British Fashion Council - Head of Finance (Part Time)

Job Title: Head of Finance

Department: Finance

Reports to: COO/CFO

Direct Line Reports: the other two finance roles in the team will report into this role.

Location: 180 Strand, London.

Type: Part Time, Permanent, 4 days a week. Hybrid (with flexibility required around key events and finance month and year end.) Standard company working hours are 09.30 to 17.30, flexibility and non-standard hours are required during events.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Head of Finance is responsible for crafting the strategic direction and management of the Finance team at the BFC, working closely with the COO to strengthen the financial position of the Organisation. This role will ensure that the wider BFC is kept abreast of any financial, taxation or compliance developments and will help to translate our vision into deliverable financial objectives.

ABOUT THE BFC

The British Fashion Council (BFC) is a not-for-profit organisation that strengthens British fashion in the global economy as a leader in responsible, creative businesses. It does this through championing diversity, building and inviting the industry to actively participate in a network to accelerate a successful circular fashion economy. The BFC is a membership organisation, funded by industry patrons, commercial partners and the government. It convenes the UK fashion industry through three strategic pillars: Supporting Excellence in Design; Empowering Growth; Communicating to Activate Positive Change.

The BFC encourages a culture which empowers, values, nurtures, supports and rewards its employees and promotes a positive environment with a focus on team collaboration and open communication.

The BFC is committed to being an Equal Opportunities Employer. Diversity, Equality and Inclusion. They’re more than just words. We are inclusive. We celebrate and champion multiple approaches and points of view. We believe diversity drives innovation. So together we’re building a culture where difference is valued. Our commitment to inclusion drives us forward every day internally and externally.

Everyone is welcome, as an inclusive workplace the BFC encourages our employees to bring their true self to work and we commit to develop your skills and advance your careers in a culture of creativity.

BFC ETHOS AND VALUES:

Our mission is to establish a dynamic, inclusive, and unified network that advocates for British talent, innovation and creativity. Through meaningful and authentic engagement with all stakeholders, we aim to foster collaboration, inspire innovation, stimulate connections, inform, provide access, and promote mutual growth. Through our commitment to excellence, we want to empower our network and pioneer new approaches that drive progress and create lasting tangible impact.

We deliver our strategy through our pillars:

Relentless Innovation: Preparing businesses for positive change by embracing innovation.

Fuelling Responsible Growth: Develop a dynamic, inclusive and unified community that advocates for creativity, innovation and collectively supports the industry to grow and talent to gain access. We deliver this through our annual programme of events for the BFC Community of members and patrons which connects, updates, and promotes them while giving them a voice. The BFC Foundation charity raises funding to support creative talent through our world class designer support initiatives.

Amplifying our Narrative Globally: though storytelling, evolving BFC platforms to amplify excellence in creativity and our role in the UK’s cultural influence focusing on creativity, culture and commerciality. The Fashion Awards and London Fashion Week are best in class here.

THE ROLE

We are seeking an experienced and strategic Head of Finance to co-lead our Finance function alongside the COO. This role is critical to ensuring the financial health of the British Fashion Council (BFC) and shaping our long-term financial strategy

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Financial Leadership

• Support the COO and Internal Board in developing and executing the finance strategy and creating the annual budget and 3-year financial plan aligned with the BFC’s strategic goals.
• Provide clear financial insight and analysis to drive informed decision-making at the executive level.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead and manage a finance team of three: Senior Financial Accountant, Finance Executive, and Finance Assistant, with a focus on development, performance, and collaboration
• Oversee the team’s development and performance, with day-to-day task management delegated to the Senior Financial Accountant.
• Provide oversight to the Government Grants team, ensuring compliant and timely reporting in line with public sector requirements.

Financial Operations & Control

• Lead the monthly close process and oversee financial controls, banking, and reconciliations.
• Develop and embed effective financial policies, processes, and procedures across the organisation.
• Ensure accurate, compliant financial operations across all departments and statutory entities of the organisation.

Performance Reporting & Insight

• Deliver regular financial reporting to the COO and Board, including forecasts, variance analysis, and performance against OKRs.
• Monitor financial performance, highlighting risks, opportunities, and areas for improvement or cost efficiency.
• Enhance internal and external financial models to support strategic planning and funding initiatives.

Systems & Process Improvement

• Lead a review of existing finance-related systems, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and integration, particularly across the membership system, CRM, sales platforms, and Sage 200.

• Lead change initiatives to streamline manual processes and increase financial reporting accuracy and efficiency.

Compliance, Reporting & External Relations

• Oversee preparation of all statutory financial reporting, including Annual Accounts and Report and finance sections of the Charity Impact Report
• Ensure full compliance with all statutory, regulatory, and contractual obligations.
• Manage relationships with auditors and tax advisors, ensuring timely delivery and fostering a positive external reputation for the BFC.

Key Relationships

• COO, Finance Team
• Audit and Tax Advisors
• Internal Board & Heads of Departments

Professional Experience & Skills

• Professionally qualified (ACA, CIMA or ACCA) with a minimum of 10 years’ experience, including running of a finance team and reporting to Board level.
• Be commercially minded with strong negotiation skills.
• A strategic thinker with an analytical mind.
• Excellent time keeping skills, with the ability to adapt and keep on top of various projects within a fast-paced environment.
• Great communication and interpersonal skills, with a high regard for confidentiality.
• Strong IT skills across Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, Google Docs/Sheets etc. Sage 200 experience would be beneficial.
• A proven self-starter who can take responsibility and exercise initiative.
• Meticulous attention to detail and organisation skills.
• An ability to work calmly and effectively under pressure.

Benefits

• 25 Days Holiday Per Year + Bank Holidays (Holidays will be pro rata for 4 days a week.)

Upon completion of a successful probation period, you are also entitled to our additional benefits:

• Private Medical Insurance with Vitality which comes with access to a Virtual GP and an Employee Assistance Programme
• X2 Charity Days off per year to give back to your community. This could be running a marathon or volunteering (this does not need to be Fashion related)
• Enrolment into the BFC Pension Scheme
• Religious Festivals Swapping – to be as inclusive as possible, our employees are able to swap any of the standard UK public holidays based on their own beliefs/identity and instead take these days to celebrate things that are more relevant to them (such as Diwali, or Eid, or Pride etc)
• A half day off on your birthday!