Job description

Leadership and Management

• Contribute to the development of the organisation’s overall strategy and operational plan, as a member of the Executive Leadership Team.

• Take a lead role in supporting the Executive Leadership to develop the organisation’s financial strategy to support the overall strategy.

• Act as a senior ambassador for the organisation where appropriate.

• Recruit, manage and motivate the finance and planning team to implement the strategy.

• Ensure the team is managed to meet organisational needs, statutory requirements, and best practice guidance.

• Lead, manage and coach direct reports to ensure high performance carrying out supervisions and achieving objectives in line with policy and practice. Manage effectively poor performance. 

• Strive to improve practice continuously through promoting and monitoring the continuous professional development of your team, empowering and motivating high performers.

 

Finance

• Develop and propose the organisation’s long term financial plan and annual budget, supporting executive members to develop and manage budgets for their areas.

• Ensure the organisation complies with statutory, legal, and taxation requirements in relation to its financial affairs.

• Ensure colleagues (including Trustees and staff) have the financial, economic and resource information and advice they need for them to fulfil their responsibilities.

• Establish and maintain proper financial records and effective systems and controls.

• Act as the principal contact with the external auditors and other financial advisers.

• Ensure that the organisation’s cash and investments are effectively managed and maximised within the parameters of the policy.

• Support the Director of Service Development in setting the organisation’s pricing policies, setting fees for services and ensuring fees are agreed and paid.

 

Governance and Legal

• Act as Company Secretary, ensuring that the organisation complies with corporate, charity and education governance requirements.

• Support Trustees, Chief Executive and Deputy Chief Executive to develop and implement finance and governance policy and practice.

• Provide legal support to the organisation, seeking advice where appropriate and managing relationship with legal advisers.

• Ensure appropriate contracts are in place for all services provided and received by the charity.

 

Business planning and performance management

• Support the organisation to develop its business model.

• Lead and manage the organisation’s planning processes, supporting Executive and senior management colleagues to develop and manage their plans.

• Develop the organisation’s performance management systems, producing regular reports of progress against plans.

• Develop and manage the organisation’s risk management policies and processes, advising on actions that will mitigate or minimise risks.

 

Develop and manage a personal work programme

• Strive to improve practice continuously through promoting and developing a programme of personal development.

• Proactively maintain the knowledge, skills and networks needed to deliver this role.

• Work effectively with trustees, governors and Executive Leadership Team to fulfil this role and support the work of the organisation.

• Support Ambitious about Autism’s core values and carry out all responsibilities with due regard to Safeguarding; Health and Safety; Data Protection and Security; and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policies and procedures.

• This job description is not an exhaustive list. The post holder may be required to undertake other duties as directed by their Manager.

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Additional responsibilities

• Demonstrate a continual commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

• Demonstrate a continual commitment to the promotion of diversity initiatives and the sharing of best practice in line with Ambitious about Autisms Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy and procedures.

• Ensure the highest degree of confidentiality and data protection of all materials.

• Demonstrate the vision and values of Ambitious about Autism in everyday work and practice, upholding the ethos of challenge and support where all children and young people  can reach their full potential.

• To uphold Ambitious about Autism policies to protect and safeguard pupils in order to secure their health, safety and wellbeing.

• To be an advocate for excellence and demonstrate a strong commitment to continuous improvement and high standards.

• Act as a role model, by working inclusively to steer the organisation through a period of change, role model new ways of working and positive leadership behaviour.

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