We are seeking a Director of Finance to Lead on the development of high quality strategies, policies, systems and procedures relating to your service area that enable Bernicia to meet its objectives for financial viability, business efficiency and growth, through the provision of financial information, advice and services, by providing a point of accountability for financial issues as a financial expert.
Bernicia Group, Northumberland/Durham/Newcastle Upon Tyne
Salary £106,087
The Role
You will lead the finance functions across the Group to deliver outstanding financial planning, treasury management, and financial services. Oversee all group insurance and procurement services. To be an active and effective member of the Senior Leadership Team working co-operatively with the Chief Executive, Executive Team, Board members and director colleagues on all matters of corporate strategy to ensure a growing and sustainable Bernicia. Provide leadership in developing a culture that emphasises agility, continuous improvement, customer-oriented service provision and the Group’s values.
Operational Accountabilities
- Optimise resources, ensuring you operate an appropriate establishment and structure. Recruit, lead, develop and motivate staff within your function to provide high quality, value for money financial, treasury management, procurement & insurance services.
- Develop, recommend, prepare and implement financial plans, budgets and accounts and ensure effective financial management, monitoring, reporting and controls are in place.
- Ensure that adequate funding is in place to enable the delivery of strategic objectives.
- Oversee the production, preparation and audit of financial statements and regulatory and statutory returns.
- Undertake appropriate sensitivity analysis.
- Advise on financial strategies to continuously optimise Bernicia’s financial position and mitigate financial risks and exposure.
- Implement the treasury management strategy, policy and procedures.
- Maintain and implement risk management procedures for capital projects and all other areas of financial risk to the Group ensuring appropriate financial appraisal models are established and utilised.
- Ensure appropriate insurance cover and arrangements for the Group.
- Ensure an effective procurement service is provided to the Group that complies with legislative requirements.
Strategic
- Support the Executive Director, Finance in the Strategic Planning process through the identification of options that will enhance our overall financial capacity whilst maintaining long term financial viability.
- Support the Executive Director, Finance in the management of the Groups treasury management function, ensuring effective and prudent policies and procedures are in place, and including negotiations and relationships with funders.
- Support the development and implementation of Bernicia’s core strategies through the provision of high quality, timely, and relevant financial information and advice to the Corporate Directors and by aiding their understanding of how each Directorate’s finances behave under differing assumptions and economic conditions.
- To develop, recommend and implement financial strategies, plans and policies that enable the management of costs to achieve economies, efficiencies and effectiveness across the whole of the business.
- Research industry good practice and identify opportunities to develop and/or improve your service area.
- Provide high level advice and produce timely reports to support the executive team, boards, committees and management teams on matters relating to your function, and the financial viability of the Group.
- Represent Bernicia on key strategic partnerships to complement and enhance your service area.
Corporate
- To provide motivational leadership and support to line managers and their teams, ensuring clarity of direction, effective communication and development of personal potential.
- Role model that provides a consistent leadership style that reinforces agility, continuous improvement and a focus on building operational capabilities to see opportunities and challenges, to develop solutions and share and embed learning.
- Raise Bernicia’s profile in the sector generally and in particular with peers, partner organisations, funders and stakeholders. Develop a network of contacts with appropriate agencies and individuals likely to assist in achieving Bernicia’s objectives.
- Actively contribute to the development and implementation of group wide strategies, polices and standards.
- Ensure that core policies relating to standards of behaviour, equality and diversity, customer care, people management, data protection and health and safety are fully implemented, along with an appropriate system for identifying, appraising and managing risks in your service area, consistent with Bernicia’s risk management strategy.
Qualifications
- Relevant professional financial qualification e.g. CIPFA, ACCA, CIMA.
- Management qualification (desirable).
- Evidence of continually developing professional knowledge.
Experience
- Significant senior level management experience, ideally within social housing.
- Involvement in the management of a debt funded organisation (desirable).
- Formulating and implementing policies that promote customer service and best practice.
- Proven ability to work effectively with Boards, Committees or similar voluntary bodies.
- Promoting equality and diversity in relation to employment and service delivery.
- Proven success in building effective partnerships.
Knowledge/Understanding
- Sound knowledge of current and future challenges facing social housing and understanding of public sector issues and sensitivities.
- Understanding of RSH and other regulatory requirements. (desirable)
- Well-developed understanding of the dynamics of business and financial management and planning within a complex organisation.
- Up to date knowledge of legislative frameworks and key issues relevant to the post.
Personal Qualities
- A confident and effective decision maker.
- Able to demonstrate high standards of personal resilience and integrity.
- Able to work under pressure and public scrutiny and deliver results to tight deadlines.
- Committed to continuous development of own skills and knowledge.
- Able to be flexible in approach to working hours.
- A strong commitment to high quality customer service.
Adaptability and Resilience
- Adapt positively to change.
- Handles pressures of meeting targets and deadlines.
- Adopts a flexible approach to the requirements of the job.
Closing date for applications: Friday 4th October.
There will be the opportunity for shortlisted candidates to meet the Chief Executive and the Executive Director of Finance prior to the formal interviews.
Informal meetings will take place during October
Formal interviews will take place week early November.
Further details and information on how to apply can be found on the microsite:
https://bernicia.castlepeak-group.com/
or by emailing james.carss@castlepeak-group.com
The Group is fully committed to the promotion of equal opportunities and we particularly welcome applicants from group who are currently under represented at Bernicia.
