CANDIDATE PACK FINANCE & PREMISES DIRECTOR For Kingsway Community Trust

Transcription

1 CANDIDATE PACK FINANCE & PREMISES DIRECTOR For Kingsway Community Trust Kingsway Community Trust Briarfield Road Withington Manchester, M20 4SR 1

2 KINGSWAY COMMUNITY TRUST Dear Candidate Contents The aim of this pack is to give you sufficient background information to decide if you wish to apply for this post. Thank you for expressing an interest in becoming Finance & Premises Director for Kingsway Community Trust. This is a challenging and innovative opportunity for an exceptional candidate with considerable financial and administrative experience. We have excellent finance structures, praised by our external auditors and a very strong leadership at governor and Executive Headteacher level in terms of finance. This key leadership role provides a unique opportunity to help build and shape strategic direction of our Multi Academy Trust. With best wishes Candidate Information 1. Letter from the Head 2. Background of the Trust 3. How to Apply 4. Job Description 5. Person Specification 6. Staffing Structure 7. Application Form Lisa Vyas Executive Head Teacher 2

3 Ladybarn Primary School, Green End Primary School and Cringle Brook Primary School work together as part of the Kingsway Community Trust, a multi-academy trust, which provides excellent partnership opportunities for the pupils, parents and staff of both schools. The trust is led and managed by one Executive Headteacher and one Governing Body. In each school there is a full time Head of School who lead and manage alongside the Executive Headteacher. This new position has been created in order to further develop the Trust working on a financial and premises level to ensure a clear strategic vision and best value in all areas. Kingsway Community Trust will create and enthusiasm for learning that will shape children's lives and future chances. Our union allows us to be innovative, be creative and provide pupil and parent support which would be more difficult for one school alone. HOW TO APPLY Your completed application form and any supporting documents should be submitted to:- s.beecher@ladybarn.manchester.sch.uk Suzy Beecher Kingsway Community Trust C/O Ladybarn Primary School Briarfield Road Withington Manchester, M20 4SR s.beecher@ladybarn.manchester.sch.uk Closing date: Noon, 8 th June 2015 Shortlisting: 16 th June 2015 First Stage Assessment: 22 nd June 2015 Second Stage Interview: 24 th June

4 Job Description Finance & Premises Director, Grade 10, Points ( 41,140-42,957 per annum) Purpose of the Job To assist the Executive Head, as a member of the Leadership Team, with the overall leadership, management and development of the Trust. Contract Terms and Duties Grade 10 Points ( 41,140-42,957 per annum) 35 hours a week, all year round. Holiday entitlement 25 days plus bank holidays (to be taken during school holidays) Accountable For Specified Associate Staff Accountable To: The Executive Head of the Trust Key Responsibilities To lead the further development of specified areas of innovation across the Trust To be a key member of the Strategic Leadership Structure, contributing to the leadership, management and development of the Trust To lead the work of specified Associate Staff and Associate Staff Teams, ensuring that their areas of responsibility are well managed and effectively led To take overall responsibility for the management of facilities and finance 4

5 1. Strategic Leadership Role As a member of the Senior Team, the post holder will:- In consultation with the Trust and SLT, prepare the Academy s Corporate Plan taking into account the performance improvement objectives, future funding projections, and other potential events and activities Provide clear information, advice and recommendations to the Executive Headteacher, SLT, and Governors/Trustees regarding strategic development of service support, the utilisation of academy assets and the development of the academy s business activity, to ensure the best possible learning environment for pupils Participate and represent the Academy Trust in national and local networks of Bursars/Finance Directors and managers, so that the Trust is alert to new trends and is familiar with current best practice Be responsible for constantly monitoring and evaluating Academy Trust progress against stated objectives and targets of the Trust Improvement Plan, and for taking any additional action as may be agreed to be necessary Undertake line management of staff as required and to participate in Performance Management, including relevant training opportunities for staff development, in line with the academy s staffing policies and procedures Promote and market the Trust to a variety of audiences to raise the profile with the local community and seek sponsorship 2. Financial Planning, Management and Reporting Preparing and submitting statutory financial statements Prepare the annual budget as part of the three year financial plan Develop and keep updated the financial and management accounting systems for the Academies Prepare monthly management accounts To be responsible for sales and purchases, income generation sponsorship, lettings and business activities To set objectives for financial management and service support, to monitor progress and to advise on any necessary remedial actions and to participate in Performance Management, and in relevant training opportunities Prepare the financial reports, estimates and completion of financial returns as required by the governing body, EFA and Companies House Plan and monitor the cash flow of the Trust schools and implement creditor and debtor policies and procedures Research and complete funding bids to external bodies including Government departments. Adhere to strict deadlines and monitor the funding to ensure that any funds received from successful bids is spent appropriately and within time scales Ensure all Trust schools receive value for money 3. Accounting and Governance Develop appropriate financial regulations and work with budget holders to ensure compliance 5

6 Maintain systems and procedures that ensure financial transactions are recorded and reported accurately. Devise appropriate accounting procedures to ensure the effective operation of financial controls within the Trust Prepare and maintain Academy Trust risk register. Prepare statement of internal controls annually or as required To review and maintain the academy s data protection, anti-discriminatory law and H & S policies and to ensure that all required procedures, including DDA requirements are in place and observed Responsible for the development and implementation of the academy s financial and service support policies, systems, and procedures ensuring that they comply with agreed policies, relevant legislation, financial regulations, and standing orders Ensure the academy meets all its financial obligations Advise Governors and the Executive Headteacher on external and internal audit arrangements as required by financial regulations and funding bodies Liaise with auditors and facilitate all audit arrangements Implement audit requirements as they affect all financial activities at the Trust schools Make the necessary arrangements for insurance cover for the Trust and Governors 4. Information Management & ICT To manage, implement and develop appropriate administration systems To maintain systems in order to provide statistical returns for outside agencies 5. Procurement and Contract Management Prepare and implement policies concerning the buying and ordering of all Trust supplies and services Monitor the operation of policies concerning buying and ordering and prepare such reports as may be required Monitor the operation of contracts entered into for the supply of services to the Trust schools 6. Health & Safety Be the designated lead member of the Trust team for Health & Safety Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation 7. Facilities Management Developing and implementing strategies for premises management to ensure quality is maintained and improved To ensure that value for money and efficiency is achieved in terms of repairs and maintenance To be responsible, in liaison with colleagues on the SLT, and other external providers, for the Trust s Asset Management Plan, ensuring that accurate data are maintained and that the appropriate priorities are set, taking part on on-site surveys, liaising with architects and drawing up proposals as required 6

7 To be responsible for facilities management, including project appraisal, maintenance, security and ground maintenance and all financial matters, dealing with all VAT liabilities 8. Income Generation Liaise with funding agencies to secure additional funding for the Trust Identify potential funding opportunities, agencies, government initiatives etc and ensure income generation from both diverse and obvious sources. Work with all Senior Leaders to maximise income generation, financial growth and profile services. 9. Management of Staff Ensure staff within line management responsibility in the Trust are efficient and effective Provide leadership, motivation, support and control of staff allocated to areas of responsibility, ensuring that appropriate standards of behaviour, performance and customer care are demonstrated at all times Actively contribute to the development of quality improvement programmes across the Trust. Proactively implement the Trust s policies and procedures 7

8 Person Specification Finance & Premises Director Selection Criteria Method of Assessment Essential Desirable At the shortlisting stage, when the governors evaluate application forms and supporting letters, the criteria as stated below will be applied. Applicants must use concrete examples to indicate how they fulfill the essential and desirable (where appropriate) criteria listed below. 1 Qualifications and Training The successful candidate will: 1.1 A relevant professional qualification with evidence of sustained continuous professional development 1.2 Finance and / or accountancy qualification eg CIMA, ACCA, ACA or CIPFA level. 2 Experience The successful candidate will have: 2.1 Experience of working at a senior level within an education, public sector or charity organisation 2.2 Experience of preparing and submitting statutory financial statements 2.3 Proven experience of budget preparation, setting and monitoring and financial forecasting. 2.4 Proven experience of preparing and presenting financial and management accounts, reports and data. 2.5 Management and leadership of staff experience of supervising/managing staff and a thorough understanding of staffing issues, building, leading and sustaining complex working relationships 2.6 Experience of working in a busy organisation and dealing with confidential matters 2.7 Consistent achievement at senior level 3 Knowledge The successful will candidate should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of: 3.1 Current awareness of IT developments and competent in their use Health & Safety legislation relevant to schools and the public sector 1 The term interview refers to the whole selection process 8

9 Selection Criteria Method of Assessment Essential Desirable 3.3 Premises regulations 3.4 Financial regulations experience of how educational establishments are funded 3.5 Asset management 3.6 Procurement 4 Leadership skills The successful candidate will be able to use appropriate leadership styles in order to: 4.1 Well developed analytical, strategic, planning and organisational skills 4.2 Ability to handle emergency situations, keeping calm under pressure. 4.3 Effective management and leadership of staff achieving service quality and in setting/achieving strategic objectives 4.4 Able to prioritise work and to meet and manage work to tight deadlines 5 Communication Skills The successful candidate will be able to: 5.1 Excellent communication skills ability to demonstrate and articulate a clear vision for the future of the Trust in the context of the short and medium challenges 5.2 Ability to communicate effectively, negotiate and network through highly developed inter-personal, written, oral and presentation skills 5.3 Communicate effectively, orally and in writing to a range of audiences 5.4 Manage good communications systems across the whole school community utilising the potential of information and communication technologies where appropriate Application Form Interview 5.5 Negotiate and consult effectively 6 References 6.1 Positive recommendation(s) in professional references 6.2 CRB (E) clearance/no adverse outcomes from the DBS check 9

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