Finance Director

Responsible to: Chief Executive

Responsible for: Finance Team

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Contract: Permanent

Location: Baca office, Loughborough, England with regular travel to Cambridge and locations where Baca’s services are delivered

Overall purpose

Provide strategic financial leadership for Baca and be accountable for the provision of financial and performance information to enable the Leadership Team and the Board to ensure Baca is financially sustainable for the purpose of achieving its vision and mission.

Core skill will be as a qualified accountant but you will demonstrate a range of experience leading teams and delivering a range of projects across the organisation using a joint working approach. As a member of the Leadership Team, you will work alongside other senior leaders to shape the strategic direction of the charity and ensure that its aims and objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Resource Planning, Budgeting and Reporting

• To direct Baca annual budget setting and longer term strategic financial planning, with robust analysis of income, expenditure, forecasts and cashflow.
• To deliver high quality financial reporting, providing advice and support, in writing and verbally, as required for the Leadership Team, the Finance and Fundraising sub-group and the Board of Trustees.
• To ensure budget holders receive up to date timely and accurate management accounts and information in order to maintain day to day control of the expenditure budget.
• Encouraging innovation and seeking best practice from inside and outside the sector.
• Identifying and responding to long-term strategic risks, challenges and opportunities to enable Baca achieving its Strategic Goals.
• Continually enhance the processes and procedures in place for resource allocation and monitoring at all levels of the charity
• Provide proactive assessment of opportunities to deliver efficiencies in collaboration with departments where necessary.

Leadership and Organisational Responsibilities

• As a member of the Leadership Team (LT), be a role model in practicing Baca’s values in order to achieve our Vision and Mission, prioritising the outcomes of the young people in all activities of the role.
• Together with the CEO, ensure all members of work with the Finance and Fundraising sub-group are regularly informed of all key strategic activity by leading the executive input and support to the Finance and Fundraising sub-group.
• Support the CEO to undertake negotiations with other organisations where necessary on matters of securing of resources.
• Ensure regulatory compliance with internal policy and procedures alongside external requirements of Charity Commission and Companies House.
• Undertake and deliver in the role as Company Secretary
• Steward Baca’s resources to effectively, economically and efficiently to achieve our Vision and Mission in line with our Values.
• Communicate effectively, internally and externally, ensuring accurate and efficient flow of information across the organisation ensuring finance plans are understood and supported by all involved with the organisation.
• Lead on financial aspects of subsidiary businesses if relevant
• Work at all times within the policies and procedures of Baca
• Respect at all times the confidentiality of information covering young people, staff and volunteers.
• Play an active part in the development and maintenance of good relationships with all who have business with Baca.
• Be proactive and willing to undertake other duties to help maintain our high standard of support and responsibility towards the young people we serve.

Financial Systems, Control and Accounting

• Oversee the integrity of all financial systems: Develop, monitor and manage the organisation’s financial systems, policies, procedures and internal controls and the development of a consistent approach across Baca.
• To lead the preparation of the organisation’s accounts for audit in accordance with current accounting good practice and Charity Commission’s Standards of Recommended Practice (SORP), liaising with the auditors and present the final accounts to the Finance and Fundraising sub-group and Board for approval.
• To be responsible for adhering to financial delegated authorities as agreed with the Chief Executive and Board.
• To implement, oversee and review Baca’s systems of financial risk management and controls assurance.
• To ensure the purchasing system operates effectively, ensuring sufficient supplies and services by working closely with the Operations Director.
• To lead the payroll provision and ensure that salary and related payments are made accurately and timely.
• To ensure that an appropriate register of assets are maintained accurately.
• To ensure that Baca has adequate cash holdings and cash is moved to interest bearing accounts as appropriate in line with Baca’s ethical asset management policy.

Team and People Management:

• Create, lead, manage, inspire and develop the finance team promoting Baca’s values by being visible, participative and encouraging cross team working
• Effectively manage the performance of the team, ensuring they are working to agreed objectives, delivering outcomes and that they receive appropriate training and support.
• Support theteam in day to day troubleshooting and administration where necessary.
• Develop and deliver integrated annual strategic objectives for all direct reports and their teams
• To keep abreast of legislation affecting financial accounting, that may be relevant to Baca, and to keep the Chief Executive fully aware of any relevant changes in the law.
• To maintain awareness of the fundraising, income generation and marketing environment
• To maintain and increase personal professional skills.

A full Job Description is available on the Baca website. The successful applicant will be required to have an enhanced DBS check. The deadline for applications is 29 April 2024.