Head of Finance and Resources

Bayman Atkinson Smythe; Lancashire; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

A higher education institution in Lancaster is seeking a Head of Finance and Resources to lead its finance function. The successful candidate will ensure accurate financial reporting and provide strategic advice to the CEO and Board of Trustees. This role requires a fully qualified accountant with strong commercial acumen and a passion for the education sector. The position offers hybrid working and generous holiday benefits.

Benefits

39 days holiday including bank holidays

Generous pension

Hybrid / flexible working

Qualifications

• Proven ability to work using your own initiative.
• Ability to challenge and enhance working processes.
• Skills to build solid relationships with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead the finance function, ensuring accurate financial reporting.
• Provide strategic advice on financial performance and risks.
• Manage cashflow and develop long-term financial strategies.
• Oversee statutory returns for the Charity Commission and Companies House.

Skills

Fully qualified accountant

Commercial acumen

People management

Process improvement

Job description

Overview

Head of Finance and Resources Lancaster – GBP47,389 to GBP56,535 Hybrid

Lancaster University Students Union (LUSU) is a special place playing a pivotal role within the campus of Lancaster University to provide a community where students can feel a sense of belonging and have the support to make the most of their time at university. Supporting a wide range of services including student clubs and societies, providing recreational and competitive sporting opportunities, co–ordinating volunteering projects, running environmental and sustainability projects, the Union is committed to ensuring students have a fulfilling student life. It also runs several commercial services including a lettings agency and nightclub. Home to a dynamic community of 18000 students the University is ranked as one of the UK's top 10 universities and holds the coveted TEF Gold award.

It's an exciting time to join LUSU as it embarks on a transformational journey to stay agile to meet the needs of students, whilst navigating the changes in higher education. We now have an exciting opportunity for a Head of Finance and Resources. Working with a talented team, a committed Board of Trustees and an inspirational CEO the role will be varied and be responsible for :

Responsibilities

• Leading the finance function, ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting, budgeting, and forecasting.
• Providing strategic advice to the CEO, Board of Trustees, and senior managers on financial performance, risks, and opportunities.
• Ensuring compliance with charity law, Companies House, HMRC, and relevant financial regulations.
• Managing cashflow and developing financial strategies that support the long–term financial health of the organisation.
• Supporting the HR Assistant to ensure LUSU complies with Lancaster University s employment policies and procedures.
• Supporting the IT Manager to ensure IT systems and services are appropriately maintained and support operational needs.
• Acting as Company Secretary overseeing the preparation and submission of statutory returns including those to the Charity Commission and Companies House.
• Ensuring that the Union is a safe, sustainable and fair organisation for our staff, students and others, including health & safety, equality, diversity and inclusion and sustainability

Qualifications

It is essential you are a fully qualified accountant with a passion for working within the education sector. With strong commercial acumen you will have the ability to work using your own initiative. You will have proven people management skills and have an appetite to challenge and enhance working processes and practices, whilst building solid relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.

Benefits

• 39 days holiday (including bank holidays)
• Generous pension
• Hybrid / flexible working

Please note, all third–party CVs will be forwarded to Bayman Atkinson Smythe Ltd as the exclusively retained consultants for LUSU for this role.