Senior Finance Manager (Ref: LCC2550)

** COVID-19 INFORMATION: Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic you may experience some delays during the recruitment process. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. **

Luminate Education Group consists of; Harrogate College (HC), Keighley College (KC), Leeds City College (LCC), Leeds Conservatoire (LC) and White Rose Academies Trust (WRAT).  Luminate Education Group is one of the fastest improving and most innovative education groups in the country. 

WHAT WE DO 

To provide expert financial advice to the identified revenue and capital budget holders and their respective management teams on aspects of financial performance and regulation including monthly (as a minimum) performance review meetings or any other area as deemed appropriate by the Head of Group Financial Performance and Reporting.

WHAT YOU WILL DO 

Taking a senior role in the team in the provision of capital reporting to the Head of Group Financial Performance and Reporting on a consolidated basis, including Income & Expenditure Report; Balance Sheet; Cash Flow Statement, KPIs, Contribution and Income analysis and supporting narrative. To lead on and be responsible for the closure of month end and year end Capital Accounts. Responsible for the preparation, monitoring and control of Capital budgets including financial reports. To champion sound financial practice and compliance with LCC Group Financial Regulations and procedures across the College. Undertake month end processes (inclusive of relevant ledger maintenance) in line with the management accounts timetable and ensure delivery of meaningful and accurate reports in a timely manner. Work in conjunction with budget holders and the financial systems team to continually improve information flow and financial reporting to key stakeholders. To lead the team in challenging poor financial control and supporting budget holders to ensure the College makes the best use of available resources. Develop and maintain a strong understanding of funding streams within the College to enhance the support provided to budget holders and to assist with the ongoing maintenance of the College business planning template. To support the monthly and annual reporting cycle of the Colleges subsidiaries and partner organisations, providing regular performance reports, management accounts and reports as required. Provide ad hoc reports, reviews and project support to budget holders and the Director of Financial Resources as required. To actively participate in the development of an accurate and meaningful cashflow forecast on a regular basis in line with the College treasury requirement. Provide financial support to colleagues in the preparation of business cases to ensure the College demonstrates efficiencies and value for money. Provide management and support for staff in accordance with agreed College policies. To participate in and implement the Colleges appraisal procedures and ensure the provision of appropriate development opportunities for the Finance manager (Corporate Services). 

YOUR PROFILE 

CCAB / CIMA qualified or qualified by experience in exceptional cases. Educated to degree level. Literacy and numeracy at Level 2 or equivalent. A minimum of 3 years’ post qualification experience. Has full command and use of relevant professional / technical knowledge and job related knowledge and skills. A minimum of 2 years’ experience of project funding including capital grant agreements. Familiar with Agresso Business World finance (Unit 4) package or comparable complex finance system. Experience of VAT compliance within a College. Knowledge of the College’s Financial Regulations and Financial Procedures. Effective knowledge of the college and an appreciation of the wider educational issues. Experience of using Microsoft Office systems and databases, (Word, Excel, Outlook etc) as an advanced user. Experience of operating in a large complex accounting environment with proven and demonstrable technical skills. Experience of the producing management reporting packs to challenging timescales. Experience of working with non-finance specialists to develop business plans and forecasts to challenging deadlines. Experience of managing restricted funds and the reporting requirements thereon (eg DLSF, ALF, Bursary funds). Experience of IFRS implementation in a complex environment. Experience of supporting non finance specialists to utilize their allocated financial resources to obtain best value for money. Experience of statutory audit in a complex environment. Liaison with external parties and interpretation of data requirements. 

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT LEEDS CITY COLLEGE

Leeds City College is part of the Luminate Education Group, and is one of the UK’s largest FE establishments with around 1,440 employees and over 22,560 students. We offer a curriculum as diverse as our students within a vibrant and multicultural learning environment. Our goal is to deliver excellent and innovative education which supports and inspires every student to achieve their ambitions. 

BENEFITS & REWARDS 

We have a range of excellent benefits and rewards at Leeds City College, including:

• Annual leave entitlement starting from 27 days + 8 bank holidays and up to 5 discretionary college closure days at Christmas

• Excellent pension schemes with the West Yorkshire Pension Fund and the Teachers’ Pension

• Discounted travel cards for those who regularly use public transport across the region with Northern Rail and Metro

• Exceptional learning and development opportunities for all of our staff

SAFEGUARDING 

Luminate Education Group is committed to the safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. 

All successful applicants are required to complete all mandatory pre-employment checks, including:

• Proof of right to work in the UK

• Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) check

• Children’s barred list check (we may also check the adult barred list if the role involves working with vulnerable adults)

• Two professional references 

• Fitness to work, this is conducted by our occupational health partners, NHS Airedale 

• Section 128 check for all staff entering management roles

• Prohibition check for all staff entering teaching related roles

Please Note: All successful applicants who have lived or travelled overseas for three months or more in the past five years will be required to undertake an overseas check as part of the pre-employment checks.

More information on overseas checks can be found on the government website: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/criminal-records-checks-for-overseas-applicants 

All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks.

RIGHT TO WORK IN THE UK

The UK Government introduced a new points based immigration system on 1 January 2021. You can read about the new immigration routes on the Gov.UK website here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-immigration-system-what-you-need-to-know#visa-application-process 

Many of the new routes require sponsorship from an employer. Luminate Education Group is not a licenced sponsor. We are unable to employ anyone without current, and appropriate right to work in the UK.  

If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen and you were resident in the UK on or before 31 December 2020, you have until 30 June 2021 to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme, you can continue to prove your right to work in the UK with your passport and identity card up until 30 June 2021. 

There is no change to immigration and right to work for British and Irish Citizens. 

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

We positively welcome applications from all sections of the community, all candidates will be treated fairly irrespective of race, gender or gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, religion and belief or age.

WANT TO FIND OUT MORE?

For more information about the role please contact:

Romina Bigg      romina.bigg@leedscitycollege.ac.uk

We cannot accept CVs as part of the application process. 

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we are unable to respond to every applicant. If you have not heard from us within four weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. 

INFORMATION FOR RECRUITMENT AGENCIES 

Luminate Education Group vacancies generate a lot of interest and we receive many calls and emails from recruitment agencies. Although we do appreciate the interest you have shown in Luminate Education Group, our policy is to recruit candidates directly wherever possible. We therefore do not accept any cold calls, speculative emails or CVs from agencies. Speculative emails and CVs will be deleted unread. 

To apply for this post, please follow the link.