Head of Finance and Risk

easywebrecruitment.com
Our client is the industry network with a mission to radically transform the built environment in the face of the climate, nature crises. They champion bold government action and convene the ambitious sections of industry to drive progress at pace and scale.

This is an opportunity to play a role at the forefront of tackling the climate and nature crises and to protect communities. Nature is in collapse and our buildings and communities will not withstand the climate impacts we face without urgent action. The places we live, work and play in must, and can, be part of the solution, not the problem.

They are a multi-disciplinary team of c.30 passionate, skilled people from across the UK with a London office hub. As a green charity, they prize their welcoming and inclusive work culture with wellbeing and professional development at its heart.

The role

Our client is seeking an experienced and talented Head of Finance and Risk with strong financial acumen, and the ability to translate complex themes into clear narratives, to contribute significantly to the strategic direction of the organisation.

This role is ideal for a mid to senior career professional looking for a Leadership role, and is keen to play a pivotal role in an increasingly vital and influential organisation. The successful candidate will manage the organisation’s finances; developing and maintaining financial models to support strategic decision-making, and providing high-quality financial data and analysis to senior management, along with having oversight across their internal risk processes; all the while developing their own broad insight and knowledge of the organisation’s mission and goals through working with a passionate and knowledgeable team of colleagues, and with businesses across the entire built environment value chain.

Our client is an equal-opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, or any protected characteristic. They are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcome and valued. Their commitment to inclusivity means they support flexible work arrangements, ensuring work-life balance for all. They prioritise accessibility and will gladly accommodate any needs upon request, as they believe in providing a barrier-free recruitment process.

They recognise that people of colour, those from different socio-economic backgrounds, and those from minoritised groups are currently underrepresented at all levels within the industry. They’re on the lookout for talented individuals with a wide range of skills and experiences and are eager to welcome candidates from underrepresented groups.

Key responsibilities

Financial Management

• Co-ordinate and drive the Budget process, in tandem with the Annual Operating Planning process.
• Monthly re-forecasting and reporting, including explanation of variances in language which is useful to non-finance specialists
• Analysis and planning to support decision making / Identification of alternative courses of action
• Preparing financial papers for the Risk and Audit committee and the Board of Trustees, including attendance at Risk and Audit committee
• Provide input to Funding applications, commercial decisions and opportunities.

Financial Control and Risk Oversight

• Maintaining control of and make improvements to financial systems.
• Responsibility for the integrity of the organisation’s balance sheet.
• Updating and enforcing of the organisation’s authorisation matrix.
• Ensure accuracy of transactions within the finance system and the mirroring of the CRM system records.
• Responsible for (via overseeing the Finance Manager) Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, VAT, expenses.
• Oversee the payroll process, company pensions, tax and NI
• Oversight of the organisational risk management process
• Identification and reporting of financial, and wider, risks including suggesting potential mitigation and insurance.
• Drive continual improvement of processes

Financial Reporting and Cashflow forecasting

• Oversee the annual audit
• Documentation of processes and policies
• Statutory reporting and keeping company policies up to date in accordance with SORP and UK GAAP, for both the charity and dormant trading entity
• Working with the team to understand timetable of activities, challenging cost assumptions and reclaiming budget where appropriate; identifying changes in and drivers of performance including reduction in surplus/increases in deficit, evaluating and suggesting alternative courses of action.

Governance

• Liaise with auditors in delivery of audited accounts
• Maintain records at Companies House, The Charities Commission, HMRC and other official bodies (familiarity with The Charities Statement of Recommended Practice)
• Contribute to the preparation of papers for regular Board meetings and workshops

Treasury

• Manage and maintain the organisation’s investment strategy, and securely deposit funds with appropriate organisations, to achieve an acceptable return with minimal risk.
• Maintain key controls of third-party banking software (including investments and credit cards)
• Oversee banking processes and authorisation processes
• Provide and update a cashflow forecast, and ensure adequate cashflows between working capital and investments

Leadership and Personnel

• Consistent and collaborative communication and engagement to help drive the finance team’s, and the wider organisation’s, success. The Head of Finance and Risk has one direct report, the Finance Manager, and the Finance Officer reports to the Finance Manager
• Engage in, and occasionally lead aspects of regular organisational wide meetings, related to the organisation’s culture and operations and / or projects and workstreams. Clearly communicate and explain financial matters to the wider team when called upon.
• Take a proactive approach to your own learning and professional development

Other

• Maintain the organisations’ key professional administrative relationships including Auditors, Banks, Insurers, HR advisors, Legal services, pension providers, IT providers etc.
• Act as central organisational point for oversight, reviewing and supporting on contracts / agreements for IT functions

Ideal candidate: person and skills
Key qualities, competencies, experience, and qualifications

• Mission: A passion for tackling the climate, nature and cost of living crises, and a commitment to the organisation’s mission.
• Integrity: An inclusive approach that conveys and embeds honesty and transparency as standard
• Attitude: A positive, proactive, problem-solving approach with demonstrable agility to perform duties that may be outside core accountabilities
• Teamwork and Leadership: Demonstrable ability to effectively lead a small finance team, with leadership skills that motivate others and create a positive working environment
• Communication: Strong verbal and written communication and presentation skills, with ability to share complex ideas, thoughts and concepts in a consistently clear manner. Good analytical and influencing skills.
• Project management: Efficient planning, organisational, and time management skills
• Administration: Strong administrative and computer literacy skills (standard software packages, mainly Microsoft Office), Advanced Excel skills
• Strategic thinking: Good experience in strategy setting and horizon scanning, with aptitude in decision-making and problem-solving. Impact-oriented with a focus on delivering outcomes and impact; agile in how to achieve them
• Critical thinking: supported by good research skills

Knowledge:

• CIMA / ACCA / ACA qualification or equivalent
• Extensive knowledge of financial procedures, budgeting, forecasting and reporting
• Ability to interpret data, identify trends, and make recommendations
• Financial best practices across charity and built environment organisations, including dual financial reporting (for example by project as well as by discipline / department)
• Preparing management accounts, and financial information in various formats to aid decision-making
• Requirements of Company’s House and the Charity Commission, and familiarity with The Charities Statement of Recommended Practice
• Office / premises management, including building management liaison and IT / tech management
• Reporting on environmental footprint
• Stakeholder engagement: Proven experience of people management and collaboration

Terms and conditions
Contract: Permanent
Salary: £65,000 – £74,000 (dependent on experience)

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