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Form of workWith our Finance Director on maternity leave until October 2025 we are looking for a capable individual to join the team at Surfers Against Sewage.
This role is part time/full time (30 - 37.5 hrs), hybrid with a minimum of 2 days per week at our head office in St Agnes.
As a strong leader with experience across strategy and finance, you will have an ability to see the bigger picture, be a confident decision maker and communicator, and be passionate about the environment and our oceans.
Reporting to the Chief Executive you will need to take a strategic view of our finances, as well as manage a small team and delve into the detail when required.
Strategic Finance
Work alongside the CEO, Leadership Team and wider team, and supported by the Trustee Treasurer, to create and implement a financial strategy to support the wider organisational strategy - being developed this year.
Bring a strategic finance perspective to organisational decision-making made by the Leadership Team.
Take a risk-based approach to our reserves policy and update as appropriate, ensuring compliance with Charity Commission requirements.
Review our investment strategy to ensure we make our donor’s money go further, and any investment is ethical.
Work closely with the Fundraising Team to ensure fundraising plans support the finance strategy.
Review our approach to cost recovery, particularly when it comes to funding applications.
Communicate ‘big picture’ finances, finance strategy and forecasts, and financial risks to our Finance Committee and Board.
Work alongside the Operations Team to ensure our new CRM supports must-have finance requirements of our new cloud-based finance system, Iplicit
Finance Business Partner
Support budget-holders by ensuring they understand their budget-setting and reforecasting process.
Identify areas where budget-holders require additional support or training, and commission or deliver as appropriate.
Meet regularly with budget-holders, and the wider team, to ensure management accounts, year-end accounts, and reforecasts are being understood and interpreted correctly.
Keep tabs on upcoming events or changes which might affect reforecasts, or cash flow.
Work with budget holders to get common understanding of reasons for budget variance.
Challenge budget holders (at all levels) as necessary on matters such as budget variance, or return on investment calculations.
Present financial information clearly and concisely to different teams with different levels of understanding and differing needs.
As appropriate, attend meetings with funders or high value donors.
Review and approve procurement decisions in line with the procurement policy.
Team management
Manage the finance team (currently a Finance Manager and Finance Officer) to ensure the entire finance function is being delivered effectively and efficiently, in line with relevant legislation.
Provide pastoral support for finance team members to ensure they are clear on their role in creating impact, and working at their best.
Oversee and review delivery of regular finance reports and processes including management accounts.
Oversee the smooth running of the annual audit, and production of the annual accounts.
Identify areas of inefficiency across the finance function (or in the way others manage their finances) and lead on process redesign and associated change management.
Other Responsibilities:
Play an active role in the Leadership Team, attending weekly meetings and participating in organisational decision-making.
Develop and maintain relationships with external stakeholders and/or consultants on matters such as the annual audit, or tax.
Contribute to the organisational strategy process and annual planning.
Consolidate and deliver annual budgets and Quarterly reforecasts throughout the year.
Oversee and manage the financial reporting obligations of the charity.
Ensure the new cloud accounting system continues to operate well and ensure its features are maximised (automated pay runs, customised departmental dashboards etc.).
