Job Description and Person Specification of the Interim Chief Financial Officer

Job Title: Interim Chief Financial Officer (ICFO)

Reports To: Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Key Relationships: Finance Department, Heads of Departments, Finance Committee, Estates Committee and Audit & Risk Committee

Start Date: Mid September

Salary: £60,000 FTE per annum

Hours of Work: 21 hours per week (excluding lunch breaks). Some flexibility will be required to allow attendance at evening meetings and events.

Role Purpose

This is an interim role for a period in the region of five or six months whilst the Cathedral recruits a permanent CFO, following the implementation of the Cathedrals Measure 2021 by the Cathedral earlier this year. The Measure means that the Cathedral is now registered as a charity and falls under the regulation of the Charity Commission, as well as operating within the structures of the Church of England. The members of its Board - the Chapter - comprise ordained and lay professional members who are also charity trustees.

We are looking for an experienced, proactive and talented ICFO to help the Cathedral achieve its vision and calling. The role of the ICFO is one of two statutory chief officer roles under the Cathedrals Measure 2021. The ICFO will play a lead role in advising Chapter and will attend all Chapter and Finance Committee meetings. The ICFO is also a member of the Cathedral’s Senior Leadership Team and will deputise for the COO on occasion. As a part of the Senior Leadership Team, the post holder will be working together with the COO, clergy and staff under the oversight of Chapter, to develop and deliver the Chapter’s vision for the life of the Cathedral. The ICFO will lead and manage the finance department of the Cathedral, working closely with the Finance Assistant, other senior managers, external advisers and Chapter Members to enable the Cathedral administration to deliver its tasks in line with the vision, values, and aims of the Cathedral.

Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership and Management

• Work with the Senior Leadership Team, COO and Chair of the Finance Committee to shape, develop and execute the financial strategy to inform and support the Cathedral’s plans, vision and mission
• Work with the COO and Chair of the Finance Committee to ensure appropriate oversight of financial decision making
• Lead and drive an appropriate approach to risk, in order to balance the need for diligent and rigorous financial and commercial management as well as an appetite for growth and investment
• As an Interim Chief Officer, work as part of the Senior Leadership Team to shape and promote an open, transparent, collaborative and inclusive culture
• Work with the COO to produce recommendations to help the organisation to scope new business possibilities and produce financial projections
• Identify new streams of income for the Cathedral and work with the COO to realise them
• Support the COO in managing the Cathedral’s key risks, particularly in the sphere of finance
• Ensure the Cathedral invests and prioritises its commitment to the Cathedral’s Net Zero strategy
• With the COO, work to identify new partnership opportunities and undertake appropriate diligence in them.

Key Deliverables

• Lead, with the COO, in the preparation of the 2025 annual budget
• Deliver the Cathedral’s 31 December 2024 year end, preparing year end statutory accounts
• Work to prepare for the external audit process, which will commence in spring 2025
• Lead the work of the Finance Department of the Cathedral
• Ensure that relevant, timely and digestible monthly management information is appropriately produced and shared to ensure effective management and accountability
• Oversee the preparation of management and statutory accounts using the SORP, including liaising with auditors and ensuring the Finance Department's full compliance with internal and statutory standards
• Oversee the work of the Finance Assistant in managing and monitoring all department budgets, income and expenditure
• With the Finance Assistant, maintain and review systems and controls, including those for electronic banking, Direct Debit collections, and BACS payments to ensure that financial risks are being appropriately managed
• Take overall responsibility for the Cathedral’s cashflow to ensure that appropriate cash balances are held to meet financial commitments.

Meetings

• The ICFO will be required to attend the following meetings:
  • Senior Leadership Team meetings fortnightly during the working day
  • Weekly 1-1 with the COO
  • Monthly Chapter meetings during the working day
  • Finance Committee meetings, after normal working hours every other month (except for December)
  • Audit and Risk meetings after normal working hours every other month (except for December).

Reporting and Communication

• Ensure high quality reporting on all financial and commercial related matters to enable an effective and strategic impact at a senior level within the Cathedral
• Together with the COO and Finance Assistant, drive and lead on producing information, KPIs, MI and data to share with the Finance Committee, Chapter and others
• Produce and support effective and clear communication about the Cathedral's financial affairs to various stakeholders
• Be a key contact for the Cathedral's investment fund managers and external auditors.

Continuous Improvement

• Drive and develop the Cathedral’s financial policies, processes, systems and output
• Maintain an awareness and knowledge of current financial regulation and legislative changes as well as identifying and sharing new and emerging changes or risks
• Ensure that the highest standards of professional performance are maintained, lead mentoring and development of the Finance Department, participate in performance review and appraisal arrangements, continue professional development.

The main duties and responsibilities of your post are outlined in your job description. This list is not exhaustive and is intended to reflect your main tasks and areas of work. Changes may occur over time, and you will be expected to agree any reasonable changes to your job description that are commensurate with your salary and in line with the general nature of your post. You will be consulted about any changes to your job description before these are implemented.

This post is open to candidates who are in sympathy with the aims and objectives of the Christian Church and the Anglican tradition.