Finance Transformation Lead

The Finance Transformation Lead will report directly to the interim CFO on a day to day basis but for specific projects will work under the direction of the CFO for both College and the trust. They will support the effective management and development of financial resources in line with the organisation's vision for disaggregation.

Client Details

Finance Transformation lead required for leading South London/Surrey education organisation. Please note this is on an interim basis.

Description

The Finance Transformation Lead will work closely with the Senior Finance Management Team and auditors (internal and external) and external regulators. They will be expected to work in collaboration with professionals and across all central teams will need to maintain regular contact with a variety of external bodies. T

Responsibilities:

1. Lead the coordination of the operational separation of College and trust with support from the interim CFO.
2. Oversee delivery of all disaggregation workstreams, ensuring continuity of service, regulatory compliance and minimal disruption.
3. Act as the central coordination point between Executive Leadership, Trustees, legal advisers, HR, IT, Estates and Finance teams in relation to the disaggregation project.
4. Help to develop and implement the target operating model for shared services, standalone functions and commercial Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
5. Oversee and carry out actions on the internal audit tracker to ensure we carry out the necessary actions, working with the statutory accounting team and various departments.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, develop and maintain the overall separation programme plan.
• Coordinate and report on all workstreams including People, Finance, HR, Payroll, IT, Estates, Procurement, Governance and Legal.
• Manage critical path activities, dependencies and deliverables across departments.
• Coordinate external advisers from a financial perspective; including legal, VAT, payroll, pensions, procurement and systems specialists.
• Help to develop future operating models for both organisations.
• Design and implement new Service Level Agreements for retained shared services.
• Lead stakeholder engagement and communication plans.
• Ensure compliance with DfE, charity, company and college regulatory requirements.
• Produce executive reports, board papers, business cases and decision papers.
• Lead change management and workforce transition planning.
• Establish benefits realisation and post-implementation review processes.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the interim CFO.
• Provide strategic financial leadership throughout the separation programme.
• Lead financial modelling and option appraisals.
• Ensure separate budgets, forecasts and medium-term financial plans are in place and updated in line with any changes due to the disaggregation works.
• With the CFO design future finance structures for both organisations.
• Lead the disaggregation of finance systems including Sage Intacct.
• Oversee VAT, corporation tax and shared service charging arrangements.
• Review banking, treasury and cash management structures.
• Ensure robust financial controls throughout the transition.
• Support procurement reviews and value-for-money assessments.
• Lead financial due diligence relating to contracts and liabilities.

IT and Procurement

• Work with IT Director to feed in to the overall disaggregation project
• Ensure contractual novation's, transfers and supplier negotiations are completed.
• Develop systems transition roadmaps and implementation plans.

People Leadership

• Work collaboratively with HR Transformation lead to bring into the overarching project the planning for key personnel in relation to the disagregation project.
• Support consultation, organisational design and workforce planning.
• Work collaboratively with HR lead on workforce transition and TUPE strategies where required.

Governance & Reporting

• Report directly to the CEO, CFO and Programme Board.
• Design/Set up and lead on regular project meetings with area leads (HR, Procurement, IT, Finance)
• Provide regular programme updates to Trustees and Committees.
• Maintain programme risk register and assurance framework.
• Ensure all decisions are recorded and governed appropriately.
• Coordinate board approvals and implementation milestones

Profile

A successful Finance Transformation Lead should have:

• Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or CIPFA).
• Significant Finance Director or Senior Finance experience.
• Demonstrable experience leading major transformation, merger, demerger or organisational restructuring programmes.
• Strong programme and project management expertise.
• Experience of complex systems implementations and migrations.
• Strong stakeholder management skills at Board and Executive level.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent commercial and financial modelling skills.
• Strong understanding of governance and risk management.

Job Offer

• Salary: £80,000 - £90,000, dependent on the level of experience.
• Fixed-term contract with opportunities to make a contribution.
• Potential for additional benefits (details to be confirmed).

If you're interested in this role, apply now.

People are at the heart of Michael Page. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment. As an inclusive recruiter we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities and experiences. If you require any adjustments or accommodations during the recruitment process, we'll work with you to ensure you can perform at your bes