Head of Finance and Operations
Salary £ 60,000 - 65,000 per annum based on experience
Based at home with travel to GBS London offices as needed.
Vacancy listed 21/04/2023
Application deadline 18/05/2023
Details
Background
 
GB Snowsport (GBS) is the National Governing Body for Snowsport within the United Kingdom; it is responsible for the representation and management of any British Snowsport athlete who wishes to compete in International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) sanctioned or Olympic events.  This includes all Olympic and Paralympic snowsport disciplines together with Speed Skiing and Telemark. 
 
GBS has evolved its Governance and Structure with a primary focus within the organisation of improving athlete performance across all the twelve different disciplines within skiing and snowboarding.  We are now looking for a new Head of Finance and Operations to join the Senior Leadership Team. The successful candidate for the role will need to operate at both a strategic level, focusing on financial and business planning, commercial/ funding modelling and governance and be comfortable with the ‘hands on’ nature of working in a small team where they will need to personally undertake work, preparing and monitoring budgets, managing payroll and benefits etc.
 
This is an exciting time to join GBS as this season has been the most successful ever for the athletes and we now look to build on those successes.  GBS is responsible for 52% of all the medals awarded at a Winter Olympic Games and 95% of medals at the Winter Paralympics and the opportunity to significantly improve the profile of winter sports in the UK comes with this role.
 
Overall Purpose
 
The purpose of the role is to ensure:
  • Strong finance planning and budgets are in place together with clear business intelligence including the delivery of timely and user-friendly management information.
  • Commercial/ funding modelling in place and commercial agreements are monitored and reported on both financially and in terms of impact. 
  • Robust management of funds and cashflow together with accounts payable/ receivable.
  • Effective management of the finance team and finance processes including payroll.
  • A comprehensive governance and control environment is in place, including Board/ Committee management and risk management.
  • Effective management of contracts.
  • That an effective programme management and operational plan structure is in place. 
  • Effective management of a range of business operations including Facilities, IT, Legal, Business Systems, operational HR, Information including GDPR etc.
 
Reporting
 
Reports to: CEO
Direct reports: Operations & Partnerships Manager, Finance Manager, Company Secretary & Safeguarding and Welfare Officer.
 
Hours/ Location
 
This is a full-time role (35 hours per week) based at home with travel to GBS offices as needed.  
 
RESONSABILITIES
 
Strategy/ Board
 
  • To work with the CEO to develop the organisation’s strategic goals for the Board.
  • To ensure the delivery of the organisation’s strategy, supported by a 4-year rolling financial plan, disciplined budgeting and effective and timely forecasting of financial performance for the CEO and the Board.
  • To provide Board members with strategic financial advice and assurance on all financial and corporate governance matters. 
  • To exercise delegated authority with probity and integrity. Deputise for the CEO in her absence and as necessary, acting as an effective ambassador for GBS and making decisions in her absence when required. 
  • To take an active role in the Senior Leadership Team, working collaboratively to identify and maximise opportunities outside your area of responsibility.
 
Finance & Commercial
 
  • To manage the finance team and control all financial systems, process and transactions, ensuring that high-quality and timely management and accounting information is routinely prepared and supplied to managers, the CEO and the Board.
  • To ensure an effective external audit process is in place with regular reporting to the Board.
  • To prepare the annual financial accounts and liaise with the statutory auditors; to ensure that the requirements of funding partners and HMRC are met.
  • To drive the continued modernisation of the infrastructure, systems, policies and procedures across the business particularly to ensure the development of a robust finance system to enable the CEO and Board to make informed financial  and commercial decisions.
  • To support managers in preparing and presenting business plans and business cases and managing budgets.
  • To ensure effective insurance, payroll, expenses, pension and other benefit arrangements are in place and correctly administered to provide best value for GBS and employees.
  • To support the Commercial team with financial analysis, reporting, bid responses etc. 
 
Governance including Risk Management and Safeguarding
 
  • To ensure that the business has a strong framework of governance, highlighting any issues to the CEO and ensuring compliance at all times.
  • To manage the Board and Committee meeting structure and reporting.
  • To ensure that the regulatory requirements of all statutory bodies and regulatory regimes, eg UK Sport, DCMS and HMRC, are met.
  • To hold the GBS Risk Register, ensuring risks are identified and mitigated across the organisation.
 
Operations
 
  • To work with the CEO on implementing the organisation’s objectives and business planning processes.
  • To ensure an effective programme management and operational work plan structure is in place across GBS and working well for the team and board. 
  • To ensure the effective delivery of business operations across the organisation, particularly Facilities, IT, Legal, operational HR and information management (GDPR).

General Accountabilities as part of the GBS team
  • To build, manage and maintain strong team relationships and maximise communication within the team.
  • To represent GBS in a professional and positive manner with both internal and external stakeholders and in doing so reflects the values of the organisation.
  • To provide outstanding customer service.
  • To maintain a good working knowledge of GBS objectives, athletes, commercial partners etc and developments in the sport.
  • To share ideas and make suggestions to improve the organisation.
  • To follow all GBS policies and procedures, especially those regarding equality and diversity,  and health and safety.
  • To undertake any other duties that may reasonably be required in furtherance of the objectives of GBS.
 
Safeguarding
 
GBS is committed to safeguarding all children and adults and expects all employees,  contractors and volunteers to share our commitment. You will be required to follow all safeguarding policies and processes and attend safeguarding training relevant to your role.  
 
PERSON SPECIFICATION

Knowledge
 
  • A fully qualified accountant.
  • Knowledge of the UK regulatory and accounting frameworks.
  • Sound understanding of strategic financial planning, budgeting and reporting.
  • Commercial acumen and expertise.
 
Experience
 
  • Experience of managing a finance team.
  • Experience of working with the CEO/ Board with strategic financial planning, budgeting etc.
  • Experience of managing complex projects with a range of stakeholders.
  • Experience of managing other business operations functions eg IT, HR, Information.
  • Experience of working in a Governing Body of Sport (desirable).
 
Skills & Competencies – all essential 
 
  • Excellent planning & analysis skills.
  • Excellent decision-making skills.
  • Excellent communication and influencing skills.
  • Excellent IT skills (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, emails, Financial Systems).
  • Resilient, results-focussed.
 
VALUES & BEHAVIOURS
 
All candidates should be able to evidence behaviours aligned to our values:
 
OUR VALUES
 
Athletes
Our athletes come first. Our success is made by them.
Our ambition is to support them in everything they do in order to allow them to reach their true potential.
 
Culture
We create a strong sense of team, in which everyone is a vital member. Gold medals come from true teamwork.
 
Engagement
We have a dedicated focus on reaching the global snowsport audience of one billion.
 
Partnerships
GB Snowsport builds and nurtures strong partnerships – it’s the only way we grow stronger
together.
 
Performance
Promoting performance is key to everything we do.
Only by putting performance first will we deliver the results we need to fulfil the vision.
 
Technology
We deliver an edge to our athletes by data driven performance analysis, in conjunction with the world’s best research and innovation in snowsports.

GBS is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, colour, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by the Equality Act 2010. GBS is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, access to facilities and programmes and general treatment during employment.

This vacancy has now been closed