Job vacancy! Head of Finance & Business Services

  • Job Title: Head of Finance & Business Services
  • Reports to: Chief Executive
  • Direct Reports: Finance and Business Administrator
  • Location: Hybrid, Brighton Office & Home Working
  • Salary: £40,145 Pro Rata
  • Hours: 3 Days per week

Main Purpose of the Role

We’re looking for an experienced Head of Finance & Business Services to help deliver our mission and support the growth and consolidation of the charity. As a member of the Senior Management Team, you will play a key role in developing strategy as well as managing risk. You will take overall responsibility for the organisation’s financial management, working closely with the Chief Executive and the Treasurer. You will also oversee Business Services, including office management, health & safety, procurement, HR & IT (with support from external HR & IT service providers). You will also be responsible for the line management of the Finance & Business Administrator (to be recruited once in post).

Benefits

  • 25 days annual leave, increasing to 28 days in the first Annual Leave year commencing after you have completed two years of continuous service.
  • Additional days off when the office is closed between Christmas and New Year.
  • 5% employer pension contribution
  • Family-friendly policies, including enhanced maternity pay
  • Flexible working 

Key Responsibilities

Line Management

  • Line manage the Finance & Business Administrator

Financial Management

  • Manage the maintenance of the financial accounting system (Xero) and accounting processes.
  • Ensure appropriate systems and internal controls are implemented and maintained.
  • Prepare quarterly management accounts 
  • Produce report packs for Board and Finance Sub Group meetings of the Board of Trustees.
  • Review the management accounts and balance sheets and investigate variances in conjunction with other Senior Management Team members.
  • Produce forecasts and other projections as necessary throughout the year.
  • Manage the annual budget process.
  • Lead on the creation of annual accounts.
  • Assist the auditors in carrying out year end reviews/audits as required
  • Carry out financial modelling and analysis and ad hoc reporting for funders and reports
  • Support and advise budget holders in matters relating to the financial management of their departments.
  • Oversee monthly payroll, ensuring that it is accurate, 
  • Act as the point of contact with the pension provider, submitting monthly returns and dealing with starters, leavers and those opting out.
  • Oversee the preparation of quarterly VAT returns.
  • Manage the companies’ credit card programme.
  • Support the submission of quarterly and other gift aid claims.
  • Provide financial support to other teams in the charity.
  • Provide financial input for the development of funding bids and reports to funders.
  • Follow current policies and good efficient practices so that the charity can effectively meet its charitable and financial objectives.

Governance

  • To ensure that the organisation and services comply with relevant financial legislative and regulatory requirements
  • Manage reporting to Companies House and The Charities Commission
  • Attend Board, Finance Sub Group and Senior Management Team meetings as an active member of the Senior Management Team.

Business Services

  • Manage the procurement function, including insurance, IT equipment.
  • Manage the process of policy development and review
  • Be the designated lead for health & safety
  • Lead on procurement and maintenance of all IT equipment and lead contact with our IT support service
  • Oversee office management
  • Support the wider aims of the charity and, from time to time, carry out other general duties as may reasonably be required by the Chief Executive Officer.

Human Resources

  • Work with the Chief Executive and the Senior Management Team to ensure a consistent approach to staff development and management of HR issues
  • Oversee the Charity’s approach to performance & development
  • Oversee charities training budget and allocation to maximise business benefit
  • Develop the Charity’s recruitment processes and procedures
  • Support staff teams with onboarding new staff and induction
  • Day to day HR management with external support for specialist issues

Person Specification

Knowledge and skills (essential)

  • Qualified or part-qualified (final stage), for example ACA, ACMA, CIPFA, CIMA
  • Minimum 3 years relevant experience working with a charity/not for profit
  • Good experience of sound accounting and financial management in the charity/not-for-profit sector
  • Sound knowledge and experience of leading and managing the audit process
  • Thorough practical, up-to-date understanding of management accounting principles and techniques
  • In-depth knowledge and experience with payroll and pension processes and management systems for accounting functions, including Xero and Sage Payroll
  • Experience and skill in providing monthly management accounts, year-end statutory accounts and financial reporting.
  • Experience of contributing to the strategic, organisational and financial planning processes
  • Good practical understanding of data protection and confidentiality
  • Good working knowledge of current accounting software systems
  • Good understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the charity sector
  • Excellent IT skills, including advanced Microsoft Excel skills
  • Competency using MS Office, email, online platforms and learning management systems
  • Experience of working well within a multidisciplinary team
  • Passion and commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion
  • Understanding of the core principles of human resources management
  • Understanding of internal policies necessary for the effective running of a small charity

Knowledge and skills (desirable):

  • Experience facilitating or leading change and growth
  • An understanding of the UK’s food and health challenges and an interest and passion in challenging inequality with the food system.
  • Direct experience of policy development
  • Human Resource management experience

The deadline for applications is 31st October 2022.