iMultiply is retained by Ark Housing in their search for a full time and permanent Head of Finance based in Edinburgh.
The Company
Ark was established in Edinburgh on 9th February 1977 by a small group of parishioners from Morningside Baptist Church. Their stated aim was to ‘provide the best possible accommodation at the most economical cost, without creating surroundings which were institutional in either appearance or atmosphere’. The charity has since grown to manage over 400 properties across 13 local authorities in Scotland.
Ark is very much driven by its social purpose to provide for the relief of those in need by reason of age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage through the provision, construction, improvement and management of land and accommodation and the provision of care.
The organisation is a well-established and well-runHousing Association and charity, with a strong Board of Trustees and a team of over 900 staff across both housing and care. They specialise in supporting adults over the age of 16 who have complex and significant care requirements.
The Role
Reporting directly to the Finance Director, the Head of Finance is required to contribute towards Ark realising the aspirations of its vision and mission and ensure that the values of the organisation are explicit within and resonate throughout all behaviour’s and activities.
As a member of the multi-disciplinary Senior Leadership Team (SLT) your primary role is to provide operational leadership that delivers good governance for Ark and to put in place risk managed operational plans that will ensure its continued development within operating models that are both viable and sustainable over the longer term.
The Head of Finance will be accountable for leading the Finance team to develop, deliver and embed financial strategies to build an Ark culture that aligns to our values and aims and will achieve sustained high performance. Integral to this role is the provision of accurate and timely financial performance reports, forecasts, and budgets. In addition to this is the ability to analyse, interpret and report accurate and timely monthly Finance data, update forecasts and plans based on the learning of in-month results, and develop Finance options that enable the SLT to take forward operational strategies.
The role will have primary responsibility for the following:
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Working closely with the Finance Director, develop and review work plans to deliver the objectives and outcomes outlined in the corporate strategy and objectives
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Developing and maintaining a long-term financial strategy to underpin the organisation’s financial viability
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Lead on financial governance via involvement with Board, Finance Committee, Audit Committee and Ark subsidiary companies, Ark Services Ltd and Ark Commercial Investment Ltd
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Ensuring that financial performance information presented is accurate, clear, relevant, robust and objective
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Contribute to achieving sustainable financial viability and value for money
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Detailed review of monthly management accounts and subsequent presentation to Senior Leadership and Executive Teams
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Preparation and review of Ark budget exercise and three forecast exercises per annum
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Responsible for the delivery of the annual statutory financial statements in accordance with UK accounting standards
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Support in the financial appraisal of proposed new build developments, and other business cases in line with strategic objectives
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Responsible for legal and regulatory compliance in relation to financial reporting.
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Act as a key advisor on all Finance matters to the Executive Team, SLT, Board of Management and staff
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Review current processes and propose enhancements to improve efficiencies and remove duplication of effort
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Identifying and equipping staff, managers and the Leadership Team with the financial competencies and expertise needed to manage the business both currently and in the future.
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To be a role model for Ark staff and the embodiment of Ark's mission, vision, and values
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Provide clear, authoritative, and impartial professional advice and objective financial analysis and interpretation of complex situations
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Adopt a flexible leadership style, able to move through visioning to implementation, through collaboration / consultation to challenge as appropriate and able to give and receive constructive feedback
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Contribute to the SLT and prepare reports/presentations to the team, as required
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Responsibility for managing key stakeholder relationships including External Auditors, Bank relationship managers, Investment Manager, Scottish Housing Regulator, OSCR, HMRC, FCA, The Pensions Trust and Local Authorities
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Responsible for recruitment into the Finance team.
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Line manage and mentor the departmental team on operational and functional responsibilities
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Create, communicate and implement a vision for the Finance department
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Set and monitor meaningful performance objectives for the Finance department
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Role model a customer focussed culture within the Finance department
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Lead, in collaboration with the Finance Director in the establishment of the organisational budget spend to ensure the delivery of in-year and long-term objectives
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Responsible for the monitoring of Ark’s overall budget to ensure actual spend is in line with budget and latest forecast
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As a business expert, advise, inform, and influence the organisation’s decision-making process from a Finance perspective
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Development of talent, succession planning and career development in Finance team.
The preferred candidate will be a qualified accountant capable of:
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Must be a member of an accountancy body recognised by the International Federation of Accountants, qualified through examination, and subject to oversight by a professional body that upholds professional standards and exercises disciplinary powers
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A demonstrated track record in a senior Finance role.
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Experience of working as part of a Senior Team to drive strategy.
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Experience of preparing Board papers and attending Board and other Sub Committee meetings.
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Developing and implementing organisational policy and practice.
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Understand personal and professional strengths.
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Experience of managing projects from inception to completion.
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Demonstrable understanding of finance legislation and best practice as it applies to Ark
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Exceptional ability to communicate effectively with and influence a wide range of individuals at all levels
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Ability to communicate technical financial ideas and information to non-financial managers and others without the same level of financial knowledge
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Ability to develop, implement and monitor effective systems, policies, strategies, and procedures
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High level of competence in IT applications including accounting packages and MS Word and Excel
On Offer
This Head of Finance role is offered on a full time, permanent basis with a competitive salary and great benefits package. This role is offered on a full-time basis, with hybrid working offered though some attendance at their office in Edinburgh will be required.
iMultiply is committed to diversity and will promote diversity for all employees, workers and applicants. iMultiply will treat everyone equally and will not discriminate on the grounds of an individual's 'protected characteristic’.