keen to receive applications from women underrepresented in leadership roles in the violence against women and girls movement.

Safer Recruitment

Rape Crisis South London is committed to safer recruitment practices to ensure the protection and wellbeing of the survivors who access our services. All recruitment decisions are made with safeguarding as a central consideration.

Our safer recruitment process includes:

• Conducting thorough interviews that explore values, behaviours, and safeguarding awareness.
• Verifying identity, qualifications, employment history, and references.
• Requiring an Enhanced DBS check (with barred-list checks where applicable).
• Providing safeguarding training and ongoing supervision for all staff and volunteers.

We expect all members of our team to share our commitment to creating a safe, supportive, and trauma-informed environment. Any information disclosed during the recruitment process will be treated confidentially and in line with our safeguarding policies.