Group Finance Manager

Group Finance Manager (UK-based — UK and India Operations)
The Washing Machine Project CIC - London
Full-time
Salary 50-58K per annum depending on experience
Life at The Washing Machine Project - Meaningful work. Exceptional people.
About us
Handwashing clothes may sound like a simple task, but it poses a significant obstacle to the wellbeing and livelihood of many women worldwide. We recognise that unpaid labour is compromising lives. This needs to change.
We’re The Washing Machine Project (TWMP). Our mission is to empower women to take charge of their lives by providing displaced and low-income communities with accessible, off-grid washing solutions. We create resourceful products and solutions.
Founded by Navjot Sawhney in 2018, TWMP develops extraordinary innovations designed to improve women’s lives. People are at the heart of everything we do, and listening to communities is integral to our work and design process. At TWMP, you’ll be surrounded by people who want to improve everything and everyone around them, who are passionate about our mission, driven to solve problems, and committed to doing work that matters.
About the role
The UK-based Group Finance Manager plays a critical role within The Washing Machine Project. Based in the UK, you will own UK and India financial reporting, budgets, cash planning, donor allocations and financial controls, while working closely with our manufacturing and operations colleagues. You will coordinate UK and India external accountants and payroll providers, maintain reliable consolidated information and support the Founder and budget holders across both countries.
You will bring substantial finance experience, normally gained over five to eight years, including at least two years independently owning a finance function with a monthly reporting cycle. You will hold a recognised accounting qualification, such as CA (ICAI), CMA (ICMAI), ACCA or CIMA, or demonstrate equivalent experience. You must have practical experience preparing reports for UK and international entities, coordinating consolidation and maintaining local accounting controls. Manufacturing, project-funded or social enterprise experience is desirable.
We're looking for someone who is comfortable working in a dynamic, entrepreneurial start-up environment. You'll need to balance strategic financial oversight with hands-on delivery, take ownership of priorities and help develop the systems and processes that will support our continued growth.
Your responsibilities:
Financial Planning and Analysis:
* Develop and implement financial strategies, budgets, and forecasts aligned with the organisation's mission and objectives.
* Conduct financial analysis and provide insights on financial performance, trends, and opportunities for improvement.
* Collaborate with the management team to assess and prioritise financial resources for various projects and initiatives.
Financial Reporting:
* Prepare accurate and timely UK and India management accounts and consolidated reporting, including reconciliations, accruals and prepayments, for internal and external stakeholders.
* Coordinate year-end accounts and financial filing inputs with UK and India external accountants, ensuring adherence to applicable accounting standards and reporting requirements.
* Provide clear and concise financial information to the management team, board of directors, and funders to support decision-making processes.
Budgeting and Cash Flow Management:
* Lead the annual budgeting process, working closely with department heads and the executive team to establish realistic financial targets and monitor progress.
* Create short-term and longer-term cash forecasts for both projects and organisations, coordinating funding and working-capital requirements across UK and India operations.
* Identify and mitigate financial risks and implement appropriate controls and procedures.
Financial Operations:
* Manage day-to-day financial operations, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, supplier and expense management, with appropriate separation between preparation and approval.
* Coordinate India banking, payroll and financial reporting with local providers, and work with UK advisers on UK payroll, year-end and statutory-account inputs.
* Review and improve financial processes and systems; document recurring tasks, assumptions and deadlines, and establish cover arrangements for essential and planned activities.
Grant and Contract Management:
* Support the development and submission of grant proposals and funding applications, ensuring compliance with funder requirements.
* Monitor and report on grants and contracts, including restricted funding, partner allocations, reporting periods, carry-forward balances and cash and in-kind contributions, with supporting documentation and clear reporting deadlines.
* Work closely with UK and India manufacturing, procurement and programme colleagues to develop reliable machine costing, purchasing and inventory information, while maintaining linked partner budgets and deployment assumptions.
Compliance and Internal Controls:
* Establish and maintain strong internal controls and financial procedures to safeguard the organisation's assets and ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
* Coordinate external audits and ensure timely completion of audit processes.
* Stay up-to-date with changes in accounting standards and best practices, and implement necessary updates as appropriate.
Why is this role important? At TWMP, you’re not a tiny cog in a big wheel. You're the wheel, and we’re in it together. Your work will impact people's lives.
Who are we looking for
TWMP are looking for passionate people keen to work in the humanitarian sector and positively impact people’s lives. You would be part of a collaborative, international team. You will need to work with initiative and momentum whilst maintaining a sensitivity to the various and diverse contexts your work will involve.
Essential:
* A recognised professional accounting qualification (e.g., CA (ICAI), CMA (ICMAI), ACCA or CIMA), and substantial experience demonstrated in comparable roles.
* Proven experience independently owning management accounts, reconciliations, budgets and cash forecasts, with experience managing project or donor-funded budgets. Nonprofit or social enterprise experience is desirable.
* Strong knowledge of UK and Indian accounting and finance processes, practical UK and international reporting experience, and the ability to coordinate specialist support, intercompany reconciliations and consolidated accounts.
* Proficiency in accounting systems and advanced spreadsheets, including linked budget models, with strong attention to accuracy, documentation and version control.
* Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
* Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
* Excellent written and spoken English, with the ability to communicate financial information effectively across international teams.
* Excellent team working, collaboration and networking skills
* Effectively work across multi-disciplinary teams with multiple decision-makers.
* Comfortable with a rapidly changing set of priorities.
* Practical verbal and written communication skills with the ability to tailor communication style based on the audience.
* Ability to thrive in high growth, entrepreneurial, and ambiguous environments.
* Demonstrated creativity with effective communication skills to bring big ideas to a broad audience.
* Confident, highly organised and motivated.
* Commitment to and respect for TWMP’s values.
Other Requirements
* Must be able to travel as required for the role.
* Must have the right to work in the UK.
Location
UK-based (remote/hybrid working).
What you'll get
We offer a genuinely purpose-led career with a culture built on trust,