Candidate Brief for the role of Director of Finance and Business Services Arts Council of Wales
Contents
Welcome message Page 3
About Us: Our Vision and Strategy Page 4
Our Principal Services Page 5
Our Strategic Challenges Page 6 - 7
The Opportunity:
Job advertisement Page 8 Role Description Page 9 - 12 Person Specification Page 13 - 14 Governance and Structure Page 15 - 16 Terms and Conditions Page 17 How to Apply Page 18 Recruitment timeline Page 19
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Welcome Message
Thank you for your interest in the role of Director of Finance and Business Services at the Arts Council of Wales.
This is a key leadership role representing a significant opportunity to work at the highest level within one of Wales’ largest charitable organisations.
The Arts Council of Wales was established by Royal Charter in March 1994. We’re a registered charity whose trustees are the appointed Council Members. We’re also a Welsh Government Sponsored Public Body, and one of the National Lottery distribution bodies. We’re the country’s official funding and development organisation for the arts.
The Director of Finance and Business Services is a key member of our Senior Leadership Team (SLT); Council’s principal executive decision-making body. As a key member of the SLT, you will play an important role in helping to ensure the effective management of the Arts Council’s finances, resources, assets and people. An essential part of this is providing assurance that Council’s affairs are being managed in an accountable and appropriate manner.
The Director of Finance and Business Services is expected to lead the delivery of our high quality internal and external finance service as well as our ICT and facilities services. As Director, you’ll ensure through the management of your team that our day-to-day transactional services operate effectively and efficiently. You’ll also provide strategic leadership on all matters relating to financial management and control, and statutory reporting. You will be actively involved in a range of projects and initiatives. Working with Council and the Chief Executive, you will devise sustainable and viable financial strategies that enable Council to deliver its priorities.
The successful candidate will be a qualified accountant (CIMA/ACA/CIPFA/ACCA). You’ll also have substantial professional experience of operating at a senior management level in a similar role within a complex financial and regulatory environment. You’ll also be a member of the independent Trustee Board of our pension scheme, and ideally have relevant experience to offer. Experience of working within the public sector or with a major charity would be an advantage, although this is not essential.
This is an important role at the heart of one of Wales’ busiest and high-profile public organisations. If you have the skills, experience and resilience that we’re looking for, then we very much look forward to hearing from you.
Nick Capaldi, Chief Executive
About Us
The Arts Council of Wales was established by Royal Charter in March 1994. We’re a registered charity whose trustees are the appointed Council Members. We’re also a Welsh Government Sponsored Public Body. We are the country’s official funding and development organisation for the arts.
Every day, people across Wales are enjoying and taking part in the arts in Wales. We help to support and grow this activity by using the public funds that are made available to us by the Welsh Government and by distributing the proceeds we receive from the National Lottery.
We currently receive Welsh Government funding of about £34m and around £16m of National Lottery funding. By managing and investing these funds in creative activity, the Arts Council contributes to Wales’s cultural, social and economic well-being.
We employ around 90 members of staff based in three locations around Wales – Cardiff, Carmarthen and Colwyn Bay.
Our Vision and Strategy
Our vision is of a creative Wales where the arts are central to the life and well-being of the nation. Our strategy is straightforward – it’s summed up in just three words:
- Make - Reach - Sustain
Making art, ensuring it connects and giving it a durable legacy are all part of the same picture. And these are the themes that underpin our work.
When we talk about Make, we mean artistic creation. We want to foster an environment for our artists and arts organisations in which they can create their best work. Because if we Make well, we inspire.
If we inspire, more people in Wales will enjoy and take part in the best that our nation has to offer. This is at the heart of our ability to Reach, and crucially to reach further than before.
And if in doing this, something of worth is created in what is made or who is embraced, then we should ask how we protect and Sustain these things in ways that work economically and that can endure.
4 Our Principal Services
1. We support and develop high quality arts activity – we invest public funding, provided by the taxpayer, and allocated to us by the Welsh Government. We use these funds to create opportunities for people to enjoy and take part in the arts
2. We distribute Lottery funds – through applications to our Lottery funding programmes we’re able to invest in projects that develop new arts activity, supporting individuals, communities and organisations
3. We provide expert advice about the arts – through our Council, staff and National Advisers we have the largest concentration of specialist arts expertise in Wales
4. We share information – we’re the national centre of a network of information and intelligence about the arts in Wales. We also have strong international links in the UK and beyond
5. We raise the profile of the arts in Wales – we’re the national voice for the arts in Wales, making sure that people are aware of the quality, value and importance of the country’s artists and arts organisations
6. We generate more money for the arts – we manage initiatives such as Collectorplan (our scheme to encourage more people to buy art); we secure funding from Europe and from Foundations to grow the arts in Wales; and manage major projects such as Creative learning through the arts (a joint initiative with Welsh Government to promote creativity in our schools)
7. We influence planners and decision-makers – the arts take place in many different settings. They can have a dramatic impact on the quality of people’s lives, and the places in which they live and work. The arts are also frequently at the heart of initiatives for economic and social regeneration. Our job is to ensure that the contribution that the arts can make is recognised, valued and celebrated
8. We develop international opportunities in the arts – through our specialist agency, Wales Arts International, we develop partnerships with cultural organisations such as the British Council, we promote internationally the contemporary culture of Wales, and we encourage international exchange and collaboration between artists and arts organisations
9. We promote small-scale performances in local communities – our Night Out scheme provides financial incentives to encourage the promotion of high quality arts activity in
local community venues
Our Strategic Challenges
Resilience and creativity in spite of economic austerity.
The arts in Wales are a great success story. Every day, large numbers of people are enjoying and taking part in the arts. This is not an accident – it’s the result of growing public interest, right across Wales.
The arts enhance the well-being of citizens across Wales. They bring life and give meaning to a wide range of strategies that underpin public policy. From community arts to the creative industries, arts and health to cultural tourism, public art to town centre re-generation, the arts bring meaning and enjoyment to our everyday lives. They create and sustain jobs, enrich education services and bring people together. The arts matter because they excite, inspire and entertain.
We work to create an environment in which artists and arts organisations can prosper.
This is our arts development mission. But it’s a mission that comes under stress when resources tighten. From 2000, there was more than a decade of sustained public and Lottery investment in our cultural life. However, the five years of funding cuts that followed have meant that the growth in Welsh Government funding in the 1990s and 2000s has been eroded. Indeed, combined grant-in--aid and National Lottery funding is worth less today than it was 23 years ago.
If the arts in Wales are not only to survive but to thrive, they’ll need strong, entrepreneurial leadership to capitalise on the public investment that they receive. This is why we launched in 2017 our Resilience programme providing targeted support to some of Wales’ most important arts organisations.
The need for resilience applies as much to the Arts Council as to those who we fund.
It’s very important that we demonstrate that we’re subject to the same disciplines as organisations across the public sector. So during 2016/17 we undertook a comprehensive review of our costs and staffing, reducing both so that we could invest more funding directly into the arts. Over the past seven years we’ve cut our costs and reduced staff numbers by around 25%. It’s been a challenging process, but it’s been driven by Council’s conviction that it’s the arts that are the proper focus for the public’s investment.
A change management challenge.
Our goal is to build a different sort of organisation. And by different we mean better, in spite of the financial constraints. Better at working together, better at developing the potential, capability and resilience of our artists and arts organisations, better at harnessing the talents and enthusiasm of our own staff. This means making changes – to our policies, our ways of working and our organisational culture. But it’s also about getting from A to B, managing the process of transition smoothly and competently. So it’s about making sure that we’re well-organised and that we manage the process of change, setting the tone
and the style of how we want to work in the future.
As we move forward, we’ll remain passionate champions of the arts. The Arts Council will continue to have the arts firmly at its core – first-rate in its delivery and sustainable in its cost. And we’ll continue to play an exciting role in helping the arts in Wales to thrive. We’ll do this by building an effective ‘fit for purpose’ organisation, valued in equal measure by its users, its partners and its staff.
The senior leadership role
The Director of Finance and Business Services reports to the Chief Executive and is a member of the Senior Leadership team. Other team members are: Director of Arts Development Director of Arts Engagement Director of Arts Funding
Senior Leadership Team is responsible for supporting Council in the effective delivery of its responsibilities, and for providing assurance that Council’s affairs are being managed in an accountable and appropriate manner. Other responsibilities include:
− Governance – ensuring that the activities of Council, its Committees and staff are managed in an effective, compliant and publicly accountable fashion
− Leadership – leading by example, nurturing and supporting staff to realise their full potential. SLT also contributes to the co-ordination of policy and planning, driving forward the delivery of our arts agenda through the investment decisions that we make
− Compliance – monitoring our performance to check that we are meeting our legal and statutory obligations, and that we monitor and assess the impact of the corporate plans and strategies that we put in place. A copy of our corporate plan is available at http://www.arts.wales/c_corporate-plans-and-strategies/144097
− Management – ensuring the effective use of our intellectual, financial, physical and human assets, making sure in particular that staff are well managed and clear about what’s expected of them
− Funding – overseeing grant decisions taken under delegated authority and presenting (for Council’s approval) annual budget recommendations; funding recommendations for our portfolio of revenue funded organisations; funding recommendations in excess of the levels of delegated authority; new funding schemes, and/or changes to existing schemes
− Financial management – ensuring the highest standards of financial stewardship. Our report and financial statements are available at http://www.arts.wales/c_adroddiadau-
blynyddol/reportfinancialstatements18?diablo.lang=eng The Opportunity
Director of Finance and Business Services £53,508 - £72,012 (pay award pending) doe + excellent pension + flexible working Cardiff
Passionate about the Arts in Wales? Then help us fulfil our Vision -“A creative Wales where Arts is central to the life and well-being of the nation”!
The Arts Council of Wales exists to support and develop the Arts in Wales. It does so for the benefit of people throughout Wales and to promote Welsh art internationally. Established by Royal Charter, it is also a Welsh Government Sponsored Body, a National Lottery distributor and a registered Charity.
The Director of Finance and Business Services role represents an excellent opportunity for a talented Executive/Senior Finance professional to assume a key leadership, working at the highest levels with one of Wales’ largest charitable organisations.
As a member of the Arts Council of Wales’ Senior Leadership Team, Council’s principal executive decision-making body, the Director of Finance and Business Services will play an important role in helping to ensure the effective management of the Arts Council’s finances, resources, assets and people. An essential part of this is providing assurance that Council’s affairs are being managed in an accountable and appropriate manner.
The Director of Finance and Business Services is expected to lead the delivery of a high quality internal and external Finance service, as well as the ICT and Facilities services. The Director provides strategic leadership on all matters relating to financial management and control, statutory reporting, and internal and external audit. Working with Council and the Chief Executive, the Director of Finance and Business Services devises sustainable and viable financial strategies that enable Council to deliver its priorities.
The successful candidate will be a qualified accountant (CIMA/ACA/CIPFA/ACCA). They will also have substantial professional experience of operating at a senior management level in a similar role within a complex financial and regulatory environment. Experience of working in the public sector or with a major charity would be an advantage but is not essential.
We work in both English and Welsh and fluency in Welsh (both written and spoken) is desirable but not essential for this post.
We offer a wide range of benefits including flexible working hours/pattern, generous holidays and a final salary pension.
A comprehensive candidate pack can be found on the Managing Consultant’s website, which includes both a timetable and details of how to apply. To find out more, please visit https://head4talent.com/Jobs/539/Director-of-Finance-and-Business-Services-Passionate- about-the-Arts-in-Wales.html For an informal confidential discussion about the role, please contact our advising consultant, Sian Drinkwater on 029 2240 0294.
Closing date: 10:00 on Thursday 18th April 2019 Interview date: Thursday 16th May 2019
We operate an Equal Opportunities Recruitment Policy and welcome applications from all sections of the community in Welsh or English.
Role Description
Role title Director of Finance and Business Services
Team Corporate Services
Reporting to Chief Executive
Location Cardiff
Role purpose
The Director (Finance and Business Services) is a key leadership role, required to operate confidently at a senior level.
The Director (Finance and Business Services) is a member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT). SLT is Council’s principal executive decision-making body. Its role is to shape the overall objectives and priorities of the Arts Council, and to lead the delivery of policy. SLT is also responsible for the effective management of the Arts Council’s finances, its resources and people, ensuring that Council’s business is being managed in an accountable and appropriate manner.
The Director (Finance and Business Services) is expected to lead the delivery of a high quality internal and external Finance service, and to ensure the effective use of Council’s ICT, Facilities and Equipment. The Director provides strategic leadership on all matters relating to financial management and control, statutory reporting, and internal and external audit. Working with Council and the Chief Executive, the Director devises sustainable and viable financial strategies that enable Council to deliver its arts priorities.
A particular focus of this post will be to meet the Council’s determination to ensure the robust “value for money” stewardship of Council’s financial, digital and physical resources.
The Director (Finance and Business Services) has a key role in assisting the Chief Executive to fulfil his/her obligations as the Council’s Accounting Officer. The Director maintains an overview of the key areas of financial compliance and management of the Arts Council’s funds.
The Director (Finance and Business Services) fulfils the position of Trustee on the Board of the Arts Council Retirement Plan. The trustees are responsible for ensuring the
effective delivery of the Plan’s objectives, and assuring the Plan’s affairs are being managed in an accountable and appropriate manner. This includes acting in accordance with the trust deed and rules, to ensure the financial interest of beneficiaries is safeguarded, and the requirements of the Pension Regulator and other relevant regulators are satisfied.
Principal responsibilities
Governance and Corporate Management – is accountable for the effective delivery of the Arts Council’s business by: − working with the Chair and Chief Executive (and deputising for them when necessary) − providing professional, high level advice and making recommendations to the Council and its Committees on financial matters − leading on all matters of governance in areas of financial and related areas − leading on the development and delivery of ICT and office services − ensuring that financial targets are fully integrated, and monitored, as part of the corporate planning process − managing the secretariat to the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee − contributing to corporate decision-making as a member of SLT − reporting to the Welsh Government, National Assembly and its Committees and the Department of Culture Media and Sport (as appropriate) − overseeing collaborative working relations with internal and external auditors
Policy and Strategy – initiates, leads and oversees the development and implementation of policy, strategy and spending plans in the following areas: − Finance − ICT − Facilities and Office Services
Public accountability and compliance – establishes and oversees: − the process for producing the published Annual Reports and Financial Statements for General Activities and Lottery Distribution, ensuring they are laid at Parliament and the National Assembly for Wales within strict timeframes − appropriate financial, administrative and reporting systems, processes and procedures − ensuring the establishment and management of corporate level controls and monitoring processes − procedures for ensuring the production of statutory financial accounts and Charity Commission returns − appropriate financial and accounting standards − robust standards of ITC cyber-security − adherence to Welsh Government, Wales Audit Office, Cabinet Office and best practice ICT standards − well-managed and safe office environments
− adherence to the requirements of public accountability
Pension Trustee – as member of Trustee Board, responsible for the effective and compliant operation of the Arts Council Retirement Plan. This includes: − overseeing the effective and efficient management of the overall resources of the scheme, including risk management of all aspects of the plan’s operations − setting the investment strategy, approving investment of scheme assets, and securing sufficient employer contributions − ensuring the scheme has sufficient funds to meet its liabilities − ensuring payment of benefits are administered efficiently in interests of all members of the scheme − appointing out-sourced professional and administrative services, and ensuring appropriate levels of service are provided
Specialist knowledge – able to offer authoritative advice and specialist knowledge in the designated areas of policy.
Resource development – influences and negotiates with partners and stakeholders to develop additional investment to support the delivery of Council projects.
Partnerships – builds and maintains relationships at a senior level with local, national and international bodies and agencies.
Reporting and business intelligence – provides analysis of financial and organisational performance that offer proposals and solutions for the improvement of our operational effectiveness
Compliance – implements and maintains compliance with the requirements of the National Assembly, Welsh Government, the Department of Culture Media and Sport and the Wales and National Audit Offices, the Charity Commission, HM Treasury (as defined in all relevant government guidance) and other relevant authorities
Management – ensures the effective and appropriate use of financial resources. This includes: − monitoring financial performance and standards of delivery − overseeing the preparation of Management Accounts and other financial data − supporting the formulation of the annual pay remit − supporting and mentoring staff (assisting with the planning, management and delivery of work, training and professional development)
Risk Management – ensures that appropriate processes are in place to identify, manage and report on risks within area of responsibility: − ensuring that robust procedures are in place to enable the detection and prevention of potential fraud − leading on the investigation of potential incidents of fraud
− leading on the National Fraud Initiative as the Arts Council’s Senior Responsible Officer − adhering to other corporate policies that potentially expose the Arts Council to reportable risk. These include General Data Protection Regulations and Cyber Security/IT use
Equalities - ensures that all members of the Team, individually and collectively, fully embrace the principles and priorities of Council’s Equalities objectives
Well-being and Sustainability – encourages an approach to the management and delivery of the Council’s activities that embraces a positive commitment to the sustainable use of resources and the requirements of the Welsh Government’s Well-being of Future Generations legislation
Advocacy – promotes the profile of the Arts Council of Wales and the activities that it supports
Flexibility – as a senior member of staff, is frequently required to work across the UK outside of normal working hours.
Additional duties – any reasonable duties consistent with the above
Knowledge, experience and attributes
We want to attract to our organisation people who have an interest in the arts, a commitment to the principles of open and accountable public service, and the flair to work with a diverse range of customers. We believe in setting the highest standards in all aspects of our work. Every member of staff is therefore an ambassador for the company and we expect everyone to respect and uphold our reputation.
We aspire to be an innovative, forward-looking organisation. We look to our staff to work collaboratively with each other to ensure that we’re efficient, effective and useful.
We take for granted that our staff will be competent in their management of routine administration and that they’ll have developed good organisational skills. So we’re particularly interested in staff who have the ability to work imaginatively and flexibly to tackle the challenges that they’ll face – staff who have the initiative and drive to thrive in a busy work environment and who derive satisfaction from achieving ambitious and stretching targets.
In addition, this role requires the following specific knowledge, experience and attributes. Applicants will be assessed against the essential and desirable criteria set out below.
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Person Specification
It is essential that in your written application you give examples of proven experience against each of the key criteria as set out
below.
Essential Desirable Qualifications • Qualified Accountant (CIMA/ACA/CIPFA/ACCA) with • An enthusiasm for the arts and substantial professional experience at a senior management the vision to develop initiatives level in a similar role within a complex financial and regulatory and strategies that advance the environment Arts Council’s priorities
Knowledge • A comprehensive understanding of financial management, • Experience of defined benefit gained at senior management level pension scheme operated on a funded basis • An understanding of Pensions legislation and regulations, and willingness to acquire necessary knowledge and understanding.
• A thorough understanding of the financial and regulatory obligations that apply to a public body.
• A thorough understanding of equalities issues and their practical application to the Arts Council’s work.
• An understanding of the management and development of ICT
• A thorough knowledge of issues relating to building and facilities
Skills • Highly developed IT and administrative skills
Experience • Experience of initiating, developing and implementing policy • Experience of working within a similar role within the charitable • Experience of project planning and project management or public sector
Attributes • Commitment to and awareness of equal opportunities
• The personal authority to operate credibly at a senior level, and the flexibility to work effectively as a member of a team
• Diplomacy and the ability to deal appropriately with difficult and demanding situations
• Ability to work under pressure
• Confident and well organised
• Excellent leadership management skills, and the experience to inspire, mentor and support staff
• Actively works with and supports the team to achieve objectives
• Commitment to high standards of customer care
• May be required to travel throughout the UK from time to time
• Willing to work unsocial hours as the need arises
Welsh • Fluency in Welsh (both written Language and spoken)
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Governance and Structure
Council
HR and Audit & Risk Wales in Venice Future Equalities Welsh Language Capital Committee Remuneration Assurance Advisory Monitoring Group Generations Group Committee Committee Committee Monitoring Group
Senior Leadership Team National Advisers
Project / Task Funding Decision Groups Groups
Council Sub-Committee
Advisory Committee Staff Project/Task Groups
Chief Executive Arts Corporate Services Team Team
Director Director Director Director Arts Finance Arts Arts Developme and Engageme Funding nt Business nt Services
Head Head ICT & Finance Infrastructure and Accounting
Finance Facilities Senior ICT Manager x and Officer x 2 2 FTE Procureme FTE nt Manager
Finance Office Assistant x Services *Also provides some administrative support to Director of Finance and Business 2.5 FTE Co- Services ordinator*
Terms and Conditions
Appointment Permanent Terms
Location Arts Council of
Wales Bute Place Cardiff CF10 5AL
Hours of Work This is a full time role, which equates to 37 hours per week, excluding lunch breaks.
Salary The salary for this role is £53,500 - £72,012 per annum (pay review pending). The starting salary will depend on experience. For a highly
experienced candidate, we are happy to consider appointing at the top of the range. Flexible working arrangements may be considered. Annual Leave 25 days per annum pro rata on commencement, plus bank holidays, increasing up to a total of 30 days after five years’ qualifying service.
Public holidays and 2.5 days privilege leave. Sick Pay Up to six months’ full pay and up to six months’ half pay, subject to a maximum of 12 months in any four-year period following successful completion of probation.
Pension Final salary scheme with a 6% employee contribution.
Scheme
Life Assurance Included within the pension scheme.
Probation Six months’ probation period with the option of extending up to three months, if necessary.
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How to Apply
The Director of Finance and Business Services will be selected on the basis of a combination of a written application and interview. To apply for the role, please provide the following:
• an up to date CV (maximum 3 pages);
• a cover letter that addresses the criteria set out in the Person Specification and tells us why you are interested in this role;
• the names and contact details of two referees who we may contact after the shortlisting stage (please note that we will not take up these references without advising you first).
Please ensure that you complete the equalities monitoring questionnaire available on the Head4Talent website. This form will not be disclosed to anyone involved in assessing your application.
Applications should be submitted via email to [email protected] copying in [email protected].
The closing date for applications is 10:00am on Thursday 18th April 2019.
If you would like an informal, confidential discussion about the appointment, please contact our advising consultants at Head4Talent, Sian Drinkwater (02922 400 294).
We are committed to supporting the principle that everyone should have the same opportunities for employment, development and progression. This should be based on their ability, competence and suitability for the role. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds.
If you have a disability, please indicate in your application whether you need any specific assistance or adjustments to enable you to be interviewed.
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Recruitment Timeline
Closing Date 10:00am on Thursday 18th April 2019
Longlist Meeting Tuesday 23rd April (candidates will be notified of the outcome immediately afterwards)
Preliminary Interviews Week commencing Monday 29th April 2019 (with Head4Talent) Shortlist Meeting Thursday 9th May 2019 (candidates will be notified of the outcome immediately afterwards)
Candidate profiling From week commencing Monday 6th May 2019 onwards for shortlisted (selected candidates will be contacted by Head4Talent candidates to arrange for online tests to be completed)
Informal conversations Week commencing Monday 6th May 2019 with Nick Capaldi for shortlisted candidates Final Panel Interviews Thursday 16th May 2019
Interviews will take place at:
Arts Council of Wales Bute Place Cardiff CF10 5AL
Please let us know in your application if you are unable to meet the proposed interview date. It may be possible to arrange an alternative date but this cannot be guaranteed. Note that expenses incurred by candidates during the recruitment process will not be reimbursed except in exceptional circumstances and only when agreed in advance.
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