Director of Finance and Administration

Autistica are partnering exclusively with Robertson Bell in their search for a part-time Director of Finance and Administration on a fixed term contract basis for 15 months. Autistica are the UK’s leading autism research and campaigning charity. Our mission is to create breakthroughs that enable all autistic people to live happier, healthier, longer lives. We do this by funding research, shaping policy and working with autistic people to make more of a difference.

The Director of Finance & Administration will work closely with the CEO and take full ownership of the Finance department, as well as oversea HR and Admin.  The post holder is responsible for the finance staff team of two people.  This role is being offered on a 0.75 basis and is to cover maternity leave of the permanent postholder.

The role:

• Inputting into the Strategy and Business Plan working closely with the other members of the Senior Leadership Team. 
• Provide ongoing support and challenge to the Chief Executive, wider Executive Team, Treasurer and Board.
• Responsible for leading a team that can provide accurate and strong financial information in a timely manner that enables informed business decisions to support the ongoing commercial and charitable needs of each operation within the Charity.
• Confidently present the budget to the Board and wider team and respond to challenges and feedback in a proactive manner.
• Working closely with the Director of Research to keep track of restricted funding as well as the level of unrestricted reserves. 
• Lead the charity through the audit process, acting as the main point of contact for the auditors.
• Create monthly management accounts with commentary to the senior leadership team to tight deadlines, quarterly reporting to The Board in Finance Committee meetings and Board meetings. 
• Maintaining established internal controls and overseeing that governance documents are up to date with Companies House and Charities Commission.
• Oversee HR and Administration acting as the main point of contact with the outsourced HR provider. 
• Payroll – liaising with the payroll provider to ensure accuracy and efficient payment of the payroll and taxes.

The organisation:

Our mission is to create breakthroughs that enable all autistic people to live happier, healthier, longer lives. We do this by funding research, shaping policy and working with autistic people to make more of a difference. We know that every autistic person is different. And we know that autism comes with both strengths and challenges, but there’s lots we don’t know.

The successful candidate will:

• Be a fully qualified Accountant (ACA preferable).
• Have experience of working at a senior level with board involvement and input to financial strategy development and monitoring.
• Have expert knowledge of financial management principles, practice and control procedures with charity accounting experience
• Hold strong interpersonal skills with evidence of being open to alternative views, ideas and options
• Have excellent writing and communication skills and be able to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders

The position will be based at Autistica’s head office in Old Street and requires one visit per week to the office. The closing date for applications is 25^th August with interviews taking place the week commencing 2^nd September.

Applications will be under constant review before the closing date, so please submit your application to our exclusive search agent, Robertson Bell. Apply now to be considered!