Director of Finance and Operations

As a charity, the New Economics Foundation aims to be the most exciting progressive think and action tank in the United Kingdom. Our goal is to explain how to build the case for far-reaching economic change and to partner with other organisations seeking to build that change here and now. We believe in an economy that is truly just and sustainable, one that takes power out of the hands of unaccountable elites and enables individuals and their communities democratically to shape their own future. This is a crucial role, bringing together responsibility for the financial and operational management of the charity. There is unlikely to be a typical day but a day could include monitoring and reporting on financial performance against budget and KPIs; working with the fundraising team on crafting bids and applications; working on the allocation of resources to particular projects; working with other members of the leadership team to set and monitor operational targets and objectives and ensuring that the resources are available to meet those targets; working closely with the CE and Board of Trustees on strategy development, operational and financial planning; resolving HR issues; and negotiating a new IT contract... Far too much for one day but offered as an example of the types of work you'll be undertaking. The crucial aspects of the role include: ? Being a key member of the leadership team, working with the CE, Principal Directors and the Director of News and Media to shape the strategic direction of the organisation, with specific responsibility for resource management, financial and operational planning ? Leading the business planning processes - setting and managing comprehensive goals for the delivery of strategy ? driving performance and ensuring that obligations to funders and stakeholders are met ? Proactive management of all financial matters: o Management of all budgeting and forecasting processes, with specific emphasis on cash flow in order to deliver the overall strategy o Responsible for all statutory financial reporting o Act as a finance business partner to maximize fundraising opportunities o Responsible for ensuring financial KPIs are an inherent part of all roles within NEF ? Proactive planning of all of NEF?s resources to maximize their use o Responsible for the overall workforce plan o Proactive management of the project / bid pipeline o Proactive planning to ensure maximum financial return to NEF ? more specifically the careful planning of day rates and utilization levels o Ensuring that our obligations to funders are met ? Oversight of the financial performance of NEF?s commercial arm, NEF Consulting Ltd ? Working with the Board and the CE to ensure that each part of the organisation has a viable financial strategy, taking swift remedial action in any area that threatens the financial sustainability of the organisation ? Management of a team of 8 finance, support and fundraising staff ? Ability to work directly with the Treasurer and the Board finance sub-committee ? Drive the overall IT strategy and manage the supplier relationship ? Manage the fundraising team ensuring opportunities are maximised ? Acting as Company Secretary, taking responsibility for all statutory and other reporting ? Managing the office environment and owning internal policies and procedures. Acting as NEFs senior HR professional Knowledge, Experience & Skills ? A qualified accountant ? Proven track record of holding a senior management position within a similar organisation, ideally reporting at Board level ? An individual with gravitas who will take overarching responsibility for the internal working of the organisation ? An ability to work effectively with others less financially-literate than yourself and to explain complex ideas in straightforward language ? An understanding of how bids (for Trusts and Foundations) can be structured to maximize funding opportunities and make best use of internal resource ? Strong technical financial skills underlying a high level of commercial acumen ? Strong line management skills and the ability to drive performance without a direct reporting line relationship ? Good understanding of HR principles and best practice ? Good understanding of IT arrangements ? Ability to manage third party suppliers ? Significant experience of managing projects to ensure they are delivered on time, on budget and in line with agreed contractual obligations ? HOW TO APPLY If you are interested in joining NEF and believe you can use your sound financial judgement to help the organisation to fulfill its aims we want to hear from you If you would like an informal discussion, please contact Jo Day, Interim Director of Finance and Operations on 0207 820 6300/07581 566891 (jo.day@neweconomics.org) PROCESS To apply for this role please state where you saw the role advertised, send a current CV, a covering letter and the equal opportunities form to recruitment@neweconomics.org . Please include a daytime contact number as well as a personal email address. The closing date for the role is 9am on Monday 5 December 2016. Interviews will take place on Tuesday 13 December 2016. TERMS AND CONDITIONS An offer will be made subject to two satisfactory and current references being secured, along with your eligibility to work within the UK without restrictions. The remuneration for this role starts at �60k, in addition to the above benefits package of: ? 25 days holiday increasing to a maximum of 30 days after 5 years ? 3 days of extra annual leave per year to cover the Christmas break (non-transferable) ? Long Term Savings or Pension contribution up to 7.5% after completion of 6 month probation ? Free Gym membership ? Cycle to work scheme ? Employee Assistance Programme with up to 6 face to face sessions for free ? Interest free travel card loan ? Childcare vouchers ? Refund of an eye test and �50 towards cost of glasses ONLY if needed for use with VDU?s We recognise that people have commitments and responsibilities outside of work, therefore The New Economics Foundation supports flexible working. We are also open to suggestions of Job Shares. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all persons regardless of their race, gender, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age. But, as members of ethnic minority groups and disabled people are currently under-represented at this level of post, we would encourage applications from members of these groups. Appointment will be based on merit alone. As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy.