Finance Director | Independent Music & Arts Charity | London - #2169789

Finance Director | Independent Music & Arts Charity | Central London (Hybrid)

Harmonic are delighted to working with a highly respected independent music and arts charity, in the search for a Finance Director to join their senior leadership team. This is a rare opportunity for a strategic, hands-on finance leader to shape the long-term financial sustainability of a much-loved cultural organisation, bringing finance to the heart of both organisational and creative decision-making. Our client is also happy to offer the role on a part-time, four-day week basis at the full-time salary.

The Business:

Our client is a not-for-profit music and arts organisation based in Central London, presenting a busy, year-round programme of concerts, performances and events alongside a wider range of charitable and commercial activity. Driven by a clear artistic vision and a strong sense of purpose, the organisation balances its charitable objectives and creative ambitions with the commercial performance needed to sustain them.

The organisation is on a clear path toward long-term financial sustainability, underpinned by a growing major donor programme and an active strategy to diversify its funding base. With a collaborative, values-led culture and a leadership team that genuinely wants finance at the table, this is an environment where a Finance Director can make a visible, lasting impact.

The Role:

Reporting into the Executive Director and working closely alongside the Artistic Director as part of the senior leadership team, the Finance Director will provide strategic financial leadership across the organisation. This is a succession hire, with the outgoing Finance Director moving toward retirement in early 2027 and open to supporting a smooth handover.

You will lead an established finance team, including a long-serving Finance Controller and an Assistant Management Accountant, balancing big-picture strategic leadership with the willingness to roll up your sleeves where needed. Our client is looking for a strong communicator who can make finance engaging and accessible to non-financial colleagues, and who brings a systems, data and automation mindset - with some clear quick wins already identified around payroll and the integration of finance with rota and event management systems.

Our client is committed to flexible working at senior level and will offer this role on a part-time basis (four days per week) with no reduction in pay.

Duties:

• Lead the development of finance systems and processes, making effective use of technology, automation and AI
• Lead the finance function with a balance of strategic leadership and hands-on support where needed
• Work closely with the Executive and Artistic Directors as part of senior leadership, bringing finance into organisational and creative decision-making
• Maintain momentum toward long-term financial sustainability and break-even
• Strengthen the use of financial analysis across departments to support planning and decision-making
• Support funding resilience through better financial oversight of fundraising growth and diversification
• Lead the organisation's approach to long-term financial sustainability, balancing charitable objectives and artistic ambitions with commercial performance
• Lead financial planning, budgeting and forecasting, including robust cashflow forecasting and active management of short and longer-term cash requirements
• Provide the Executive Director, Directors and Trustees with clear financial analysis, insight and advice, identifying risks and opportunities to support informed decision-making
• Oversee timely and accurate monthly management information, statutory accounts and wider financial reporting, including clear Trustee reporting on performance, cashflow, risk and sustainability
• Oversee the annual external audit, the financial elements of the annual report and statutory compliance

What we need to see (essential):

• Qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA) - candidates who are qualified by experience will also be considered
• Strong budgeting, forecasting and cashflow management experience, including longer-term financial planning
• A systems, data and automation mindset, with experience using technology to improve efficiency, reporting and analysis
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to make finance engaging and accessible to non-financial colleagues

What we'd like to see (bonus):

• Experience within the charity, non-profit, arts, cultural, venue or events sector
• Experience reporting to and working with Boards or Trustees, communicating complex financial information clearly and confidently

Salary: £60,000 - £65,000 per annum, with some flexibility for an exceptional candidate. Available full-time or part-time (four days per week at same salary)

Location: Central London - hybrid working

At Harmonic, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace. We actively welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and assure you that every candidate will be thoughtfully considered for the roles we represent, without regard to race, religion, gender expression, disability, or sexual orientation.