Main purpose

To ensure effective strategic and operational leadership of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Finance, People and Talent, IT and Property matters at SignHealth, in line with SignHealth’s culture as a Deaf-led charity.

As a senior officer in the organisation, the Director of People and Finance is a key player in the strategic development of the organisation and the delivery of its new Three Year Plan, due to be approved by the Board of Trustees in March 2023.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead responsibility for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at SignHealth, including delivery of our anti-racism plan, chairing our EDI Steering Group and ensuring that our intersectional view of EDI continues to evolve.

• Lead the financial planning and management of SignHealth.

• Take the lead on financial accounting and reporting, including the successful audit of SignHealth’s accounts each year.

• Ensure the timely production of monthly management accounts and the delivery of annual budgeting and regular forecasting.

• Devise and maintain financial systems, procedures and internal controls.

• Lead on the costing and pricing of SignHealth’s services, in partnership with the Director of Operations, particularly social care services for Local Authorities.

• Lead the relationship with SignHealth’s investment partners, Rathbones, and the overall management of SignHealth’s cash and investments underpinning the charity’s reserves.

• Provide strategic leadership of SignHealth’s People and Talent team, including the development and delivery of our new People Strategy (due at People and Pay Committee for approval in September 2023).

• Contract manage our outsourced IT partner relationship and provide strategic leadership on IT, including the successful adoption and ongoing operation of CRM systems.

• Responsibility for property and estates – although SignHealth does not own any property we lease a number of different sites and this role leads our relationship with those landlords, many of which are Housing Associations.

• Monitor and manage internal financial controls at SignHealth.

• Safeguard the SignHealth’s charitable status through a comprehensive knowledge of relevant law, guidance and best practice.

• Ensure compliance with financial regulations in relation to charity and company law and regulations.

• Liaise with external advisers – accountants, lawyers, investment partners and other advisers where appropriate. Prepare information for the SignHealth trustee meetings and committees as appropriate.

• Present and produce Board reports and financial information.

• Implement the investment strategy as directed by the SignHealth trustees.

• Negotiate with Bank for lines of credit or other financial services as required and appropriate.

• Undertake other duties as required by the Chief Executive from time to time, including deputising for them when required.

Person Specification

Essential:

• Passion for equality and knowledge, experience or interest in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.

• Significant experience in direct management and supervision of a finance or people team.

• Proven experience of budget preparation, setting, monitoring and financial forecasting, preparing and presenting financial and management accounts.

• Experience of liaising with auditors, business advisers and board members.

• Exceptional communication skills at all levels.

• Strong IT skills, always being ahead of new technologies.

• Ability to handle high levels of pressure and critical decision making.

• High integrity and openness combined with commitment to good governance.

• Sharing SignHealth’s values and commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of Deaf people.

• Be commercially aware and able to advise of the best path of growth for a business.

• Positively influence others to achieve results that are in the best interest of the organisation.

Desirable:

• Understanding of the Deaf community and fluency in British Sign Language.

• Experience of social care or similar business models.

• Experience in a similar role.

• Chartered Accountant, Certified General Accountant, or Certified Management Accountant designation or equivalent HR qualifications.