Finance Director

All Opportunities

Royal Variety Charity

Finance Director

Twickenham

£75,000 to £85,000

Ambition

The Royal Variety Charity is entering an exciting and important new chapter in its long and distinguished history.

Building on more than a century of supporting people from across the entertainment profession, we now have an opportunity to extend both the scale and reach of our charitable impact. Our ambition is to support more people, strengthen and invest in the exceptional care provided at Brinsworth House, and ensure that this remarkable institution remains sustainable and relevant for generations to come.

At the same time, we want to think imaginatively about the future.

Intro

A rare opportunity to take on a pivotal financial leadership role at one of Britain’s most distinctive charities at an important moment in its development, entering its next chapter from a position of considerable financial strength.

As Finance Director, you work closely with the Treasurer, Officers, Trustees, Life-President and senior management, providing the financial leadership, insight and challenge needed to help shape the Charity’s future and ensure that its resources and assets are used to greatest effect.

Above all, we are looking for someone who wants to do more than manage the finances of an established charity. We want a Finance Director who will help us determine what is possible and provide the financial confidence and discipline to make it happen.

Purpose

As the Charity’s senior finance professional, the Finance Director will ensure that our finances, investments and assets are managed effectively, responsibly and sustainably, while providing the Treasurer, Officers, Trustees, Life-President and senior management with the clear financial information and advice they need to make informed decisions.

The role will combine strategic leadership with hands-on financial management, maintaining robust controls, governance and regulatory compliance while developing the financial planning, forecasting and modelling required to support the Charity’s ambitions for growth.

Crucially, the Finance Director will help the Charity understand what is financially possible: identifying opportunities, assessing risk, strengthening and diversifying income, and ensuring resources are directed where they can achieve the greatest charitable impact.

Ultimately, the purpose of the role is to safeguard the Charity’s financial strength while using that strength as a platform for greater impact, enabling The Royal Variety Charity to support more people across the entertainment profession for generations to come.

Career Level

Leadership

Qualification

Qualified Accountant, with evidence of continuing professional development.

Specialisation

Finance / Accountancy

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

Lead the development and implementation of the Charity’s financial strategy.
Act as a trusted adviser to the Officers / Trustees and Life-President on financial, investment and commercial matters.
Support organisational planning through financial modelling, forecasting and analysis.
Provide clear financial insight to support strategic decision-making and risk management.
Promote financial awareness and accountability across the Charity.

Financial Management

Produce budgets, forecasts, management accounts and cash flow projections.
Monitor financial performance and provide analysis and recommendations to Officers / Trustees and Life-President.
Maintain effective financial controls, policies and procedures.
Oversee treasury management, reserves and investment reporting.
Identify opportunities to improve financial systems, reporting and operational efficiency.
Ensure accurate accounting for all income, expenditure, restricted and designated funds.

Statutory Reporting & Compliance

Prepare annual statutory accounts and manage the external audit process.
Ensure compliance with Charity Commission, HMRC and other regulatory requirements.
Support Officers / Trustees and Life President in fulfilling their financial governance responsibilities.
Maintain financial policies, risk registers and internal control frameworks.

Operational Finance

Personally undertake and oversee:

Purchase and sales ledger management.
Banking, reconciliations and cash management.
Monthly Payroll processing.
Taxation and statutory returns.
Month-end and year-end accounting processes.
Maintenance of financial systems, records and documentation.

Fundraising, Investments & Charitable Activities

Provide financial support for fundraising activities, events and charitable programmes.
Monitor the financial performance of the Charity’s care home and other charitable services.
Liaise with investment managers and professional advisers, providing reports and analysis to Officers / Trustees and Life-President.
Support the evaluation of new income-generating opportunities and strategic initiatives.

External Relations

Act as the Charity’s principal financial contact with auditors, banks, investment managers and regulators.
Develop strong relationships with key external advisers and stakeholders.

This is not an exhaustive list, and you may be required to undertake additional duties appropriate to the level and scope of the role.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent).
Evidence of continuing professional development.

Experience

Proven experience in a senior finance leadership role, ideally as a Finance Director, Head of Finance or equivalent.
Experience of operating within a charity, not-for-profit, healthcare, social care or similarly regulated environment.
Experience of preparing statutory accounts and managing external audit processes.
Experience of working closely with Boards of Trustees, Committees and senior leadership teams.
Experience of developing financial strategy, budgets, forecasts and long-term financial plans.
Experience of managing investments, reserves and treasury activities.
Experience of implementing and maintaining strong financial controls and governance frameworks.
Experience of operating within a small organisation or lean finance function, with responsibility for both strategic and operational finance.
Experience of supporting fundraising activities, grant funding and restricted fund management.

Skills

Strong financial and commercial acumen.
Ability to analyse complex financial information and communicate it clearly to non-financial audiences.
Excellent interpersonal and stakeholder management skills.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Strategic thinker with a practical, hands-on approach.
Ability to influence, challenge and support senior colleagues and Trustees constructively.

Knowledge

Strong understanding of charity accounting, Charities SORP and charity regulation.
Knowledge of Charity Commission and HMRC requirements.
Understanding of financial governance, risk management and internal control frameworks.
Knowledge of investment management, reserves policies and treasury management.
Understanding of fundraising income streams, restricted and unrestricted funds, and donor reporting requirements.
Knowledge of residential care, healthcare or regulated services would be advantageous.

Attributes

High levels of integrity, discretion and personal credibility.
Commitment to the values and mission of The Royal Variety Charity.

Organisation Profile

The Royal Variety Charity has occupied a unique place in British charitable and cultural life since 1908, supporting people who have devoted their careers to entertaining others and who later find themselves in need of care or financial assistance.

At its heart is Brinsworth House in Twickenham, providing residential and nursing care within a welcoming community that residents can truly call home. The Charity also provides financial assistance to people experiencing hardship across the entertainment profession.

The Royal Variety Performance provides vital fundraising income and an unrivalled platform for the Charity, complemented by donations, legacies, investments and other income.

Today, the Charity is building on its remarkable heritage with ambitious plans to extend its reach, invest in Brinsworth House, diversify income and make greater use of its assets and relationships, ensuring it can support more people across the entertainment profession for generations to come.

Industry Category

Company Size

Apply Now

If you would welcome the opportunity to apply and become our new Finance Director, please forward:

A CV or an extended biography outlining your executive and non-executive appointments, achievements, and academic and professional qualifications.
A supporting statement (maximum 2 x A4 pages) demonstrating your motivation, skills, and experience relevant to the role, how you would hope to add value to the charity and any other relevant information.

Your application should be forwarded to our advising consultant, Philip Nelson, via email to philip.nelson@thehiringdept.com.

Please also let us know if you need any special provisions should you be called forward for an interview.

The appointment will be subject to the receipt of satisfactory references and a DBS check.

Timetable

Closing Date: Monday 5th October

First Round Preliminary Interviews: Monday 12th & Tuesday 13th October

Final Panel Assessment: week commencing 19th October

Start Date: January 2027

Queries

For an informal and confidential discussion, to ask a question on any aspect of the appointment process, or for additional information, please get in touch with our advising consultant, Philip Nelson, on 020 3590 9978 or via email at philip.nelson@thehiringdept.com.

The Royal Variety Charity is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified individuals regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

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13 Tavistock Place, London, England, WC1H 9SH

philip.nelson@thehiringdept.com

020 3590 9978

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Company number: 13800171
Registered office: 13 Tavistock Place, London, England, WC1H 9SH

13800171 Registered office: 13 Tavistock Place,

London, England, WC1H 9SH