THE DETAILS:
  • Location: Llanelli, Sa15 4DN
  • Contract: Permanent
  • Salary Type: Annual
  • Language: Welsh

This job application date has now expired.

Director of Finance

Coleg Sir Gar
Director of Finance
Application Deadline: 29 March 2024

Department: Finance

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: Graig Campus

Reporting To: Chief Operating Officer

Compensation: £64,845 - £71,081 / year
DescriptionColeg Sir Gar have an exciting opportunity for a Director of Finance to join our senior leadership team at the college.

Coleg Sir Gâr, which includes Coleg Ceredigion (a wholly owned subsidiary) is a large, multi-site, Further Education College based in South West Wales and West Wales and has seven main campuses at Llanelli (Graig), Carmarthen (Pibwrlwyd and Jobs Well), Ammanford ,Llandeilo (Gelli Aur), Aberystwyth and Cardigan. It has approximately 9,700 learners of which some 3,200 are full time and over 6,500 are part time. There are approximately 650 higher education learners. The College has a comprehensive and broad range of academic and vocational education and training programmes that range from pre-entry to graduate level, providing a service to the whole learning community. The principal activities of the College are further education, higher education, work-based learning, 14-19 school provision, professional training, consultancy and the delivery of Government initiatives to industry. The College also offers its provision online, via partnerships at community locations and in the workplace. Campuses vary in size and nature and offer a variety of subjects. The College has an annual turnover of around £54 m and employs circa 800 staff. Of these, circa 400 are directly involved in teaching and 400 in support and administrative functions.

The Finance & Procurement team is comprised of 8 members of staff based at Coleg Sir Gar (Graig Campus), and 3 members of staff at Coleg Ceredigion (Cardigan Campus). Although both Colleges are technically separate legal entities, for all intents and purposes, they are treated operationally as one college.

The Role will be based at our Graig Campus, which is the largest of the seven campuses and is based close to the village of Pwll on the South West Wales coast in Llanelli. With views over the neighbouring Gower peninsula, the Campus is a great place to work and study with a range of well-resourced teaching facilities and the Hwb, a contemporary designed student area for personal support and learning.

About the RoleThe main purpose of the Director of Finance role is:
  • To lead and manage the financial & procurement operations of the institution, ensuring compliance with all necessary and applicable regulatory requirements.
  • To provide strategic and operational financial guidance to support the organisation's mission and goals.
  • To contribute to the strategic leadership and management of the College as an effective member of the College Senior Leadership Team.
  • To contribute and drive initiatives to increase income and reduce costs whilst not affecting the quality of provision and learner experience.
  • To be a role model in developing the culture of the College in line with its prescribed values and behaviours.
As a member of the College Senior Leadership Team, the post holder will play a key role in the development and implementation of College strategies, policies and procedures in the areas of Finance and Procurement. The post, at times, will involve travelling across Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion (5 campuses in Carmarthenshire and 2 in Ceredigion), flexibility in working hours and working within the Dual Sector University (UWTSD - which the college is a subsidiary of).

The role involves extensive liaison and collaboration with key stakeholders and external contacts. Close liaison, on a virtual daily basis also exists with members of staff at all levels across the institution.

To meet future challenges, the post holder will support the College's drive to increase non-core income particularly by contributing to College initiatives that develop commercial business.

What you will needTo be successful in the role, you will need:
  • Relevant accounting qualification: ACA; ACCA; CIMA or CIPFA
  • Experience of using sophisticated financial software, query tools, spreadsheets and other applications
  • Working knowledge of FRS 102 & other applicable reporting standards & requirements
  • An understanding of the basic elements of UK personal, Corporate and Value Added taxation
  • Sound grasp of the principles of internal controls and the role of internal and external audit
  • Leadership and Management with experience of strategic planning & implementation
This leadership position requires a seasoned financial professional with a strong background in financial management. Experience of working within the education sector would be beneficial, but not essential. They will be driven to improve their own performance whilst ensuring the performance of others, enabling them to provide the very best experience and service to the College, its staff and learners. The ability to lead and mentor a team of Finance and Procurement professionals will be a key asset of the successful candidate.

In terms of skills, abilities and personal attributes, the successful candidate will possess strong people management skills and be able to work effectively under pressure, with an ability to prioritise and deliver. There will also be a requirement for excellent attention to detail and effective decision making at all times.

Welsh Language Requirements:
  • Welsh Oracy (Listening/Speaking) - Level 0/1
  • Welsh Literacy (Writing/Reading) - Level 0/1
(See detailed language descriptions)

Persons are welcome to apply for posts in Welsh and applications made in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application made in English.


For more information, or to arrange an informal conversation/meeting about this position, please contact Tom.braddock@colegsirgar.ac.uk .

Benefits
  • You will receive 37 days holiday, plus bank holidays and five closure days which totals at 50 days holiday per year.
  • Salary Sacrifice EV Car Scheme
  • Extremely generous pension scheme with employer contributions of 20%.
  • Award-winning professional learning and development programme.
  • Cycle to work scheme
  • Free on-site car parking
  • Online and instore retail discounts