Head of Finance and Business Operations

Role Purpose

To lead on finance, governance and resources at SMT, providing senior insight on strategy and development. This role requires initiative, flexibility, a willingness to support colleagues across the organization, and strong organisational and communication skills, including board reporting, leadership on finance reporting to the SMT and board with the ability to manage complex, detailed analysis. This role is well suited to someone aspiring to move into wider senior management; we place high value on ambition and a strong commitment to development within a high-performing organisation at Citizens Advice Lewisham.

Key Responsibilities

• Finance Management: Manage income against expenditure with the CEO and HOA. Prepare management reports, budgets and forecasts, annual accounts and manage the audit and trustee annual report process. Provide strategic insight to the SMT on finance.

• Governance and compliance: Manage the preparation of agendas, minutes, actions, board meetings, governance calendar and regulatory submissions, also ensuring that LSA obligations are met through scheduling review and approval by trustees on an annual basis.

• Support systems Management: Oversee support to day-to-day operations, ensuring the team have the equipment and operating systems necessary to meet all obligations and objectives.

• Management: manage the Executive Assistant and Finance Officer.

• Manage external contracts: Working with the CEO and HOA, ensure all contracts are fit for purpose and are good value for money and are delivering agreed outputs.

• IT and phone systems: Manage the provision of IT services and our internal systems, building effective relationships with providers and ensuring continued and effective operations are available to the team.

• SMT strategy: Providing strategic insight to the SMT on potential risks and opportunities for development across all areas of the role.

• HR: Manage all HR functions including grievances, wellbeing, disciplinary, recruitment and onboarding. Working with the CEO to manage consultations with the union. Monitor and report to SMT and board on these areas.

• Communication: Foster effective communication with colleagues and external stakeholders, ensuring clarity and collaboration and accountability.

• Flexibility and Support: Demonstrate flexibility, ownership and collaboration to ensure smooth service delivery across the organisation.

• Any other relevant administrative and support duties required to ensure the smooth running of the bureau.

Person Specification

Essential:

• Commitment to Citizens Advice Lewisham’s aims and principles.

• Strong organizational and multitasking abilities.

• Strong understanding of strategic and analytical thinking.

• Management experience or qualification in finance.

• 4 or more years management experience in a related role.

• Management experience in HR, understanding of Charity Governance.

• Ability to plan and organise own work to meet deadlines under pressure.

• Demonstrate effective and efficient ways of working.

• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.

• Ability to horizon scan and problem solve, using initiative, working independently and as part of a team, demonstrating flexibility and a collaborative outlook.

• Proactive, approachable, and professional attitude, with a commitment to continuous improvement.

Desirable:

• Senior level finance management.

• Knowledge of all charity obligations and regulatory responsibilities.

• Experience of managing external contracts.

• Experience in managing junior staff.

• Working towards senior management, HR and finance qualifications.

• Experience of managing in the Charity sector.

• Experience of working with trustee boards.