Finance Manager

Allen Lane Interim & Permanent Recruitment; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading international charity based in Central London is seeking a Programme Finance Manager to oversee financial management across diverse programmes. The successful candidate will be CCAB-qualified with strong experience in charity accounting and managing donor-funded projects. You will lead a finance team, ensure compliance with donor requirements, and enhance financial reporting systems. This role offers a hybrid working model, with 2 days in the office and a salary of £55,000 – £61,000.

Qualifications

• CCAB-qualified accountant with experience in programme or grant finance.
• Experience leading finance staff.
• Strong knowledge of financial controls and donor compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead budgeting and forecasting for grant-funded programmes.
• Oversee financial reporting and compliance.
• Develop financial systems and processes.

Skills

Managing donor-funded programmes

Charity accounting

Strong Excel skills

Financial analysis and reporting

Leadership and team development

Education

CCAB qualification

Job description

Programme Finance Manager

Salary : £55,000 – £61,000

Permanent, Full-time

Hybrid working – 2 days in office

Location : Central London

An established international development charity is seeking a Programme Finance Manager to lead financial oversight across a diverse portfolio of global programmes and grants. This is an excellent opportunity for a qualified accountant to play a senior role in ensuring strong financial governance, donor compliance and effective programme delivery within a mission‑led organisation.

About the Role

Reporting to the Head of Finance & Operations, the Programme Finance Manager will be responsible for the financial management, reporting and control of a substantial portfolio of grant‑funded programmes. You will lead programme finance activity across budgeting, forecasting, grant accounting, cost recovery and compliance, working closely with programme and partnerships teams.

This is a highly visible role with responsibility for providing accurate and insightful financial reporting to senior management and governance committees, as well as ensuring that donor requirements are met across a wide range of institutional funders. You will also manage and develop a small programme finance team, setting standards, overseeing workloads and ensuring the quality and timeliness of outputs.

The role offers a strong blend of strategic oversight and hands‑on leadership, supporting organisational planning while maintaining robust financial controls across complex, multi‑year and multi‑currency grants.

Key Priorities in Your First Six Months

• Lead programme budgeting and forecasting cycles, including multi‑year grant projections
• Ensure timely and accurate month‑end close, balance sheet reconciliations and grant reconciliations
• Oversee donor financial reporting, ensuring compliance with grant agreements and narrative alignment
• Strengthen grant tracking, cost recovery and co‑financing models
• Support audit processes, including organisational and grant‑specific audits
• Provide clear financial analysis and reporting to senior management and governance committees
• Review and improve programme finance systems, tools and processes
• Line manage and support a team of programme finance professionals

About You

We are seeking a CCAB‑qualified accountant with strong experience in programme or grant finance, ideally gained within an international development, humanitarian or NGO environment.

You will bring:

• Proven experience managing donor‑funded programmes and grants
• Strong knowledge of charity accounting, audit and financial controls
• Experience working with institutional funders (e.g. government, multilateral or foundation donors)
• The ability to manage complex budgets, cost recovery and cash flow forecasting
• Experience leading and developing finance staff
• Excellent Excel skills and strong attention to detail
• The confidence to partner with non‑finance colleagues and influence at senior level
• You will be comfortable balancing technical rigour with collaboration and motivated by working in a values‑driven organisation with a global outlook.