Head of Finance

Are you a finance professional looking for a new role where you can have real strategic influence? Do you enjoy building and developing high-performing teams? Are you looking for a role where you can take full ownership of a finance function and drive continuous improvement? If yes, this could be the opportunity for you!

An established, forward-thinking organisation is currently seeking a Head of Finance to join on a permanent basis. This pivotal leadership role will give you the chance to shape the finance function, develop your team, and partner with operational leaders to drive informed decision-making.

With a solid financial position, healthy reserves, and a positive forecast, this is an exciting time to join the organisation. The role offers the chance to lead a growing team, streamline processes, and enhance financial reporting and controls - all while working closely with an open and supportive leadership team.

The key duties of this Head of Finance role will include:

• Leading and mentoring a small but growing finance team, building capability and fostering a collaborative, high-performing culture.
• Overseeing all day-to-day financial operations, including budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and compliance.
• Providing insightful analysis and strategic advice to senior leadership, supporting key business decisions and ensuring financial sustainability.
• Acting as the lead for internal controls, financial systems improvements, and continuous process enhancement.
• Building strong relationships with budget holders to support financial understanding across the organisation.
• Leading on year-end, audit, and statutory reporting (with consolidation completed by a separate team).
• Supporting and driving improvements in financial reporting - making it more timely, automated, and insightful.
• Managing key external relationships.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who wants to step up and fully own a finance function, balancing leadership, operational excellence, and strategic impact. You will be based on site at their impressive offices in Battersea and will report into the brilliant Bursar.

The successful candidate will bring:

• Full accountancy qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Proven experience leading a small finance team, with strong mentoring and team development skills.
• Clear and confident communication style - able to influence and partner with non-finance colleagues.
• Strong technical expertise in management accounting, VAT, and financial reporting (experience with FP&A is highly desirable).
• Advanced Excel skills (VLOOKUPs, pivot tables, models); Power BI is desirable.
• Ideally experience in education, charity, or public sector settings - though strong commercial candidates will also be considered.

You’ll be working with a leadership team that values accountability, open feedback, and clear communication - so a proactive, solutions-focused mindset and flexibility will be key.

If you’re an ambitious finance leader looking for the next step in your career, with the opportunity to make a real impact, we’d love to hear from you.