Head FMS Transition Project

Save the Children Fund; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 89,000 - 113,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global non-profit organization is seeking a Head FMS Transition Project to lead the move to a new SaaS financial management solution. This permanent role requires extensive experience in managing large-scale IT transformation projects, strong leadership skills, and the ability to engage with senior stakeholders. The position is hybrid/remote, offering flexible working options and involves international travel up to 10%. Candidates should have a degree or equivalent experience and relevant project management accreditation.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Professional development opportunities

Diverse and inclusive work environment

Qualifications

• Must have experience in managing large-scale global IT transformation initiatives.
• Strong team leadership and ability to motivate individuals outside reporting lines.

Responsibilities

• Lead the transition to a new SaaS solution for FMS.
• Manage governance and stakeholder engagement.
• Ensure compliance with budget and monitor project delivery.

Skills

Project Management

Analytical Skills

Communication

Problem Solving

Budget Management

Leadership

Education

Degree level education or equivalent work experience

External Project Management accreditation

Job description

Head FMS Transition Project

Save the Children International has an exciting opportunity for a Head FMS Transition Project to join our global team.

Team and Job Purpose

Our Financial Management System is critical to the operational running of our organisation but is currently built on premise and needs to be migrated to a SaaS solution to drive efficiencies and ensure the long‑term stability of the solution. To effectively implement the new FMS solution we must decommission our existing system, ensuring the transition of all processes and data and ensuring we adhere to global audit and data protection/maintenance requirements. This is a critical initiative that will work in partnership with the FMS SaaS initiative.

Role Purpose

The Head FMS Transition Project will lead the transition to a new SaaS solution for SCI and Members. Following the selection of a FMS SaaS solution in 2025, the role will be accountable for initiating the required project to transition to the new solution. This will include determining resource requirements, setting up the team, putting in place the required governance controls and reporting, and kicking off the initiative. The Head will need to ensure effective alignment with wider projects and functions to manage dependencies and actively manage the plan and budgets, ensuring hands‑on problem solving where issues arise and escalation for support where needed.

It is essential that the candidate has experience dealing with large‑scale global complex IT Transformation initiatives given the scale of this change.

Job Title: Head FMS Transition Project

Reports To: Director of Transformation Deployment

Work Pattern: Hybrid/Remote with flexible working options available

Contract Length: Permanent

Grade: M4

Location: Any approved Save the Children International office location.

Time Zone: Any

Right to Work: Unrestricted right to work in current or preferred location for the duration of employment.

Language Requirements: English

International Travel Requirements: up to 10%

Budget Responsibility: $2m annually

People Management Responsibility: Total 10 people managed; Manager of a team: Yes; Team Manager (manager of multiple teams): Yes.

Principal Accountabilities

• Project Leadership: Direct and indirect management of team members and accountability to the CTO and SLT on delivery of the project.
• Governance and Senior Stakeholder Engagement: Define, implement and manage governance and engagement with wider senior leaders, setting up and managing reference groups.
• Planning and Reporting: Ensure alignment with standard Project and Change Methodologies and Portfolio Management requirements.
• Budget Management: Define and monitor ongoing management of the budget, ensuring compliance and timely escalation of issues.
• Future State Definition: Detailed definition of the future operating model and actions required to achieve the required change across people, processes, data and technology.
• Dependency Management: Work with wider initiatives and functions to understand and actively manage dependencies with clear owners.
• Problem Solving: Hands‑on role to identify issues, manage resolution and report impacts to governance in a timely way.

Experience and Skills

Essential

• Extensive track record of managing large and complex projects and programmes, including system transformation alongside process change.
• Demonstrable experience and in-depth knowledge of programme and project practices and standards.
• Proven ability to deliver projects on time/on budget, using project management processes and tools (risk, benefit, financial, quality assurance).
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills, with a hands‑on approach to support the wider team.
• Highly developed organisational awareness and ability to navigate a complex multi‑stakeholder structure, thinking creatively and strategically.
• Strong team leadership abilities, motivating and mobilising individuals outside reporting lines.
• Excellent communication skills (written & oral English) and influence at all organisational levels.
• Demonstrated initiatives that delivered organisational benefits.
• Hands‑on experience of IT systems.

Desirable

• Non‑profit sector knowledge/experience.
• Proficiency in a second core language of Save the Children (French, Spanish, Portuguese or Arabic).
• Experience delivering global finance transformation.

Education and Qualifications

Essential

• Degree level education or equivalent work experience.
• External Project and/or Change Management accreditation.
• Understanding of a structured Project methodology (e.g., PRINCE2) or accredited Project Management training (APM or PMI) and experience leading a project using such a methodology.

Working at Save the Children International

Save the Children is the world’s leading organisation for children, employing 25,000 staff. We save children’s lives, fight for their rights and help them fulfil their potential. Through our work in 116 countries we put the most deprived and marginalised children first. We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career in a collaborative and inclusive environment where ambition, creativity and integrity are highly valued.

We make work challenging yet immensely rewarding. You will work with talented, like‑minded individuals determined to ensure all children survive, learn and are protected, and your contribution will help ensure children’s voices are heard at the highest levels in pursuit of our global strategy Ambition for Children 2030 and reaching every last child.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Equal Opportunities

DEI is core to our vision, values and global strategy. Save the Children is committed to creating a truly diverse, equitable and inclusive organisation that supports our vision to ensure every child attains the right to survival, protection, development and participation. We are committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, colour, ethnic origin, nationality, disability, marital or civil partnership status, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, caring or parental responsibilities, age or beliefs and religion. We actively welcome under‑represented groups to apply.

Reasonable adjustments will be made should any candidate invited to interview require them.

Application Information

Please attach a copy of your CV and cover letter with your application. A full copy of the role profile can be found in the job listing. It is recommended that you save a copy of the role profile, as it will no longer be available after the advert closes.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the job advert may close earlier than advertised subject to the volume of suitable applicants. Please submit your application at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment. Due to the high volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Candidates successfully shortlisted should expect to hear from us within two weeks of the advert deadline.

Our Recruitment Process

• Application review by our recruiting team based on your CV and cover letter.
• Two‑stage competency‑based interviews with the hiring team.
• Some recruitment may include an additional assessment or case study stage or a third‑stage interview.
• If successful you will receive a conditional offer of employment followed by your contract subject to passing background checks.

We need to keep children and adults safe, so our selection process includes rigorous background checks and reflects our commitment to the protection of children and adults from abuse. All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our Code of Conduct and all policies and procedures relating to Anti‑harassment, Health and Safety, Safeguarding, DEI and Equal Opportunities.

Save the Children does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.