Chief Finance Officer

Job Description

Blair West are working with The Percy Hedley Foundation, one of the UKs largest regional disability organisations. Set up in 1953, the Foundation provides specialist pre-school, primary, secondary and post 16 education services, as well as a specialistfurther education college and a wide variety of day services for adults with cerebral palsy, communication impairments, sensory impairments and complex learning, social care and therapeutic needs.The Foundation are looking for a Chief Finance Officer, who will report into the Chief Executive and Board of Trustees. The role has responsibility for leadership in the development of strategic and operational financial management and the Foundation widedrive to deliver value for money and effective operational services to members. The CFO will also be responsible for the development and implementation of resource strategies to grow the financial base of the Foundation ensuring long term sustainability. The opportunity: The role will involve working closely with the CEO and the Board of Trustees to provide sound advice and guidance. The successful candidate will make a high-quality contribution to the overall leadership, management and strategic planning process of theorganisation across all sites and operations. They will lead at an executive level on Finance, IT and Estates, and work alongside with the CEO, Executive Team and Heads of Service to develop business cases and operational plans which are underpinned by detailedforecasting and financial modelling, which will in turn allow the Foundation to deliver against key milestones and financial targets.Duties will include, but not be limited to:

• Providing high quality financial information to the CEO, the Executive Team, the Board of Trustees and other stakeholders including the production of monthly management accounts, budgets and forecasts, options appraisal analyses and longer-term financialanalysis to aid decision-making.
• Taking responsibility for the production of the Annual Accounts in line with applicable charity accounting, liaising with the External Auditors and the Audit Committee. Manage a robust tender process on 3-year term for external auditors.
• Ensure that effective financial controls are in place and that a value for money culture is maintained but also where initiatives and projects are enabled for the benefit of the Foundation. This will include procurement controls and clear financial delegatedauthorities as well as appropriate finance policies and procedures embedded throughout the Foundation
• Ensure, in close cooperation with the Chief Executive and Chair of the Finance Committee, that an appropriate financial policy framework is in place to guide the charitys financial decision making in line with corporate strategy aims and objectives. Inparticular, clarity will be required on reserves, cash flow, expense ratios and income mix questions in order to guide appropriate use of available funds.
• Providing effective line management to the Head of Technology, and to work with the CEO, Executive Team and Heads of Service to support the Head of Technology in establishing an IT strategy that will allow the implementation of secure, modern, digital toolsand systems.
• Providing effective line management to the Head of Estates and to work with the CEO, Executive Team and Heads of Service to support the Head of Estates in developing and delivering a Foundation wide Estates strategy, inclusive of accommodation, maintenance,catering, cleaning and transport.

Youll be the ideal candidate for this role if you have:

• A finance qualification (ACA, CIPFA, ACCA).
• Strategic financial management experience gained at or near Board level in the private, public or third sector.
• The ability to develop and evaluate innovative approaches to securing financial opportunities.
• A proven track record of enhancing a financial base through both income growth and effective cost control.
• A track record of putting in place effective and robust financial management systems.
• Experience of initiating and managing change and overseeing the implementation of strategic financial plans through to positive operational outcomes.
• Experience of supporting or leading the development business cases, business plans and annual operational plans.
• Experience or knowledge of procurement and commissioning systems especially in relation to Local Authority procurement, and managing IT and/ or Estates teams.

Key skills, attributes and leadership qualities:

• Demonstrable leadership qualities. Effective people motivation and management skills, and the ability to fully engage and lead a team through organisational change.
• Commercially driven strategic perspective and vision.
• High level communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong entrepreneurial and negotiating skills including ability to innovate and manage large contracts.
• Commitment to personal responsibility and corporate obligation.
• An ability to represent the Percy Hedley Foundation externally and take on an ambassadorial role where appropriate.
• A solution focussed proactive approach to resolving issues .
• Track record of developing high performing teams including a proactive approach to team and staff development.
• Ability to effectively manage own time and resources including agile working and flexibility of location as deemed appropriate, and to take personal responsibility for making things happen to benefit the business.