Head of Finance SARSAS

Citadel Source are pleased to be retained in supporting Somerset and Avon Rape and Sexual Abuse Support (SARSAS), a charity that supports people across Avon and Somerset affected by rape or any kind of sexual assault or abuse at any time in their lives, to recruit a Head of Finance.

About the client

SARSAS was formed in 2008 (known then as Bristol Rape Crisis) with roots in the feminist rape crisis movement in response to violence against women and girls. Initially the organisation was just two women, one phone and a handful of amazing volunteers, but in the 16 years since 2008, the organisation has gone from 'strength to strength’ now employing over 50 members of staff alongside 30 volunteers.

Whilst born in Bristol and initially covering only Bristol, in 2013 SARSAS received funding to offer support to people across Bath and North-East Somerset (BANES), Bristol, North Somerset, Somerset, and South Gloucestershire and SARSAS as it known today came into existence. Last year SARSAS supported 747 people through counselling, specialist support and group work, provided 968 hours of support through their helpline services, provided training services for external organisations and lead on some ground-breaking projects (as well as acting as a centre of excellence) on some of the lesser-known areas of sexual violence.

About you

We are seeking a Head of Finance who will be passionate about providing strategic oversight of SARSAS finances to ensure the organisation can deliver effective services and meet the needs of those that have been raped and abused across Avon and Somerset.

The successful candidate will work as part of the SARSAS Senior Leadership Team (SLT) with responsibility for optimising the organisation’s financial position through effective financial and risk management, supporting the team to deliver excellence, and providing expert advice on income generation and sustainable growth strategic.

The successful applicant will be able to build effective relationships with colleagues and SARSAS Trustees to ensure a coherence and consistency of approach. The role has responsibility for all financial tasks of SARSAS and for ensuring capital and resources are used beneficially to maintain SARSAS’s financial health. We will need a candidate who is hands on when necessary to ensure systems, internal controls and financial operational management is in place to meet SARSAS’s financial, contractual, statutory, and legal responsibilities.

You’ll be excited by the opportunity to join SARSAS and be part of the SLT leading an organisational culture that reflects a collaborative and supportive environment.

The role

This is a broad leadership role, which will be involved across all finance, human resource, and office management activities. The role works closely with the Board of Trustees, the CEO, and other members of the SLT and is responsible for developing and delivering the organisational strategy, including ensuring financial security for SARSAS.

As Head of Finance your role willinclude, but not be limited to:

• Leading on financial, human resource and office management functions.
• Financial management - All aspects of financial oversight including management accounts, budgeting, cash flow forecasting and financial compliance.
• Human resources - Including overall responsibility for payroll and human resource matters across the business.
• Governance support and risk management including attendance at Board meetings
• Working closely with the Treasurer, the Board and Finance, Risk & HR Sub-Committee to provide them with all aspects of financial information including forecasting models to enable their decision making
• Developing and implementing a financial strategy to ensure the financial stability and strategic growth of the business, including supporting income generation
• Overseeing frameworks for planning and monitoring business performance (e.g. KPIs, budgets).
• Supporting with the development and delivery of the income generation strategy including providing financial analysis of trading activities, financial information for funding bids and pitches and attending funder meetings as necessary.
• Producing and implementing detailed organisational budgets and forecasts.
• Managing the finance function ensuring maintenance of a strong control environment and that all transactions are processed accurately, within legislation and to time.
• Ensuring all aspects of charity SORP are implemented and abided by.
• Leading on the external audit process.
• Managing investment of surplus cash.
• Maintaining strong working relationships with other team members, ensuring an effective interface between own function and other parts of the organisation.
• Ensuring all team members are properly supervised, appraised, supported, and trained.

What the Client has to offer

• A pro rata salary of £47,382 (FTE is £58,438)
• A 30-hour working week with hours being worked either over four or five days
• 5% employer contribution pension
• Flexible working (50% 'in office’ expectation)
• 22 days holidays + bank holidays (FTE of 27 days)

For more information on this role please contact Oliver Price at Citadel Source.

Due to the nature of the subject matter, it is worth noting that the subject of rape and sexual violence is a common topic within the working environment and a sensitive approach to working within a specialist service of this nature is required.

All external applications will be forwarded to Citadel Source who are sole source of applicant for this role.