Interim Head of Finance (Maternity Cover)

ROLE SUMMARY 

 

Supported by the Finance and Operations Manager, the Head of Finance leads UKCF’s finance function and is responsible for managing UKCF’s resources and ensuring operational effectiveness.   

This role reports to the Chief Operating Officer, is accountable to both the Board and the Finance, Audit and Operations Committee and manages the finance team.   

The Head of Finance will lead the delivery of the financial strategy and will be an active member of the Senior Management team working closely with colleagues on a range of activities.  These will include contract negotiations, setting KPIs for our strategy and participating in member facing activities.   

As a remote organisation, we work in project teams to deliver training, advice and support for our members.  As Head of Finance, you will be responsible for the Finance and Operations Community of Practice, delivering online network learning-focused meetings once every 2 months, which alternate between finance and then wider operations.  You will be a resource for our members, as well as for the UKCF team. 

As Head of Finance, you will help UKCF support the development of community foundations and the building of thriving communities across the UK.  

 

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES 

 

Management  

 

• Play a key role in the Senior Management Team.   

• Manage and develop those working in the finance team, ensuring they are inspired and equipped to deliver ambitious but achievable goals that are aligned with UKCF’s strategy.   

• Ensure that appropriately robust processes and systems are in place to support operational effectiveness and to deliver business plans.  

• Act as an ambassador for UKCF.  

 

Finance and Risk Management 

 

• Provide clear analyses and expertise on all areas of finance including budgeting, planning, modelling, and forecasting to support decision making.  

• Work with the CEO and other directors to develop annual and multi-year budgets.  

• Ensure that financial operational plan is updated in line with the strategic and business plans.  

• Develop a good working relationship with the Treasurer and lead on the relationship with Finance, Audit and Operations committee. 

• Oversee UKCF’s financial processes and ensure that management accounting information is accurate and delivered in a timely manner. 

• Manage the relationship with the auditors, supervising the annual audit and preparation of the annual report and accounts. 

• Ensure compliance in terms of VAT and ensuring procedures are in place to maximise efficiency. 

• Oversee the financial risks on the organisational risk register. Work with the Senior Management Team to ensure that risks are known, well defined and managed across the organisation. 

 

Management Information and Financial Planning  

  

• Lead the preparation of financial management information, including quarterly management accounts and reforecast. 

• Act as the finance business partner in UKCF, supporting and advising all areas of the business.  

• Assist in the development of UKCF’s wider financial strategy to ensure the prudent and effective management of UKCF’s financial resources.  

• Develop and regularly review financial policies, procedures, and financial internal controls.  

• Regularly review the Xero software to ensure efficient recording and reporting of financial information on Fund, Departmental and Programme basis.  

  

Monitoring Programmes Financial processes  

  

• Support the Programmes team in all grant programmes related payments and financial documentation.  

• Efficiently manage the restricted and unrestricted income streams.  

• Report programme performances quarterly.  

  

Regulatory Responsibilities and governance  

  

• Lead preparation of financial information for the year end audits liaison with auditors, preparation and management of audit work.  

• Lead in the preparation of all relevant tax and regulatory returns to HMRC, financial regulators and other governmental entities as necessary.  

• Support the Chief Operating Officer with governance duties including keeping track of the schedule for reviewing internal policies 

  

Treasury Management  

  

• Oversee transactions affecting cash balances for UKCF.  

• Oversee the safe transfer and receipt of funds.  

• Manage and reconcile the split between unrestricted and restricted cash flows.  

• Ensure robust cash flow projections are prepared on a regular basis.  

  

 Bookkeeping  

  

• Review month end reconciliations on all balance sheet accounts.  

• Month end/year end journals management. 

 

General  

  

• Any other duties commensurate with the nature and level of the post that are required to deliver the job’s key responsibilities.  

• Work within organisational policies, code of conduct and practices.  

  

Knowledge/experience required 

 

• Relevant accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent). 

• Proven track record of working at a senior level within a finance team with experience in financial strategy development. 

• Financial and commercial awareness sufficient to support UKCF senior staff with financial plans budgets and forecasts and to assess new opportunities. 

• Proven capacity to identify and manage financial risks. 

• Proven leadership and management capability, particularly in supporting and enabling roles. 

• Experience of making ideas become an operational reality quickly and effectively through incepting projects and good project management expertise. 

• Negotiating and influencing skills relevant for a membership organisation with multiple stakeholders. 

• Familiarity with or capacity to develop a good understanding of the charity sector, political environment and surrounding regulatory and legislative issues. 

• Effective communication in a style appropriate to the audience. 

• Ability to represent UKCF well to members and externally acting as an effective ambassador. 

• Excellent planning and organisational skills. 

• Excellent IT skills, including knowledge of Salesforce or a similar database. 

• Experience of implementing systems. 

 

General – all staff are required to: 

 

• Familiarise themselves with the Company Policies and Procedures, held on the HR system, accessible by all staff at any time from the website. 

• Uphold the Equal Opportunities and Anti-Harassment and Bullying Policies, ensuring effective implementation in all aspects of their work for UKCF. 

• Act at all times within the Company Rules, Policies, Procedures, and any other statutory requirements. 

• Be proactive, bring ideas, suggestions and contribute to business improvement. 

• Undertake training as required. 

• Attend staff and team meetings as required. 

• Observe health and safety procedures to ensure personal safety and to safeguard the interests and safety of colleagues, customers and visitors. 

• Undertake other duties and responsibilities as appropriate since all staff are expected to work flexibly within their skill level to respond to changing priorities and make sure that customer needs and business objectives are met. 

• Demonstrate UKCF values: 

 

• We put inclusivity at the forefront of all we do  

• Valuing diversity of thought and experience  

• Ensuring all voices are heard  

• Challenging and dismantling barriers wherever we find them  

 

• We put relationships first  

• Everything we achieve will be done with and through others  

• Demonstrating integrity, openness, honesty, and care in all we do  

• Empowering networks that support places to thrive  

 

• We are ambitious for our members and the communities they support  

• Valuing future generations  

• Focusing on underlying causes not symptoms  

• Constantly challenging our knowledge and practice