With significant experience in finance and management, you will play a senior role in the effective stewardship of the Community Fund and the CIC itself. Acting as Deputy to the Executive Director, you will lead on financial oversight, fund management, loan portfolio performance, and financial appraisal of assessments, while overseeing bookkeeping and management accounts delivered with support from the Finance & Administration Officer and external accountants.

You will provide high-quality financial analysis and assurance to support decision-making by the Executive Director and Board, ensure robust financial controls and compliance, and contribute to the strategic leadership and operational management of the organisation. Alongside this, you will support enterprise and business applications with a strong focus on financial assessment, risk analysis and sustainability, working collaboratively with colleagues and external support agencies.

AIMS OF THE POST

• To act as Deputy to Executive Director –providing operational and financial leadership and stepping in as required.
• Perform the functions of company secretary and manage the fund office and compliance.
• To provide finance management for the CIC itself, taking responsibility for banking, management accounts and end of year accounts and audit.
• Manage loan portfolio and spend forecasting.
• To oversee financial systems, management accounts and bookkeeping functions, working with a Finance & Administration officer and external advisers.
• Take a lead on assessing and supporting applications from Enterprise
• To support Executive and Board in all the Community Fund’s activities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

This description is not intended to be exhaustive – as a member of a small staff team, the post holder will be expected to have a flexible attitude to the duties outlined, which may have to be varied after discussion, subject to the needs of the Community Fund and in keeping with the general profile of the post.

Fund Management

• Co-ordinate the Community Interest Company office, liaising with the landlord and all other regular work settings.
• Ensure robust governance, compliance and reporting to the Board
• Responsibility for managing all contracts, payments and spend within budget restrictions under guidance of Executive Director.
• Take responsibility for Data Protection compliance and manage destruction and storage of records. Co-ordinate data compliance held in bespoke systems and paper files.
• Take responsibility for registration with ICO and managing how we share and store data.
• Oversee all aspects of the CIC’s finances, budgeting and audit and related reporting processes.
• Undertake day to day management of the Finance & Administration Officer and support the Executive Director to provide team guidance, support and appraisal and facilitate training and development opportunities.
• Develop and oversee the maintenance of all policies and procedures required to ensure consistent, best practice and legally compliant operation.

Financial Management, Accounting and Reporting

• Co-ordinate the CIC’s finances and financial systems efficiently and accurately through Xero.
• Prepare budgets and cashflow forecasts for the CIC as required.
• Oversee the Finance & Administration Officer in co-ordinating salary and Board member fee payments in liaison with CIC accountants’ Payroll Team.
• Develop and maintain the CIC’s loan offer programme and portfolio, ensuring that all due diligence and risk management processes are in place and enacted.
• Co-ordinate the bank accounts, cash flow and budget monitoring/reconciliation.
• Oversee preparation of quarterly management accounts, providing analysis and commentary for the Executive Director and Board.
• Support external accountant and auditor to prepare draft year end accounts for audit, with full supporting documentation
• Review and introduce automated processes to avoid duplication and make efficient use of resources
• Make sure appropriate insurance covers are in place
• Overview/management of company pension schemes/auto enrolment
• Provide any other ad hoc reports as requested
• Lead in the development of policies and procedures relating to the remit of this post

Network Development and Support

• Maintain effective strategic relationships with key enterprise and business support partners. Identify strategic opportunities for the Fund - including new markets, growth areas, trends, customers, products and services – keeping abreast of trends and changes in the business world and best/innovative practice in the field.
• Develop excellent working relationships with and an in-depth knowledge of the needs of businesses of all kinds across the Fund area – devising the best ways of engaging with and supporting them creatively.
• Explore, devise and enable the creative delivery of programmes to support entrepreneurs/start-ups at the earliest development stage (e.g. through themed application calls, ‘safe space’ peer support opportunities etc.).
• Act as a Community Fund advocate throughout the area of benefit and beyond for all issues relating to delivery of the strategic plan.

Supporting Enterprise and Business Community

• Monitor and regularly report on geographical and thematic investment trends, recommending pro-active action where appropriate, e.g. themed funding calls, commissions in regard to enterprise and business in the community.
• Report on and keep the Executive Director and Board up to date with internal and external issues that may affect the CIC.
• Develop, implement and evaluate a range of methods to maximise reach throughout the Fund area of benefit.
• Assessing business and enterprise proposals with Finance & Administration Officer, assessing risk, identifying opportunities and signposting for support to staff and partner agencies.
• Offer tailored feedback, advice and guidance to business applicants
• Play a full part in outreach advice sessions for potential applicants with focus on business / enterprise.
• Work with the Executive Director to assess applications, with a focus on appraisal and analysis of applicants accounts and cashflow forecasts / financial modelling. Prepare reports and analyses as required to facilitate decision making.