Senior Director of Finance, Paignton
Up to £69,506
Lloyd Barnes Accountancy Recruitment are delighted to be working exclusively with South Devon College to recruit a Senior Director of Finance, to provide strategic leadership & guidance as part of the College Senior Leadership Team.
South Devon College is a successful £31 million College of Further and Higher Education located in Paignton on the beautiful English Riviera. At the heart of our local community, the College helps over 10,000 learners of all ages achieve their ambitions and progress into employment, apprenticeships and continuing education every year. We are passionate about outstanding teaching and learning and the ability to transform lives, and are committed to improving and increasing local social and economic prospects. Our priority for our learners is to ensure high-quality education provision which leads to excellent outcomes including qualification achievement, academic progress and personal development, and progression to positive destinations. We are the largest local provider of further and higher education and a key anchor and civic institution working to facilitate long-term growth and prosperity in our area through education and learning.
You will direct & oversee the financial operations of the college to ensure the college has a clear & sustainable financial strategy to meet its commitments, the financial resources to achieve its missions & visions, compliance with all funding bodies and meets internal financial regulations alongside statutory requirements, with full reassurance of this for the Board of Governors.
Key Tasks & Responsibilities:
- Effectively lead, develop, manage, sustain and continually improve management systems, processes and internal controls, including treasury and cash, to ensure the excellent financial management of the College’s operations.
- Protect the College’s financial assets and provide accurate and timely financial information to Governors, Senior & College Leadership Teams, other managers, budget holders, and external parties including management accounts, budgets, cash flows and forecasts.
- Responsibility for preparation of the statutory Annual Report & Accounts, liaising with the external auditors and ensuring accurate and timely submission of these and other financial and related returns to the funding agencies and other relevant authorities.
- Lead, develop and maintain excellent relationships with bankers and lenders ensuring compliance with all lender’s Covenants.
- Leading and managing the finance function of the College, in addition to being a member of the SLT.
- Directly lead daily operations, which may require a hands-on approach for certain tasks such as:
- Support College leaders, managers and others with their devolved budgets.
- Day to day responsibility of cashflow and cashflow forecasting.
- Management of ledgers, associated sub-systems & payroll processes.
- VAT & Accounting returns.
- College procurement.
- Capital Bids process working closely with Estate & Facilities, IT and others to support successful delivery of projects.
- Develop and maintain strong cross-college relationships with all budget holders to support the annual curriculum planning process and take the lead to ensure robust, viable and reliable business planning and forecasting, budget setting, and monitoring of whole College finances and funding including in-year Flex Budget preparation.
- Attend and report at Governor Audit Committees, People & Resources Committees and Full Governing Body meetings.
- Work closely and in liaison with the Board, College leaders and external partners to enhance the reputation of the College and to support growth in income.
- Ad hoc tasks as required.
Essential Skills & Experience
- CIMA/ACCA/ACA with evidence of CPD
- Experience in senior leadership roles in large, diverse organisations including management of other leaders at senior/middle level.
- Able to think strategically & provide impactful leadership on goals, performance & policy.
- Experience of financial modelling, forecasts, analysis & business plans.
- Knowledge of funding arrangements & regulatory framework for public sector organisations.
- Strong knowledge of systems, processes & internal controls.
- High level Excel/spreadsheet skills.
- Experience of risk management at a strategic & operational level.
For more information or a confidential discussion, please contact our Commercial Director Jamie Wall
Tel: 01392 890050
Email: Jamie@lloyd-barnes.co.uk
Please note, the successful candidate will be required to be in possession of an enhanced DBS certificate or be willing to undertake an enhanced DBS as a condition of employment at the College.