Head of Finance - Finance & Governance

(Hands-on Senior Finance Leadership Role)

Location: London / 2 days a week onsite
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract: until the end of August 2026

The Opportunity

We are looking for an experienced, qualified finance professional to join a small but high-impact organisation in a senior, hands-on finance leadership role.

As Associate Director of Finance & Governance, you will lead finance, procurement and corporate governance activity across the organisation. You will play a critical role in setting financial strategy, advising senior decision-makers, and ensuring robust governance, risk and assurance arrangements are in place.

This role combines strategic influence with operational grip, making it ideal for someone who enjoys being close to the detail while shaping organisational direction.

The Role

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, you will be a key member of the senior leadership team and will regularly support Executive and Board-level decision making. Your remit will span financial management, statutory accounts, procurement, business planning, governance and audit.

You will lead and develop a multidisciplinary team and ensure the organisation operates with strong financial discipline, transparency and value for money.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of accurate, timely financial information to senior leadership, the Board, auditors and external stakeholders.
• Own and drive the budgeting, forecasting and in-year financial management process, enabling informed decisions on resource allocation.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant financial, governance and audit requirements, maintaining high standards of financial probity.
• Oversee the production of statutory accounts, including the annual governance statement and supporting assurance.
• Provide strategic financial advice to senior leaders, supporting organisational performance and long-term planning.
• Oversee all procurement activity, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and achievement of value for money.
• Maintain an effective corporate risk management and reporting framework.
• Lead and develop a team (circa 10-12 people), embedding professionalism, continuous improvement and collaboration.
• Champion strong systems, controls and process automation to improve efficiency and insight.

About You

You will be a confident senior finance professional who combines technical credibility with strong leadership and communication skills.

Essential requirements:

• CCAB (or CIMA) qualified accountant with significant post-qualification experience.
• Extensive knowledge of the UK central government accounting framework (or closely aligned public sector environment).
• Proven experience delivering high-quality financial advice to senior leaders.
• Demonstrable track record of delivering results to time and budget.
• Strong leadership capability, with experience managing and developing teams.

Please submit a copy of your CV for more information on this vacancy.