Head Of Finance

The Independent Cinema Office (ICO) is the UK's support organisation for independent cinema. It offers film programming services to cinemas, brings films into distribution and is the main provider of events, training and advice for the independent cinema sector. It works with the main funding bodies in film exhibition, is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity.

Its film programming clients include cinemas as diverse as the Watershed in Bristol, Malvern Theatres in Worcestershire and Borderlines Film Festival. It also delivers Screening Days, a national and regional showcase for cultural cinema for film societies, community cinemas and cinemas. It offers a portfolio of national and internationally renowned training programmes for exhibitors.

The ICO is based in central London - however, we are a national organisation and our activities take place across the UK as well as in Europe. Our turnover is just under £2 million a year and we have 22 members of staff.

We are now seeking an experienced, competent, diligent and meticulous individual with experience either in the charity sector, or working for the charity sector (as an auditor for example) to be our Head of Finance.

You will be responsible for everything from VAT returns to the annual audit report, from financial analysis to budget setting, to initiating and implementing new financial systems and procedures. You must be willing to work on your own initiative, under time pressure, be able to complete a wide variety of tasks to a high standard and crucially have a fantastic level of attention to detail. In return we can offer responsibility, opportunities for training and development and the chance to work with a friendly, creative team at the forefront of independent cinema exhibition in the UK.

If you would relish the opportunity to take responsibility for the financial operations of a small, creative arts charity and work in a vibrant, happy office, this role is for you. You may have worked in the corporate or public sector, be seeking a more flexible approach to work/life balance after a career in financial services or be returning to work after undertaking caring responsibilities.

We provide access to a Health Matters Assistance Programme (HMAP) - a confidential information and counselling service for employees and to Occupational Health services; a dedicated HR consultant for staff support; access to a SMARTPensions scheme; annual train ticket loans; flexible working practices; flexibility around childcare hours/needs; invites to events and festivals, and other benefits.

Our offices are in London (near London Bridge) and in line with our new hybrid working policy staff are able to work remotely for up to 50% of their time (you can work from the office more days if you prefer).

The post is being advertised for four days a week, working seven-hour days but we are open to it being delivered across a different working pattern, in order to accommodate the demands of childcare (for example).

Please read the Job Description and complete the application form (both can be downloaded below). Return the completed application form to by 9am on Monday 29 January 2024.

Interviews will be held on Thursday 15 February 2023 at our offices near London Bridge (travel expenses are reimbursed) and Zoom requests can be accommodated.

If you would like the documents in a different format please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate this.

We will be holding an informal information webinar on Zoom 12:30-1:30pm on 10 January with the current Head of Finance (who is retiring) and Director to provide more information about the position and answer any questions you may have before applying for the position.

At the Independent Cinema Office, we are an equal opportunity employer, and we believe that a diverse workforce leads to an organisation that is more creative, innovative and gets better results. We want our workforce to represent the diversity of the people and communities in the UK and we want to see these reflected on our screens. We also want our workforce to be one where different experiences, expertise and perspectives are valued and where everyone is encouraged to grow and develop.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian, ethnically diverse, and disabled candidates as they are underrepresented within the ICO.

We also request that you complete our Equality and Diversity monitoring information (see the end of the application form). Completing this form will help us in monitoring our efforts towards achieving an inclusive and diverse workforce.

We know sometimes the process of applying for a job can feel like sending applications into a black hole and can be unnerving when you don't know what will happen. We've put together a document which explains a bit more about our recruitment process, what will happen during each stage of the process and what we'd like from you. This can be downloaded below:

If you would like the documents in a different format, please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate this.

The closing date for this position is 29/01/2024 at 09:00