Head of Finance

About the organisation

The YMCA is a global movement which began in 1844 with Central YMCA. It is now a leading UK education, health and wellbeing charity that transforms lives by breaking down barriers to life-changing opportunities. Central YMCA’s work includes creating alternatives to traditional education such as apprenticeships and study programmes, training fitness professionals who inspire communities, developing qualifications through our awarding organisation and helping people improve their health and wellbeing through the largest gym in central London.

About the role

Reporting to the CFO, the Head of Finance is responsible for leading a team of 5 and overseeing the day-to-day financial management of the charity, supporting and developing its financial strategies. In collaboration with the Charity’s Executive Team, the role is responsible for safeguarding the short, medium and long-term financial health of the organisation. This includes all financial reporting requirements, treasury management (overseeing the organisation's cash and liquidity performance) and the management of the annual budget and financial planning processes. The Head of Finance is also responsible for designing, implementing and maintaining a Management Information (MI) reporting suite which supports the Charity’s operations, commercial development activities and long-term strategies. Lastly, the Head of Finance is tasked with managing the development of the Finance department.

Areas of responsibility will include:

Financial Strategy and Policy

• Support the Charity’s Executive Team with ensuring the short, medium and long term financial health of the organisation
• Collaborate with the Charity’s SMT to prepare business cases and financial models to support new business activities and investment proposals
• Review and update the charities financial policies
• Cultivate a support structure across the organisation where the finance department acts as a trusted business partner for operations and management

Reporting

• Oversee all financial reporting processes for the Charity, ensuring that accurate, timely and relevant information is disseminated across the organisation
• Work with the SMT to identify areas to improve the reporting processes

Statutory Reporting, Audit & Risk

• Manage the Charity’s financial statutory compliance for both audit and regulatory matters and oversee the finance risk register
• Lead the year-end audit process, including the preparation of audit schedules, reconciliations and acting as a key point of contact for the auditors
• Prepare the financial disclosures sections of the Charity 's annual reports and the accompanying narrative to explain the financial performance of the year
• Support the Charity’s regulatory compliance responsibilities, particularly with the financial elements of ESFA funding guidelines. Prepare financial returns, financial health assessments and other submissions to ensure that ESFA requirements are fulfilled.

Cash Flow Management

• Monitory the Charity’s cash flow, manage the working capital controls and produce cashflow reports and forecasts
• Oversee the Charity’s cash flow management processes and report on cash flow performance against budget and forecast targets.
• Prepare weekly cash flow forecasts which provide a consistently reliable understanding of the organisation’s cash flow position over the financial year.

Finance Department Development

• Design and implement learning and development frameworks for each member of the Finance department.
• Ensure that each member of the Finance department is sufficiently supported to fulfil their performance development goals.

About you

• Qualified Accountant (ACA/CIMA/ACCA or equivalent)
• Experience of audit and preparation of annual financial accounts under UK GAAP and understanding of Charity SORP
• Experience of leading and developing Finance teams
• Experience working within the Charity or Education sectors (experience working with ESFA funding is preferable)
• Experienced managing budget processes
• Experience of business partnering

What’s in for you?

• Salary of £60,000 - £65,000 per annum depending on experience
• Hybrid working arrangements - 2/3 days required in office per week
• Office located on Great Russel Steet (Nearest tube station is Tottenham Court Road)

Ivy Rock Partners are partnered exclusively with YMCA Central on this opportunity. For further information please apply below or contact Holly Arrowsmith or Jake Morrow at Ivy Rock Partners for further details.