Financial Director in Cheltenham

Our client is one of England’s largest independent not-for-profit social enterprise agencies, dedicated to supporting new businesses and start-ups. With over 40 years of continuous operation, the business has helped more than 100,000 individuals on their entrepreneurial journey - providing expert advice, high-quality workspace and practical training, while contributing significantly to regional job creation.

The Board is seeking to appoint a Finance Director to provide clear leadership with regards both financial governance and financial operations of the business. This is a rare opportunity to help shape the future of a respected social enterprise with national influence and deep community roots. Their mission-driven culture, commercial mindset and commitment to inclusive economic growth make this an exciting opportunity.

As Finance Director, your responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Developing, maintaining and publishing financial information on a regular basis, including cash flow statements, income and expenditure accounts and balance sheet.
• Preparing pre-payments / accruals / inter-company recharges and overseeing the completion of purchase invoice processes.
• Ensuring that company financial systems are robust, compliant and support current statutory and management reporting.
• Preparing and submitting VAT, PAYE, pension and all compliance related schedule in a timely manner.
• Updating, reviewing and documenting financial policies and procedures.
• Overseeing the production of the year-end accounts, supporting schedules and liaison with external bodies.
• Accountable for capital expenditure and maximising treasury management.
• Ensuring the recruitment, retention and engagement of a motivated and high performing finance team.

In addition, the role will also have responsibility for but not limited to:

• Strategy and Organisational Leadership - contributing to the development of strategy, its preparation and implementation and providing continuous evaluation and analysis of the service offering to enable improvement.
• Digital Innovation - supporting the successful growth and increase service improvements from client service teams whilst supporting the development and implementation of ecommerce across digital services and finance systems.
• Stakeholders and Partners - representing the company, developing and strengthening relationships/partnerships and undertaking effective external communications with key stakeholders, contracts, and partners.
• Board Directors – building a relationship with the Chair of the Finance Committee and Board Directors, supporting the important role that Directors play in governance of the business.
• Compliance – ensuring the business operates within line Data Protection and AMLR regulations.

The Candidate ideally of graduate standard or higher, preferably from within a finance, accounting or business related discipline, candidates for the Finance Director role will also be able to demonstrate that they:

• Have completed a further financial qualification (i.e. ACA, CIMA, ACCA or equivalent).
• Have previous experience working as a Finance Director or in a similar senior financial leadership role.
• Are able to develop and deliver robust, strategic financial plans.
• Have previous experience of the property, facilities, contracts, building developments or digital services sectors would be beneficial but not essential.
• Have excellent presentation skills, with the ability to be flexible in a challenging environment.
• Are highly proficient in financial software and MS Office applications including Excel and PowerPoint.
• Have the ability to be commercially astute, analytical and results driven with a strong commitment to success and excellence.

Candidates for the Finance Director role should also be:

• A strong and capable leader who can engage and inspire.
• A pro-active, hands-on type individual, who demonstrates initiative and has a positive, professional attitude.
• Financially literate with the ability to translate and convey detailed financial information clearly and concisely.
• An excellent communicator, with a strong commitment to success and the ability to motivate and influence at the highest level.
• Capable of working effectively both within a team, but also under their own initiative; are used to multi-tasking and can prioritise their workload in order to meet exacting deadlines.

Candidates for the Finance Director role will ideally hold a full UK driving licence and be prepared to travel from time to time to the various business sites in and around Hertfordshire and North London.