Director of Finance and Operations
Candidate Briefing Pack
September 2016
thechildrenstrust.org.uk
Registered office : Tadworth Court, Tadworth, Surrey, KT20 5RU.
Registered charity number 288018. A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales number 1757875.
Contents
Welcome Letter from Dalton Leong – Chief Executive
3
The Charity5
Organisation & Structure7
Job Description9
Job Purpose9
Duties and Responsibilities10
Person Specification12
How to Apply14
Page 2
thechildrenstrust.org.uk
Registered office : Tadworth Court, Tadworth, Surrey, KT20 5RU.
Registered charity number 288018. A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales number 1757875.
Welcome Letter from Dalton Leong – Chief Executive
I am delighted that you are interested in the work of The Children’s Trust and specifically
the role of Director of Finance & Operations. It’s an exciting time for us as we implement an
ambitious new strategy from 2017 that will enable us to reach more children affected by
brain injury than ever before. We are now are looking for an inspiring and entrepreneurial
leader and manager to fill this crucial role working alongside our Senior Leadership team.
This is a perfect opportunity for a driven leader to join a committed senior team and Board
of Trustees in delivering significant change and development.
The Children’s Trust is a unique charity with an international reputation for the work we
undertake to improve the lives of the children and families with whom we work. We provide
information and support to thousands of children with brain injury and their families
annually, through healthcare, education, therapy and research. We have a high level of
expertise and experience in meeting the needs of children and young people with acquired
brain injury, neuro disabilities and complex health needs.
In 2014, we launched an ambitious three-year strategy to reach and improve the lives of
thousands of children affected by brain injury across the UK. Our national specialist centre
which incorporates the UK’s largest brain injury rehabilitation centre for children and The
Children’s Trust School were already established as leaders in healthcare and education
provision and we felt it was time to continue or extend our reach across the UK to support
children with mild to moderate brain injury in their local communities as well a those who
come to our centre in Surrey.
In 2015/6 we provided direct support to 883 children compared to 645 in 2013/14. What has
made a difference is the creation of innovative brain injury specialists based in hospitals
and healthcare settings to deliver that help. In 2015/16 we raised £8,201,000 in voluntary
income compared to £7,143,000 in 2013/15.
We had anticipated completing a major financial appeal in 2016/17 for the development
of the school building but have paused this while our new Head teacher, Samantha
Newton, develops a new school business plan working closely with our Director of Finance
& Operations. We plan to launch this appeal in 2016 and are excited about the prospect
of developing this resource to ensure it meets the needs of the children and provides a
stimulating setting to enhance and facilitate the progress.
We are also acutely aware of the external environment. We are rising to the challenges
around the pressures of funding, particularly within the NHS, the issues of affecting
recruitment amidst a nationwide shortage of healthcare professionals and the damage to
public trust in charities. It is a new era of transparency that we will embrace.
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thechildrenstrust.org.uk
Registered office : Tadworth Court, Tadworth, Surrey, KT20 5RU.
Registered charity number 288018. A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales number 1757875.
Our operational plan for 2016/17 focuses on three areas:
1.
Maintaining the essential ongoing activities that keep the organisation running and
are essential to meeting the needs of the children and families we support
a.
Deliver Income Streams. Ensure both our statutory funding in secured and our
voluntary income targets are met, as well as deliver against our fundraising
investment targets.
b.
Meet the regulation agenda. Continue our work on quality improvement to
ensure our compliance and regulatory obligations are fulfilled and remain a
priority focus.
c.
Review our people strategy. Develop recruitment, retention and development
strategies to ensure we have a skilled and motivated workforce.
d.
Improve communication and management information. Develop a clear internal
communications plan and drive towards the development of the data that will
enable evidence based decision making.
e.
Wise use of resources. Understand how we can buy in the most efficient way
possible as an organisation.
f.
Continued improvements in the school. Implement the education, health, care
and therapies plan to drive a sustainable educational model for the future.
2.
Progress the outstanding projects from 2014 – 17 strategy
a.
We set a series of projects in our last strategy and still have some to
complete. Our focus this year will be on delivering a focused PR campaign,
site development review, IT review, Volunteer’s strategy, three year financial
projections, review of skill sets and teams and a cultural change programme.
3.
Implement our strategy for 2017 and beyond
a.
We need to ensure we keep a focus on the future and develop our ambitions
for 2017 and beyond. Over the course of this year, in consultation with our
staff, families and children and other key stakeholders, a new strategy will be
developed.
We are committed to delivering quality services and place great emphasis on recruiting
the right people to help us achieve this. We actively support our people’s learning and
development and offer a competitive rates of pay, as well as a comprehensive package
of benefits which you will find outlined in the attached briefing pack. We also have a very
attractive working environment in Tadworth, Surrey, set on a 24 acre site, yet within easy
reach of London and the South East.
If you are excited by a challenge and have a passion for supporting children and their
families, I look forward to hearing from you.
Best wishes,
Dalton Leong
Chief Executive
Page 4
thechildrenstrust.org.uk
Registered office : Tadworth Court, Tadworth, Surrey, KT20 5RU.
Registered charity number 288018. A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales number 1757875.
The Charity
The Children’s Trust is the UK’s leading charity for children
We are the only paediatric centre with a national specialised
with brain injury and complex health needs.
commissioning contract (through NHS England) to provide
The charity provides rehabilitation, medical care, special
education, community services and expert information.
Rehabilitation for children with Acquired Brain Injury
A residential non-maintained special school for
children with Profound and Multiple Learning
Difficulties (PMLD).
•
millions raised through voluntary fundraising.
our 24 acre Tadworth site features a modern hydrotherapy
pool, accommodation for parents, specially adapted
equipment, soft play areas and a wheelchair-accessible
treehouse.
Support for children with ABI and their families in the
communities across the UK, through our Brain Injury
Community Services.
•
commissioners (such as clinical commissioning groups),
Thanks to the generosity of The Children’s Trust’s supporters,
(ABI).
•
injury. Our other services are funded through local health
social care and education authorities, together with the
Our key services are:
•
brain injury rehabilitation for children with severe brain
We run a non-maintained residential special school for
children with PMLD. The Children’s Trust School supports
children and young people from 3 to 19 years old and is
Online information and support via our publications
and braininjuryhub.co.uk.
Our residential services based at our national specialist
centre in Tadworth, Surrey, work in partnership with the NHS
and local authorities to provide a step-down pathway of care
between hospital and home. The centre is entirely child and
family focused to ensure that their needs are appropriately
supported.
dual-registered with the Care Quality Commission (the school
residential houses) and Ofsted.
The Children’s Trust is a charitable organisation with
approximately 595 committed staff and 560 volunteers with
a range of expertise across nursing and care, education,
therapy, operations and centralised support functions such
as finance, HR, fundraising and communications. A number
of these staff are based off site around the UK as part of our
community work or in our charity shop.
In the community, we provide clinical support to complement
local services and give children and young people with ABI
the best chance of succeeding at home and in school.
Page 5
thechildrenstrust.org.uk
Registered office : Tadworth Court, Tadworth, Surrey, KT20 5RU.
Registered charity number 288018. A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales number 1757875.
Safeguarding
The Children’s Trust is committed to safeguarding and
The Children’s Trust has policies on safer recruitment, the
promoting the welfare of children and young people.
recruitment of ex-offenders and criminal record checks,
To achieve our commitment, we will ensure continuous
please refer to the Resource Team for further information.
development and improvement of robust safeguarding
processes and procedures that promote a culture of
safeguarding amongst our workforce.
Equality and Diversity
The Children’s Trust recognises the value of diversity and
disability, race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief
is committed to equality of opportunity. We expect staff to
as stated in the Equality Act 2010. We expect all staff to
be treated with dignity and respect and solely on the basis
share this commitment and promote equality and diversity
of their merits, abilities and potential regardless of age,
amongst their teams.
sex, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status,
Our Values
Our ambition is to provide a professional service where the
vision & ambition. We require all of our staff to be actively
children and families are at the centre attention of what we
promoting and sharing our values that bring us closer to
do or us to be able to use this opportunity and to achieve this
achieving our goal.
Page 6
thechildrenstrust.org.uk
Registered office : Tadworth Court, Tadworth, Surrey, KT20 5RU.
Registered charity number 288018. A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales number 1757875.
Organisation & Structure
Senior
Leadership
Team
Dalton Leong
Chief Executive
Image
not yet
available
Sharron Costley
Interim Director
of Finance
Maggie Clancy
Director of
Clinical Services
Nicola Smith
Director of
Strategy & IT
Professor Gareth Morgan
Medical Director
Jud Tidnam
Director of People
& Organisational
Development
Samantha Newton
Headteacher,
The Children’s Trust School
Claire Wood Hill
Director of Fundraising
& Communications
Organisational Chart
Board
Chief Executive
Director of Finance
and Operations
Head of Finance
Page 7
Head of Facilities
Health & Safety
Manager
thechildrenstrust.org.uk
Registered office : Tadworth Court, Tadworth, Surrey, KT20 5RU.
Registered charity number 288018. A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales number 1757875.
Page 8
thechildrenstrust.org.uk
Registered office : Tadworth Court, Tadworth, Surrey, KT20 5RU.
Registered charity number 288018. A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales number 1757875.
Job Description
Job Title:
Working relationships:
Director of Finance & Operations
Reports to the Chief Executive. Works in close coordination
with the Senior Leadership Team and Board of Trustees.
Direct reports:
Head of Finance, Head of Facilities, Health and Safety Manager
Level:
Director – Senior Leadership Team
Location:
Based in Tadworth
Salary:
Circa £80,000 per annum
Job Purpose
Reporting to the Chief Executive as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), the Director of Finance and Operations
will ensure the provision of consistent, robust and expert financial advice to the Chief Executive and other SLT colleagues
together with effective leadership of Facilities and Operations; provide an effective management service to the Charity and act as
the leading interface between management and Trustees on financial matters.
To support the Chief Executive, Senior Leadership Team Board of Trustees in planning and delivering a strong and sustainable
financial future for the organisation, whilst seeking ways to maximise profitability and reduce financial risk in the short and
medium term.
To maintain robust financial controls and devise and implement appropriate policies across the Finance and Operations.
Page 9
thechildrenstrust.org.uk
Registered office : Tadworth Court, Tadworth, Surrey, KT20 5RU.
Registered charity number 288018. A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales number 1757875.
Duties and Responsibilities
Finance & Operational Delivery
•
To be responsible for the preparation of strategic
planning process, ensuring that profit targets are
managed effectively and that any surplus funds are
challenging yet realistic and that key financial risks
invested in an appropriate manner
formats, to be Finance and General Purpose
committee that budgets and cash flows are accurate
approval by the Board of Trustees before the end of
and properly managed and that key decisions are
March each year, based on these strategic long term
supported by robust financial and risk analysis
•
efficient Accounting, Banking and Cashiering,
information to the Board of Trustees and Senior
Stockholding, Purchasing and Financial Support
Leadership Team in respect of ensuring that the
service and to oversee the integrity of the
quality of information supports effective decision
Organisation’s financial systems
•
To be responsible for the insurance policies required
for the Organisation ensuring via our brokers that
To hold and lead monthly meetings regarding
they are value of money and fit for purpose, and that
financial performance in all areas and ensure all
any requirements and conditions of insurance are
budgets are confirmed and accurate for quarterly
promptly and effectively discharged
presentations to the Finance and Resources General
Purposes Committee
•
To support managers by critically analysing business
cases, contracts and financial proposals
To develop and maintain a system of robust financial
controls, underpinned by appropriate financial
•
relation to financial management
practices are embedded and that the organisation is
protected from fraud and error
To oversee procurement across the organisation
ensuring that correct and appropriate procedures are
To arrange/ conduct financial training for budget
holders to enable them to fulfil their responsibilities in
policies and procedures, to ensure efficient working
•
To be responsible for providing an effective and
To be responsible for the preparation of financial
reporting to senior leadership team is critical
•
To provide financial advice and papers, in agreed
the annual capital and current budget proposals for
making at each level. Accurate and timely monthly
•
•
Prepare with budget holders and senior managers
forecasts
•
To prepare and monitor the cash flow of the
Organisation, ensuring that working capital is
are identified and mitigated
•
•
financial plans and forecasts as part of the business
•
To be responsible for the preparation of the year end
statutory accounts and the annual statutory audit,
and the Organisation’s audit programme
followed in each case and that staff are trained and
supported in managing procurement throughout the
organisation
Page 10
thechildrenstrust.org.uk
Registered office : Tadworth Court, Tadworth, Surrey, KT20 5RU.
Registered charity number 288018. A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales number 1757875.
Team Management & Development
•
•
To lead and inspire finance and operations team in
•
To ensure that the finance and facilities team are
the provision of high quality business partnering and
fit for purpose and up to date with contemporary
adherence to professional quality standards
working methods.
To identify, assess and prioritise opportunities and
•
To manage, support and develop the team
risks which may affect the organisations ability to
successfully and motivating them celebrating success
deliver operational priorities, monitoring performance
and ensuring appropriate recognition
against key performance indicators
Company Secretarial & Governance
•
To be responsible for ensuring compliance with the
Companies Act and Memorandum and Articles of
Association
•
•
To be the organisation’s key contact for legal matters
•
Provide Company Secretary responsibilities, including
the timely submission of external; reporting with
Companies House and the Charity Commission
To ensure the Annual Return and other statutory
returns are submitted to the Charities Commission
(APPCT) and Companies House (APTL) within the
•
Treasurer, establish a close relation with each
appropriate time limits
•
Trustee to that each individual as an opportunity to
To call meetings of the Board of Directors and the
understand fully the key financial issues confronting
Finance Resources and Audit Committees as directed
the charity
by the Board; and ensure that notice of these
meetings is sent to the appropriate persons within the
•
To ensure that minutes and action points are kept of
Keep abreast of financial development, including the
charity sector
appropriate time limits
•
In close consultation with the Chief Executive and
•
Ensure effective risk management framework and
processes are in place
all meetings of the Directors and are appropriately
authorised and filed
Health & Safety
•
Lead the promotion of health and safety in
•
Ensure activities of health and safety department are
the organisation and communicate leadership
best practice in terms of health and safety compliance
commitment to health and safety
whilst ensuring they add value to the organisation
and do not create unnecessary bureaucracy
Facilities Management
•
Be responsible for ensuring the organisation’s
•
Support the Transport function and oversee
facilities and buildings are of the highest standards
development of an appropriate transport strategy for
and that they provide a safe and customer focussed
the organisation
environment for all staff and public to use and enjoy
Procurement
•
Responsible for overall management and efficient
running of the purchasing of services and supplies,
•
Contribute to strategic procurement advice to the
Chief Executive and members of the SLT
with appropriate and consistent processes and
procedures set and followed throughout the charity
Page 11
thechildrenstrust.org.uk
Registered office : Tadworth Court, Tadworth, Surrey, KT20 5RU.
Registered charity number 288018. A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales number 1757875.
Person Specification
Selection Criteria
Education & Qualifications
Essential
•
Educated to degree level
•
Qualified accountant with significant
Desirable
•
MBA
•
Familiarity with Charity Governance
post qualification experience
Experience
•
•
Demonstrable breadth of experience
of working at a Senior level in
and regulatory and statutory
a similar position (Finance &
requirements including SORP,
Operations)
knowledge of charity funding
level and of leading teams, including
periods of change
•
streams
Experience of working at a strategic
A balance of both commercial
background, ideally with some
experience within a charity,
•
Understanding of statutory donor
financial compliance, experience
of financial management of
commercial contracts and
competitive tenders
education or healthcare sector.
•
Experience of managing change in a
fast paced environment
•
Experience for developing, delivering
and monitoring financial strategy
•
Experiences of preparing, monitoring
and reporting budget and financial
management information
•
Some previous exposure to company
secretarial, legal and tax issues
relating to companies
•
Able to demonstrate creativity and
an entrepreneurial approach
•
Experience of managing significant
budgets successfully
•
Proven management experience in a
strategic or operational context
•
A hard working, strategic and
operational leader, not afraid to roll
up their sleeves where necessary
Page 12
thechildrenstrust.org.uk
Registered office : Tadworth Court, Tadworth, Surrey, KT20 5RU.
Registered charity number 288018. A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales number 1757875.
Selection Criteria
Skills & Abilities
Essential
•
Desirable
Resilient and remains calm in high pressurised
situations, accepts new assignments and challenges and
responds productively to change
•
Excellent working knowledge of accounting systems and
of desktop office systems such as Microsoft Outlook,
PowerPoint, Excel etc
•
Ability to contribute to the SLT in a consultative and
team-orientated style
•
Highly skilled in negotiating, persuading and influencing
– often involving complex, sensitive or contentious
information
•
Enthusiasm and ability to manage and motivate staff,
and to add appropriately to the strategic leadership of
the charity as a member of the SLT
•
Ability to translate strategic vision into key operational
objectives and ensure that these are achieved
•
Ability to work under pressure, rapid pace, change and
uncertainty
Knowledge
•
Shows consistency, flexibility and excels at leadership.
•
Track record of delivering innovative cost improvement
programmes
•
Evidence of integrating finance to a service driven
business planning model
Page 13
thechildrenstrust.org.uk
Registered office : Tadworth Court, Tadworth, Surrey, KT20 5RU.
Registered charity number 288018. A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales number 1757875.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, please provide the following two pieces of information:
•
A comprehensive CV, including details of your achievements in each role and including details of two referees.
•
A supporting statement, explaining how you believe your skills and experience match the requirements of the role,
directly addressing the person specification.
Applications should be submitted at the following website page:
Application Link
For an informal and confidential discussion about the role, please contact:
Melissa Baxter, Director of Executive Search: 07789 985229
melissa.baxter@russam-gms.co.uk
Marsha Gosling, Executive Search Consultant: 07818 509690
marsha.gosling@russam-gms.co.uk
Timetable
Closing Date: Monday 3rd October 2016
Preliminary Interviews: w/c Monday 17th October 2016
Final Interview: w/c Monday 7th November 2016
Page 14
thechildrenstrust.org.uk
Registered office : Tadworth Court, Tadworth, Surrey, KT20 5RU.
Registered charity number 288018. A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales number 1757875.