Finance Director

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT DIRECT; London; On-site; GBP 200,000 +; Part time

Job summary

A social impact consultancy in London is seeking an experienced Finance Director to lead financial management and contribute to strategic growth. The ideal candidate will have senior-level financial skills and thrive in a dynamic environment. Flexible working arrangements are available. Interested applicants should submit their CV and cover letter, and applications from underrepresented groups are particularly encouraged.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in financial management and commercial decision-making.
• Understanding of project finance and risk assessment.
• Ability to thrive in a medium-sized, fast-paced organisation.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial and commercial management.
• Collaborate across teams on strategic growth and sustainability.
• Manage a finance team and work with the MD and Board.

Skills

Senior-level financial skills

Commercial consultancy knowledge

Strong leadership

Team management

Job description

Social Development Direct is looking for a Finance Director to join our Senior Leadership Team and help shape the future of our global social impact consultancy. SDDirect is a values-driven, dynamic international development consultancy with a 25-year track record of delivering high-quality, innovative research and advisory services worldwide. As a social enterprise subsidiary of Plan International UK, we combine commercial agility with a deep commitment to social change.

In this role, you’ll:

1. Lead financial and commercial management, act as Company Secretary, and advise on project finance, pricing, and risk.
2. Collaborate across teams, using financial information and data to contribute to strategic growth, sustainability, and innovation.
3. Manage a small, dedicated finance team and work closely with our MD and Board.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a medium-sized, fast-paced organisation, brings proven senior-level financial skills, and understands the dynamics of commercial consultancy. Flexible and part-time working arrangements are available (min. 80% FTE).

We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, and wish to particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates, who are underrepresented at this level.

How to Apply

If you are interested in joining our dynamic team, please refer to the Person Specification and submit your tailored CV and cover letter. The deadline for applying is Sunday, 12th October 2025. Due to the high volume of applications, we are only able to respond to shortlisted candidates.

If you would like a confidential discussion about the role, please get in touch with Sue Griffiths, Managing Director, [e-mail], to arrange this.

As this is a UK-based role, please confirm your eligibility to reside and work in the UK as part of your cover letter.

Our Selection Process

Social Development Direct’s organisational vision is a just and equal world founded on gender equality and social inclusion. Our mission is to provide excellence in social development to support policies, laws, social norms and institutions that advance social, economic and political justice for all. We are committed to creating a safe, diverse, and inclusive workplace and welcome people from underrepresented groups to apply.

The selection process for this recruitment will include a pre-screening call with a member of our HR team, an assessment and two competency-based interviews. Interviews are expected to be held before the end of October 2025, with further details to be confirmed during the HR recruitment call.

For those who are invited to interview, we may process information about whether or not applicants have a disability or impairment so we can make adjustments during the recruitment process and implement the Disability Confident scheme. Our HR team will ask you to confirm that you have read our privacy notice and consent to providing this information before doing so. Our full privacy notice can be read on our careers page here: Privacy Notice for applicants | Social Development Direct (sddirect.org.uk).

Should you have any enquiries or need assistance or accommodations to ensure accessibility throughout the application process, please contact the HR team at [e-mail]