July 2013
Dear Applicant,
Chief Financial Officer – Core Hub
Thank you for your interest in the above post. Please find enclosed:
· Terms and Conditions of the post
· An Introduction to Place2Be
· The job description and person specification for the post
· Personal Details Form for Applicants
· Equal Opportunities form
Please send your CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 500 words), stating which specific role you are applying for marked for my attention no later than 12pm on 11 September 2013.
You do not need to provide your date of birth on your CV or the years you went to school or any other training establishment.
Please return your application by email only to in Microsoft Word format.
Please ensure that you have also completed and sent to us Personal Details and Equal Opportunities Forms. You can do so by returning this entire Job Pack with two forms completed electronically, you will find them at the end of this document.
If you are a current member of staff or our volunteer please note that you are required to notify your line manager and obtain a letter of recommendation supporting you in applying for this post. Please submit the letter together with your application.
Thank you for your interest in Place2Be and we look forward to receiving your completed application.
With best wishes,
Alex Wilkinson
Lead Recruiter
Chief Financial Officer – Core HubTerms and Conditions
Below is a general outline of the Terms and Conditions for this post. Full terms and conditions would be included following any offer of employment.
Type of Appointment
Permanent, Full-Time
Location
Place2Be Core Hub, 13/14 Angel Gate, 326 City Road, London, EC1V 2PT
Probationary Period
6 months’ probationary period with a formal appraisal in the sixth month.
Hours of Work
5 days (36 hours) per week. Working days are Monday to Friday.
Annual Leave
A full time equivalent allowance is 25 days per annum plus bank holidays. The pro-rated allowance will be calculated once the candidate is appointed and the start date is known.
Pension
Employees are eligible to join Place2Be pension scheme after three full months of service. The Place2Be contributes 3% of your salary into the scheme; employees may contribute as from 3% of their salary per financial year. A free session is available with our financial advisers to help plan your pension needs.
Childcare Vouchers
We run an approved childcare voucher scheme which offers income tax and National Insurance contribution savings when paying for child care.
Cycle Scheme/Season Ticket Loans
We offer interest-free loans for buying a season ticket or purchasing a bicycle to assist our staff with reducing the cost of travelling to work.
Eye Care Vouchers
We provide eye care vouchers entitling you to a free annual eye test. This scheme fulfils our legal obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act for staff using Display Screen Equipment. If staff require glasses because of their use of a DSE then an additional voucher pays for a basic pair of glasses.
Training and Development
Place2Be offers a central development programme for all staff and provide a range of training opportunities as part of employee’s individual personal development plan.
Asylum and Immigration Act 1996 – section 8
Under the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996 you will be required to prove your eligibility to work within the UK. Further details will be provided to shortlisted candidates.
PVG Scotland/DBS
An offer of employment for this post will be subject to a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure clearance through PVG Scotland (Disclosure and Barring Service in England and Wales).
References
References will be taken up from your two most recent employers. Any offer for this role is conditional on both references being satisfactory.
Job Title: Chief Financial Officer
Reporting to: Chief Executive
Timing: Immediate start
Summary
Place2Be is looking for an ambitious and highly competent Chief Financial Officer to lead and manage the Finance and IT functions for the organisation ensuring appropriate governance controls and infrastructure to support and enable Place2Be to go through its next stage of development.
The CFO will be responsible for managing the financial risks of the organisation and advising on the overall financial strategic direction for Place2Be. The CFO will ensure the effective financial planning and management within the organisation. As a key member of the Executive Team, s/he will contribute fully to the overall strategic direction, expanding the impact of Place2Be services to reach more children across primary and secondary schools and delivering value-for-money, in line with Place2Be’s business plan.
The role will report to the Chief Executive and have full responsibility for finance, IT, company secretarial/legal matters and for the facility (head office at Angel Gate, Islington). The post holder will be part of the Executive Team and will need to demonstrate strategic thinking, cross disciplinary working and strong debating and influencing skills and work effectively with Executive Team colleagues to grow the brand and reputation of Place2Be. S/he will be required to have a breadth of awareness across all disciplines represented at the Executive Team in order to contribute to and make informed decisions as both a member of the Executive and as a specialist in their own discipline.
In today’s world, schools are the key commissioners of Place2Be services with enhanced ‘added value’ such as training and parenting support being provided through funds raised from statutory, government and voluntary sources. Similarly such income sources finance innovation, development and continuous improvement of our services.
Given the size of the organisation, this is both a senior strategic and a hands-on role, requiring someone who will relish the opportunity to operate at a senior level working with the Chief Executive and Trustees whilst also working with Executive colleagues and their functional teams at detail level. Excellent communication skills are key. Finance is supported in its activities by the Finance Committee, a sub group of the Trustee Board which is currently led by the Chairman, and oversees financial and governance matters.
1.0 Accountability
Responsible to: Chief Executive
Responsible for: Finance & Control Manager and part-time Accounts Assistant
IT Manager
2.0 Main Duties and Responsibilities
2.1 Strategic
· Ensure that an appropriate financial governance framework is in place to guide the organisation’s financial decision-making and development particularly in relation to reserves, working capital and expenditure
· Ensure the appropriateness of the key assumptions included in the charity's strategic plan and annual budget proposals. Provide advice and support to senior management colleagues on these matters
· Work closely with fellow members of the Executive Team advising them on the likely financial consequences of all proposed courses of action
· Work with the Research and Evaluation team to support ongoing development of economic analysis of the impact of Place2Be’s work, the unit costs, social return on investment and inform thinking about opportunities presented by new financial vehicles such as Social Impact Bonds and Payment by Results
· Maintain contact and liaise with bankers, auditors and other external advisors to ensure the organisation is making best use of its assets
· Support the Executive Team with legal and contractual matters liaising with established external legal advisers as required
· Contribute to and inform risk management processes and the Risk Committee – a sub committee of the Board of Trustees
· Keep abreast of financial, tax and corporate governance developments across the charity sector
2.2 Financial
· Work with the Executive Team to ensure cash flow keeps on track, particularly in reaching income targets, and alert the Executive well in advance if there are any likely issues
· Produce monthly management accounts for budget holders (Heads of Department) and quarterly for Trustees
· Ensure that invoicing processes and cash received are in line with expectations
· Ensure that financial and other reporting systems meet the requirements of charity accounting and regulatory authorities. Prepare the annual statutory accounts for audit and liaise with the auditors
· Prepare the annual budget and forecasts aligned to strategic plans
· Provide full accounting services to other colleagues including departmental financial analysis and exploring any potential problems with them in order to make appropriate budgetary decisions and manage costs. In particular work with the Heads of Fundraising and Business Development to support their functional requirements
· Participate in budgeting for fundraising and commissioning bids and prepare detailed reports on progress of funded operations and projects. Assist with applications for funding by providing financial forecasts for future projects and final costs of previous projects. Attend meetings with funders and provide financial information as necessary
· Liaise with the Head of Fundraising to ensure efficient systems are in place for all grants, sponsorship and donations to be paid on time and that any financial conditions attached to these monies are honoured
· Undertake such other financial analysis and reporting as requested by the Chief Executive
· Oversee and manage the payroll function
2.3 IT
· Work with the IT Steering Group to develop and deliver Place2Be’s IT Strategy
· Support the enhancement of IT skills in the organisation
· Oversee systems and ensure they are fit for purpose
· Introduce new systems to improve efficiency or save costs
· Oversee and manage Data Protection for the organisation
2.4 Management
· Play a leadership role within Finance, IT and across the broader business, leading by example and delivering results in timescales that exceed the expectations of, and generate credibility with the CEO, the Board and Executive Team
· Lead and support the IT Manager and Finance Officer in their respective roles
· Support other functional Heads and the organisation contributing to working groups and project teams as required
· Oversee building facilities management, insurances and major contracts
3.0 General
· Keep up to date with developments in the sector and key government initiatives in our field
· Contribute widely across all areas of the organisation as a member of the Executive Team
· Ensure that clinical work and quality remains central to our work and ethos
· Support and nurture the Place2Be values of Perseverance, Integrity, Compassion and Creativity
· Work as a team member of the organisation as a whole sharing information and best practice openly and productively
Flexibility
The role description is a general outline of duties and responsibilities and may be amended as Place2Be develops and the role grows. The post holder may be required to undertake other duties as may be reasonably required from time to time.
Job Application Pack, Chief Financial Officer, July 2013 Page 3 of 13
Person Specification – Chief Financial Officer
The person specification outlines the main criteria for the post. Shortlisting will be based on the following criteria. Please ensure that your supporting statement clearly shows how you meet the criteria using experience gained either in paid or voluntary work.
CRITERIA /Substantial experience of managing the finances of an organisation with assets in excess of £5 million, ideally in both private and social sectors
Up to date knowledge of charity accounting
Track record of delivering exceptional performance and innovation in processes
Experience in the development and management of staff
Experience of reviewing, enhancing and developing financial management systems
Experience of managing and developing IT within organisations
An understanding of working with children and the skills needed to provide emotional and therapeutic support to children in schools
Abilities and skills
CRITERIAHave enthusiasm, flexibility and a determined proactive approach to deliver winning solutions and strategies
Be a strategic thinker, planner and “do-er” – have the ability to generate concept/ideas (e.g. financial models and concepts) and translate them into tangible tactics as well as execute them
Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to communicate and influence others through both verbal and written media and demonstrable ability to build effective partnerships
An ability to represent Place2Be at the highest level internally and externally
Be results driven and able to measure and quantify own outcomes. Have the ability to work under own initiative with little supervision
Be professionally qualified (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) with a minimum of 5 years post qualifying experience
Knowledge of charity accounting and SORP
Ability to manage and innovate on pricing policy
An understanding and awareness of Place2Be’s equal opportunities policy and a personal commitment to equality of opportunity
Ability to work non-standard hours and to travel throughout the UK
Personal Details Form for Applicants
Please complete ALL sections of the form even if some information is included in your CV. Place2Be is committed to Equal Opportunities within its employment practices. The enclosed Equal Opportunities Form will be removed before shortlisting and will remain confidential to the Human Resources Department.
Post applied for / Hub/ AreaClosing date / Where did you find out about this vacancy?
Please give reference number if known / BACP BAAT BADT BAPT Guardian Other
Please give details:
Place2Be
Have you previously applied for any jobs within Place2Be? / YesNo / If yes please give details:
Post / Hub/ Area / When
Have you ever worked or volunteered for Place2Be? / Yes
No / If yes please give details:
Post / Hub/ Area / When
Your contact details
Surname / NameAddress
Postcode
Home tel: / Mobile tel:
Work tel: / Email:
Professional Membership
Registration body / Registration number / Membership status / Are you accredited? / Expiry dateReferences
Please give the name and contact details of two referees who can comment on your work experience, competence, personal qualities and your suitability to the post. One of these must be your current or most recent employer. Please note that we will only take up references if a conditional offer of employment is made.
1. Name / PositionAddress
Telephone Number / Email:
Relationship to you
2. Name / Position
Address
Telephone Number / Email:
Relationship to you
Criminal Record
Do you have connections in your personal life with any individual (relative, household member or friend) who could present a risk to children or who has been convicted of a criminal offence which would deem them unsuitable to work with children? YES/NOHave you, as an adult, had involvement with a local authority, in relation to care proceedings or child protection proceedings in your family? YES/NO
Have you ever been arrested, cautioned for or convicted of a criminal offence or other offence which would show in a CRB enhanced disclosure? YES/NO*
*Note: If YES, please give details and an explanation of the offence and sentence or penalty imposed (including suspended sentences, warnings etc) in a separate file marked ‘confidential’ including an explanation of how you have consequently demonstrated you are a suitable person to work directly with children.
As the position will involve access to children, the position is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) (Amendment) Order 1986 and you will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau which will show all records. Please contact us if you would like further information.
Any position offered would be conditional on the receipt of an enhanced CRB which satisfies the criteria of Place2Be. A copy of the CRB Code of Practice is available on the CRB website.
I declare that the information I have given is accurate and true and any false or misleading information given on this form may lead to my employment being withdrawn and consequent criminal proceedings.