Head of Finance
Pancreatic Cancer UK is partnering exclusively with Robertson Bell in their search for a permanent Head of Finance.
Pancreatic Cancer UK goes above and beyond for everyone affected by this disease. Right now, half of the people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer die within three months. Families are left with only hope to hold onto but they need more. So, Pancreatic Cancer UK does more.
Pancreatic Cancer UK is now seeking an experienced Head of Finance to take full ownership of the finance function. This pivotal leadership role will enable the Director of Finance, People and Operations to focus on strategic priorities while ensuring robust financial management, insight, and governance across the charity.
Key responsibilities include:
- Taking full ownership of Pancreatic Cancer UK’s finance function, including financial and management accounting, VAT, and statutory reporting.
- Partnering with directorates across the charity to develop budgets, forecasts, and reporting that support strategic decision-making.
- Enhancing the quality, accuracy, and timeliness of financial data to create a more forward-looking, insight-driven finance function.
- Leading the continuous improvement of financial systems, processes, and reporting, driving efficiencies and better collaboration.
- Providing financial leadership during key projects, including a VAT review and ongoing improvements to forecasting and controls.
- Managing, mentoring, and developing a small but high-performing finance team, fostering a culture of accountability and professional growth.
- Acting as a trusted advisor to the senior and wider leadership team, ensuring financial risks and opportunities are clearly communicated and understood.
The Organisation
Pancreatic Cancer UK is courageous, compassionate, and collaborative in all it does. Every member of the team shares one mission and one purpose: to transform outcomes for people affected by pancreatic cancer. Their five-year strategy: Finding breakthroughs. Giving hope. Saving lives.
In the last five years, they have seen more progress than in the previous five decades. In the next five years, they are determined to step up the pace and drive this progress even further, transforming how people with pancreatic cancer are diagnosed, treated, and cared for and ultimately saving lives.
The ideal candidate will demonstrate:
- A professional accountancy qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
- Proven experience as a Head of Finance or similar senior finance leadership role, ideally within a charity or not-for-profit organisation of comparable size (£5m–15m income).
- Strong technical skills across both financial and management accounting.
- Excellent understanding of budgeting, forecasting, statutory reporting and financial control.
- Experience leading and developing a finance team and driving process and system improvements.
- A collaborative and solutions-focused approach, with the confidence to challenge and influence senior stakeholders.
- Experience supporting fundraising and operational teams, ideally in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment.
- A proactive mindset and commitment to the mission and values of Pancreatic Cancer UK.
The role offers a flexible hybrid working arrangement, a minimum of two days per week based in their central London office and comes with a comprehensive and attractive range of employee benefits. The closing date for applications is 30th November, but applications will be reviewed on a on a rolling basis so early submission is encouraged.
Please submit your CV to Robertson Bell, Pancreatic Cancer UK’s exclusive recruitment partner.
