Head of Finance - Subsidiairies

Head of Finance - Subsidiaries  

This role is responsible for the accounting requirements for subsidiary companies within the group structure which will also include accounting for external contracts. In addition, this role will be influential in our growth ambitions and it is expected that you will lead on finance projects and ad hoc finance work.  

Our new Head of Finance role will work alongside the four other Heads of Finance and will specifically support our subsidiary companies, some larger external contracts and will be involved in ad hoc projects

What you’ll be doing 

• Overseeing the financial requirements for subsidiary companies within the group together with a number of larger contracts. This will include the full end to end process of budget setting, business planning, cashflow forecasting, financial monitoring, monthly management accounts, key financial performance information and annual statutory accounts where relevant including key involvement in the audit process.  

• Maintaining all accounting records for the subsidiary companies in line with Company law, the Accounting Direction, Financial Reporting Standards, Statements of Recommended Practice and any other regulatory requirements or best practice guidance. This will include maintaining a robust chart of accounts, to allow enhanced financial reporting through the accounting system, having full oversight of financial reconciliations and maintaining a system of quality assurance. 

• Preparing reports for board and committees and for external stakeholders in line with reporting requirements and deadlines.  

• Ensuring that the subsidiary companies have the relevant control framework for financial reporting in place and ensure that the financial results are incorporated into the group appropriately through the groups intercompany accounting arrangements. 

• Managing projects which improve financial systems and business outputs.    

• Managing the finance subsidiaries team, currently consisting of two company accountants and one assistant accountant, and ensuring that there is a continuous improvement culture in place. 

• Supporting colleagues across the business with their financial requirements and knowledge ensuring that financial information is reflective of operational performance and planning. This will include financial training of colleagues as required. 

• To be the named process owner for designated process(es) relating to your work, accountable for ensuring your processes are effectively designed, monitored and continuously improved in consultation with the relevant colleagues. 

• To act as an inspirational leader to inspire, develop and motivate your team; setting and embedding the Great Places culture and ensuring excellent customer experience. 

• To work in collaboration with external partners, as appropriate  

• To set and embed a high support/high challenge culture by:  

- showing inspirational leadership;  

- timely and effective performance management; 

- coaching; 

- communication and feedback 

- role-modelling attitudes, behaviours and expectations in accordance with the Service Delivery Framework  

- capturing the learning from mistakes and set-backs 

- showing effective and positive leadership through change in order to support and develop your team to realise individual and team potential and ensure effective service delivery. 

• To develop, maintain and promote effective working relationships with Great Places colleagues and key external partners and to always act as an ambassador for Great Places.  

What you’ll need  

• A recognised professional accountancy qualification equivalent to ACA, ACCA or CIMA and the proven ability to understand and interpret financial standards, and regulatory and legislative requirements, and apply them to the organisation.  

• Experience of preparing financial information within a group structure including statutory accounts, budgets, business plans forecasts and management accounts including identifying the potential for delivering efficiency savings and driving business decisions.  

• Experience in the housing, development or construction sector would be beneficial. 

• Experience of leading key financial projects. 

• Strong IT skills (all Microsoft Office) and proficient in Excel and report writing with experience of manipulating and interpreting large volumes of data for multiple scenarios. 

• Proven management and communication skills – both strategic and operational, ideally within a regulated environment and a proven relationship builder and influencer with stakeholders. 

• As a member of the Senior Finance Team, this role will need experience of implementing strategic direction, business change and working collaboratively across the organisation.  

What we need from you 

• As a member of the Great Places Heads of Service team you will be participating in ‘Leading Together’ (our Head of Service Group) who meet regularly to ‘strategically collaborate to define, nurture and unify our culture’; you may also be required to represent your business area in other Great Places’ groups 

• Good commercial awareness and insight 

• Willingness to share learning with peers, guide, train and to coach others 

• Great people skills 

• A commitment to understand the challenges and opportunities that exist in the communities in which we work. We particularly value lived experience in social housing  

• A passion to advocate on behalf of people and communities 

• A commitment to work in partnership with others for the benefit of Great Places 

• A commitment to continuous learning and improvement 

• Ability to work flexibly and when needed outside normal working hours to ensure service continuity 

• An ability to work in uncertainty. 

• To be professional and work with integrity, inclusivity and respect for diversity   

What we give you in return for your hard work and commitment 

• Pension ¦ DC scheme (up to 10% contribution from both colleagues and Great Places)  

• WPA ¦ Healthcare auto enrolled at no contribution level with £1250 of savings available - option to increase & add family members 

• Annual leave ¦ Start at 26 days annual leave, increasing up to 30 days + Bank Holidays 

• Greater Working ¦ We offer Hybrid and flexible working. 

• Reward & Recognition ¦ You Count Rewards are individual reward’s for going ‘above & beyond’   

• Professional fees ¦ The business pays the cost of one professional membership fee for each colleague  

• The Market Place ¦ High street, restaurant & supermarket discounts, gym memberships, cycle to work, smart tech loans and much more 

• Health and wellbeing initiatives ¦ Our colleagues enjoy wellbeing campaigns throughout the year, with activities designed around our four pillars of wellbeing, these include career wellbeing, mental wellbeing, physical wellbeing and financial wellbeing 

Interview details

The expected interview date is 10/04/2025, subject to availability.

The interview will include both an assessment/presentation and a standard Q&A session, further details will be provided in advance.