Head of Project Finance - (Hybrid)

Introducing Zinc Network

Zinc Network is a business dedicated to meaningful, measurable change. Zinc conceptualizes and creates programs, interventions, and strategic communications campaigns around some of the world's most complex problems - from disinformation to extremism, media capture to authoritarianism.

We are headquartered in London with offices in Washington, D.C., and Warsaw with 80+ team members from diverse professional and cultural backgrounds. Zinc works with a broad range of governmental, NGO, and private sector clients, including the UK Home Office (HO); the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO); the United States Agency for International Development (USAID); the U.S. Department of State (DOS); UN agencies and missions; and foundations.

The Head of Project Finance will be based in the UK and is expected to be in our London office at least 2 days per week. The role will report into the Director of Group Finance and work closely with all finance colleagues in the UK and internationally.

The Head of Project Finance will lead the financial management and oversight of our projects across multiple countries and regions. This senior role combines technical accounting expertise with sector knowledge to ensure effective financial stewardship of donor funds and grant compliance across our global project portfolio. The position plays a crucial role in supporting our mission to deliver sustainable impact while maintaining the highest standards of financial accountability.

The role will establish and execute the strategic direction of the project accounting function, including:

1. Developing and implementing project accounting policies that align with donor requirements, international accounting standards, and sector best practices.
2. Leading a diverse, multicultural team of project accounting professionals across multiple country offices.
3. Collaborating with programme directors and country representatives to strengthen financial management of programme initiatives.
4. Oversight and responsibility for managing complex donor funding streams and grant financial management.
5. Directing cost allocation methodologies across multiple funding sources and projects ensuring compliance with diverse donor requirements.
6. Ensuring accurate financial reporting and timely submission to donors.
7. Managing audit requirements from multiple donors and regulatory bodies.
8. Overseeing anti-fraud measures and financial risk management across project portfolios.

- Producing detailed financial reports for senior leadership, project stakeholders, and clients.

- Supporting the business development team with pricing strategies and financial inputs for proposals and bids.

- Reviewing and providing financial oversight for business development budgets to support competitive and realistic proposal submissions.

- Delivering insights on project profitability, cost efficiencies, and financial trends.

- Preparing and analysing Value for Money (VfM) reports to demonstrate cost-effectiveness.

- Working closely with the Business Development and Programming Teams to ensure monthly forecasting information is accurate and timely.

- Collaborating with Production and Project Management teams to optimise resource allocation and utilisation.

1. Qualifications: Professional accounting qualification (e.g., ACA, ACCA, CIMA) preferred.
2. Experience: Minimum 8 years in a senior project finance or related role, preferably in the strategic communications, media, or international development sectors.
3. Skills: Strong analytical, budgeting, and forecasting skills; ability to translate financial data into actionable insights.
4. Knowledge: Expertise in donor-funded projects, grant management, and international financial compliance requirements.
5. Tools: Proficiency in financial systems such as ERP software and advanced Excel.
6. Leadership: Proven ability to lead teams, manage stakeholders, and influence decision-making at all levels.
7. Communication: Experience in remote team management, strong communications skills and the ability to work in a multicultural environment.

We're committed to hiring a diverse workforce from different professional and cultural backgrounds, and to that end we encourage a variety of people to apply to join our company to represent the diverse range of subjects associated with our projects.

Candidates who receive a job offer will be required to:

1. Disclose any previous disciplinary action against them resulting from a substantiated safeguarding (including any breaches involving trafficking-related activities) or workplace investigation.
2. Undergo background checks including employment verification, sexual offender registry (as available), identity confirmation, and anti-terrorism vetting.

Please include a cover letter stating how you meet each of the requirements.

If you require an accommodation to be made at any point throughout the recruitment process, please advise us when contacted.