Job purpose

Reporting directly to CEO, and working as part of the Senior Leadership Team, the Business Manager will be responsible for ensuring the effective strategic leadership and management of commercial operations and operational support services, including Finance, HR, Legal and IT.

Key Areas of Responsibility

To act as the Chief Finance Officer
To offer advice and insight to the SLT and trustees in determining the strategic business direction of LLSE
To provide leadership and management of central services including the finance function to ensure LLSE operates according to best practice standards and continues to deliver Value for Money.
To provide strategic direction and management of Finance, HR, Legal and IT.
To maximise opportunities available for generating income from its resources
Line Management and Key Line Management Responsibilities

The Business Manager will report directly to the CEO and will work as part of a small senior team alongside the Director of Programmes and Director of Improvement. As LLSE pursues its business development plan, it is expected that the post will oversee the work of central support staff.

Key Tasks and Accountabilities Finances:

In partnership with the CEO, manage the annual budget to ensure it is balanced, realistic, and represents the compliant and cost-effective use of public funds.
Submit the budget to the Board for approval and then provide returns to HMRC, Companies House and any other relevant agencies such as ESFA and DfE
Monthly monitoring of the budget including the forecast full-year outturn and advise the CEO and Board on remedial action required as necessary.
Establish and manage robust financial controls and facilitate external audit
Forecast future years’ budgets, based on estimated revenue and funding and trends in expenditure, to enable the CEO and the Trust Board to make effective strategic long-term decisions.
Comply with all financial and regulatory reporting requirements and submit statutory returns in a timely manner. Oversee bank account operations on a day-to-day basis, ensuring money is banked, invoices are paid promptly, money owed is collected, and clear records are kept.
Find and apply for grants.
Work with the CEO and leadership team colleagues to prepare applications for tenders and leading on the confirmation of contracts where LLSE is successful
Lead on procurement processes, managing tenders where appropriate, conducting due diligence, benchmarking and evaluating suppliers, negotiating deals and ensuring value for money in conjunction with the CEO and Board Trustees as appropriate
Maintain a record of assets
Legal & Compliance:

Lead on LLSE’s compliance with regulatory and statutory requirements (e.g. GDPR) relating to finance, HR and IT. This includes advising the CEO and other staff on potential issues that need to be considered further.
Manage relationships with the internal audit, external audit, HMRC and Companies House
IT Strategy and Operations:

To support the IT facilities in leading the development and implementation of the IT Development Plan in line with the overall LLSE strategy.
Liaise with sub-contractors to manage the contract for delivery of LLSE’s digital platform
To develop and implement an IT Disaster Recovery plan
Human Resources:

To lead the HR function in the procedure for recruitment, staff development and performance management, to ensure compliance of LLSE policies and regulations
Implement and update all HR policies in line with current legislation to ensure best practice is adhered to.


Person Specification

Personal Qualities

Essential Requirements

Degree or equivalent level qualification
Qualified accountant (ACCA, ICAEW, CIMA or equivalent)
Experience in financial management and/or accountancy
Experience of managing strategic financial plans, budgets, financial reporting, procurement and fixed assets
Strong track record of successful leadership at a senior level
Experience of handling commercial contracts and 3rd party contractors/suppliers
Experience of utilising assets to maximise generation of income
Experience of project management, planning, managing and monitoring of work.
Desirable Requirements

Experience of relevant work within the education or charities sector
Strong knowledge of core IT financial applications.

Skills and Knowledge

Essential Requirements

Excellent analytical skills – ability to analyse complex data and information and use this to monitor and support activities to promote solutions.
Strong business and commercial acumen to support LLSE as it grows
Able to engage and communicate effectively with a range of stakeholders, building relationships and modifying style as appropriate to the audience
Ability and willingness to hold others to account for their performance
Results focused, with the ability to work proactively, plan, organise, optimise resources and complete targets within agreed timescales
Ability to build a vision and communicate clear purpose and sense of direction
Skilled in strategic planning and able to deliver a culture of outstanding performance to achieve targets
Excellent written and oral communication skills – including ability to present engagingly to a variety of audiences in an authoritative and persuasive manner
Computer literate and confident in the use of IT applications required for the role. Training will be provided as needed with relevant IT applications if needed.
Personal Qualities

Essential Requirements

Entrepreneurial and ambitious with the energy, charisma and ability to manage multiple activities at the same time
Ability to work consistently accurately and methodically, with excellent attention to detail
A creative and positive mind-set: a ‘can do’ attitude
Personal strength of character through transparency, integrity and fairness
Resilient attitude with the ability to learn from constructive criticism or failure
Good sense of humour and the ability to create a working environment in which people work hard and enjoy being part of the team.
Other

Essential Requirements

A commitment to uphold and promote equality of opportunity
Demonstrates an understanding of safeguarding issues relevant to the post
A deep commitment to the vision, values and aims of LLSE

How to apply
To apply for this role please download the application form here.
On completion please email by clicking the 'Apply' button below.


Application Deadline
Noon, 4th August 2021


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