The Society of Genealogists (SOG) is not your average charity. As the custodian of an extraordinary collection of historical and modern records, both physical and digital, it holds grassroots sources, rich data of unlikely origin, and exceptional assets that capture the unfolding, unofficial history of us all. It is a place where the past is very much alive, and the people who run it need to match that energy.

Having already trusted Charisma with the search for their new CEO, the charity returned to us to manage the full recruitment campaign for their next key hire: a Finance Controller. That kind of repeat partnership means a great deal to us, and we were determined to deliver again.

The role in detail

This was not a straightforward finance position. The incoming Finance Controller would be responsible for providing accurate and timely financial information, overseeing and challenging reporting production, designing processes, and carrying out financial projects including audit and ad hoc work. All of this within a small, dedicated team, reporting directly to the CEO and working closely with colleagues across the organisation.

The right candidate needed to be a qualified member of an accounting body with genuine experience of the charity or not-for-profit sector. Familiarity with data analysis, complex spreadsheets, restricted and unrestricted funds, and VAT returns was equally important. In a lean team, there is little room for a steep learning curve.

Quality over quantity, every time

At Charisma, we have always believed that presenting a handful of truly right-fit candidates is worth far more than flooding a client with a long list of maybes. This search was a clear example of that philosophy in action.

The campaign combined database searching, network connections, and headhunting, alongside a vibrant and targeted marketing approach. From that activity, 13 candidates progressed to vetting interview. Of those, the top three were submitted to SOG for serious consideration.

The results speak for themselves. All three candidates were invited to a first-stage interview, which tells you something about the quality of the shortlist. One candidate stood out so convincingly that they were invited back for a second-stage interview, before ultimately being offered and accepting the role.

What the client had to say

"Our Lead Consultant ensured a full and detailed brief was defined, enabling her to represent the Society and the role itself with passion and credibility, which was incredibly important to us. Overall, it has been a fruitful and valuable partnership, and the Society would not hesitate to recommend Charisma."

That kind of feedback is what drives us. Representing a client well, understanding what they actually need, and being able to speak about the organisation with genuine enthusiasm, these are the things that attract the right candidates and make the process feel less like a transaction and more like a collaboration.

The value of a trusted partnership

There is something particularly rewarding about a client who comes back. It tells us that the first experience was not just satisfactory but genuinely valuable. SOG's decision to appoint Charisma again, for a different type of role with its own distinct set of requirements, reflects the kind of trust that takes time to build and that we work hard to earn.

Every search we run is shaped by the organisation we are working with. For SOG, that meant understanding the culture of a tight-knit team, the specialist nature of the charity's work, and the specific technical requirements of a finance role in the not-for-profit sector. No two searches are the same, and we would not want them to be.

Working with Charisma

Whether you are looking for a finance professional, a senior leader, or a specialist role that does not fit neatly into a standard job description, we are here to help. We take the time to understand your organisation, your culture, and what you genuinely need from your next hire.

If you would like to talk through an upcoming search, we would love to hear from you. Get in touch with the Charisma team