Please note, this vacancy closes at 12pm, midday, on 16th November
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
Job Profile
Job title: Head of Finance
Reporting to: Director of Finance
Responsible for: Management Accountant, Operations Team Leader
Type of contract: Permanent
Hours: Full-time, 35 hours
Salary: £70,000
Closing date: 16th November, Midday
Interview date: 2nd and 3rd December
DBS required: Yes, standard level
Purpose of the role
As Head of Finance, you will lead our core Finance Team and work closely with the Financial Reporting Manager and Head of Treasury and New Investment to bring the wider Finance function together as one joined-up service. You will create shared priorities, strengthen collaboration and promote effective working across the function, while making sure Finance delivers reliable reporting, effective business partnering and well-managed operations.
You will take ownership of the day-to-day delivery of Finance and help the team perform at its best. Through supportive leadership and constructive challenge, you will build confidence across the function so that colleagues take responsibility and resolve issues at the right level.
Working closely with the Director of Finance, you will strengthen financial governance and support sound decision-making across United Welsh. You will play a pivotal role in shaping organisational change, so that our finance systems and controls remain effective and ready for the future.
This is a great opportunity to shape a proactive and resilient Finance function. You will make financial insight easier to understand and use, helping United Welsh make confident decisions and get the most from its financial strength.
Key accountabilities
Leadership and team performance
- Lead the Finance Team with clear priorities, accountability and professional standards.
- Develop managers and colleagues through supportive leadership, constructive challenge and effective performance management.
- Plan resources, skills and cover to maintain a resilient and inclusive service.
- Work closely with the Financial Reporting Manager and Head of Treasury and New Investment to create shared priorities, clear responsibilities and effective ways of working across Finance.
Financial reporting, planning and insight
- Oversee the team’s delivery of financial reporting, including management accounts, forecasting and business partnering across the Group, retaining overall accountability for the quality, accuracy and timeliness of this work.
- Make sure financial information is accurate, timely and supported by clear analysis of performance, risks and opportunities.
- Provide robust review and advice to the Director of Finance, Executive Team, committees and Board.
Financial control, governance and assurance
- Maintain effective financial controls, procedures and governance across the Finance function.
- Oversee core assurance activity, including reconciliations, financial close and internal and external audit requirements.
- Identify and escalate material financial risks or control weaknesses, recommending timely action.
Finance operations and business partnering
- Oversee accurate, controlled and timely finance operations, including payments, income and transaction processing.
- Build trusted relationships with leaders and budget holders, providing clear financial advice and constructive challenge.
- Clarify responsibilities and improve information flow between Finance and other teams to support efficient delivery.
Systems, improvement and organisational change
- Improve finance systems, processes and reporting by simplifying activity and making better use of technology.
- Lead controlled and sustainable change with clear ownership, testing and communication.
- Support projects and organisational change by managing financial requirements, dependencies and risks.
Corporate contribution
- Act as a trusted senior finance lead, giving balanced advice and constructive challenge on organisational priorities.
- Represent Finance and deputise for the Director of Finance within agreed areas of responsibility.
- Contribute to the wider leadership of United Welsh and undertake responsibilities suitable for the role.
Personal requirements
Essential
- A recognised professional accountancy qualification, such as ACA, ACCA, CIMA or CIPFA, with current professional standing.
- Substantial senior-level experience across a complex Finance function, including financial reporting, planning and business partnering.
- Experience of leading and developing finance teams, building accountability and addressing performance concerns.
- Demonstrable senior leadership experience of bringing people and teams together, strengthening collaboration and agreeing shared goals.
- Strong knowledge of financial control, governance and audit requirements, with experience of managing financial risk.
- Experience of improving finance systems, processes or controls and supporting significant organisational change.
- The ability to interpret complex financial information and communicate clear insight to a range of audiences.
- Sound professional judgement, strong analytical skills and the confidence to challenge and escalate issues appropriately.
Desirable
- Experience of Group, subsidiary or multi-entity financial reporting.
- Experience within housing, a regulated organisation or a similarly complex service environment.
- Experience of major finance-system implementation, transformation or deputising for a senior Finance leader.
Cover Letter requirement
When applying, please upload a cover letter in no more than 1000 words highlighting how you meet each of the essential and desirable (where applicable) criteria on the job advert. This is the main resource we use when making shortlisting decisions.
Requirements within the essential criteria of the Personal Requirements will be used for shortlisting purposes. However, all the criteria will be considered in the process of making an appointment.