Head of Finance

Post Title: Head of Finance
Contract Type: Permanent
Workplace: Hybrid, Preston

“The EFL is about two things – great football competitions and supporting communities 365 days a year”.

EFL in the Community (EFLitC) is the charitable arm of the English Football League (EFL). With more than 40 million people living within 10 miles of an EFL Club, the potential to connect with local people is as great as it has ever been. EFLitC was established to support the groundbreaking work of the EFL Football Club charities. This network of charities across England and Wales use the power of the Club badge to reach people who might not normally join other groups or services. They deliver a wide range of initiatives focused on improving health and wellbeing; raising aspirations and realising potential – building stronger, more cohesive EFL communities. This role will sit on our Senior Leadership Team and be responsible for the organisation's financial strategy and governance. This role is perfect if you are looking for a role that will have a genuine impact on people's lives through the power of sport.

JOB PURPOSE

The Head of Finance for EFL in the Community sits on its Senior Leadership Team and is responsible for the organisation’s financial strategy and governance. The Head of Finance will ensure that best practice is followed throughout the organisation and will provide advice and guidance across the 72 Football Club charities.

The Head of Finance oversees the production of all financial statements and management information, and the monitoring of all financial activity, including financial analysis and forecasting. The Head of Finance will also oversee the management of project income, expenditure and distributions to subcontractors.

Due to the Shared Services model operated across EFL in the Community and the EFL, the role will report directly into the EFL’s Group Head of Finance and Chief Financial Officer, whilst also separately report into the Director of Community as part of being on the charity’s Senior Leadership Team.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

STRATEGIC FINANCE, REPORTING & BUSINESS PARTNERING

• Prepare and report the organisation’s financial position and risk profile to the Charity’s Audit and Risk Committee and External Stakeholders and System Partners, as required. 
• Prepare financial reporting and analysis for the Director of Community prior to all Board of Trustee meetings
•  Develop and lead the organisation’s financial strategy
• Offer financial insight and recommendations to the Senior Leadership Team and where required, the Board of Trustees
• Business partner with the Senior Leadership Team, Senior Management Team and project leads to support budgeting, forecasting, programme implementation and ongoing assessment of project financial and operational performance
• Oversee the production and continued development of monthly management information, financial and operational dashboards, and integrated financial and non-financial performance measures for the Senior Leadership Team, Audit and Risk Committee and Board of Trustees

FINANCE OPERATIONS, PLANNING & TEAM LEADERSHIP

• Manage the finance department, ensuring that team members understand their roles, responsibilities and expectations and receive appropriate, timely and accurate information, training and ongoing development
• Oversee cash management and planningWork with the Senior Management Team to manage the financial elements of supplier contracts and present business performance to internal and external stakeholders
• Manage the preparation of departmental budgets and forecasts, liaising with internal and external stakeholders in a timely and appropriate manner
• Manage the process through which EFL in the Community distributes income to its partner Football Club charities
• Manage the charity’s banking relationships.
• Lead the development of financial controls while streamlining processes within the finance function

GOVERNANCE, RISK, COMPLIANCE & ASSURANCE

• Oversee the timely and appropriate completion of quarterly VAT returns
• Take responsibility for financial due-diligence procedures relating to proposed commercial partners
• Alongside, the Charity’s Contracts, Risk and Data Protection Manager, lead the organisation’s governance, risk and compliance arrangements, including maintaining the corporate risk framework, supporting the Risk Committee and providing assurance to the Board of Trustees
• Develop, maintain and oversee the organisation’s financial and corporate policy framework, ensuring policies remain current, aligned with shared-service requirements and capable of supporting bids, tenders and organisational assurance
• Oversee the annual audit process
• Prepare and oversee the preparation of the annual financial statements
• File the annual Charity Commission return
• Support the EFL’s Company Secretary who oversees statutory filings, supporting effective Board governance and ensuring compliance with the organisation’s constitutional and regulatory requirements

EXTERNAL LEADERSHIP & NETWORK SUPPORT

• Represent the organisation as a senior leader not only within the charity, but also across its network and with external stakeholders
• Provide guidance to Football Club charities
• Undertake any other duties or projects as required
• Lead by example by contributing to promoting the principles of the EFL and EFL in the Community

1. Everybody working together - We are one team supporting each other and collaborating on our shared goals
2. Fairness and equality - Being consistent and inclusive for everyone and showing and treating everybody with respect.
3. Listening and learning - Communicating with trust and honesty, growing as individuals and enabling others to do so too
4. Changing Lives - We support the communities and Clubs we serve

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

KNOWLEDGE & UNDERSTANDING

• Charity finance: Strong knowledge of charity accounting, the Charities SORP, restricted and unrestricted funds, reserves, cash flow, audit, taxation (specifically charity VAT) and regulatory reporting
• Strategic leadership: Experience developing financial strategy and providing clear advice and assurance to senior leadership teams, Audit and Risk Committees and Boards of Trustees
• Desirable: Experience in a national charity, federated network, membership body, governing body or other organisation supporting independent local partners; experience in the youth, sport, community or public-benefit sectors would be advantageous. 

TECHNICAL SKILLS

• Qualifications: CCAB-qualified accountant, with substantial post-qualification experience in a senior finance leadership role.
• Funding and contracts: Experience overseeing public, charitable and commercial funding, including grants, contracts, partner payments and financial due diligence.
• Governance and compliance: Experience of risk management, policy oversight and compliance with Charity Commission, Companies House and other regulatory requirements.
• Systems and improvement: A strong record of improving financial controls, implementing or optimising finance systems, automating processes and developing integrated management information and dashboards.

ATTRIBUTES 

• High Standards of Reporting: Able to present clear and professional reports and financial analysis that can be used for Board and Audit & Risk Committee presentations and papers.
• People leadership: Experience leading and developing a finance team, strengthening technical capability, supporting effective delegation and building team resilience
• Communication and judgement: Able to explain complex financial and regulatory matters clearly, exercise sound judgement and work confidently with trustees, funders, auditors, advisers and operational colleagues
• Lead by example by contributing to promoting the principles of the EFL

INTRODUCTION TO EFL IN THE COMMUNITY

The EFL is about two things; great football competition on the pitch and improving lives of people in communities off it. With more than 40 million people living within 10 miles of an EFL Club, the potential to connect with local people is as great as it has ever been.

EFL in the Community is the charitable arm of the EFL (English Football League). 

EFL in the Community (formerly the EFL Trust) was established in 2008 to support the groundbreaking work of EFL Football Club charities. 
This network of charities across England and Wales use the power of the Club badge to reach people who might not normally join other groups or services. They deliver a wide range of initiatives focused on improving health and wellbeing; raising aspirations and realising potential – building stronger, more cohesive EFL communities. 
Focusing on creating healthier, more connected communities that are full of opportunities, the Football Club charities engage over 1.2 million participants and generate a total of £1.42 billion worth of social value across the full range of community initiatives and programmes. 

OUR TEAM AT THE EFLitC

Alongside  the  key  skills, experience and attributes – we want people to join us to show energy, commitment and belief in what we are trying to do for the good of our Football Club Charities, our Clubs, our partners and most of all – our communities
Our  recruitment  process  will  be rigorous and demanding (but hopefully enjoyable!) and so will our role. In return, we offer honesty, integrity, and a unique opportunity to work within an exciting, and ever changing, sector
Our  employees and volunteers  are  crucial  to  our success  and  equality,  diversity  and inclusion (using an equity approach)   are  fundamental  elements of building our team. Each of us come from different backgrounds and have an  array  of  qualifications,  skills  and  life experiences.
If you have any particular requirements in  respect  of  the  recruitment  or interview process please mention this in your application

SAFEGUARDING

The EFL is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and adults at risk and require all employees to share this commitment and promote the welfare of these groups.
Applicants will be asked about any previous convictions and cautions. Amendments to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (2013 and 2020) provides that when applying for certain jobs and activities, certain convictions and cautions are considered ‘protected’. This means that they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Guidance about whether a conviction or caution should be disclosed can be found on the Ministry of Justice website.

INCLUSION

The EFL is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.
Applicants fulfilling the criteria will be considered in a meritocratic way and without regard to race, ethnicity, religion or belief(s), gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age or with regards to pregnancy or maternity.
If you have any particular requirements in respect of the recruitment or interview process, please mention this in your application.

The EFL reserves the right to close this vacancy early should we receive enough applications.