FINANCE MANAGER
Job Description
Background
The Clore Leadership Programme (CLP) was initiated by the Clore Duffield Foundation with the aim of strengthening leadership in the cultural sector. In 2004 it was established as an independent organisation (company limited by guarantee and registered charity).
For the first two years of its existence, the focus was on setting up the Fellowship Programme, aimed at shaping cultural leaders through in-depth learning, and tailored as far as possible to the needs, aspirations and circumstances of between 20 and 30 individuals a year. The structure of the Fellowship includes a 360 degree appraisal, workshops and residential courses, an extended placement, individually-selected training, mentoring and coaching. In addition, Fellows have the option of undertaking a research project, supervised by a Higher Education Institute and funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council.
As soon as it was launched, the response to the initiative was overwhelming, in terms of both the number and quality of applications. Since 2004, 202 Fellowships have been awarded to outstanding individuals, some working freelance and others drawn from different types and sizes of organisations, in areas ranging from archives to film and theatre production. Fellows have come from across the UK, and from Canada, China, Egypt, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Iran, Ireland, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates. Many Fellows have moved into senior leadership roles and are heading up independent organisations and developing innovative new projects. The Fellowship has proved to be a self-sustaining network in an ever-growing family. The Programme has attracted partnership funding from more than 40 different public, private and charitable sources, which has more than matched the generous and continuing investment by the Clore Duffield Foundation.
In 2006, the Programme expanded its remit with the introduction of fortnight-long residential courses offering intensive leadership training. Since July 2006, the Programme has run 31 “Short” Courses across the UK, funded by Arts Council England and reaching over 600 artists, administrators, producers, curators, librarians, policy-makers and many others in the cultural and creative field: some working freelance, others running their own charities or businesses, and others leading teams or projects in larger organisations. We have also run two 3 day courses for international leaders, supported by the British Council. One of the factors contributing to the success of the courses is the involvement of two Fellows as facilitators on each course. We have introduced one and two-day follow up courses which are open to anyone who has been a Fellow or attended a Short Course and run one-week residential courses for younger emerging leaders. We also hold occasional events including conferences.
Even before the Clore Leadership Programme was launched, the Clore Duffield Foundation had recognised that if it was going to have an impact on leadership across the cultural sector, it would need to look at issues of governance as well as executive leadership. The relationship between executives and Board members is a critical ingredient in the leadership of any cultural organisation, and the Clore Programme introduced Board Development as a new strand of its work in 2007, again working in partnership with Arts Council England
By then, the Clore brand had gained respect and recognition not only in the UK but also overseas: the Foreign and Commonwealth Office agreed to offer Chevening scholarships for international Fellows, funded through the British Council, and the Home Affairs Bureau of the Hong Kong Government invited the Programme to design and direct a leadership symposium in October 2008 for their local arts managers, aimed at strengthening their capacity to run the many new cultural venues being built in West Kowloon. Following the success of the Hong Kong Symposium, the Hong Kong Government agreed to support one or two scholars a year from Hong Kong on the Fellowship Programme. In 2011 Hong Kong University and the Clore Leadership Programme created an innovative association to bring a global perspective on the region’s unique needs and sensibilities. This resulted in Asia’s first ever Advanced Cultural Leadership Programme, designed to enable outstanding cultural leaders to strengthen their organisations and deliver a world-class vision.
The Fellowships remain at the very heart of the Clore Leadership Programme, and much of the success of the Programme is due to the contribution Fellows have made and continue to make to all areas of activity.
The role of Finance Manager
The Finance Manager is a newly-created post. The post-holder will be a member of a team of 6 mainly full-time employees who are based at the Clore Leadership Programme’s offices at Somerset House in London. The other members of the team are Sharon Armstrong-Williams who manages the Fellowships; Fiona Cameron, who manages our courses and events; Director Sue Hoyle; Maria Schweppe our Administrator; and Alishittington, who is responsible for administration of courses and the Board Development programme. Sir John Tusa is part-time Chair of the Programme.
The Finance Manager reports directly to the Director, and is responsible for providing operational and strategic support to the Director in finance and asset management, including preparation of annual and project budgets, management accounts, and business planning. He/she is responsible to the Director for the efficient and effective management of all the financial matters within CLP, which currently has an annual revenue turn-over of approximately £1.8 million. He/she will be required to record all financial transactions and work with other members of the busy team on budgeting and monitoring income and expenditure.
The accounts systems are currently held on SAGE and EXCEL spread-sheets.
Person specification
Essential skills
· CCAB qualified accountant
· At least 3 years’ post qualification experience
· Working experience of Sage Line 50
· Confident with IT, with excellent Excel and database skills
· Practical experience of management accounting
· Meticulous eye for detail
· The ability to juggle a busy workload and to meet deadlines
· Ability to work on own initiative and be hands-on
· Excellent communication skills – in writing, on the phone and in person – and ability to work with a wide range of people including funders and donors
· Supportive and empowering approach to working with others and happy to work as part of a small, busy and collaborative team
· Keen interest in, and knowledge of, the arts
Desirable skills
· Experience of working in the arts
· Interest in training and professional development
· Knowledge of charity accounts and SORP requirements
Main responsibilities
· To ensure the effective and responsible financial management of CLP including
o the preparation and presentation of appropriate management accounts and financial reports
o fulfilment of statutory requirements including the preparation of payroll returns, VAT returns, and ensuring compliance with all HMRC requirements
o ensuring that CLP’s financial regulations are observed and the necessary authorisation procedures for all expenditure are adhered to
· To support the Director in the creation, implementation, monitoring and review of the CLP business plan, to be updated annually
· To support the Director (and other budget-holders) on preparing and monitoring annual and project budgets, including undertaking appropriate financial modelling and monitoring all expenditure against budgets on a monthly and cumulative basis
· To prepare the draft annual accounts and provide CLP’s auditors with any information they require in preparing for audit
· To manage cash flow ensuring the best use of cash resources and produce monthly cash-flow projections and monitor the forecast cash-flow
· To manage CLP’s bank investments to ensure they maximise their financial return to the organisation , to liaise with the bank on routine matters
· To carry out monthly bank reconciliations and maintain CLP’s financial systems including its book-keeping (Purchases, Payments and Sales) for all transactions (SAGE) and ensure that all data is backed up at appropriate intervals
· To manage and carry out CLP’s day-to-day financial administration including
o prepare and issue out-going invoices and monitor cash collection
o manage incoming invoices, obtain authorisation for payment and to arrange for payments to be made, drawing up cheques for signature where appropriate
o hold, distribute and monitor CLP’s Petty Cash and maintain the Petty Cash Account
o process all expenses claims (including speakers, staff and Fellows)
o set up systems for online banking, and to manage online banking
o monitor project expenditure in consultation with all budget holders
o maintain detailed records of spend on individual Fellowships
o maintain detailed records of funding and prepare the necessary financial reports for funders
o manage and run CLP’s payroll, tax returns, queries and correspondence and maintain sick pay records
· To maintain an up-to-date Asset Register
· To manage in consultation with the Director the relationship with CLP’s insurance brokers and provide them with necessary information including that related to the renewal of premiums and preparation of any insurance claims
· To ensure the appropriate and required financial policies, procedures and processes are in place, up-to-date and communicated with all staff and associates
· To understand and adhere to CLP’s internal policies including its financial regulations, its Health & Safety Policy and its employment policies including its Equal Opportunities Policy
Examples of key contacts:
· The Chair and staff team
· Interns who are seconded to the Programme
· Members of the Board and its Strategic Advisory Committee
· The staff and trustees of the Clore Duffield Foundation
· Funders of the Programme
· Clore Fellows
· External suppliers and providers, including bank representatives, auditors and insurance brokers
· Cultural organisations and individuals, including speakers and mentors
· Other organisations providing support to the Programme
· General public
Terms and conditions
· Salary £38,000 - £40,000 p.a. pro rata (0.7 FTE)
· Contribution to pension scheme (equivalent to 9% salary)
· 25 working days holiday per year pro rata
· The post will be based in the Clore Leadership Programme offices at Somerset House, Strand, London WC2
· 28 hours a week (including meal breaks), spread over either 4 or 5 days
Please send a c.v. (including contact details for 2 referees) with letter explaining why you are a suitable candidate for this post to:
by Friday 17th February 2012
Interviews will be held in London on Tuesday 28th February
The Clore Leadership Programme is committed to a policy of Equal Opportunities
3