Interim Associate Director of Finance

Job Summary

• Altum Consulting is recruiting an Interim Associate Director of Finance for a well-established children's charity on an initial 6-month fixed-term contract. This senior leadership role reports directly to the CEO and oversees the finance function through the Head of FP&A and Head of Finance Operations.
• The organisation provides vital support to children, young people and families, and seeks an experienced finance leader to deliver strategic oversight, robust financial management and clear insight during a critical period.
• This is a brilliant opportunity for a qualified accountant with senior finance leadership experience, ideally gained within the charity or not-for-profit sector, to play a central role in financial strategy, governance, planning and organisational decision-making.
• The role offers flexible hybrid working, with the expectation to travel to both Bristol and London offices several times per month. The salary is £78,000 to £80,000 per annum.

Key Responsibilities

• Leading the development and delivery of the financial strategy, ensuring alignment with wider organisational priorities.
• Providing high-quality financial insight, analysis and forecasting to support senior decision-making.
• Overseeing financial control, statutory reporting, audit, compliance, risk management and internal governance.
• Translating organisational strategy into clear finance plans, reporting and operational priorities.
• Leading, developing and supporting a high-performing finance team.
• Championing effective use of financial systems, technology, data and process improvement.
• Acting as a credible senior leader, contributing to organisation-wide leadership, challenge and continuous improvement.
• Building strong internal and external relationships to support financial strategy and best practice.
• Ensuring the finance function provides excellent service, insight and governance across the organisation.
• Supporting the CEO and Board in strategic financial planning and risk management.

Role Requirements & Qualifications

• Fully qualified accountant: ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent.
• Significant senior finance leadership experience, ideally within the charity or not-for-profit sector.
• Strong financial management, governance, planning and reporting experience.
• Experience leading finance teams and improving finance functions.
• Confident working with senior stakeholders, including CEOs, Boards and leadership teams.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to provide clear insight, challenge and advice.
• Values-led, collaborative and committed to inclusive leadership.
• Ability to travel to both Bristol and London offices several times per month.

Skills Inventory

• Strategic financial planning and forecasting.
• Financial control, audit and compliance management.
• Risk management and internal governance.
• Team leadership and development.
• Stakeholder management and communication.
• Data analysis and financial systems improvement.
• Process improvement and change management.
• Budgeting and financial reporting.
• Charity sector knowledge (preferred).
• Board-level presentation skills.

Salary & Compensation Estimation

• The salary for this interim role is estimated at £78,000 to £80,000 per annum, based on the job posting and market benchmarks for similar senior finance leadership roles in the London charity sector.
• This is a fixed-term contract of 6 months, offering a competitive day rate or monthly salary equivalent. Benefits may include flexible hybrid working, pension contributions and holiday entitlement in line with charity policies.
• As an interim position, compensation is typically pro-rated and may be subject to negotiation based on experience and availability.