Business Model Review

Accounting for International Development; Remote; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Part time

Job summary

An international charity organization based in the UK is seeking a senior finance leader to support its transition towards a sustainable business model. This role involves reviewing existing financial structures, assessing income streams, and improving cost recovery strategies. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in multi-year financial planning and redesigning operational models. Mainly remote work is expected, with some meetings in London. Right to work in the UK is essential.

Qualifications

• Senior finance leader with experience supporting complex international charities in transition.
• Proven background in reviewing and redesigning operating models.
• Experience in developing commercial business models and raising investment is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Review the organisation's current business model and income profile.
• Assess the potential of existing and emerging income streams.
• Support improvements to cost recovery and benchmarking against peers.
• Review the current organisational structure for efficiencies.
• Model implications of proposed changes and support senior leadership.

Skills

Financial planning

Scenario modelling

Cost reduction

Cash management

Education

Qualified accountant

Job description

Our partner is working towards a new strategy launching in 2027 and is seeking external support to review its business and operating model. The organisation is operating in a challenging funding environment, with volatile grant income and a concentrated, ageing donor base, and wants to ensure its future model is financially sustainable, affordable, and resilient.

The review will combine an assessment of income sustainability, cost recovery, and organisational structure. Alongside continued efforts to diversify donor income, they are exploring opportunities for growth and efficiency, including potential changes to their operating model and the feasibility of moving to a dual-entity structure. The consultancy will support senior leadership and trustees to make evidence-based decisions during this transition.

Indicative scope of support includes:

• Reviewing the organisation s current business model, income profile and cost base, identifying gaps, risks and opportunities for improved financial sustainability.
• Assessing the potential of existing and emerging income streams, the investment required to grow them, and modelling future income scenarios over the medium term.
• Supporting improvements to cost recovery, including benchmarking against peer organisations, refreshing cost recovery policies, and considering adjustments to recovery rates while remaining competitive with donors.
• Reviewing the current organisational and operating structure to identify efficiencies and alternative ways of working, including consideration of a dual-entity or other revised operating models.
• Modelling the financial and operational implications of proposed changes and supporting senior leadership through facilitated discussions and decision-making.

Requirements

• A senior finance leader (preferably qualified accountant) with expereince supporting a complex international charity through a period of transition, including reviewing and redesigning operating models.
• Experience in multi-year financial planning, scenario modelling, cost reduction and cash management.
• Experience of ideveloping commercial business models and raising investment is strongly desirable.

Working arrangements

• It is expected the consultancy will take 15-20 days
• Expected start date is January/February 2026, with the work to be completed within the first quarter of 2026
• Mainly remote in the UK with some meetings in their London office
• Right to work in the UK essential