Head of Programme Finance

Cedar; Manchester; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Cedar is seeking an experienced Head of Programme Finance to steer the charity's international programme finances across multiple countries. You will oversee budgets, reporting, and governance, driving financial strategy for global programmes and donor-funded initiatives.

The role requires a strong track record in international finance, grants, and donor compliance, with leadership experience and a background in charity/nonprofit sectors.

Qualifications

• Extensive leadership experience in senior finance roles.
• Strong knowledge of financial governance and donor compliance.
• Experience managing programme finance and grant-funded projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead the international programme finance function across multiple countries.
• Develop and implement financial strategies to support growth and programme delivery.
• Oversee financial governance, reporting, budgeting, and audit for international programmes.
• Manage grants and donor-funded budgets from proposal to reporting and compliance.
• Provide strategic financial advice to senior leadership and stakeholders.
• Champion finance transformation, ERP initiatives and data quality.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic finance

Donor funding management

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA/CPA or equivalent

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

A fantastic opportunity has arisen for an experienced senior finance professional to join a growing international charity as Head of Programme Finance. This is a strategic leadership role, responsible for overseeing international programme finance across multiple countries and supporting the delivery of life-changing programmes around the world.

This role is ideal for someone with significant experience in international programme finance, grants and donor funding, and a passion for using financial leadership to support meaningful global impact.

The role

As Head of Programme Finance, you will lead the organisation's international programme finance function, providing strategic oversight of financial operations across country offices and partner organisations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the international programme finance function across multiple global operations.
• Develop and implement financial strategies that support organisational growth and programme delivery.
• Oversee financial management, governance and compliance across country offices and international programmes.
• Ensure robust financial controls, policies and reporting frameworks are in place across global operations.
• Lead the financial management of grants and donor-funded programmes, from proposal budgeting through to reporting and compliance.
• Provide strategic financial advice and analysis to senior leadership and executive stakeholders.
• Oversee consolidated financial reporting, annual accounts and audit activity for international operations.
• Work closely with programme teams to develop budgets, forecasts and financial reports that support effective delivery.
• Partner with Internal Audit and country teams to identify and manage financial risk.
• Drive improvements to finance systems, processes and reporting, including supporting ERP optimisation and wider finance transformation initiatives.
• Champion automation, data quality and improved financial insight across the organisation.
• Lead, mentor and develop an international finance team, promoting a collaborative and high-performing culture.
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders across the UK and internationally, supporting capacity building within country finance teams.
• Support organisational change, continuous improvement and the development of best practice across global finance.
• A recognised professional accounting qualification such as ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CPA or equivalent.
• Significant post-qualification experience, with substantial experience in senior finance leadership roles.
• Strong experience managing programme finance, grants and donor-funded projects.
• A background in international finance, ideally within a charity, NGO or other complex international organisation.
• Excellent knowledge of financial governance, project accounting and donor compliance requirements.
• Experience overseeing financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting and audit processes across multiple entities or countries.
• Strong leadership experience, with the ability to develop and motivate high-performing teams.
• Experience of finance systems development, ERP implementation or finance transformation projects.