JOB DESCRIPTION

Finance and Operations Director

Context

The Finance and Operations Director will be responsible for working closely with the Headteachers and CEO to oversee the development of the St Neots Learning Partnership Trust’s resources, operations and financial functions; whilst contributing to the development of the organisation’s strategic goals.

Responsible to: Chief Executive Officer

Particular Partnership Leader Duties:

The particular duties of this post are to:

  1. As a member of the Trust core team :

•Act as the Senior Manager for Premises and Finance departments, line managing and developing the Partnership Premises & Safety Manager and the Partnership Finance Manager;

•prepare reports for, attend and otherwise support governing body meetings and SLT meetings relevant to areas for which responsibility is held;

•participate by agreement in events and processes that contribute to the effective running of the Academy and the post holder’s own professional development.

  1. Operations Management

•lead the Premises function, working closely with the Partnership Premises and Safety Manager ensuring the safe maintenance of the school sites, ensuring the continuing availability of utilities, site services and equipment;

•oversee purchase and repair of fixtures and fittings;

•project manage large scale operational works as required;

•ensure relevant supervision of planning and construction processes is undertaken in line with legislation and contractual obligations;

•ensure a safe environment for the stakeholders of the schools;

•ensure ancillary services e.g. cleaning are monitored and managed effectively;

•oversee a programme of continuous improvement through ongoing decorating / repair / refresh works across both sites;

•manage the lettings of school premises to maximise income and develop community links;

•arrange and monitor Academy Insurance Policies;

•ensure systems are in place for monitoring, measuring and improving health and safety which are continually reviewed;

•act as the principal point of contact for catering contracts

•coach and support the development of the Partnership Premises Manager.

  1. Financial Management

•lead all matters relating to SNLP finances and resource management, securing best value and additional income streams to maximise potential;

•oversee financial administration matters within the Trust, ensuring such matters are handled in accordance with regulations to a high level of efficiency, working closely with the Partnership Finance Manager;

•Coach and support the structured training and development plan of the Partnership Finance Manager;

•present timely and fully costed proposals, recommendations and bids to maximise income to the Trust;

•undertake the role of Company Secretary leading and managing the preparation of the Trustees Annual Report;

•supervise the preparation of the information required by Academy Accountants and Audit Team;

•supervise preparation of the annual returns and information required by the EFA and Teachers Pensions

•strategically plan annual income and expenditure budgets, using modelling information to calculate staffing and other sources of information to calculate income and expenditure;

•prepare budgetary control reports;

•attend Senior Team meetings appropriate to this function;

•monitor monthly expenditure against expenditure profiles, particularly staffing;

•ensure that bank reconciliations are correct and all income and expenditure has been correctly entered;

•ensure that funding streams are correctly accounted for;

•supervise the computerised financial systems and ensure that robust segregation and shadowing of duties exist within the Teams so that in the event of staff absence all roles can be undertaken by alternative members of staff;

•prepare the annual Best Value Statement;

•identify and operate best practice in financial management among budget holders;

•oversee bank accounts, credit control, VAT accounting and payment if necessary, cash handling and cash flow;

•proactively undertake training relevant to the role;

•comply with the EFA Academies’ Financial Handbook, Academies Accounts Direction and the Internal Financial Procedure Manual;

•prepare and monitor all Service Contracts.

Shared Responsibilities:

All members of staff are expected to:

•uphold the ethos, aims and values of the Partnership;

•contribute to the formulation, monitoring and evaluation of Partnership policy and the Partnership Improvement Plan;

•focus students, staff and others on student learning as the core purpose of the Partnership;

•play an active part in upholding high standards of student behaviour and responsibility;

•share responsibility for the professional development and well-being of all staff;

•participate in key events and processes, e.g. staff appointments;

•give active support to members of the Senior Leadership Team and Headteachers as appropriate.

Other Specific Duties

•have full regard to all aspects of the Academy’s Health and Safety policy and secure appropriate practice in those areas for which responsibility is held;

•exercise care for the well-being of staff and students in all aspects of the performance of this role;

•follow Child Protection and other agreed procedures, eg relating to the organisation of trips and visits and the ordering of goods;

•undertake such other duties as the Headteacher may reasonably require.

General Duties

The Conditions of Employment for School Teachers (contained in the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document) specify the general professional duties of all teachers. In addition, certain particular duties are reasonably required to be exercised and completed in a satisfactory manner.

Updating

The job description will be reviewed and updated periodically in order to ensure that it reflects accurately the nature of the role in the context of in-school and other developments. The process may be initiated by the Executive Principal or the Postholder. It will always be the aim to reach agreement on reasonable changes but, if agreement is not possible, the Governing Body (represented by the Headteacher) reserves the right to make changes following consultation.

Signatures

Signed ……………………………………… (Postholder)

Date: ………………………………………

Signed ………………………………………… CEO

Date: ………………………………………

February 2017