Job Title:
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE & CENTRAL SERVICES
Reports To:
Chief Executive Officer
Key Relationships: Director of Fundraising, Senior Management Team,
Honorary Treasurer
Background
Cardinal Basil Hume founded the Centre in 1986; we offer a diverse range of
services for homeless young people, families in need and the local community on one
site. The Centre enables people to gain the skills and support they need to
overcome poverty and homelessness.
We have a person-focussed approach which encourages us to recognise that each
human being is different with complex needs and so our response needs to be multilayered. Therefore we offer six principle service packages: residential services for
homeless young people; family services for children and families; housing, welfare
rights and money management advice; employment support; learning and skills
(English, IT and Adult Learning); and immigration advice and advocacy.
The Centre takes the Benedictine ethos of our founder seriously, ensuring that we
offer a non-judgemental welcome and a stable and safe environment for people in
need to seek help and support.
With an annual income in the region of £2.3 million, there are currently 54 staff
members. In addition, the Centre benefits from the generous and diverse
contribution of volunteers; there are currently some 130 active volunteers.
The Director of Finance and Central Services manages the Finance Team, the
Central Services Team and the Information Systems Manager. The Finance Team
consists of a Senior Finance Officer and a part-time Finance Officer. The Central
Services Team is led by the Facilities Manager with two Central Service Officers.
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Key Purpose
The Director of Finance and Central Services is a member of the Centre’s Senior
Management Team (SMT) and acts as the lead professional advisor to the Chief
Executive and Board of Trustees regarding matters relating to the services for which
the Director is responsible.
The Director of Finance and Central Services will have a key role as a corporate
leader to ensuring the Centre operates with a high level of effectiveness and
accountability. The Director will work with SMT colleagues to ensure that the
organisation takes clear decisions and prioritises effectively to enable it to deliver its
mission and strategy.
The Director of Finance and Central Services will have lead accountability for the
strategic development and efficient delivery of all aspects of finance, IT and facilities
management.
Key Tasks
Financial Strategy & Business Planning
 Lead the development and implementation of the Centre’s financial strategy
and annual budgeting processes.
 Support the Chief Executive in the development and implementation of the
Centre’s annual Business Plan.
 Ensure that there is effective financial planning and forecasting processes in
place.
 Support the SMT in the management of the Centre’s finances to ensure that
key decisions are taken in the context of both the Centre’s immediate and
longer term financial health.
Financial Control & Reporting
 Be responsible for the financial management systems to ensure the most
effective use of financial resources.
 Monitor and deal with the administration of investments within the
framework set by the Finance Committee.
 Undertake audit preparation and liaising with the auditors to ensure
completion on schedule.
 Preparation of Statutory accounts including Compliance with Statements of
Recommended Practice and Company Law etc to meet audit standards, in
liaison with the Chief Executive and Treasurer.
 Devise and update policies relating to financial control following
recommended good practice.
 Advise on statutory compliance including compliance with charity accounting
procedures and demands, and company law, and ensuring all necessary filings
are made including Annual Returns, PAYE, Gift Aid and other returns as
appropriate.
 Ensure employees are paid appropriately and efficiently. Advise the Chief
Executive on payroll related matters.
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Ensure there is robust and effective financial reporting to meet the
requirements and needs of the Board, Management and donors.
Report to the Board of Trustees on the financial security and stewardship of
the Centre.
Provide assurance to the Board of Trustees, through working closely with
the Centre’s Treasurer, around all financial matters. Attend, participate and
lead on the Finance and Audit Committee to enable it to discharge its duties
effectively.
Governance & Risk
 Ensure that the Chief Executive, SMT and Board are informed of any issues
arising from directorate activities that may pose governance, reputational,
legal or other risk to the organisation and to advise as appropriate on the
most effective ways to manage such risks in in line with Centre’s risk
management framework.
 To act as Company Secretary for the Charity and ensure that the Charity
follows best practice and complies with all legal obligations.
 Liaise with bankers, solicitors, auditors, insurers and other advisers on
matters affecting the Centre and provide advice to the Chief Executive and
Trustees on legal matters and constitutional issues as appropriate.
 Strengthen and maintain the Centre’s risk management framework, ensuring
that key risks are identified and managed appropriately.
 Attend, participate and lead on the Risk and Compliance Committee.
Central Services, Facilities & Information Systems
 Ensure that the Centre’s Information Systems provide secure, resilient,
sustainable information and communications that best support the Centre’s
business objectives.
 Ensure that the facilities management team effectively and efficiently manage
the Centre’s property including establishing long term plans for the
development of facilities to support business objectives.
Leadership and Management
 As a member of the Centre’s Senior Management Team to provide strong
leadership in the development and implementation of overall strategy, and act
as an advocate for the organisation.
 Implement and support the development and maintenance of a high
performing and positive culture which consistently adds value to the impact
of the Centre’s work.
 Lead the Finance, Information Systems & Central Services teams ensuring
that their activities are directed to best deliver the Centre’s strategic
objectives and priorities to greatest impact. Ensure that the teams exemplify
high ethical and professional standards and best practice.
 Be accountable for the effective management of staff and volunteers within
the Finance and Central Services Departments, provide support and guidance
to staff and volunteers to ensure they are delivering their roles effectively and
take prompt action to address performance issues when required.
 Maintain awareness of trends and relevant changes and developments in the
external environment and advise of their implications as relevant.
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Person Specification:
Essential
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ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent Accounting qualification
Experience in the preparation of financial and management accounts
(including balance sheets and cash flow forecasts), and maintaining effective
financial systems including monthly bank reconciliation.
Experience of setting, managing and reviewing budgets
Ability to produce and implement a financial framework, including tracking of
restricted income, and supply forecasting information
Experience of using and developing IT accounting packages and EXCEL
spreadsheets, and management knowledge of IT and systems development
Excellent staff management and supervision skills
Excellent organisational and good communication skills
Experience of negotiating and managing contracts
Ability to build strong working relationships with staff at all levels
Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries
An open and approachable manner and a willingness to coach other staff in
basic financial skills
Commitment to the Centre’s ethos and values
Willingness to work flexibly including some early evening and occasional
weekend work
Desirable
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Experience of charity accounting regulations and procedures
Experience in using the Exchequer accounting package is highly desirable
Experience of preparing financial information for statutory funders
Experience of managing and supporting volunteers
Knowledge of company law
Working knowledge of Health and Safety compliance issues
Knowledge of Risk Management.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
Starting salary:
Holidays:
Notice Period:
Pension:
£50,000
24 days, 26 after one year’s service, 28 after two years’ service
Three Months
The Centre provides a stakeholder pension scheme and will
match employee contributions up to a maximum of 6%.
Probation Period:
6 months
Season Ticket Loan: Available.
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The Centre requires all its staff and volunteers to respect the ethos of the Centre
and to be in sympathy with its aims and objectives. A commitment to respecting and
implementing the Centre’s Equal Opportunity Policy is also expected.
The Centre requires its staff to recognise the valuable role that volunteers play in
the work of the Centre and to welcome and support volunteers with whom they
work.
The Centre requires all its staff and volunteers to undertake an enhanced DBS police
check.
Our Founding Ethos
The Centre takes the Benedictine ethos of our founder seriously, ensuring that we
offer a non-judgemental welcome and a stable and safe environment for people in
need to seek help and support.
“Each person matters; no human life is redundant. Every individual must be given the
opportunity to live a life in which his or her basic needs are provided for and in which, so far
as is reasonably possible, their full potential is realized.”
Cardinal Basil Hume OSB
Our Vision
The Centre strives towards a society where every individual will have a safe place to
live and where their right to develop is respected and supported.
Our Mission: Turning Lives Around
The Cardinal Hume Centre enables people to gain the skills and support they need
to overcome poverty and homelessness.
Our Values
Integrity: we strive to be true to our founding ethos and to living out our vision
and mission; we are accountable to all our stakeholders.
Respect: we seek to be non-judgemental, to listen, and acknowledge each other’s
worth and to put people at the centre of our work.
Inclusiveness: we promote equality of access to our services and support each
client to access the same life opportunities as everyone else.
Compassion: we will demonstrate our care for each individual who comes to the
Centre in the quality and consistency of the services we offer to them.
Empowerment: we will provide holistic support to our clients in helping them to
identify their needs and in making informed choices about their lives
Collaboration: we will work together with others who share our values, seeking
partnerships to augment and complement our service offer.
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