The Director of Finance & Corporate Services is a new post for the East London Mosque Trust (ELMT). The Director of Finance will lead the Trust’s financial strategy, planning, and operations. This pivotal role will oversee the day to day financial transactions and ensure compliance while driving financial sustainability, transparency, innovation, and long term growth. The post holder will work closely with the CEO, the Senior Management Team, and the Trustees to help shape the future direction of the organisation. As one of the largest mosques and Islamic centres in the UK, it is imperative to build capacity in the leadership team to deliver effective, informed, strategic financial decisions to support the future sustainability of the ELMT.
Responsible to: CEO
Director of Finance & Corporate Services
The Director of Finance & Corporate Services is responsible for the proper conduct of all aspects of the day to day financial management of the ELMT.
Finance Management
- Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting processes.
- Ensure robust financial controls and compliance with charity regulations and accounting standards.
- Manage cash flow, reserves, and funding streams including grants, donations, and contracts.
- Maintain an annual and a five-year financial forecast to underpin the strategic objectives.
- Responsibile for managing ELMT’s investments, while developing and implementing strategies for maximising ELMT’s finances.
- Manage and develop the finance team, fostering a culture of accountability, excellence and continuous improvement.
- Collaborate across departments to support financial literacy and budget ownership.
Governance & Compliance
- Prepare financial reports for CEO/SMT, the Board of Trustees and funders.
- Ensure compliance with The Charity Commission, HMRC, and Companies House requirements.
- Lead on audit preparation and liaise with external auditors.
- Lead on digital transformation for financial arrangements.
- Ensure there is a knowledge/awareness of fraud across the organisation.
- Ensure good risk management.
Finance, Sustainability & Compliance
- Optimise financial controls and processes in order to minimise financial risks, and ensure organisational compliance.
- Ensure compliance with funding agreements across all the teams and services.
- Ensure monthly reconciliation of all control accounts including creditors, debtors, payroll and banks; the preparation of monthly management accounts; and preparation/maintenance of control over all non-transactional journals such as accruals, prepayments, fixed assets/depreciation.
- A sound understanding of Islamic financial principles and their application within a charitable and governance context.
- Lead the strategic financial planning process, delivering annual and forecast budget plans, periodic forecasts within year and funding requirements, working closely with CEO and SMT.
- Plan and coordinate all tax, finance and treasury management practice and policy, with reference to charitable status, cash management and investments, reviewing and reporting on investment portfolios on a monthly basis.
- Ensure monthly payroll is accurate and timely, including all matters related to HMRC, and PAYE submissions.
- Have a full oversight of contracting and procurement activities and procedures, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, always seeking value for money, and where possible, cost saving opportunities.
- Check the condition of all assets and conduct an ongoing review of whether assets and investments are being put to best use and serving the organisation’s interests.
- Work with the CEO to identify new revenue-generating tactics.
- Responsible for the preparation of annual accounts to prescribed standards, managing effective relationships with the auditors, taking responsibility for the completion and submission of statutory/regulatory reporting in line with prescribed timelines, and keeping up to date with regulatory and statutory requirements within the charity sector.
- Lead on The Charity Commission reporting, including the annual review/trustee report and updating the organisation’s information held by The Charity Commission and Companies House.
Operational Excellence
- Review and improve organisational processes across ELMT, including Operations, Facilities, HR and Policy, ensuring they are efficient, effective and aligned with best practice.
- Identify and propose practical improvements to systems, policies and ways of working, driving internal efficiency and increasing organisational impact.
- Ensure alignment between systems, policies and processes, enabling departments to work effectively together and supporting ELMT’s strategic objectives.
- Over time, take on broader responsibility across departments, particularly in strengthening processes and embedding sustainable efficiencies.
Information Technology Management
- Devise and establish IT policies and systems to support the implementation of strategies set by upper management, including Data Protection and Cyber Security.
- Keep abreast of changes and updates to Data Protection legislation and ensure that staff receive regular training on Data Protection and Cyber security
- Evaluate the company systems and processes to coincide with the needs of the organisation
- Decide the need for upgrades, configurations or new systems and report to upper management.
- Direct the management of the ELMT website.
- Oversee the IT service provision ensuring it meets the ongoing needs of ELMT.
- Manage and develop the IT team, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
General
- Deputise for the CEO as necessary, including assuming delegated leadership, decision-making, and representational responsibilities as appropriate.
- Represent the organisation externally as required, including with partners, stakeholders, and relevant bodies.
- Maintain and develop organisational culture, values and reputation with all staff, associates and external stakeholders.
- Work flexibly and undertake any other duties agreed between you and the Board of Trustees.
- Support projects of the ELMT and participate in multi-disciplinary, cross-organisational groups and project teams.
- Attend Senior Management Team (SMT), staff and committee meetings when required.
Registered Charity 
21 - 50
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Your new role
Finance Officer - Public Sector Organisation
6 months contract - could be extended
£30,000
3 days in the office, 2 at home
Offices in Hammersmith
Responsibilities
- Process financial transactions accurately and on time.
- Complete reconciliations and financial entries to strict deadlines.
- Manage the Finance Accounts inbox and respond to queries.
- Process transactions & prepare weekly payment run reports.
- Reconcile credit card statements and maintain accurate financial records.
- Process supplier invoices, staff expenses, income receipts, and raise sales invoices.
- Perform regular bank reconciliations and resolve discrepancies promptly.
- Provide accurate data for account queries and ensure full audit compliance.
Experience Needed
- Experience working in charities/ public sector organisation
- Have worked with either Quickbooks, Xero or Sage accounting system
- Have experience with cashbooks, processing bank transactions.
What you need to do now
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.
If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.
Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found at hays.co.uk