Head4Talent are working exclusively with Merthyr Tydfil Housing Association to recruit a Director of Corporate Services.
In this exciting opportunity you will have full responsibility for Finance, IT, HR & Procurement for this leading Welsh Housing Association.
Responsible to:Chief Executive
Responsible for:Financial Controller HR Manager, Finance Business Analyst
Department:Finance, HR, IT, Procurement,Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery, Equality & Diversity, Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
1.Basic purpose of the job and its primary objectives:
•To assist the Board of Management and the Chief Executive in defining financial goals and policies, and in identifying financial opportunities.
•To manage the finances efficiently, effectively and within policies and budgets.
•To account for all income and expenditure, assets and liabilities in an accurate and timely manner.
•To provide appropriate financial information to the Senior Management Team (SMT), Chief Executive, Board, funders and Welsh Government,
•Update and keep under review the 30-year business plan for financial modelling and funding requirements,
•To ensure that an effective information technology strategy is in place to ensure the future proofing and security of systems and data,
•Lead the development and management of the People & Culture priority and Human Resources team,
•Manage the outsourced IT contract.
•Lead on the Internal Audit programme and strategy.
•Manage lease agreements for commercial lettings.
•Undertake the roles of Data Protection Officer (DPO), Anti-Money Laundering Reporting Officer and Approved Person – FCA.
2.Main duties: list details:
Management
•Act as a member of the Management Team in accordance with its terms of reference.
•Assist the Chief Executive in reviewing and updating the 3-year rolling Corporate Plan.
•Monitor key indicators of financial performance, advising the Chief Executive on corrective action as necessary.
•Monitor MTHA's financial management against the Welsh Government’s “Regulatory Framework", supplying the required returns to WG and funders and reporting and interpreting the data to the Chief Executive, Board and stakeholders.
•Participate in leading quality initiatives and service improvements.
Financial Policy
•Advise the Management Team, Chief Executive and Board on all aspects of financial policy, including statutory requirements, best practice and the development of new initiatives.
•Advise staff on the financial aspects of their work and the financial implications of proposals and decisions.
•Negotiate with funders for finance in line with business needs and advise on the implications of this including the appropriateness of terms and covenants.
•Advise SMT, Chief Executive and Board on the advantages and disadvantages of different types and sources of funding.
•Represent the organisation to government departments, local authorities and other organisations on financial issues.
Treasury Management
•Ensure that income is maximised within statutory and policy constraints.
•Ensure that the interest earned on cash deposits is maximised and any overdraft interest minimised.
•Ensure that proper credit control operates without detriment to relations with creditors.
•Ensure proper, cost-effective banking arrangements, including the negotiation of appropriate overdraft facilities when required.
•Develop and manage the Treasury Management Strategy with our external advisors to ensure liquidity at all times and that cashflow requirements are met. Cash and undrawn loans must be sufficient to fund the business operations and forward development programme.
•Regularly and systematically monitor compliance with loan covenants and Golden Rules
•Advise on tax issues and in collaboration with advisers.
•Keep under review financial and other systems and look for continuous improvement.
Financial Accounting
•Prepare the annual accounts in accordance with statutory and internal requirements.
•Ensure that satisfactory audit arrangements exist, that these are cost effective, and that the timetables agreed with the auditors are met.
•Periodically arrange for the tendering of internal and external audit.
•Advise the Chief Executive and Board on a system of internal audit to ensure the adequacy of financial and operational controls.
•Ensure that the accounts are kept up-to-date in a form required for the preparation of statutory and management accounts.
•Advise the Chief Executive and Board on changes to accounting standards/disclosure requirements.
Management Information and Accounting
•Design formats for management accounts in order to provide information to assist budget holders and the Board in making informed decisions, monitoring activities and controlling expenditure.
•In consultation with other budget holders, prepare the annual financial budget and cash flow forecast within guidelines set by SMT and Board.
•Prepare monthly financial indicators and quarterly management accounts showing a comparison of budget and cash flow with actual performance.
•Prepare other reports as required by the Chief Executive and Board.
•Prepare long term financial forecasts and plans and in collaboration with other staff to guide long range planning.
•Establish and maintain appropriate systems for monitoring and reporting on financial risk arising from operational activities.
Information Technology
•Act as principal adviser to SMT and Board on the use of new technology.
•Deliver the IT Strategy, ensuring the action plan is implemented and monitored.
•Ensure that the IT environment is robust, secure, and enables the organisation to make the best use of application software.
•Ensure that staff are provided with support and training in computer uses.
Development
•Support in the delivery of the Association’s Growth priority.
•Ensure financial control and cashflow of the development programme.
•Undertake project feasibility exercises and financial appraisals.
•Update the 30-year business plan and prepare capital cash flows and assess private finance requirements and ensure that funds are in place as required for the forward development programme.
•Assist the Chief Executive and SMT in the preparation and negotiation of bids to the Welsh Government and other funding agencies.
Human Resources
•To promote and develop a positive culture within the organisation and to ensure the delivery of the People & Culture corporate priority.
•To manage and support the HR Manager, to lead, direct and deliver the people management functions of the Association and to deliver a comprehensive HR service to the Association. To include: employee matters, payroll, pensions, benefits, reward & recognition, training & development, performance management and policies & procedures.
Procurement
•Manage the appointment or purchase of goods, works and services and ensure compliance with the Procurement Policy.
Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery
•To develop and ensure that there are adequate Disaster Recovery Procedures in place and that all staff with duties and responsibilities within those procedures are aware of them and adequately trained to carry them out.
•Ensure that a Disaster Recovery scenario is tested annually for the office, operational activities and IT to ensure that the policy and procedure is accurate and fit for purpose.
Staff Management
•Manage the Corporate Services team, ensuring that they work effectively as individuals and as a team, and in accordance with agreed policies and procedures; provide support, guidance and direction as necessary; encourage staff involvement in the development of strategy, policies and procedures so as to use skills to the full.
•Assess and keep under review staff training needs and identify how these may be met.
•Ensure that disciplinary and grievance procedures are properly implemented.
•Keep under review the organisation's staffing structure, workforce planning, procedures and systems, making recommendations for changes to the Chief Executive and Board as necessary.
•Advise the Board of Management on personnel and employment issues, participating in negotiations with individual staff or staff representative bodies as necessary.
Governance
•Work with the Chief Executive and Governance Manager & Company Secretary to oversee the internal governance and assurance framework to ensure it meets the needs of the business, and the organisation’s statutory and regulatory requirements.
•Support the Chief Executive and Governance Manager & Company Secretary to deliver excellence in Governance, Board Assurance, Regulation and Risk Management.
Supervisory and managerial responsibilities:
·Management of Financial Controller, HR Manager and Finance Business Analyst.
Knowledge and skills required:
•Comprehensive knowledge of financial and management accounting from detailed book- keeping procedures to preparation of statutory accounts, budgets, business plans and cash flows.
•Appreciates the team as well as the functional role of an accountant. Ability to contribute to the strategic management of the organisation, contributing to issues and decisions affecting the whole organisation.
•Demonstrable leadership and people management skills
•A broad knowledge of social housing and its operating environment including an awareness of current relevant legislation and regulation.