Job description

Role purpose

Support the delivery of the strategic priorities of Scope by managing the finance function and acting as a key member of the Leadership Team.

Scope is the national disability charity and has implemented a programme of change in order to be in the best position to deliver its strategy of An Equal Future with disabled people. A key component of this was the establishment of a finance team that can support other teams with high quality financial data and analysis.  As an organisational leader and function leader, this role is key to the design and delivery of an efficient operational support team, focussed on quality of service to internal customers and making the most of our resources.

With a significant leadership role within Scope, the Head of Finance is responsible for maintaining an effective financial and fiscal control framework, the provision of fit for purpose and efficient finance and procurement services, statutory and fiscal reporting, treasury management and safeguarding the assets of the charity. 

Management of the budgeting and forecasting process across Scope in close collaboration with the Head of Planning is a key part of the role as well as reporting and monitoring the actual results including a financial forecast that is updated every month.

The Finance team is organised into three areas:

• Finance systems and data
• Financial control and compliance
• Business partnering

The Head of Finance will need to manage and motivate these teams effectively to maintain levels of financial control and continued improvements in performance.

Accountable to

• CFO, Executive Director of Operational Performance
• Executive Leadership Team
• Leadership Team
• Head of planning – Critical path, dependencies, RASCI, RAG
• Audit, Risk and Finance Committee (attend committee meetings, draft papers, submit proposals)
• Board of Trustees

Authority

Financial delegated authority level of £50,000.

Decision making for the function and team with appropriate communication. 

Key responsibilities

At Scope, we work together, in our teams and across all teams. Together, we commit to being collaborative, trusting and respectful. To being open about our work and to being flexible and open to change.  And to building our confidence by improving what we do by developing and learning, continuously.

Management of a high performing finance function

• Manage the Finance team within resource levels to ensure performance levels meet Scope’s requirements and systems and controls are operating effectively
• Maintain a full budgeting and forecasting process including cash flow
• Ensure the month end process is run efficiently and management reporting is completed on time, is accurate and well presented.  Ensure the team provides other teams with reporting and analysis needed for decision making and performance monitoring
• Ensure all regulatory filings are made on time with responsibility for the production of the annual report.  Also ensure that audits run smoothly
• Ensure there are clear service levels and job roles within the team as well as flexibility to provide cover across the team and adapt to changing needs
• Input to continuing processing and reporting improvements
• Develop and manage team capacity, capability, resilience and motivation
• Ensure managers maintain regular reviews with their teams to monitor and document performance

Change management

• Maintain a managed framework/methodology for agreeing and implementing new requirements from other teams, assessing priorities within resources available
• Be proactive in communication and seeking early engagement with the Leadership Team and the finance team in planning
• Work with other teams to understand the cost, control, process and reporting implications for new proposals
• Act as a Leader of Scope as well as a team leader, driving change and actively participating in Leadership Team operational management and development

Financial Strategy

• Support the CFO in management of Scope’s financial strategy and preparation of reporting for the Executive Leadership Team, Leadership Team, Committees, the Board of Trustees and Pension Scheme Trustees

Key relationships, internal and external stakeholders

Internal contacts

• Trustees
• CFO
• Executive Leadership Team
• Leadership Team
• Operational Performance Team (Finance, Risk, Procurement, Property, Planning, Governance)
• All Finance colleagues
• Managers and leaders across Scope

External contacts

• Banks
• Key suppliers
• Internal and external auditors
• Investment managers
• Disability Charity Consortium Finance Heads
• Pension advisors
• Legal advisors

Person specification

Knowledge and experience

Essential

• A recognised, reputable UK or international accountancy qualification (ACA, ACCA or equivalent)
• Experience in a similar job role for an organization with similar financial dimensions
• Rounded experience of financial management and service provision, including managing budgets, forecasting and reporting
• Experience of managing a team of a similar size during times of change

Desirable

• Experience of work in the not for profit sector
• Understanding of the social model of disability
• Understanding of charity fund raising models, risks and control
• Previous experience of leading financial systems implementation/improvements
• Experience of the financial control of retail operations for a medium sized retail portfolio (EPOS reconciliation; reporting)

Skills and competencies

Essential

• Strong analytical and commercial skills
• Strong IT office skills and ability to adapt to make use of changing technology e.g. AI agents
• Creates a customer focused environment with high standards
• Confident with data and system capabilities to support and direct the Finance Systems and Data team
• Flexible, responds positively to change, and works effectively to deadlines and dealing with conflicting priorities
• A collaborative and open leadership style able to manage internal and external relationships to ensure effective business solutions and resolve conflict where necessary
• A high level of emotional intelligence and the ability to inspire and persuade.  Builds trust with finance colleagues and internal customers.
• Confidence in own judgement and abilities with the maturity to delegate effectively
• Demonstrates diplomacy, sensitivity and empathy with the issues of disability and independence, diversity and inclusion.

Desirable

• A proven track record of leadership and driving culture change in a complex, multi-faceted organization
• Demonstrates passion for Scope’s purpose and vision
• Creates an environment where people are accountable for their actions, admit to mistakes, take corrective action and learn from the experience.
• Creates an environment where problems are quickly and constructively resolved and where this contributes to continuous improvement.
• Can lead cross organisational initiatives to drive progress to implement Scope’s strategic direction
• Develops and maintains a positive culture by role modelling, recognising and reinforcing desired behaviours