Chief Finance Officer (Interim)

City Of Westminster, London
Bookmark Reading Charity

Bookmark Reading Charity – we exist to change children’s life stories through the joy of reading. In a ‘normal’ year, one in four children in an average class will leave primary school unable to read well. These children will struggle in school and beyond. They are at risk of becoming one of the 7 million UK adults who struggle with basic reading every day. Reading isn’t just about books. It’s about reading a road sign, a safety manual, a birthday card. It’s understanding a job application and the prescription that could help save your life. Children from disadvantaged homes are most at risk: four in ten children on free school meals are not able to read well by the age of 11. Poor literacy can lead to limited job prospects, poor health, low self-esteem, and even reduced life expectancy.

At Bookmark, we want every child to read. As a leading reading charity for primary school children, we partner with schools to develop whole school reading cultures and provide one-to-one reading support. Through our flexible volunteer-led programme, we give children the reading skills and confidence they need for a fair chance in life.

We are now growing fast and expanding into new areas, in addition to increasing our service lines. We have delivered the first year of our three-year strategy, where we are working towards partnering with 1,000 primary schools, where 500,000 children will benefit from a Bookmark literacy programme.

Following an internal interim promotion, we are seeking a Chief Finance Officer (interim) to join the team on a 12-month fixed-term contract. The CFO role is a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, responsible for the foundations of the core functions in the Charity. The individual will lead a varied portfolio, whilst also supporting the wider organisation to reach our ambitious targets. This role will suit someone who is able to provide strategic support, see the big picture, improve processes and get hands-on in the detail.

Chief Finance Officer (interim)

Responsibilities

Finance

• Responsible for the day-to-day financial and commercial excellence of Bookmark. This is a varied role which will require you to be hands-on with the numbers and processes
• Maintain and improve financial policies and procedures, internal controls, corporate governance and risk management frameworks
• Responsible for cash management, and cash and reserves forecasting
• Oversee delivery of monthly management accounts, annual financial statements and financial compliance for all entities
• Preparation of financial reports for the Board of Trustees and Finance & Risk Committee including Bookmark’s Treasurer
• Financial planning – maintenance of rolling forecast projections (including operating model) to forecast future financial performance, prepare business cases and sensitivity analysis, and update the 3-year business plan on an annual basis
• Advising on SORP and other financial accounting issues
• Managing external relationships with auditors, payroll providers and bankers
• Responsible for tax, gift aid reclaims, VAT and company secretarial matters

Commercial, legal and fundraising matters

• Maintain and develop improvements to reporting on the ongoing cost of a reading session
• Responsible for leading and supporting the team on the charity’s commercial agreements, including school contracts, grant and other donor contracts, commercial participator agreements, professional fundraiser agreements, IP licenses and all associated guidelines
• Manage the relationships with our external lawyers for all legal matters, including internal legal processes
• Work with the fundraising team to develop a case for support for donors and specific funding bids

Data and operations

• Matrix leadership, accountable for operational excellence and contributing insights into key business drivers and insights/KPIs to inform prioritisation
• Working with the Data and Impact Analyst, contribute insights into key business drivers to inform innovation and prioritisation, ensuring a sustainable business model
• Increase richness and value of data and management information, driving decisions and efficiencies
• Work closely with the Senior Leadership Team to build a challenging, yet achievable Target Operating Model, identifying and resolving risks in order to achieve and exceed the targets
• Oversee the transformation of our target operating model in preparation for the next strategic period
• Proactively identify opportunities to improve Bookmark’s processes across all areas

Technology

• Support the technology team with the day-to-day management of the technology ecosystem
• Work with the CRM & Technology Manager to ensure the technology ecosystem is cost-effective, fit for purpose and right for the charities
• Act as Data Protection Officer, working with the Technology team

HR

• Support the HR Manager with the delivery of day-to-day HR services across the organisation
• Ensure HR processes are efficient, consistent and compliant
• Oversee the payroll processes in conjunction with the HR and Finance functions

Governance and policies

• Responsible for all statutory filings for the Charity and its trading subsidiary
• Lead the preparation of robust reporting to the Trustee Board, Finance & Risk Committee and the Operations Board
• Maintain the policy log and work with senior colleagues to revise, adapt and update policies on a rolling basis

General responsibilities

• Direct line management of four individuals, with a wider department of six
• Member of the Senior Leadership Team
• Act as Health and Safety Officer for the Charity and oversee health and safety practices as appropriate

Person Specification

• Qualified Accountant with proven success in a commercially focused finance role
• Commercially astute, technically strong, hands-on, dynamic, insightful and an influential leader with the ability to operate at both strategic and operational levels
• Robust understanding of financial systems (Xero), CRM platforms, business intelligence systems and target operating models
• Service delivery focused with a desire to achieve targets and objectives
• Superb IT, organisational and interpersonal skills with the ability to develop open and collaborative relationships
• Flexible, adaptable, tenacious and enjoys working in a fast-paced growth environment
• Structured problem-solving approach with excellent attention to detail
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite (particularly Word, PowerPoint and Excel)
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, including strong presentational skills
• High integrity with a commitment to good governance
• Passionate about our vision and mission
• Willingness and suitability to work with children and young adults

Contract type: Fixed-term contract (12 months), full-time

Start date: ASAP

Salary: £70,000-£80,000

Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer (interim)

Location: Bookmark Reading Charity, Charles House, 5-11 Regent Street Saint James’s, London SW1Y 4LR. Minimum two days per week based at the Bookmark office

Application deadline: rolling with active shortlisting and interviews and applications are submitted.