The Royal Society of Arts is the home of creativity for the common good. Since 1754 it has championed ingenuity and innovation and turned possibility into progress. From pioneering invention and design to shaping social change, we are a place for action and connection, where the brilliance of people drives change. And today, this organisation is more vital than ever.
The Opportunity
We’re looking for a Senior Finance Business Partner to play a key role in supporting strategic decision-making across the organisation. Working closely with the Director of Finance, Executive Team and budget holders, you'll provide insightful financial analysis, drive performance, and help ensure resources are focused on delivering the greatest impact.
This role is based at RSA House in London for at least three days per week, with hybrid flexibility for the remaining days.
What You'll Do
- Partner with senior leaders to provide financial insight and support informed decision-making.
- Lead budgeting, forecasting and management reporting processes.
- Develop financial models, business cases and investment appraisals.
- Monitor financial performance, identifying risks and opportunities.
- Support cashflow forecasting and long-term financial planning.
- Ensure strong financial controls, accurate reporting and compliance.
- Drive improvements to finance systems, reporting and processes.
- Lead and develop the Finance Business Partner and strengthen financial capability across the organisation.
Who You Are
- A qualified finance professional (CCAB/CIMA) with a degree in Accounting, Finance or equivalent experience.
- Knowledgeable in charity accounting principles and the Charity SORP.
- Commercially aware, with a strong understanding of organisational performance and financial decision-making.
- An excellent communicator who can build relationships across the organisation and present financial information clearly to non-finance audiences.
- Customer-focused, proactive and solutions-oriented.
- Highly analytical, with strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
- Organised and able to manage competing priorities while handling sensitive information with discretion.
- Committed to the RSA's mission, values and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion commitments.
Your Key Experience
- Experience in management accounting, ideally within a charity environment, including consolidated accounts preparation.
- Strong technical accounting and financial reporting expertise.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including pivot tables, lookups and data reconciliation.
- Experience using reporting tools and databases to analyse and validate financial information.
- Experience working with a range of funding models, including grants, contracts, charitable income and trading activities.
- Proven ability to influence stakeholders and support decision-making through financial insight.
- Experience improving financial controls, processes and ways of working.
- Experience within a membership organisation, hospitality and/or consulting environment.
- Experience using Business Central, Jet Reports and/or Progressus.
- Experience leading or supporting finance transformation and process improvement initiatives.
Apply
In order to apply, please click ‘quick apply’ on our recruitment page and submit your CV. You will also be required to answer a series of questions. You do not need to submit a cover letter.
The closing date for receipt of applications is 02 September 2026. However, screening and interviews will be ongoing, so we may close the vacancy early if sufficient exceptional candidates apply. Please get your application in as soon as possible.
Please note that we cannot accept late, incomplete applications, and we can only consider candidates who apply through the online application process.
Inclusion Statement
As a social change organisation, we believe everyone, regardless of visible or invisible difference should feel welcomed and able to contribute to creating a better future. You can read our full inclusion statement on our website.
Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments or accommodations.
