Director of Finance & Operations

Director of Finance and Operations
Hybrid working (within the UK) with access to our London and Edinburgh offices.
About Us
The International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) is a policy and action research organisation promoting sustainable development and linking local priorities to global challenges. We work across five continents with some of the world’s most vulnerable people to strengthen their voices in the decision-making arenas that affect them. With more than 150 members of staff working with associates and partners around the world, IIED has been at the forefront of evidence-based policymaking in sustainable development for over 50 years.
Facing urgent global challenges, IIED leverages its history, partnerships, community ties, innovation in policy, and a committed team to drive societal change. We host significant initiatives like the Green Economy Coalition, the Reversing Environment Degradation in Africa and Asia programme, the Least Developed Countries Initiative for Effective Adaptation and Resilience and serve as the secretariat for the LDC Group in climate talks, recently adding the chair’s office of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
This is an incredible opportunity for a high calibre professional with experience in financial, operations and information technology (IT) management and a background of leadership within the not-for-profit sector to make an impact.
As the Director of Finance and Operations, it's the perfect time to join our team in a newly created role on a full-time, permanent basis, working 35 hours per week.
The Benefits
- Salary of up to £91,102 per annum
- 25 days' annual leave per year. We are also closed between Christmas and New Year, and this is additional paid holiday
- 7.5% employer's pension contributions
- An employee protection scheme offering a flexible menu of benefits
- An employee assistance programme
- Flexible working options
- Support for learning and development
The Role
As our Director of Finance and Operations, you will provide strategic oversight of Finance and operations, ensuring our financial sustainability and viability. The role is part of our Strategy and Leadership Council (SLC) and Operations Committee (OC), supporting the delivery of our Manifesto, which provides a renewed approach to impact and achieving our mission.
Supporting the delivery of our strategy and transformation agenda, you’ll deliver advice to senior leadership and provide strategic direction to our Finance, IT and Operations/Facilities Teams.
You will also lead our annual business budgeting and planning processes, working closely with the Executive Director (ED), Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Director of Strategy and Learning to allocate resources and report regularly on financial and risk related issues.
Additionally, you will:
- Report regularly to the Finance, Audit and Risk Assessment Board sub-committee.
- Identify the risks and opportunities to inform IIED’s future sustainability as well as driving improvements to support our vision.
- Oversee treasury management and manage our reserves.
- Have oversight of key bids to ensure commerciality and alignment between financial goals and strategic business priorities.
- Ensure adequate overhead recovery from funding arrangements.
- Lead on the development and improvement of financial policies, processes, and systems.
- Lead on the statutory audit process and be responsible for third-party audits.
- Coach and supervise direct reports.
About You
- Strategic and results driven executive.
- Highly analytical and practical.
- Forward-thinking and insightful.
- Have strong financial literacy and an operational background.
- Excellent leadership skills and alignment with IIED’s values and ways of working.
To be considered as our Director of Finance and Operations, you will need to be a qualified professional with an ACA, ACCA or CIMA (or equivalent) qualification with experience in:
- Financial, operations and IT management
- Financial planning, forecasting and budgeting
- Management and leadership in the not-for-profit sector
- Strategy development, project and risk management
- Leading implementation and upgrade of ERP systems
- Building strong relationships across a diverse and international stakeholder map
- Operating within the international and regulatory landscape in which IIED operates, with an understanding of VAT partial exemption and the application of VAT legislation to a global organisation
Even if you don't satisfy all the criteria, we still encourage you to apply as we will offer training and development to upskill the right candidate for the role. Importantly, you will have a passion for the work we do and our vision.
The closing date for this role is 30th June 2024.
IIED is a hybrid working organisation and you are likely to be working from home most of the time, therefore you will need a suitable place to work and a reliable, fast internet connection.
Other organisations may call this role Finance Director, Financial Controller, Head of Finance & Business, CFO, or Chief Financial Officer.
Webrecruit and the International Institute for Environment and Development are equal opportunities employers, value diversity and are strongly committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and all applicants for employment. Equal opportunities are the only acceptable way to conduct business and we believe that the more inclusive our environments are, the better our work will be.
So, if you’re ready to step into a vital role as our Director of Finance and Operations, please apply via the button shown. This vacancy is being advertised by Webrecruit. The services advertised by Webrecruit are those of an Employment Agency.