Merthyr Tydfil Housing Association - Director of Corporate Services

AppniaSoft; Merthyr Tydfil; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading Welsh Housing Association is seeking a Director of Corporate Services to oversee Finance, IT, HR & Procurement. This pivotal role ensures efficient financial management and the successful execution of corporate policies and strategies, aiming to enhance overall organizational performance and community service.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable leadership and people management skills.
• Ability to write clear and concise reports.
• Ability to discuss and negotiate effectively.

Responsibilities

• Manage finances, ensuring compliance with policies and budgets.
• Provide financial information to the Senior Management Team.
• Act as principal adviser on IT strategy and financial policy.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic Thinking

Financial Management

Interpersonal Skills

Education

Comprehensive knowledge of financial and management accounting

Broad knowledge of social housing

Job description

Head4Talent are working exclusively with Merthyr Tydfil Housing Association to recruit a Director of Corporate Services.

In this exciting opportunity you will have full responsibility for Finance, IT, HR & Procurement for this leading Welsh Housing Association.

Responsible to:Chief Executive

Responsible for:Financial Controller HR Manager, Finance Business Analyst

Department:Finance, HR, IT, Procurement,Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery, Equality & Diversity, Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)

• Basic Purpose Of The Job And Its Primary Objectives
  
  

To assist the Board of Management and the Chief Executive in defining financial goals and policies, and in identifying financial opportunities.

To manage the finances efficiently, effectively and within policies and budgets.

To account for all income and expenditure, assets and liabilities in an accurate and timely manner.

To provide appropriate financial information to the Senior Management Team (SMT), Chief Executive, Board, funders and Welsh Government,

Update and keep under review the 30-year business plan for financial modelling and funding requirements,

To ensure that an effective information technology strategy is in place to ensure the future proofing and security of systems and data,

Lead the development and management of the People & Culture priority and Human Resources team,

Manage the outsourced IT contract.

Lead on the Internal Audit programme and strategy.

Manage lease agreements for commercial lettings.

Undertake the roles of Data Protection Officer (DPO), Anti-Money Laundering Reporting Officer and Approved Person FCA.

• Main duties: list details:
  
  

2.1Management

Act as a member of the Management Team in accordance with its terms of reference.

Assist the Chief Executive in reviewing and updating the 3-year rolling Corporate Plan.

Monitor key indicators of financial performance, advising the Chief Executive on corrective action as necessary.

Monitor MTHA's financial management against the Welsh Governments Regulatory Framework", supplying the required returns to WG and funders and reporting and interpreting the data to the Chief Executive, Board and stakeholders.

Participate in leading quality initiatives and service improvements.

2.2Financial Policy

Advise the Management Team, Chief Executive and Board on all aspects of financial policy, including statutory requirements, best practice and the development of new initiatives.

Advise staff on the financial aspects of their work and the financial implications of proposals and decisions.

Negotiate with funders for finance in line with business needs and advise on the implications of this including the appropriateness of terms and covenants.

Advise SMT, Chief Executive and Board on the advantages and disadvantages of different types and sources of funding.

Represent the organisation to government departments, local authorities and other organisations on financial issues.

2.3Treasury Management

Ensure that income is maximised within statutory and policy constraints.

Ensure that the interest earned on cash deposits is maximised and any overdraft interest minimised.

Ensure that proper credit control operates without detriment to relations with creditors.

Ensure proper, cost-effective banking arrangements, including the negotiation of appropriate overdraft facilities when required.

Develop and manage the Treasury Management Strategy with our external advisors to ensure liquidity at all times and that cashflow requirements are met. Cash and undrawn loans must be sufficient to fund the business operations and forward development programme.

Regularly and systematically monitor compliance with loan covenants and Golden Rules

Advise on tax issues and in collaboration with advisers.

Keep under review financial and other systems and look for continuous improvement.

2.4Financial Accounting

Prepare the annual accounts in accordance with statutory and internal requirements.

Ensure that satisfactory audit arrangements exist, that these are cost effective, and that the timetables agreed with the auditors are met.

Periodically arrange for the tendering of internal and external audit.

Advise the Chief Executive and Board on a system of internal audit to ensure the adequacy of financial and operational controls.

Ensure that the accounts are kept up-to-date in a form required for the preparation of statutory and management accounts.

Advise the Chief Executive and Board on changes to accounting standards/disclosure requirements.

2.5Management Information and Accounting

Design formats for management accounts in order to provide information to assist budget holders and the Board in making informed decisions, monitoring activities and controlling expenditure.

In consultation with other budget holders, prepare the annual financial budget and cash flow forecast within guidelines set by SMT and Board.

Prepare monthly financial indicators and quarterly management accounts showing a comparison of budget and cash flow with actual performance.

Prepare other reports as required by the Chief Executive and Board.

Prepare long term financial forecasts and plans and in collaboration with other staff to guide long range planning.

Establish and maintain appropriate systems for monitoring and reporting on financial risk arising from operational activities.

2.6Information Technology

Act as principal adviser to SMT and Board on the use of new technology.

Deliver the IT Strategy, ensuring the action plan is implemented and monitored.

Ensure that the IT environment is robust, secure, and enables the organisation to make the best use of application software.

Ensure that staff are provided with support and training in computer uses.

2.7Development

Support in the delivery of the Associations Growth priority.

Ensure financial control and cashflow of the development programme.

Undertake project feasibility exercises and financial appraisals.

Update the 30-year business plan and prepare capital cash flows and assess private finance requirements and ensure that funds are in place as required for the forward development programme.

Assist the Chief Executive and SMT in the preparation and negotiation of bids to the Welsh Government and other funding agencies.

2.8Human Resources

To promote and develop a positive culture within the organisation and to ensure the delivery of the People & Culture corporate priority.

To manage and support the HR Manager, to lead, direct and deliver the people management functions of the Association and to deliver a comprehensive HR service to the Association. To include: employee matters, payroll, pensions, benefits, reward & recognition, training & development, performance management and policies & procedures.

2.9Procurement

Manage the appointment or purchase of goods, works and services and ensure compliance with the Procurement Policy.

2.10Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery

To develop and ensure that there are adequate Disaster Recovery Procedures in place and that all staff with duties and responsibilities within those procedures are aware of them and adequately trained to carry them out.

Ensure that a Disaster Recovery scenario is tested annually for the office, operational activities and IT to ensure that the policy and procedure is accurate and fit for purpose.

2.11Staff Management

Manage the Corporate Services team, ensuring that they work effectively as individuals and as a team, and in accordance with agreed policies and procedures; provide support, guidance and direction as necessary; encourage staff involvement in the development of strategy, policies and procedures so as to use skills to the full.

Assess and keep under review staff training needs and identify how these may be met.

Ensure that disciplinary and grievance procedures are properly implemented.

Keep under review the organisation's staffing structure, workforce planning, procedures and systems, making recommendations for changes to the Chief Executive and Board as necessary.

Advise the Board of Management on personnel and employment issues, participating in negotiations with individual staff or staff representative bodies as necessary.

2.12Governance

Work with the Chief Executive and Governance Manager & Company Secretary to oversee the internal governance and assurance framework to ensure it meets the needs of the business, and the organisations statutory and regulatory requirements.

Support the Chief Executive and Governance Manager & Company Secretary to deliver excellence in Governance, Board Assurance, Regulation and Risk Management.

2.13Data Protection Officer

Undertake the role of the Data Protection Officer (DPO) and ensure that the organisation processes the personal data of its staff, customers, providers or any other individuals (also referred to as data subjects) in compliance with the applicable data protection rules. The DPO will be supported by the Data Protection Assistant (DPA).

Give advice and recommendations to the SMT, Board and staff about the interpretation or application of the data protection rules.

Draw to the attention of the Chief Executive, Board, Regulator and ICO, as appropriate, of any failure to comply with the applicable data protection rules.

Take legal advice as required to provide robust support and effective delivery of the duties required under the role of DPO.

2.14Other

Systematically keep under review MTHA's insurance requirements and ensure that adequate cover is maintained.

Advise on pension matters and liaise with MTHA's pensions' company and advisors as necessary.

Produce reports for and attend the Board of Management and Committees as required.

Represent MTHA to other agencies as required by the Chief Executive.

To be aware of the Associations Equality & Diversity Policy regarding both employees and tenants and to assist in eliminating all areas of inequality and discrimination.

To be prepared to undertake any training required to improve skills and enable the post holder to carry their job out more effectively.

2.15Fire, Health And Safety Responsibilities

Be aware of your legal responsibility to comply with health and safety legislation and a duty to comply with the Associations fire, health and safety policies and procedures to ensure that safe working practices and procedures are adopted at all times. All employees should make themselves familiar with the relevant policies held in the corporate drive and your obligations under the Associations Health and Safety Policy.

• Supervisory and managerial responsibilities:
  
  

Management of Financial Controller, HR Manager and Finance Business Analyst.

• Other responsibilities: money, equipment, materials:
  
  

Significant levels of responsibility as set out in the schedule of delegated authority for:

Expenditure

Purchasing

Grant claims (Finance & Development)

Statutory and regulatory returns

IT equipment

Banking systems

Legal documents and contracts (not those under seal)

Disposal of assets

Insurance claims

Capital within budget

Other expenses

Invoice certification and authorisation

SHG finance, grant signatory

HR authorisation

• Decisions made:
  
  

Decisions are made within the authorisation levels determined by the Board.

Role requires a significant level of independent and strategic thinking

Risk management decisions

• Knowledge and skills required:
  
  

Comprehensive knowledge of financial and management accounting from detailed book- keeping procedures to preparation of statutory accounts, budgets, business plans and cash flows.

Appreciates the team as well as the functional role of an accountant. Ability to contribute to the strategic management of the organisation, contributing to issues and decisions affecting the whole organisation.

Demonstrable leadership and people management skills

A broad knowledge of social housing and its operating environment including an awareness of current relevant legislation and regulation.

Able to motivate, delegate to and manage staff.

Able to think strategically and plan ahead.

Able and articulate oral communicator, with the skills to communicate policy and practice.

Effective presentation skills.

Able to write clear, concise, persuasive reports, briefings and letters.

Good inter-personal skills; ability to communicate complex technical information to a lay audience.

Ability to appraise, summarise and present complex verbal and numerical information.

Ability to discuss, debate and negotiate successfully on a wide range of issues with people at all levels.

Ability to establish priorities and ensure adherence to these priorities.

Attitudes

Understanding of and sympathy with MTHA's aims

An open and consultative management style

Flexible and supportive

A team player

Commitment to equal opportunities

Other

Adequate faculties to cope with communication requirements specified above

Willingness and ability to attend Board and evening meetings

• Special working conditions:
  
  

This role is available for hybrid working with an expectation of 2 days per week in the office.