Finance Director

The Business & Opportunity:

Fantastic opportunity to play a key role in the ongoing success of an established and well-respected charity. They have continued to serve the North Leeds community for over 100+ years by delivering an extensive range of community support and registered care services to over 1,000 people every month. With over 130 staff and an annual income of over £4m, they pride themselves in positively changing lives of community members by reducing physical and mental health issues and well-being challenges, social isolation, poverty, and providing support to daily living.

They now require a part-time Finance Director. Working alongside an experienced, supportive and visionary Chief Executive, together with the Deputy CEO & Head of HR, you will be a key member of their Senior Leadership Team. You will take responsibility for the overall financial management, providing guidance to the Board to help steer the ongoing effectiveness and leadership of the organisation. You will also lead the preparation and coordination of the external audit and prepare key reports and management accounts for the Board and external stakeholders.

This is a permanent requirement on a part-time basis of approximately 22.5 hours per week (with some flexibility for more hours should you wish). You will be rewarded with an excellent financial package and benefits, including hybrid working, flexitime, and a uniquely generous holiday allowance.

Specific Requirement:

Your remit will include:

Management reporting:

• Ensuring that financial and other management information is timely, accurate, and meets the requirements of the Board and its Committees, Senior Leadership Team, and service managers.

Resource management:

• Safeguarding their financial strength to achieve all its planned objectives and cope with unforeseen circumstances and advising the Senior Leadership Team and trustees if this requirement is at risk.
• Ensuring they have the cash resources to meet its requirements in accordance with its treasury strategy and projecting the future cash flow requirements accurately.
• Having cost effective banking arrangements in place and that any surplus resources and reserves are managed effectively.

Business planning and performance monitoring:

• Co-ordinating and preparing financial forecasts as part of the business planning process.
• Ensuring the planning and financial forecasting systems meet all its needs, from long term projections to detailed annual budgets, and are consistent with corporate objectives.
• Preparing plans in conjunction with, and approved in good time by, the appropriate managers and Committees.
• Monitoring the financial performance of business and operational plans so that any corrective action needed can be quickly identified.

Financial systems, controls, and accounts:

• Improving and maintaining financial and accounting systems, policies and risk management, in line with professional standards.
• Producing accurate accounts to be audited within the required timescales and on a cost-effective basis, including preparing the consolidated statutory financial statements for approval and submission.
• Maintaining the integrity of all financial records and systems and implementing necessary financial controls, policies, and procedures for regular monitoring of compliance.

Leadership and management:

• Leading and managing finance staff, communicating clear standards and expectations, managing performance, and ensuring that staff skills are developed and potential realised.
• Maintaining effective internal communications arrangements both within the department and with other parts of the organisation, ensuring that managers are aware of financial objectives and their progress in achieving them.
• Making a positive, constructive, and cohesive contribution to the Senior Leadership Team.

Skills & Experience required:

• Qualified ACA/ACCA/CIMA. Qualified by Experience candidates will also be considered.
• Experience of leading a multi-functional finance department with responsibility for statutory accounts, compliance reporting and finance operations.
• Operated as part of a senior management team, and regular liaison with Board members.
• Likely to have worked within an SME, hence appreciating the associated challenges and culture.
• Possess an understanding of the accounting standards and requirements of a non-profit organisation.
• Commercial acumen and mindset, in order to help with the charity's strategic direction.
• Excellent rapport and relationships with colleagues and external stakeholders.
• A genuine passion and enthusiasm for the organisations ethos in helping support the local community.

What’s on Offer:

• A full-time equivalent salary of c£70,000, with room for flexibility for the right candidate.
• Flexitime to suit you.
• Extremely generous holiday allocation, together with an early Friday finish.
• Hybrid working arrangement, with a mix of office and working from home.
• Pension & Employee assistance programme.
• On-site Café.
• Free On-site parking at their North Leeds premises in LS17.

Next Steps:

Interviews are to be conducted imminently; hence you are advised to apply at your earliest convenience.

N.B. Lyons Recruitment have been strictly retained on an exclusive basis, hence any direct or other agency applications will be disregarded.