Role
The Nuclear Institute is seeking a Finance Director to provide strategic and operational financial leadership. This part-time, fully remote role (0.4 FTE) offers the opportunity to oversee financial planning, risk management, compliance, and budgeting to drive the Institute's success. The Finance Director will play a key role in supporting organisational goals, managing financial operations, and fostering an inclusive and collaborative workplace.
Ideal candidates will have senior financial leadership experience, excellent strategic planning skills, and a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Job Description
Role Details
- Finance Director (FD) - Nuclear Institute
- Position Title: Finance Director (FD)
- Location: Fully Remote
- Reports To: CEO
- Responsible for: Finance Officer
- Job Type: 0.4 FTE
- Salary: £31,200 (Equivalent to £78K pro-rata)
- Annual leave: 25 days, plus bank holidays (pro rata)
Job Purpose
The Finance Director (FD) will play a pivotal role in the strategic and operational leadership of the Nuclear Institute. This position requires a skilled and motivated professional with a strong background in finance. The FD will be responsible for enhancing financial oversight, managing budgets, strategic financial planning, risk management, and supporting other members of the team to achieve the Institute’s goals.
Key Tasks
- Take a lead role, with the CEO and Trustees, in formulating the Nuclear Institutes future direction and planning/defining key projects and strategies.
- Develop, direct and monitor strategic and annual business plans.
- Develop financial, reserves and investment strategies for the Board of Trustees.
- Manage all transactions and processing systems.
- Provide strategic recommendations to enhance financial performance and new business
- Ensure effective internal risk and management controls are in place and compliance with Charity
- SORP and applicable regulatory legislation for financial and tax reporting.
- To coordinate and manage the financial and corporate aspects of the Risk Register and ensure a sound system of control with the CEO.
- Additional / Complementary Roles:
- Managing Companies House and Charity Commission compliance.
- Identifying and implementing cost-saving measures.
- Managing key financial contracts, including the publishing of Nuclear Future.
- Staying ahead of regulatory changes and market trends to ensure compliance and competitiveness.
- Enhanced Financial Oversight:
- Closely monitoring financial operations.
- Producing cash flow forecasts and monthly management accounts.
- Improving financial reporting and accountability to the Board.
- Ensure that all financial practices are in line with statutory regulations, legislation and best practice.
- Budget Management:
- Lead and oversee the annual budget, risk and performance planning process.
- Ensuring operational activities align with financial goals and constraints.
- Strategic Planning:
- Focusing on long-term financial strategies to drive growth and stability.
- Contributing to aligning operational strategies with financial objectives.
- Analyse the financial climate, market trends, pay and reward data to assist the CEO and the Board in creating strategic plans for the future.
- Risk Management:
- Identifying and mitigating financial risks, including managing banking mandates and relationships.
- Enhancing ownership of financial risks by transitioning to an employee of NI.
- Investment Strategy:
- Managing the investment strategy.
- Working with the Assurance Committee to identify and propose investments.
- Support for Other Departments:
- Assisting other departments in managing their budgets and financial planning.
- Line Management and Staff Development:
- Providing line management for the Finance Officer.
- Supporting the personal and professional development of the Finance Officer.
- Performance Metrics:
- Developing and monitoring key financial performance indicators (KPIs) to track operational performance.
- Managing Debtors and Creditors:
- Developing a strategy for managing debtors and creditors.
- Reducing bad debts and late payments.
- Monitor cash flow, accounts, and other financial transactions.
- Auditors:
- In conjunction with the Honorary Treasurer, managing the annual audit process and supporting the Board’s appointment of auditors.
- Management of relationships with auditors and other professional advisers.
- Community:
- Creating a strong link with NI communities such as SIGs, YGN, and branches, providing support and guidance on budgets, costs, and financial control measures, and acting as a central point of contact.
- Supporting the Board, Assurance Committees, and any other finance-related committees to ensure they are meeting their fiduciary responsibilities.
- Contractual arrangements
- To manage and ensure effective arrangements are in place for:
- Insurances
- Pension administration
- Corporate Risk register
- Licenses, leases
- IT and other business systems support contracts
- Professional services including legal and audit
- Overarching Director responsibilities
- To undertake other duties from time to time as reasonably required by the Chief Executive.
- This job description is not to be regarded as exclusive or exhaustive. It is intended as an outline
- indication of areas of activity and responsibility and will be amended in light of the changing needs of the organisation.
- With the Directorate, provides strong leadership and direction, taking responsibility for the planning, development and managerial work of the organisation.
- To attend Trustee Board meetings, Assurance committee where required, and any other such leadership team functions where necessary.
- To demonstrate and uphold the Nuclear Institutes values and behavioural standards at all times.
- Build effective relations across departments to become the focal point for finance strategic issues across the Nuclear Institute.
Person Specification
Essential
- Qualified accountant
- At least 5 years post-qualification experience, at a senior management or Director level.
- Experience in commercial settings as well as charity/non-profit sectors. Must have experience in preparing commercial reviews/business cases/proposals for a Board
- A strong strategic and commercial mindset
- Excellent knowledge of risk monitoring / management processes and techniques and advising Board on careful, balanced risk mitigation strategies
- Good knowledge of charity law, governance and latest charity accounting regulations/standards/rules
- Experience of negotiating / developing / managing commercial partnership agreements and monitoring performance of major commercial suppliers/partners
- Strong change management skills / experience in a change leadership team which achieved transformational results
- Understanding of / affinity with culture of a membership charity and working with trustees and a volunteer-based organisation
- Excellent project management skills / ability to oversee range of major projects at senior level / on behalf of the Board
- Strong interpersonal skills, ability to communicate and manage well at all levels of the organisation
- Strong problem solving and ability to make decisions based on accurate and timely analysis
- High level of integrity and dependability
- High level of personal drive
- Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal;
- Superior attention to detail;
- Superior analytical skills; critical thinking skills; computer skills; multi-tasking skills.
Desirable strengths sought:
- Results Focus – You maintain a strong sense of focus on results, driving tasks and projects to completion
- Self-confidence – You have a strong belief in yourself and your abilities to accomplish tasks and goals
- Critical Thinking – You approach problems and arguments by breaking them down systematically and evaluating them objectively
- Leading – You take responsibility for influencing and motivating others to contribute to the goals and success of their team and organisation
- Flexibility – You remain adaptable and flexible in the face of unfamiliar or changing situations
- Strategic Mindedness – You focus on the future and take a strategic perspective on issues and challenges
- Creativity – You come up with new ideas and original solutions to move things forward
Useful experience (but not essential):
- Experience as a trustee or NED in a large/national charity or non-profit
- Experience in or knowledge of nuclear sector
- Some experience in business development
How to apply
Please send your CV and a covering letter – summarising why you’re applying, why you would be great for this role and how you meet the person specification (no more than two pages) to hr@nuclearinst.com
- Applications close: 5pm on the 7th February 2025
- We will contact successfully shortlisted candidates the following week.
- Interviews will be held remotely from w/c 17th February 2025
For an informal and confidential discussion about the role, please contact: Robert Gofton, CEO. E-mail: r.gofton@nuclearinst.com
Flexibility and Accessibility
We offer flexible hours and remote working options to accommodate individual needs. There will be support available for remote workers who may require specific adjustments, such as ergonomic setups or assistive technologies.
Commitment to Inclusion:
We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including those from underrepresented groups in the finance and nuclear sectors. Our recruitment process is fair and accessible, and we are happy to provide accommodations upon request. If you require adjustments to the application process, please contact us so we can support you.