Head Of Finance in Brentford

With our community work spanning more than three decades, Brentford FC Community Sports Trust has established itself as a pioneering organisation for the local community. It uses the power of sport to educate, motivate and inspire people from all backgrounds.

Working in partnership with Brentford FC, the Trust offers a portfolio of programmes in education, employability, sports participation, health and community engagement.

We have won the ‘Football League Community Club of the Year’ award four times and have cemented our reputation as a community-led Football Club.

Most recently, we joined the European Football for Development Network and aligned our strategy with the UN’s sustainable development goals, which demonstrates our local impact at a global level.

Job Title:  Head of Finance (Hybrid)

Department: Finance

Reports to: CEO 

Contract: Full - Time, Permanent

Responsible for: Finance Manager and Management Accountant 

Salary:  £55,000 - £60,000 (Dependent on Experience)

Closing Date: 7th July 2024

Brentford FC Community Sports Trust

With community work spanning three decades, Brentford FC Community Sports Trust has established itself as a pioneering organisation for the local community. It uses the power of sport to educate, motivate and inspire people from all walks of life.

Working in partnership with Brentford FC, the Trust offers a portfolio of programmes in education, health, sports participation and community engagement. The Trust has won the ‘Football League Community Club of the Year’ award four times and now employs more than 100 members of staff. The Trust is forecasting further significant expansion over the next two years following its appointment as a key partner in the redevelopment of Gunnersbury Park (as a sports hub), and its move to new, larger, purpose-built premises directly adjacent to the new Brentford FC 17,500 capacity stadium near Kew Bridge in 2021.

Inclusion Statement

Brentford FCCST is an organisation which values and is passionate about diversity and inclusivity. We welcome and encourage applications from qualified candidates, including those from underrepresented groups – such as those from ethnically diverse backgrounds, women, those from the LGBTQ+ community and those with disabilities.

Should you require any workplace accommodations (also known as ‘reasonable adjustments), you will have the opportunity to let us know at the appropriate points in the hiring process.

Safeguarding Statement

Brentford FCCST is committed to equality, the safeguarding and welfare of all children and adults at risk. This responsibility is shared by all staff and volunteers at the club, safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Staff will be required to undertake regular safeguarding training to enable and reinforce a proactive approach to safeguarding. This role requires the post holder to apply all relevant policies and uphold the club’s commitment to safeguarding vulnerable people to ensure a safe environment for all. This includes the timely reporting of any safeguarding concern to the safeguarding team.

General Trust Accountabilities

• To ensure compliance with all relevant policies, including health and safety and safeguarding policies
• To ensure compliance with all relevant legal, regulatory, ethical and social requirements
• To build and maintain good working relationships both internally and externally, maintaining a professional image at all times when representing Brentford FC Community Sports Trust
• To keep confidential any information gained regarding the Trust and its personnel
• To maintain a flexible approach to work at all times

Main Purpose of Job

The Head of Finance is responsible for leading the Finance Department of a rapidly growing Charity with exciting innovative expansion plans to drive income in excess of the current £4m and social impact value above £70m, whilst managing expenditure in line with budget and maintaining reserves to agreed Board target.

Reporting into the CEO you will collaborate and provide input into the financial strategy to support the organisation’s mission. You will direct the finance team in the operational functions of the department and provide continuous improvement in processes to align with the ambitious growth of the organisation.

Responsibilities

• Lead, Mentor and Develop the Finance Team.
• Deliver the following reporting in a timely and efficient manner:
  • Accurate monthly Financial Management accounts including, succinct, informative and action led commentary.
  • Overall management of Trust expenditure in line with tight Budgets and Forecasts, providing variance analysis and commentary based on regular review meetings with Budget Owners.
  • Production of Annual Budget (plus half yearly reforecast) including a Summary Income and Expenditure statement supported by detailed assumptions highlighting surplus/deficit on a project by project basis.
  • Alongside budget, production of Cashflow forecast, Capital Expenditure budget and forecast reserves cover.
  • Provide easy to understand, engaging and succinct Quarterly Financial reports and present to the Quarterly Finance Subcommittee and Board meetings focusing on KPI’s including, commentary on key metrics trends and variances.
• Ensure the Finance Team engage with other departments and together with the Senior Leadership Team to deliver the Trust’s objectives to increase financial awareness across the organisation by:
  • Working with Budget Holders to understand and manage expenditure on a monthly basis and assist them with strategy and pricing decisions to feed into the budgeting and reforecasting process.
  • Evaluate and review new projects and new funding applications of funding in a timely manner, providing financial analysis as required.
  • Provide Financial Analysis to support regular monitoring reporting required by funders.
  • Drive KPI’s to evaluate projects and provide post-project analysis to evaluate and monitor the project’s progress against the KPI’s.

• Work with Management and Trustees to develop a recently formed trading subsidiary which will become responsible for some existing and new revenue streams. This will require working with legal and tax advisors as necessary.
• Manage the Trust’s relationship with external accounting providers.
• Manage the annual Audit process in line with agreed timetable.
• Manage the Trust’s cashflow and Treasury facilities to optimise interest returns and ensure that the Trust has adequate cash to fund its current and future commitments at all times.

Safeguarding

• Collaborate with other team members and departments to create a cohesive approach to safeguarding.
• Participate in meetings and contribute to the development and improvement of safeguarding policies.
• Provide support and guidance to staff members in understanding and adhering to safeguarding policies.

Key Internal Relationships

• Senior Leadership Team, including CEO.
• Finance Team
• Project Budget Holders
• Chair of Finance Subcommittee and other Trustees

Key External Relationships

• Brentford Football Club Finance Team
• External Auditors
• Brentford FC Community Sports Trust Funders
• External accounting providers
• Legal
• Brentford FC Community Sports Trust Bankers

Essential Criteria 

• Qualified ACCA, CIMA or ACA with a minimum 5 years of financial/commercial and team management experience.
• Excellent business acumen and commercial awareness gained in similar size organisations or larger.
• Strong analytical skills with a minimum 3+ years relevant Financial, Budgeting, Forecasting experience.
• Excellent attention to detail and ownership of responsibilities.
• Strong communication skills, both written and oral with the ability to put yourself in the shoes of the receiver.
• Excellent Leadership Skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Enthusiastic with an appetite to continually learn and drive personal development.
• Excellent team player with ability to quickly build trust and confidence both internally and externally.
• Ability to occasionally work flexible hours as required.

Desirable:

• Experience of working in the charity environment.
• Business/Strategic partnering experience.
• Excellent Leadership Skills.
• Positive and flexible approach with proven ability to work with all levels of an organisation.
• Professional with a friendly outlook and positive attitude.
• Strong team player, with ability to work across departments to achieve shared goals.

Personal Qualities:

• Positive and flexible approach with proven ability to work with all levels of an organisation.
• Professional with a friendly outlook and positive attitude.
• Strong team player, with ability to work across departments to achieve shared goals.

Please note that where appropriate for the role, you will be required to complete additional background checks such as Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks and police checks for any time you have lived or worked outside of the UK in the last 10 years. You can find out more about this at

Please also note that a CV application will not be sufficient. Applications will not be considered where the application form has not been completed in full.