Director of Finance & Operations

Title: Director of Finance & Operations

Location: London (hybrid working – minimum two days a week in the office)

Salary: Competitive+Benefits

Art Fund is seeking a strategic and collaborative Director of Finance & Operations to join its Senior Management Team and help shape the future of the UK’s cultural landscape.

Art Fund is the national fundraising charity for art. With over 142,000 members and a network of 900 museums, galleries, and historic places across the UK, it is a pioneering and independent voice in the cultural sector enriching collections, growing audiences, and advocating for the vital role museums play in society.

This role comes at an exciting and transformative time for the organisation. As Art Fund progresses through the final stages of its 2022–27 strategy and prepares for the next chapter, the Director of Finance and & Operations will play a critical leadership role in helping the organisation scale its impact, drive operational excellence, and support long-term growth.

The opportunity

The Director of Finance and & Operations will provide strategic and operational leadership across the following key areas: finance, people, governance, legal, facilities, and risk. They will lead a multidisciplinary internal services team and work closely with the Director, Senior Management Team, and Board of Trustees.

Major priorities will include embedding a new finance system, supporting the successful delivery of a cross-organisational CRM implementation, and the next five-year strategy and financial plan.

This position requires a qualified accountant with strong strategic planning and commercial acumen, ideally with experience supporting income growth and business innovation in a complex, values-driven organisation. They will be a natural relationship-builder with excellent interpersonal, influencing, and communication skills.

While prior experience in the arts, heritage, or charity sectors is welcome, it’ is not essential. What matters most is a genuine passion for Art Fund’s mission to make art and culture accessible to all.

Candidate profile

Art Fund is looking for an individual who can demonstrate:

• Proven success in strategic leadership and financial management
• Strong experience of business planning and income generation
• A collaborative and inclusive leadership style
• A commitment to data-led decision-making and continuous improvement
• Deep understanding of organisational governance, risk, and compliance
• Outstanding team leadership and the ability to foster a positive, values-based workplace culture

What Art Fund offers

Art Fund offers a rewarding working environment, a beautiful canal-side office in King’s Cross, and a compelling benefits package, including:

• 27 days’ annual leave, plus bank holidays
• 10% employer pension contribution
• Free National Art Pass (with a plus one)
• Art Allowance and Art Time to support cultural engagement
• Private healthcare cashback plan
• Flexible hybrid working and home office equipment allowance

Art Fund is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion, and welcomes applications from candidates from all backgrounds.

Art Fund have partnered with Allen Lane for the recruitment. Should you have any questions, please reach out to Rosemary Pini at [email protected] or call on 07921 336503.

Timeline:

• Closing date: Wednesday 25th May
• Shortlist: 28th May
• First interviews: Week commencing 2nd June
• Second interviews: 12th June