Global Financial Controller - Maternity cover (12 months)

Save The Children Fund; London; Remote; GBP 85,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Save the Children Fund is seeking a Global Financial Controller for a maternity cover role. This critical position involves leading financial reporting, audits, and maintaining a robust control framework across global operations. The successful candidate will ensure compliance with statutory and donor requirements while managing financial risks. A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is a core component of the organization's values.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in charity financial reporting and auditing standards.
• Deep understanding of global financial control policies.
• Proven leadership and talent development capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead statutory financial reporting and annual audits.
• Build effective financial control policies across country offices.
• Collaborate with senior management on financial strategies.

Skills

Team Leadership

Financial Reporting

Communication

Financial Control Policies

Project Management

Education

Fully qualified accountant (ACCA, ACA, CIMA)

Job description

Global Financial Controller - Maternity cover (12 months)

Job Description

Save the Children International has an exciting opportunity for a Global Financial Controller - Maternity cover to join our global team.

Team purpose

The Financial Accounting and Control team exists to set a robust financial control framework and provide oversight to ensure effective operation. By ensuring our financial accounting processes meet all statutory and donor financial reporting and audit requirements and comply with accounting standards and tax regulations, we enable the organization to maintain financial integrity and transparency. Our work supports the overall mission and goals of the organization, ensuring it can operate with a strong foundation of financial accountability.

Role purpose

To lead SCI's statutory financial reporting and annual audit, ensure a strong financial control framework across SCI global teams and country offices, and support country teams in managing an extensive programme of donor audits. This role is critical to strengthening SCI's organisational integrity and accountability, and managing financial risks.

Job Title: Global Financial Controller - Maternity cover

Work Pattern: Remote/Home based

Reports To: CFO

Contract Length: 12 months (August 2025 - August 2026)

Grade: M4

Location: Any approved Save the Children International office location (for a full list, visit: Work For Us | Save the Children International)

Time Zone: Europe, WCA, ESA, MENAEE Time Zones (UTC/GMT + / - 3 hours)

Right to Work: The successful candidate must possess the unrestricted right to work in their current or preferred location for the duration of employment.

Language Requirements: English

International Travel Requirements: Up to 10%

Budget Responsibility: $1.8 million covering team operational costs and annual audit costs

People Management Responsibility: Managing 16 staff members, including team managers.

Principal Accountabilities

• Provide inspiring leadership to SCI's global financial accounting and control team, fostering professional growth and continuous improvement.
• Build and implement effective financial control policies and processes, holding country offices accountable against KPIs.
• Ensure compliance with accounting standards in relevant jurisdictions, and provide guidance and training on financial policies.
• Oversee preparation and submission of financial statements, ensuring accuracy and regulatory compliance.
• Manage annual audits, working with external auditors, and support multiple donor and statutory audits annually.
• Collaborate with Transformation and IT departments to support reporting systems and control policies.
• Establish and drive SCI's tax strategy and compliance.
• Provide insightful reports to senior management and Trustees on financial matters.

Experience and Skills

• Effective team leadership, inspiring teams to achieve goals.
• Extensive experience in financial reporting, knowledge of charity SORP, statutory requirements, and auditing standards.
• Deep understanding of financial control policies within a global organization.
• Excellent communication skills for reporting to senior management and Trustees.
• Proven talent development and ethical leadership.
• Experience with complex finance systems and managing large projects.

Education and Qualifications

• A fully qualified accountant (e.g., ACCA, ACA, CIMA).

Key Relationships

Internal: Country Directors, Legal, and Risk Teams.

External: External auditors (e.g., KPMG).

Working at Save the Children International

We are the world's leading organization for children, working in 116 countries to save lives, fight for rights, and help children fulfill their potential. We value our people and offer meaningful, rewarding careers in a collaborative, inclusive environment.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

We are committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization, supporting our vision that every child has the right to survival, protection, development, and participation. We promote equal opportunities and welcome underrepresented groups.

Application Information

Please attach your CV and cover letter. The full role profile is available via the job listing. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis; early submission is encouraged.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, expected within 2 weeks of the deadline.

Our recruitment process:

• Application review
• Two-stage competency interviews
• Additional assessments or third-stage interviews may be included
• Conditional offer, subject to background checks

We conduct rigorous background checks to ensure safety and compliance with our policies. Save the Children does not charge any recruitment fees.

Salary: £85,000 - £105,000 per annum + benefits and bonus scheme