RECRUITMENT PACK Finance Director April 2016
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Suffolk Housing Finance Director
YOUR APPLICATION Dear Applicant Thank you for your interest in this position. Enclosed is the information you will require to assist you in completing your application. To apply please can you: •
Provide an up-to-date CV which shows your full career history with any breaks explained (we recommend that this is no longer than three pages);
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Write a supporting statement detailing how you are a good candidate for this post and how you fulfil the person specification (we recommend that this is no longer than three pages);
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Complete the declaration form; and
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Indicate on the declaration form if you cannot attend any of the interview dates.
Please note that applications can only be considered if all the documentation is completed. Please send your application, preferably in MS Word format by email to:
[email protected]. Applications must be received by 12 noon on Wednesday 27th April 2016. You will receive an acknowledgement within 24 hours of receipt and we suggest that if after that time you have not heard from us, you telephone the office (020 3434 0990) to ensure that it has arrived. Using a secure email address and putting the job title/organisation in the subject line reduces the chances of any email going into spam. Please do contact me if you wish to have an informal discussion about the role/organisation or if you have any other questions to help you decide whether to apply. You can contact me on 07833 475 669 or 020 3434 0990. I look forward to hearing from you. Kind regards Denise Kirkham Denise Kirkham Associate Consultant
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Suffolk Housing Finance Director
CONTENTS Welcome letter from the Chief Executive
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About Suffolk Housing
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The Board
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The Executive Management Team
9
Job description
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Person specification
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Organisation chart
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Principal terms and conditions of service
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Key dates and the selection process
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Media advertisement
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The following supplementary information downloaded from www.campbelltickell.com:
can
be
Annual Report 2014/15 Financial Statements 2014
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Suffolk Housing Finance Director
WELCOME LETTER Dear Applicant, I am delighted that you are considering applying for this key role at Suffolk Housing. We do things a little bit differently at Suffolk Housing and take pride in implementing the sorts of innovations usually associated with much larger organisations. We are a Leadership Team of four combining our professional and individual qualities to ensure the success of the organisation. This post holder will play an essential role in that team and is of fundamental importance to our long term success and the achievement of our strategic objectives. Good financial planning, understanding of value for money, budgeting and reporting are the bedrock of a strong organisation, so we are looking for an experienced and qualified accountant who understands the basics of what is needed to ensure the financial well-being of Suffolk Housing and its subsidiaries. The post holder will need to be an excellent leader for our Finance team and someone who can support and motivate them to provide a proactive and responsive customer focussed service to staff, our Board and Committees, residents, funders and our other stakeholders. You will lead on the Corporate over view of risk. This is an essential area for us as a forward looking and developing organisation and one that is a high regulatory priority. This post will be the lead Executive for our Audit Committee providing assurance to our governance structure and our regulator. You will lead on developing and monitoring our business planning processes and exploring new ways in which we can use our existing resources and drive value for money into our processes and operations. We look forward to attracting an energetic, enthusiastic and collaborative member into our Leadership Team, able to play a significant role in our development and growth aspirations, maximising the use of our assets and developing strong relationships with our funders and partners. If you consider yourself to be an innovator and forward thinker then we’d love to hear from you. This is a great time to be joining Suffolk Housing, as well as moving into a new purpose built HQ this Summer and adopting new ways of working and delivering services, the sector as a whole is entering a new era and we need to be fleet of foot to spot and act on opportunities those changes will offer. We want to find the right person who can ensure we are financially fit for that future with robust systems of planning and assurance to manage the risks inherent in new challenges. If you have any questions, please do please feel free to contact Denise Kirkham at Campbell Tickell who is assisting us with the recruitment process. We look forward to hearing from you. Yours sincerely, Sue Philp Chief Executive
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Suffolk Housing Finance Director
ABOUT US Suffolk Housing has been helping to meet local people’s housing needs since 1974. We completed our first home in 1976, and now, through development and the acquisition of stock from other registered providers we have over 2,800 homes. Building new homes has always been part of our strategic focus and in 2004 we set up Iceni Homes Ltd as a joint venture with two other housing associations to drive development across East Anglia. Iceni has now built over 1200 homes and Colne and Hundred Houses Society remain our partners today. We have been innovative in other ways too. In 2000 we established Linnet Homes Ltd, our private rented subsidiary to help those who wanted rented homes in the private sector to obtain good quality accommodation in partnership with local landlords. In 2013, Linnet moved to a high profile shop front in Bury St Edmunds and started to sell homes in addition to renting them. It provides gift-aid to Suffolk Housing of over £250,000 per year through its profit making activity. Working in partnership with others for mutual advantage and the benefit of our residents has long been a key Suffolk Housing strength. In 2007, working with 7 other East Anglian Housing Associations, it set up “Eastern Procurement” a consortium that bulk buys goods and services including Kitchens and Bathrooms to get better value for money. This has now become a company in its own right trading as EP Ltd and currently saves Suffolk Housing some £200,000 per year in procurement costs. Suffolk Housing is now developing homes for outright sale, shared ownership as well as its rented offer. It is in the process of setting up a new joint venture company, Cavell Homes, which will be the vehicle for even more homes for market sale going forward. In 2014 it acquired land for a new Headquarters in Bury St Edmunds. Now on site, this office will be ready for occupation in August 2016 and will also accommodate Iceni Homes colleagues.
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Suffolk Housing Finance Director Mission and Values In May 2011 our residents, staff and Board and thought about what they would like Suffolk Housing to stand for over the coming years. The discussions resulted in the following mission and values which now form the cornerstone of how we aim to conduct our business; To provide exceptional homes and services with a local, friendly focus In doing so we will: Value our relationships Know our business Be approachable Work with efficiency and integrity Governance Following an internal review Suffolk Housing introduced a new and significantly different governance structure in mid-2013 to reflect its ambition. Key features of the structure are:
The Board of Management ordinarily comprised of six remunerated non-executive members plus the Chief Executive. The Board meets a minimum of five times a year.
An Audit Committee comprising two non-executive Board members and a remunerated Chair who is independent of the Board meeting a minimum of three times a year. The relationship between the Audit Chair and Finance Director is an essential one.
A Resident Scrutiny Committee (RSC) comprising up to five residents and a remunerated Chair who is also a resident. The RSC meets a minimum of four times a year, with the Operations Director and Tenant Liaison Officer in attendance
A Remuneration Committee, comprising the Chair of the Board, the RSC Chair and one Board member. The Committee meets annually to review staff salaries and benefits, making recommendations for any changes to the Board.
Emerging themes for Business Plan 2016-2019 Suffolk Housing’s emerging 3-year Corporate Strategy for 2016 to 2019 offers both a considered view of the key strategic issues affecting its role as a provider of quality homes across East Anglia and sets out strategic aims and objectives until 2019. The Group, which includes Linnet Homes, joint venture company Iceni Homes and emerging joint venture company Cavell Homes has a stock of approximately 2,800 homes. This strategy will result in a larger and more influential organisation at the end of 2019, but one that remains resilient, independent and committed to East Anglia and its residents.
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Suffolk Housing Finance Director
THE BOARD Richard Carter, Chair Board Member since 2007, Richard joined the Board in 2007 after a career in journalism and public relations. Richard stepped down as Chairman of Linnet Homes in July 2013 on taking up the role as Chairman on Suffolk Housing's main board. He is also the Chairman of the West Suffolk College in Bury St Edmunds, where he has been a Governor for 12 years, and has also been the Chair of a school in Bury St Edmunds and the Mid Anglian Enterprise Agency. For relaxation Richard enjoys gardening, cinema and theatre and listening to music.
Bernadine Fairman, Board member Board Member since 2013, Bernadine Fairman joined Suffolk Housing Society as Non-executive director in 2013 and has had over 30 years experience in the financial industry working in Senior finance positions in the private (Haindaniels group, Viking Johnson, Jeyes, DSSmith packaging, Camlab), public (Suffolk Community Healthcare – NHS) and charitable sectors (Suffolk Citizen Advice Bureau – CAB). She is also a director of our private sales and lettings subsidiary, Linnet Homes. Bernadine also ran her own business for 2 years.
Joyce Fenton, Board member Board Member since 2013, A Board member since 2013, Joyce spent her career in HR and education. She applied for the role at Suffolk Housing after taking early retirement from her position of head of HR for children, families and adults services at Cambridgeshire County Council.
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Suffolk Housing Finance Director
Sue Harrison, Board member Board Member since 2013, Sue joined Suffolk Housing’s board in 2013 after retiring from a 30-year police career which saw her reach the position of assistant chief constable in Essex.
Jolyon Larkman, Board member Audit Committee Member. Board Member since 2009, Vice Chair since July 2014 joined Suffolk Housing Society as a non-executive director, having retired from banking in 2007 following a 38 years career with Standard Chartered Bank, Barclays Bank and The Charity Bank. Jolyon specialised in international banking for much of his career. He also undertook voluntary work as a board member of a social care charity, a commercial education charity and a community finance organisation.
Ian Tippett, Board member Board Member since 2012, Ian joined Suffolk Housing after spending his career working for local authority housing departments, including 23 years at Babergh District Council. During that time, he focused on bringing forward affordable housing schemes in rural areas.
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Suffolk Housing Finance Director
THE MANAGEMENT TEAM Sue Philp BA(Hons) FCIH, Chief Executive Sue joined Suffolk Housing in 2005 as Operations Director from the Church Commissioners in London where she was Residential Asset Manager. She is a Director of Iceni Homes, our joint venture development company and also of Linnet Homes, our private sales and lettings subsidiary. In her role as Chief Executive she has overall day to day executive responsibility for the organisation and is also a member of the Board of Management. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Housing. She has also served on the boards of five voluntary and statutory organisations.
Karen Moore MBA, Chartered MCIPD, Corporate Services Director Karen has been with Suffolk Housing since 2010. She has responsibility for Human Resources, ICT, Customer Services, Business Support, and Marketing. Karen has an MBA from the Open University, a Post Graduate Diploma in HR Management and brings 20 years of housing industry experience to her new role, ranging from Ipswich Borough Council to senior positions with Flagship Housing Group and Chelmsford-based housing group, CHP. Karen also ran her own business for six years.
Liz Curran ACA, Finance Director (Interim) Liz joined Suffolk Housing in November 2014 and has responsibility for all aspects of finance as well as the rental income recovery team. Liz has 20 years experience in housing, is an independent financial consultant, interim manager and non-executive director and was previously Executive Director Finance at Look Ahead Care and Support.
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Suffolk Housing Finance Director
JOB DESCRIPTION Job Title:
Director of Finance
Department:
Finance
Reports to:
Chief Executive
Responsible for:
Finance Manager and Team Income Manager and Team
Location:
Head Office, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
Overall Aim This post is a senior director position reporting to the Chief Executive with specific responsibility for the leadership, management and development of the finance function, treasury management and for the corporate risk framework within Suffolk. The post holder is a member of the executive team and the specific responsibilities fit within the context of a shared responsibility for the leadership and development of Suffolk the development of the strategic framework, the business plan, annual operating plans/budgets, and a dynamic organisational culture; ensuring Suffolk achieves its mission and objectives. The Postholder will attend the Board reporting and providing advice to Members on the postholder’s areas of responsibility and to be the lead executive for the Audit Committee. Key Responsibilities 1.
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5. 6.
Responsible for safeguarding the resources and assets of the Society, maintaining an effective system of operations and control including financial accounting, management reporting, business planning, budgeting, treasury management assurance and risk management. To play a key role in strategic planning and development of the Society, developing financial and treasury strategies and ensuring effective reporting to Board and committees, and with particular reference to the Audit Committee. To be an inspiring role model, leader and manager of the directorate ensuring effective line management structures and a positive culture. Responsible for performance and high standards of customer care – both internal and external - setting, monitoring and managing appropriate KPIs and targets. To provide commercial leadership to the organisation as part of planned growth and development, ensuring that business plans and development programmes are effectively resourced and funded. To keep abreast of the external environment, keeping Suffolk up to date with trends, developments and changes within the Finance, Treasury and Risk management fields. To actively promote the values and aims of Suffolk Housing, our diversity strategy and all policies.
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Suffolk Housing Finance Director
Key Result Areas 1. Financial Policy
Ensure policies and procedures are in place so that Suffolk Housing is compliant in all aspects of financial policy, including statutory requirements, Regulatory best practice and the development of new initiatives. Advise and keep up to date the executive team on the financial aspects of their work and the financial implications of proposals and decisions. Ensure the Society takes a long-term view of its financial health and has sufficient funding to meet its business plan targets, developing the treasury policy and maintaining strong relationships with funders. Review and adjust the Society’s short, medium and long term financial effectiveness to take into account changes in financial legislation and policy.
2. Performance Management, Value for Money, Planning and Control
To lead the Society’s commitment to achieving value for money, ensuring challenging targets are met and social value maximised. To ensure that, consistent with the values of Suffolk Housing, income is maximised within statutory and policy constraints, and that credit control is effective and borrowing administered effectively. Ensure an internal audit system operates effectively to provide assurance on the adequacy of financial controls to the satisfaction of the Audit Committee. To act positively on recommendations from internal and external auditors and other advisors to improve financial and other internal controls. Prepare long term financial and corporate forecasts and plans personally, establish and maintain appropriate systems for monitoring and reporting on financial risk. In collaboration with executive colleagues and other staff, to guide the Society’s long range strategy, financial and asset management, supporting the restructuring of the portfolio and ensuring appraisals and proposals are understood and risks appreciated. To ensure a performance management framework is in place across the Society that supports achievement of demanding performance improvement targets. Propose and agree appropriate KPIs, produce analysis and financial reviews and report on performance, value for money and efficiency, identifying variations from targets and advising on remedial action. In consultation with other directors, design formats for management accounts in order to provide regular and timely information to assist the Board and staff in making informed decisions, monitoring activities and controlling the Society. Prepare the annual financial budget and cash-flow forecast, prepare timely and accurate quarterly management accounts and other reports as required. To ensure that all procurement by the Society maximises value for money and social return on investment.
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3. Financial Accounting
Ensure that satisfactory audit arrangements exist, that these are periodically tendered, are cost effective and the audit is carried out according to agreed timetables and standards. Ensure that the annual accounts are prepared in accordance with statutory and internal requirements. Ensure that the quarterly accounts reported to the Board are prepared in accordance with statutory and internal requirements. Maintain the statutory financial records of the Society sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the HCA, Charity Commissioners and Registrar of Companies and ensure all financial statutory returns are made in the correct manner and within the given time limit. Advise on tax issues (e.g. VAT) personally and in collaboration with the Society’s accountants or other advisers. Ensure the proper management and separation of funds, e.g. charitable funds received by the Society or which should be accounted for in subsidiaries of the Society.
4. Managing and Developing People
Recruit, supervise, train, motivate and appraise staff, developing programmes of training and career development as appropriate and able to meet the demands of a professional finance function. Provide support to managers and staff to ensure provision of effective services that are responsive to the needs of the departments customers, both internal and external. Periodically review the resources within the directorate and ensure appropriate staffing structures and use of external support to cover and maintain robust financial services and systems.
5. IT
Working with the Director of Corporate Services ensure that the Finance function is properly resourced as regards its operational IT needs. Ensure that the future IT needs of the Finance function are evaluated, planned for and implemented.
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Suffolk Housing Finance Director
PERSON SPECIFICATION Job Title:
Director of Finance
Experience and Qualifications Essential
Desirable
Qualified Accountant - CCAB recognised. Managing and motivating an effective finance team. Advising and formally reporting to an Executive Director/Chief Executive and a Board/Audit Committee. Drafting business plans and budgets. Monitoring and controlling budgets. Developing and managing assurance and risk management frameworks. Conducting commercial and contractual negotiations.
Experience of working in housing associations or other similar organisations. Facilitating the external audit process. IT development and management.
Knowledge
The statutory and financial reporting requirements of the sector. Financial information management. Performance monitoring and reporting appropriate to the work of Suffolk Housing. Treasury management and the negotiation of funding arrangements. Strategic asset management. Understanding of the charitable and social housing sector and its regulatory requirements. The use of IT and data within a financial and business planning function.
Understanding of the process of housing association development. Understanding of contracting.
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Suffolk Housing Finance Director
Skills
Managing the business. Managing people. Developing and managing effective internal and external relationships so as to enhance business outcomes. Developing teams and individuals and promoting modern methods of working including a commitment to quality, continuous improvement, partnerships, procurement and financial management. Able to communicate and explain financial information verbally and in writing clearly, simply and concisely to a variety of audiences. Ability to establish professional credibility and trust with the Chief Executive, colleagues, the Board and Audit Committee, External and Internal Auditors, banks, funders and other stakeholders. Good interpersonal skills, the ability to communicate well with all stakeholders, including tenants, and to promote the Society externally. Commercially aware and able to identify ways to streamline processes and systems, including IT, so they are appropriate for the scale and level of complexity of the business.
Personal style and behaviour
Customer Focussed. Taking personal responsibility, leading by example. Supportive working with others. Ability to learn, absorb information and work on own initiative. Prepared to argue a case, stand ground, resilient, able to handle conflict and remain calm under pressure. Honesty and integrity. Commitment to working collegiately with the executive team. Balanced attitude to risk.
Other requirements
Commitment to quality, customer service, value for money and best practice in all aspects of the Society’s operations. Personal commitment to the corporate values, vision and objectives of Suffolk Housing’s culture of service to residents and continuous service improvement. Evidenced commitment to equality and diversity. Willingness to work flexibly adjusting input to meet the needs of the business.
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Suffolk Housing Finance Director
ORGANISATION CHART
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Suffolk Housing Finance Director
PRINCIPAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS (For information purposes only)
1. Position Finance Director
2. Salary £83,500 pa -
£5,000 car allowance Opportunity for annual non-pensionable bonus of up to 10% of salary. Pension Scheme (SHPS CARE 1/60th). Private Medical Insurance for post holder and partner including Health Cash Plan and Income Protection Insurance.
3. Holiday entitlement 30 working days, plus all bank holidays. 4. Working hours Normal hours of work are 37 hours per week based around the usual business working week. Flexible hours in accordance with work life balance policy.
5. Location Your normal place of work will be our Head office at Old Mission House, St Botolph’s Lane, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 2AX. Please note however that we plan to move into new purpose built offices near to our current location during 2016/2017.
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Suffolk Housing Finance Director
KEY DATES AND THE SELECTION PROCESS Closing Date Wednesday 27 April at 12 noon First interviews Thursday 12 May 2016 Final interviews Tuesday 24 May 2016
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Suffolk Housing Finance Director
MEDIA ADVERTISEMENT
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Third Floor Olympic Office Centre 8 Fulton Road Wembley Middlesex HA9 0NU 020 8830 6777 020 3434 0990 (Recruitment)
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Campbell Tickell Ltd Incorporated in Cardiff (England & Wales) Registration number 4713939 Registered office 14 Accommodation Road, London NW11 8EP VAT number 743 6943 08
