HEAD OF FINANCE and BUSINESS SERVICES

The UK Electronics Skills Foundation (UKESF) is an educational charity that collaborates with industry and academia to tackle the skills shortage in the UK’s Electronics sector. We are seeking a hands-on Head of Finance and Business Services to lead our financial operations and business services ensuring strong financial management, compliance, and organisational efficiency.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a fast growing and impactful charity, playing a key role in shaping our financial strategy while ensuring robust financial controls and compliance, and the effectiveness of our business services.

As Head of Finance and Business Services, you will be responsible to the CEO for overseeing all financial aspects at the UKESF, including financial planning, budgeting, reporting, and risk management. A key part of the role is managing grant funding and ensuring compliance with reporting requirements from grantors (e.g. UKRI and Innovate UK). Also, responsible for management of key business services including management information, resources and technology.

This role is ideal for a qualified (or part qualified) ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA) with experience in charity finance, grant reporting, and financial project management. You will provide strategic leadership while also being hands-on with day-to-day business and financial operations, including managing budgets, payroll, support services, overseeing AP and AR and financial reporting using Xero.   

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial Strategy & Management

• Contribute to the development of UKESF’s financial strategy, business services and resource strategies.
• Oversee financial planning, budgeting and forecasting, ensuring effective resource allocation and efficient provision of business services.
• Provide financial insights and advice about business services and resources to support strategic decision-making by the Chief Executive and Board of Trustees.
• Prepare accurate financial and management reports including budget and monitoring forecasts for the Board, senior leadership, and funders ensuring timely reporting.
• Ensure compliance with charity financial regulations, including SORP and fund accounting. 
• Lead on government grant reporting, ensuring compliance with UKRI, DSIT, and Crown Commercial Office requirements.
• Track and report on multiple funding streams, ensuring accurate project financial management.
• Oversee statutory accounts preparation and the annual audit process.
• Manage and develop strong financial controls and risk management processes.
• Monitor cashflow and report regularly to CEO any concerns

Grant & Project Finance Management

• Manage delivery contracts and, grant funding, ensuring compliance with financial and reporting conditions are met.
• Develop project budgets and financial models for funding applications.
• Review and monitor ongoing projects cost
• Monitor grant expenditure and prepare financial reports for funders.

Day-to-Day Financial and Business Operations

• Oversee business services contracts, procurement, financial controls, payroll, pensions, VAT, and gift giving processes and liaising with relevant agencies as appropriate.
• Ensure efficient financial administration, including reconciliations and expense management.
• Through Cashflow monitoring manage bank balances utilising investment accounts where appropriate to maximise revenue.Manage financial systems and reporting using Xero accounting software.
• Manage IT support contract ensuring Cyber Essential standard compliance.

Governance & Leadership

• Act as the key financial and business services advisor to the Chief Executive and Board of Trustees.
• Produce reports and financial insights.
• Develop and implement financial and business services policies and procedures.
• Support team on all routine finance and business services tasks.
• Manage external stakeholders and contractors.

ABOUT YOU

Essential

• Qualified or part qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent).
• Knowledge of charity finance, including SORP, fund accounting, and financial governance. 
• Expertise in financial and management accounting, including reconciliations and cash flow management. 
• Experience in budgeting, financial and resource planning, and project costings for multi-stream funding.
• Proficiency in Xero accounting software, including financial reporting, bank reconciliations, and payroll.
• Strong financial analysis skills, with the ability to present financial information to non-financial stakeholders.
• Experience in preparing statutory accounts and working with auditors.

Desirable

• Experience working in a small charity or organisation with multiple funding streams.
• Experience managing and reporting on grant funding, for instance from UKRI and Innovate UK.
• Experiences of business services e.g. management information, resource management and management of business services contracts.Experience supporting governance processes and working with trustees.
• Experience of Government Contracts through Crown Commercial Service
• Experience of successful implementation and rollout of new CRM systems.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Flexible working hybrid working.
• The opportunity to play a key leadership role in a growing and impactful charity.
• Competitive salary and pension contributions.
• A chance to make a difference in addressing the UK’s Electronics skills shortage.
• Support to complete accountancy qualifications.

To apply, please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your suitability for the role.

If you have any questions or would like an informal discussion, please contact us.