Job Description

Job Title:Corporate Director- Finance & Resources

Location:Barkingside/London Office

Reports to: Chief Executive

Responsible for: Head of Financial Control

Director Properties &Facilities Management

Director Information Systems (IS)

Director Corporate Audit and Inspection Unit (CAIU)

Corporate Leadership Team (CLT) Credo:

Barnardo’s exists to transform the lives of the most vulnerable children.

We achieve this by providing support to those who need it today and by using that experience to influence changes in the attitude, policies and practices affecting the children of tomorrow. This in turn will be achieved by a charity which is self-confident but also self-aware; which accepts and manages risk rather than avoids it; learns shares and continuously improves; which is nimble and responsive, turning threat into opportunity, whilst having the discipline to realise a long-term strategy.

Above all, we are committed to building a charity which recognises that our individual and collective endeavours are directed to achieve better outcomes for more children.

We recognise that realising this journey on behalf of the trustees is directly influenced by our values and behaviours and so we all commit to being directly accountable for these characteristics at all times and leading them across the charity.

JOB PURPOSE

  1. To support the Chief Executive by leading a range of key functions and staff teams that drive financial effectiveness and efficiency across the charity.
  2. To make a significant contribution to the development and implementation of the charity’s vision for the future through the development, implementation and monitoring of a comprehensive Finance and Resources’ Strategy, alongside other relevant strategies and policies, and support the delivery of key responsibilities, projects and initiatives.
  3. To develop and implement strategies to ensure Barnardo’s assets and resources are utilised in the most cost effective way.
  4. To be proactive, innovative and effective, ensuring that individuals and teams are nurtured and provided with the support necessary to secure high levels of performance, motivation, commitment, teamwork, collaboration and trust, in line with the Leadership & Management Behaviours’ Framework.

KEY DIMENSIONS

  • Budget - Responsible for the effective management of a departmental budget of £18mand the overview of £300m corporate budget.
  • Staff – Directly responsible for the effective management of c.200 Barkingside based staff, with 4 direct reports and indirect responsibility for locally based finance, property and IS teams throughout the UK, with a view for future integration and centralised reporting.
  • Resources - Responsible for the proper use and safekeeping of major physical assets and resources, valued in excess of £42m.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

  1. Support the Chief Executive, Trustees and members of the Corporate Leadership Team (CLT) to establish and implement an ambitious strategic vision for Barnardo’s as the UK’s leading children’s charity, in the development of its services, organisation and workforce.
  2. Develop and lead a team of exceptional talent, diversity and attitude; a team which embraces and demonstrates the core behavioural characteristics which will secure our success.
  3. Provide dynamic and innovative managerial leadership, embedding a corporate culture of one vision, one journey, one organisation; and exhibiting a strong commitment to matrix management as a cornerstone of management at Barnardo’s.
  4. Deliver efficiency, value for money and the sound financial management of all resources.
  5. To be an active, effective and accountable member of CLT, exhibiting strong corporate leadership, leading by example and upholding the principles of the CLT credo.
  6. Provide well-evidenced and sound advice directly to the Chief Executive, CLT and Honorary Officers (Chair, Vice Chair and Treasurer), attending Board of Trustees, relevant sub-committees and events as required.
  7. Provide leadership, communications and action, which will exemplify the charity’s basis and values, sense of purpose and commitment to ensure equality of opportunity and inclusion.
  8. Represent the charity and/or deputise for the Chief Executive in discussions with partner organisations and other stakeholders as required.
  9. Embrace ‘theme’ leadership across the charity, as agreed with the Chief Executive.
  10. Contribute to the charity’s broader fundraising aspirations
  11. Participate in effective leadership and management development.

ROLE SPECIFIC ACCOUNTABILITIES

  1. To be the charity’s Chief Financial Officer, being accountable for the effectiveness, value for money and reporting of corporate financial resources, giving absolute assurance to the Chief Executive and Trustees on all financial matters and enabling them to fulfil their financial accountability for the charity.
  1. Lead and direct the strategic and general management of the following services/functions on behalf of the organisation
  • Financial Accounting
  • Management Accounting
  • Procurement
  • Pensions
  • Information Services
  • Property and Facilities Management
  • Corporate Audit and Inspection Unit
  1. Lead and direct, or significantly contribute to, the effective development and implementation of the following strategies on behalf of the Chief Executive:
  • Financial Strategy (lead)
  • Investment Strategy (lead)
  • Pension Strategy (lead)
  • Procurement Strategy (lead)
  • Property Strategy (lead)
  • Information Systems’ Strategy (lead)
  • Corporate Strategy (contribute)
  • Income Generation Strategy (contribute)
  • Pay and Reward Strategy (contribute)
  1. To directly advise the Chief Executive, relevant Trustees and Committees on other relevant strategic policies and practices.
  1. Lead, engage and motivate the multi-disciplinary directorate through the development and implementation of major change in structure, culture and ways of working to deliver the Corporate Strategy.
  1. Leadership of all financial management within Barnardo’s including the systems of financial planning, management, control and reporting to ensure the sound management of Barnardo’s resources and to support the development of a performance management culture.
  1. Lead and oversee appropriate support to the Finance and Audit & Risk Committees, working closely with their Chairs.
  1. Lead on the development and management of an effective investment strategy in conjunction with the Finance Committee to ensure Barnardo’s assets are managed prudently in accordance with the Trustee Act 2000.
  1. Establish the highest standards for financial control across the charity to ensure that processes are designed to minimise fraud, accounting records are complete and accurate and that Barnardo’s meets its statutory obligations.
  1. Understand the changing business environment within which Barnardo’s operates and develop strategies to ensure Barnardo’s is best placed to manage its financial resources effectively.
  1. Plan and lead the preparation of the statutory accounts for Barnardo’s and its subsidiaries and manage the external audit process.
  1. Lead Barnardo's management of the pension schemes, in the case of the defined benefit scheme with the aim of improving the funding, reducing risk in the scheme and ensuring Barnardo's contributions are affordable, advising the Chief Executive and the Trustees on all related matters.
  1. Provide leadership to managers across the charity to understand their responsibility for the organisation’s finances, to equip them to negotiate cost effective contracts and manage positive cash flows.
  1. Ensure the charity’s IS systems and support are efficient, effective and appropriate to the need, and that data security is adequately controlled and managed.
  1. Ensure that the charity’s complex property portfolio and all associated responsibilities are efficiently managed and delivered.
  1. Ensure that the charity’s internal audit and inspection approach is robust and appropriate to need, giving independent assurance to CLT and the Trustees.
  1. Hold the position of Director for Barnardo’s Development Ltd subsidiary, working collaboratively with other Directors and stakeholders to maximise the return to Barnardo’s from surplus properties and property investment initiatives, such as the Barnardo’s Garden Village development, and ensure sound financial governance of all Barnardo’s subsidiaries.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

Key Indicator / Essential/
Desirable / Assessment stage
Significant and demonstrable recent successin a high profile direct financial management role, within an organisation of comparable scope and complexity.
Recent, directfinancial management experience in the charity sector.
A specialist knowledge of financial management- performance and quality management processes.
Extensive experience of financial risk assessment/management.
Experience of working in a demanding commercial environment(ideally with experience in relation to contracting for the provision of services)
Significant experience of managing large scale budgets in a complex organisation, and successfully achieving challenging financial targets and objectives.
Substantial experience of having effective oversight of complex budgets that has ensured spending is allocated and in line with financial strategies and maximising on opportunities for efficiencies and income.
Evidence of making a significant contribution to corporate leadership through teamwork, influence and personal leadership.
Substantial, demonstrable experience of successfully leading multidisciplinary teams, whilst improving performance.
Successful delivery of major/complex projects.
Able to demonstrate and articulate a clear understanding of diversity, equality and inclusion issues and the implications for service planning and delivery.
Highly competent in the management of large volumes of complex data to produce and analyse management information
Detailed knowledge and direct experience of managing a complex pension scheme.
Extensive experience of dealing with senior level management, Trustees and Committees.
Experience of working with inter-agency and inter-professional groups and with senior level staff, preferably in the public/voluntary/political sector
Extensive experience of partnership development, multi-stakeholder working, including with sponsors/income partners
An excellent standard of numerical, written, listening and verbal communication skills, including report writing and presentation skills, for a diverse range of situations and settings.
Experience of working to a governance structure, supporting Trustees (or equivalent) and relevant committees.
Understanding of working in a voluntary sector or volunteer led organisation.
Understanding of change management processes and the ways that staff and volunteers need to be supported. / E
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EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING

Key Indicator / Essential/
Desirable / Assessment stage
Professionally qualified accountant with one of the recognised accounting institutes.
Evidence of related continuing professional development.
Confident use of standard “Office” applications including word processing, spreadsheets, E-Mail and presentations. / E
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COMPETENCIES

Key Indicator / Assessment stage
Professional/Business Initiative
Shows the independence and self-reliance to explore new avenues and approaches in response to, or anticipating the needs of situations without being asked. Thinks ahead of the present to act on future needs and opportunities. / Interview/ Assessment
Striving for Excellence
Desires to improve performance; do a task better (faster, more effectively or at lower cost) by committing self in accomplishing challenging objectives/targets or competing against more stretching self-defined standards of excellence. / Interview/ Assessment
Organisational Awareness
Demonstrates understanding of the ‘power’ relationships both within the organisation and in other organisations. Identifies who are the real decision-makers and the individuals who can influence them and able to predict how new events or situations will affect individuals and groups within the organisation. Considers ‘who needs to know’, level of urgency and the most appropriate communication channels. / Interview/ Assessment
Impact & Influence
Demonstrates the ability to achieve individual and organisational objectives and targets through the use of effective negotiating and influencing techniques. Intent to persuade, convince and influence others in internal or external environments in order to get support for Barnardo’s desired agenda. External environments may include media, politicians, local authorities, corporate clients and professional bodies. / Interview/ Assessment
Directiveness
Intent to make others collaborate with own wishes when personal power or the power of own position is used appropriately and effectively with the long term good of the organisation in mind. / Interview/ Assessment
Strategic Orientation
The ability to link long-range visions and concepts to daily work. At the lowest level it includes simple understanding of strategies; at the highest level it is a sophisticated awareness of the impact of the world at large on strategies and how in turn that affects choices. / Interview/ Assessment
Developing Others
Genuine intent to foster the long-term learning/ development of others. Develops others to achieve excellence through detailed feedback on current performance, knowledgeable support and meaningful assignments, recognising and celebrating individual success and achievement. / Interview/ Assessment
Interpersonal Understanding
Understands, interprets, responds to others’ concerns, motives, feelings and behaviours; accurately recognises strengths and limitations in others. Manages own feelings effectively to sustain a constructive input in a group setting as well as a one-to-one setting, even when working under stressful conditions. / Interview/ Assessment
Behaviours
Leadership and Management Behaviours
Act as a role model for the Barnardo's Leadership and Management behaviours, positively demonstrating the following:
  • Strategic thinking
Deciding and initiating action; Formulating strategies and concepts; Adapting and responding to change; Entrepreneurial and commercial thinking.
  • Leading and engaging
Leading and deciding; Adhering to principles and values; Relating and networking; Presenting and communicating information/ Interacting & Presenting.
  • Driven to deliver
Deciding and initiating action; Leading and deciding; Persuading and influencing. / Interview/ Assessment
Barnardo’s Basis and Values, and Equality & Diversity Code of Conduct
Actively demonstrate Barnardo's Basis and Values and Equality & Diversity Code of Conduct in all areas of work:
  • Respecting the unique worth of every person
  • Encouraging people to fulfil their potential
  • Working with hope
  • Exercising responsible stewardship
/ Interview/ Assessment
Circumstances
  • Requirement to undertake external representation and media duties on behalf of Barnardo’s, as required.
  • Requirement to attend/represent Barnardo’s at meetings and events outside of normal working hours
  • Able to travel to a number of locations and work away from home 2-3 days per week, when required
  • Flexibility in working hours and location, as per contract of employment