The role
Job Purpose
- Responsible to the Chief Executive and OSDC Board for the leadership and functions allocated to the Finance and Corporate Services Unit and for contributing proactively and collaboratively to the OSDC’s Corporate Management Team. The Postholder will:
- Lead all aspects of the Corporation’s financial management – including accountability for and stewardship of an expected revenue budget of c. £15-25m per annum and a capital budget of c. £150m. This includes long-term financial strategy and planning, budgeting and forecasting, funding, borrowings and cost management, tax strategy and compliance and statutory reporting. The role will be responsible for balancing the organisation’s aspirations against the nature and level of resources available to it.
- Oversee all aspects of corporate services – including IT/back-office systems, Office management including landlord liason, facilities and business management, – to ensure the organisation operates smoothly, efficiently and within its statutory duties.
- Be responsible, in collaboration with the Commercial Team when appointed, for ensuring an effective income generation strategy is in place and aligned with the organisation’s overall financial planning, and for providing ongoing assurance and financial support.
- Be responsible for providing assurance, and financial and technical support, to the Directors responsible for the Corporation’s operational and development activities.
- Be responsible to the OSDC Board as OSDC’s Chief Finance Officer under Section 127 of the GLA Act 1999.
- Be responsible for the organisation’s risk management approach, including acting as the lead executive team contact for the Finance, Audit and Risk committee and taking ownership of our risk register development and management
- Be responsible at a senior level for managing OSDC ‘shared services’ arrangements, including engagement at senior levels of GLA and TfL to ensure that the arrangement remains financially appropriate whilst meeting the organisations need
Principal accountabilities
- Contribute proactively and collaboratively to the formulation of the OSDC vision and corporate strategy, providing strategic direction and strong, visible leadership to the Finance and Corporate Services Directorate.
- Maintain effective financial management and governance to ensure that OSDC operates sustainably in the long term.
- Build, lead and direct the Corporation’s finance function to ensure effective arrangements are in place to support high performance and effective delivery and development of financial services to the business, ensuring an appropriate and effective financial management and control environment.
- Provide strategic leadership and oversight of internal and external audit functions, ensuring robust financial governance, risk management, and compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements.
- Lead our Corporate Services team to ensure effective arrangements are in place to support high performance and effective delivery and development of services to the business.
- Ensure the necessary IT provision, facilities, business management and other underpinning requirements are in place and updated to ensure OSDC can operate effectively and efficiently.
- Act as the Senior Responsible Officer for the shared services arrangements in place with GLA Group organisations, including legal and data protection.
- Act as the primary senior contact for our landlord, negotiating office terms and sourcing office space as and when required.
- Demonstrate strategic awareness by actively scanning the external environment, anticipating change, and building strong partnerships across sectors to inform decision-making and drive innovation
- Performance Management – support and develop a highly integrated financial and performance monitoring regime for the OSDC, including best in class reporting to the Board, Senior Management Team, Chief Executive, OSDC Audit Committee, GLA and Assembly.
Monitor delivery of corporate priorities across the directorate, working to achieve continuous improvement for all teams and individuals
Support and advise the CEO and OSDC Board in decision making
Key contacts: OSDC Chair and Audit Committee, Mayoral Advisor, Assembly Members, GLA Senior Officers, Government Officials, Commercial Partners | |
Accountable to: | Chief Executive Officer, OSDC Audit Committee |
Accountable for: | Staff and resources in the OSDC |
Technical Requirements
Essential
- A CCAB qualified accountant (which includes ACCA and CIPFA)
- An in depth understanding and experience of financial management and budget formulation (which should include capital budgets)
- Excellent record of achievement operating at senior level within a relevant or similar role and demonstrable understanding of the scrutiny and visibility of being a leader in a high-profile organisation.
- Demonstrable experience of working effectively at the public/private interface, including managing relationships across political and partner organisation boundaries.
- Able to seamlessly oscillate between strategic and operational matters.
- A high level of credibility and business acumen to engender trust and confidence and to successfully influence a complex and diverse stakeholder mix.
- Proven ability to work in a complex and political environment.
- Experience of organisational leadership across wider functions or programmes than solely finance (for example, managing wider corporate services)
Highly Desirable
- Experience of commercial structuring in complex regeneration or development projects
Behavioural Competencies
Responsible use of resources
…is taking personal responsibility for using and managing resources effectively, efficiently and sustainably.
Level 4 indicators of effective performance
- Explores different options for funding and income generation
- Sets budgets, understanding current costs and challenging teams to deliver greater efficiency
- Monitors resource allocation across the organisation, ensuring OSDC works within budget and resources
- Ensures OSDC procures and uses resources fairly and responsibly and with regard for environmental efficiencies
- Leads initiatives to identify and deliver efficiencies across the GLA Group and through partnership working
Strategic thinking
…is using an understanding of the bigger picture to uncover potential challenges and opportunities for the long term and turning those into a compelling vision for action
Level 4 indicators of effective performance
- Develops a positive and compelling vision of London’s future potential, demonstrating confidence in the strategic direction of OSDC
- Translates an understanding of the complex and diverse threats and issues facing London into positive action
- Proactively involves partners in strategic thinking, incorporating their views into plans and working with them to align strategic priorities
- Sets organisational priorities by identifying where time and investment is needed most
- Generates and leads strategic initiatives that reflect OSDC’s position as a regional authority
Decision making
…is forming sound, evidence-based judgements, making choices, assessing risks to delivery, and taking accountability for results.
Level 4 indicators of effective performance
- Makes difficult decisions for the long-term benefit of the organisation
- Presents and instils confidence in strategic decision-making
- Consults stakeholders early in critical organisation-wide decisions
- Stands by the decisions and actions of OSDC
- Accepts and promotes accountability for OSDC’s decision-making
- Ensures the organisation balances effective risk management with the need for timely actions
Responding to pressure and change
…is being flexible and adapting positively, to sustain performance when the situation changes, workload increases, tensions rise or priorities shift.
Level 4 indicators of effective performance
- Demonstrates resilience in the face of challenge from staff, media and partner organisations
- Promotes OSDC as a flexible organisation, responding to the changing needs of Londoners
- Shows positivity in the face of external pressure, minimising negative impact
- Drives a culture of continuous improvement
- Sets the direction for organisational development and ensures effective communication of change initiatives
This job is ‘politically restricted’ under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.
Staff Benefits
Financial Wellbeing
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- My GLA+ Discounts and Benefits portal
- Mortgage Education and Advice Service
- Tenancy Deposit Loan
- Shared Cost Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs)
- Allowance for home working equipment
- Support with visa-related costs (loan)
Travel to Work
- Season Ticket Loan
- Cycle2work scheme
- Bicycle Loan
- Discounted Santander Cycle Subscription
Family Leave and Benefits
- Generous Maternity and birth/adoption support leave policies
- Share Parental leave and Ordinary Parental Leave
- Carer’s and Dependency Leave
- Childcare Deposit Loan Scheme
Community and Giving
- Volunteering Leave
- Payroll Giving
- Access to a range of wider GLA family staff networks and support groups
Health and Wellbeing
- Healthcare Screening
- Eye Tests and Glasses
- Gym Membership Loan
- Sabbatical Leave
- Flu jabs
- Flexible Working
- Reduced price Osteopath clinic at the Union Street Office
- Option to opt into reduced priced private health membership
- Employee Assistance Programme
Other Benefits
- Option to trade in up to 2x days annual leave
- West End Club discount club membership
- Access to a full range of learning and development modules and courses
- Fees covered for the cost of membership of one professional membership organisation