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SalaryHerts SU are an established charity. We are here to ensure all students feel connected to and supported by the Herts community. We run a number of services such as Student Opportunities. Community Events, Marketing, Finance & HR, Commercial and an Advice and Support centre. Without healthy finances, none of the above would be available to our students. We all work together to ensure Students ‘Love Life at Herts’. Our ambition is for 100% of students at the University to be involved in at least one of our offerings.
The Finance Manager is a part-time role, reporting to the Director of People and Resources. You'll be at the heart of our Union, collaborating closely with SLT, trustees, and staff to ensure adherence to best practices. With oversight of both Finance and HR departments, you will lead the team, fostering their growth while supporting HR operations. You will own the strategic development of your area. Meticulous financial planning, budget setting, and maintaining cash flow integrity. Collaborating with key stakeholders like our Operations Manager, you will spearhead financial reporting for our trading subsidiary. Your support will empower teams to achieve their goals within budgets. As Company Secretary, you'll ensure timely completion of all duties. You will be the primary liaison with stakeholders, making this role both challenging and rewarding. Join us in shaping the future of our Union!
In return for your time and commitment, we will give you –
A vibrant place of work on campus. You can work from home one day a week.
A matched 4% employee pension scheme
A starting package of 25 days of annual leave per year rising to a maximum of 35 years after each year of service, plus University closed days (approx. 4.5 days) and Bank Holidays.
A number of additional benefits, which you can view in full here. Highlights include: a flexible working policy, a significant onsite gym discount, a weekly wellbeing hour, an Employee Assistance Programme (which includes access to free telephone counselling) and a free membership to an employee discount app, which includes restaurant discounts, great price cinema tickets and many more discounts. Find out more about the employee rewards available via Perkbox.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title:
Finance Manager
Hours
30 hours worked across Monday – Friday (80% of full-time)
Salary:
£38,000-£43,000 (pro rata) – depending on experience
Location:
Hatfield – on site
Days:
Monday – Friday – 6 hours per day
Flexibility:
One day working from home a week
Responsible for:
The post holder will supervise three staff within the Finance and HR team.
Responsible to:
The post holder reports to the Director of People and Resources as well as working closely with other staff, Students’ Union Managers, Elected Officers and trustees.
Contacts:
The post holder will come into contact with students, Students’ Union Managers, staff and elected officers, trustees and University staff.
Purpose:
To manage the finance department, produce management accounts and reporting. To attend Trustee meetings and undertake company secretary duties.
Vision: Our vision at Herts SU is to help students love their life at Herts. Our Finance team is a core part of our vision, so we can continue to invest money into student services and put them at the heart of every service we run.
Values: We are a truly values-led organisation. As such, we’re looking for someone who lives our HERTS values of being helpful, empowering, representative, transparent and student-focused. We encourage our team to have fun at work while never losing sight of our vision.
Service Excellence: We go above and beyond for our students and each other – we’re committed to providing excellent service across the board and we support each other to prioritise this every day.
Equality and Diversity Commitment
Herts SU is firmly committed to diversity and inclusion amongst its professional staff, reflecting the diverse student communities it serves. We actively encourage applications from men, Black, Asian, and ethnic minority backgrounds, recognising their underrepresentation within the Union’s professional staff team. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age.
Summary of role
This role oversees the Union’s Finance & HR department, leading three staff within the Finance and HR Team, sharing responsibility for the HR & Training Administrator. Your responsibilities include leading and developing the Finance department, ensuring strategic and operational planning within strategic goals. The post holder is responsible for the preparation of annual budgets, monthly accounts and ensuring cash flow within the union is maintained. You will work closely with our Operations Manager and Director of Operations, taking ownership for the accounts and financial reporting for our trading subsidiary. Experience of commercial and charity accounts would be beneficial. You will support all of our teams in fulfilling their own goals, within their set budgets, and provide guidance to SLT, trustees and line managers. You will be responsible for the Finance and HR budget, maintain finance policies, oversee commercial operations, manage VAT compliance, and prepare for audits. You are responsible for communicating finances to our non-financial employees, stakeholders and will need to tailor your approach to ensure they understand our accounts. Furthermore, you will undertake Company Secretary duties for the Union, ensuring all duties are completed on time. You will also be the key contact with all stakeholders.
People and payroll
Line Management of the HR and Finance department.
Deputise for the Director of People Resources in the areas of the Union’s HR and Finance functions.
Lead, manage and develop the department including strategic planning and operational delivery, supporting our teams to deliver on our four strategic pledges:
Support students to thrive at UH both academically and non-academically
Understand what students want and amplify their voices
Provide a platform for learning and skills development while driving the development of a Herts community
Build a strong and engaging Students’ Union
Responsible for ensuring employee wellbeing and performance of the HR and Finance team is prioritised.
To work closely with the Director of People and Resources to review salary scales and provide costings if required.
To provide holiday cover for the processing of the weekly and monthly payroll
To be responsible for providing payroll information to the Senior Payroll Assistant and reconciling payroll monthly.
To work in conjunction with the Director of People and Resources and to provide support to the HR function as required.
Financial Management
Management of the department budget, ensuring KPI targets are met.
To provide accurate & timely financial and management information to budget holders, senior management team and Trustees.
Support Managers in growing their financial knowledge, overseeing budgets and financial plans for their departments, including giving training on budget setting and management.
To review, develop and maintain the finance policies and procedures in line with legislation.
To ensure they are adhered to and published within the organisation.eg venues cash compliance audit, safe & cash controls.
Responsible for commercial operations takings & vat compliance. To analyse the month end stock reports, margins and the commercial events profitability.
To ensure and prepare separate quarterly VAT returns for the Union and UHSU Enterprises LTD in line with published dates
To review and monitor the reconciliation of balance sheet controls on a quarterly basis
Work with the CEO and department managers to prepare the annual budgets and forecasts.
Oversee EPOS systems for trading operations to ensure accurate information, working with commercial teams to improve controls.
To oversee the administration of Xero and Approval-max
Review and approve payment runs and payroll
Monitor and keep track of any grants or funding and ensure managers are aware of what funds they may have available on top of their individual budgets.
To be the lead contact for the Union’s stakeholders including auditors, insurers and related parties including maintaining professional relationships with key contacts within the University.
Governance and compliance
To produce monthly accounts and reports for the Board and the CEO
Ensure timely submission of final accounts to Companies House and the Charity Commission
Attend Finance and Audit committee and occasionally The Board of Trustees meetings to report on financial matters and provide any relevant reports.
To work with the CEO, Director of People and Resources to build financial resilience and approaches to grow our impact.
To be fully responsible for preparation and management of the year end audit reporting and Audit.
To be the main point of contact with external auditors, insurance brokers and contract suppliers.
Provide an advisory service to the CEO and the Finance and Audit Committee in relation the overall Union accounts.
Support the Trustees, SLT and Line Managers in managing our finances carefully and to live within our financial means, through provision of advice, guidance, support and training.
Produce monthly cashflows.
General:
Assistance with coordination of the departments fresher’s/refreshers events as needed
Supporting the wider Unions activities and events during the fresher’s period including supporting the set-up/down of events and facilitating stalls and promotional stands.
To develop and maintain contacts with colleagues within other Students’ Unions and relevant organisations, including site visits to other Students’ Unions.
Being friendly and respectful of others in order to maintain a safe and considerate workplace in line with our values of being Helpful, Empowering, Representative, Transparent and Student-focused.
To keep abreast of relevant national and local developments, changes in legislation, and good practice and attend conferences, training events and meetings as necessary.
To have a flexible approach to work and to undertake any other reasonable duties which may be required.
To aspire to the highest standards of customer care at all times and, in conjunction with other relevant Union staff, to identify and respond to customer needs.
To respect the democratic structure of the Students’ Union at all times.
To abide by Hertfordshire Students’ Union Memorandum and Articles of Association, and Union Policies and Procedures at all times.
To work flexibly and efficiently and to promote a positive image of Hertfordshire Students’ Union at all times.
To set high standards of integrity, punctuality, accuracy, politeness and professionalism by personal example.
To be aware of the department’s impact on the environment and to work within the environmental policies of the Union and the University (where applicable).
This document outlines the general duties required for the time being for the post of Finance Manager. This is neither a comprehensive or exhaustive list and the duties may be varied from time to time and may be changed and be added to or deducted from. Any changes will not alter the general character of the job and/or level of seniority or responsibility, unless following on from discussion and agreement.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Finance Manager
Part qualified ACCA, AAT qualified or Accountancy body qualified and relevant experience
Experience of charity accounting and SORP principles
Experience of being in a Finance Manager role
Experience of working and managing a smaller team
Experience of reconciliations and report production
Experience of advising SLT, trustees on accounts
Ability to analyse financial accounts and produce relevant reports
A sound working knowledge of VAT
Experience of setting financial and commercial control processes and procedures
Knowledge and practical experience of computerised payroll systems.
Ability to work independently and on multiple projects
Self-motivated, reliable and diplomatic
Awareness of data protection and ability to adhere to confidentiality at all times
Advanced working knowledge of Excel and good Microsoft Office skills.
Experience of preparing, managing and monitoring budgets.
Ability to work under pressure & to manage time effectively
Commitment to Equal Opportunities and understanding of its relevance to Students' Unions
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, ability to communicate at all levels
Ability to create and maintain strong working relationships with a wider range of people including university staff and external providers
Punctual and well organised
A good team player and pro-active with drive and enthusiasm
Facilitative of others’ ideas and non-judgemental
Flexible working, including evenings and weekends where required.
Experience of supporting meetings or committees
Experience of providing briefings and writing reports
Evidence of continuous commitment to career and personal development
Appreciation of the culture and working arrangements within Students’ Unions
Understanding of working in a democratic environment
