Finance Director, The British Museum

Guardian Jobs; Greater London; On-site; GBP 117,000 - 143,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Civil Service Pension Scheme

Generous annual leave

Professional development opportunities

Enhanced family-friendly policies

Exclusive access to exhibitions and Un

Job summary

The British Museum is seeking an exceptional Finance Director to guide financial strategy during a pivotal transformation. You will report to the Director and join the executive leadership, shaping sustainability, capital investments, and a commercially focused finance function.

Applicants should be qualified accountants with a proven record in senior finance leadership, stakeholder management, and driving organisational change at scale.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant (ACA or equivalent).
• Experience as Finance Director or senior strategic finance leader.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic financial leadership across a large, complex organisation.
• Shape and drive the financial strategy to support the Masterplan and long-term sustainability.
• Oversee major capital investment programmes and performance transformation.

Skills

Strategic finance

Stakeholder management

Commercial acumen

Financial leadership

Board advisory

Education

ACA or equivalent

Tools

Accounting software

Job description

Finance Director – The British Museum – Location: London – Salary: £130,000

The British Museum, one of the world's most iconic cultural institutions, is seeking an exceptional Finance Director to help shape its future during the most significant transformation in its nearly 300-year history.

Reporting to the Director and serving as a key member of the executive leadership team, you will provide strategic financial leadership across a complex, high-profile organisation with global reach. You will play a pivotal role in delivering the Museum's ambitious Masterplan, driving long-term financial sustainability, overseeing major capital investment programmes, and transforming Finance into a commercially astute, insight-led function that enables organisational success.

About You

You will be a qualified accountant (ACA or equivalent) with a proven track record as a Finance Director or senior strategic finance leader within a large and complex organisation. You will bring experience of developing financial strategy, advising boards and senior stakeholders, leading organisational change, and balancing ambition with financial discipline.

You will be an influential leader with exceptional commercial acumen, stakeholder management skills, and the ability to drive performance, transformation, and innovation at scale.

Why Join Us?

This is a rare opportunity to contribute to the future of one of the world's greatest museums. You'll help shape an institution that welcomes millions of visitors, cares for a collection of over eight million objects, and is redefining how culture and knowledge are shared globally.

The British Museum offers an attractive benefits package, including membership of the Civil Service Pension Scheme, generous annual leave, professional development opportunities, enhanced family-friendly policies, and exclusive access to Museum exhibitions and events.

Closing date for applications: Thursday 1st October 2026