Accounts Payable Team Leader Jobs in Croydon, Greater London

Introducing Harington

Harington is an Ofsted registered specialist college based in North London rated good, working with around 52 young people with learning differences aged 16-25. Our mission is to create an inclusive environment, that delivers outstanding personalised education, learning, and support, which leads to further education, employment opportunities, and a fulfilling life for each of our students. 

We specialise in horticulture, retail and general employability. Our students undertake individualised learning programmes and supported internships that lead to vocational qualifications and achieving other aims. We support the wellbeing of our young people through providing mentoring, counselling, enrichment and other one-to-one support.

Our charity has two learning centres in Highgate and Hornsey. We also operate a gardening business and two charity shops, providing income for our charity, work experience placements for our students and employment for 14 young people. We work with local employers and partners to provide work experience and other opportunities for our students.

The Role

This is an exciting time to join the Harington, as we have recently appointed a new Principal/CEO. We want to ensure that the Harington is able to fulfil and secure its mission to benefit our young people, both now and into the future.

In the next year we will consolidate what we do well and seek to strengthen the areas where we could do better. The Interim COO will work with all stakeholders and closely with the Principal/CEO to review, plan and implement the necessary changes. The role is initially for 9 months, but it is anticipated that it will continue after the initial review and planning period.  

This Interim Chief Operating Officer role will:-

1)Support the development and implementation of the strategic plan and through the annual Operations Plan and Budget, and be responsible for measuring and evaluating progress against goals and targets

2)Drive excellence and efficiency across Finance, HR, Governance, Operations, and IT, strengthening and embedding the right policies, systems, processes, technology and infrastructure ensuring seamless execution and robust management of risk.

3)Manage our three commercial businesses (two charity shops and Harington Gardeners) so they meet our social, learning and business aims

4)Oversee Harington’s fundraising so we secure the income we need from trusts and foundations, individual donors and community fundraising

5)Ensure effective management of the buildings and estate of a multi-site organisation, and the support services required to provide a suitable and safe environment for learning and working, that meets the required health and safety standards

6) Ensure that all staff feel valued and supported, with effective management of staff, operations and administration

The person

 You are an exceptional senior leader that is passionate about achieving the best outcomes for young people with learning differences.

Working as part of the senior leadership and management team you will ensure that Harington is a safe environment where students can learn, work, thrive and grow. You will ensure our staff team is valued and supported, and our management team and trustees are kept up to date and fully informed.

You are an energetic, organised, and positive team player, similarly comfortable working independently. It is a very varied role and one that needs calm focus as well as spontaneity and initiative.

You are adept at getting to the root of an issue, finding the solution and making things run smoothly and efficiently.

We are open to discussing flexible working arrangements and would consider 4 days a week or compressed hours.

Essential skills

• Successful senior leader within a medium sized organisation for a minimum of three years, with a results-proven track record
• Worked in charity and/or education setting
• Sound understanding of financial management, reporting and accounting systems
• Experience of successfully managing and implementing changes to improve the way things run
• Highly motivated and driven self-starter, able to adapt quickly when priorities change
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Office products and database management systems
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience in creating high-level reports and presentations

Our benefits 

In addition to excellent staff training, our employees are also rewarded with various other benefits offered as part of your employment: 

• Confidential employee assistance programme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Fully paid for DBS
• Contributory pension scheme

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion 

We value diversity and positively welcome applications from all backgrounds. This will help ensure our workforce better reflects the diverse wider community we support. Applicants who declare a disability and meet the minimum criteria for the role will be guaranteed an interview.

Safeguarding 

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing and safety of our students and our staff.  We expect everybody working for the Harington to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be required to undertake an enhanced disclosure through the Disclosure and Barring Service for applications of employment as part of our safeguarding procedures.

Some of our positions involve regulated activity relevant to vulnerable children, adults and young people. It is a criminal offence for people who are barred from working in regulated activity to apply for roles that require them to work unsupervised with that particular group. Our vacancies are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

All offers are conditional and subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks and references including an enhanced DBS check. The salary range advertised is based on the full-time equivalent and appointment on the scale is dependent on the role, qualifications and experience.