Head of Finance - Interim Post
(Wine Jobs:
Management & Administration)
Full Time
The Wine Society
Hertfordshire,
England
Job purpose:
To provide leadership, advice and guidance on all elements of the formulation and delivery of The Society’s financial strategy including (but not exclusively) policy formulation, statutory and regulatory obligations, and good practice.
To understand and take ownership of the key financial challenges facing The Society; and to propose effective strategies to deal with these;
To analyse forensically the costs of proposed investments/new services and their anticipated returns, putting in place robust processes pre- and postinvestments.
To be prepared to challenge the status quo
As a key member of the Executive team, contribute fully to the development of company strategy across all areas of the business, challenging assumptions and decision-making as appropriate and providing financial analysis and guidance on all activities, plans, targets and business drivers.
Main duties:
1. Provide strategic input into and lead the development of The Society’s financial strategy. Proposals for key measures of financial success across the business ranked by criticality, affordability, urgency etc. Propose solutions/ ways of mitigating financial risks etc.
2. Create a robust process for analysis of proposed investments and measures of success; and a strict follow-up of the return on these investments, divergence from plan, explanations and corrective action if and when needed.
3. Determine and agree long and short term financial plans in order to fulfil the Financial Operating Strategy.
4. Analyse, interpret and provide insight into the financial performance and trends of The Society for the ET and Committee.
5. Ensure analytical financial support and guidance is provided to other departments.
6. Ensure that company financial systems are robust, compliant and support current activities and future growth.
7. Review the testing of the high level financial controls and regularly review the finance related risks and risk management strategies.
8. Report financial performance in accordance with applicable Financial Reporting Standards.
9. Drive the agenda of the Finance Subcommittee ensuring they are sufficiently informed and involved in key financial decisions.
10. Ensure timely preparation of consolidated revenue and capital budgets, financial forecasts statutory and year end accounts and the subsequent audit process are effectively managed.
11. Be a pro-active member of the High Performing Leadership Team and work closely with other members of the ET to ensure that opportunities to innovate are identified and exploited.
12. Challenge the Chief Executive and other ET members as appropriate.
13. Communicate regularly and effectively with The Committee, ET, staff and external contacts.
14. Lead, coach, manage and develop the Finance team and ensure that PDR’s are conducted.
15. Ensure that all relevant Company Secretarial activities are effectively undertaken.
16. Take on a proactive role in relation to cost management and provide challenge and perspective to cost decisions and processes.
Other duties:
17. Attend and actively contribute to the Risk and Compliance Subcommittee.
18. Attend and actively contribute to Pension Trustee meetings.
19. Maintain a commercial and in depth understanding of The Society and its market and competitors.
20. Establish a high level of credibility and manage strong working relationships with external advisors including insurers, auditors, lawyers etc
Accountability:
Directly responsible for the Finance (salaries etc. - £425k), Committee (£150k), Company (Pension contributions etc. £1m) and Company (Head office - £2.4m) budgets
Health and Safety: All employees have a responsibility to carry out their work in a safe manner, reporting any incidents or problems to their Team Leader or Manager and taking all reasonable steps to minimise risk to both self and others.
