Donmar Warehouse Projects Ltd HEAD of FINANCE
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Donmar Warehouse Projects Ltd HEAD OF FINANCE Responsible to: Executive Director Responsible for: Management Accountant, Finance Assistant Location 3 Dryden Street, London WC2E 9NA Term of employment Full time, permanent position Working Hours 40 hours per week and evening work where necessary Salary Dependent on experience ABOUT THE DONMAR “Powerhouses do not come much smaller, nor more powerful, than the Donmar Warehouse” Sunday Times “The Donmar is a credit to the British stage” Observer “One of the glories of London’s theatre scene” Evening Standard The Donmar Warehouse, led by Michael Longhurst, Artistic Director and Henny Finch, Executive Director, is a 251-seat subsidised theatre located in the heart of Covent Garden in London’s West End. Since 1992 the Donmar has built a reputation for artistic excellence as one of the UK’s leading producing theatres. From our iconic warehouse space in the heart of London’s West End, we create world-class theatre with international impact. Our intimate auditorium offers audiences – 95,000 annually - a unique shared experience, and an unparalleled connection with performers. We believe that representation matters; diversity of identity, of perspective, of lived experience enriches our work and our lives. We develop new artists and future audiences through our renowned training programmes and our Discover educational activity in schools and communities. We share the theatre we make widely through transfers, tours and on screen. A registered charity, with a turnover of around £7m/year, the Donmar is funded by a combination of Arts Council England investment (7%), box office (35%) fundraising from individuals, Trusts and Foundations and corporate sponsorships (53%), and other income (5%). Our Recent History Michael Longhurst was appointed Artistic Director in June 2018, officially taking over from Josie Rourke in March 2019. Michael is an award-winning stage director. His civil rights-era musical Caroline, or Change, starring Sharon D Clarke, completed sell-out runs at Chichester and Hampstead before Page 1 of 7 transferring to the West End in November 2018. In April 2020, it transfers to Broadway. Michael’s smash-hit production of Peter Shaffer’s Amadeus featuring orchestral accompaniment from the Southbank Sinfonia, opened to exceptional reviews at the National Theatre in 2016 and completed two sell-out engagements in the Olivier Theatre. His Royal Court production of Nick Payne’s Constellations transferred to the West End (starring Sally Hawkins and Rafe Spall) and Broadway (starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Ruth Wilson) winning the Evening Standard Award for Best Play as well as receiving Olivier, Drama Desk and Tony nominations. Our Covent Garden Home The Donmar moved into Donmar Dryden Street in March 2014, a building which provides a rehearsal, office and education space for the organisation. While the Donmar Warehouse theatre on Earlham Street in Covent Garden has been home to Donmar performances since the establishment of the company in 1992, the Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) was landlord and operator of the theatre until 2016. The Donmar took on full responsibility for the Donmar Warehouse theatre building, and key operations including box office, in January 2017. The theatre’s bar and retail operation continues in partnership with ATG. We are currently in planning for a significant capital project which will fully refurbish the theatre in 2021. PURPOSE OF THE JOB The Head of Finance is part of the Senior Management Team of the Company along with the Executive (Artistic Director and Executive Director), General Manager, Director of Development, Head of New Work, Director of Marketing, Casting Director and Head of Participation. The Head of Finance is responsible for the overall company-wide management of the Company’s finances, including financial reporting to the Executive, and leading financial discussions with the Board. They are responsible for consolidating and developing tight systems of financial management and accountability to ensure the efficient and effective operation of the Company. They report directly to the Executive Director and prepare management accounts monthly and Annual Accounts for audit for presenting to the Audit, Finance and Operations Committee and the Board for review and approval. They work with the General Manager on financial aspects of the Donmar’s relationship with its external services provider ATG for the operation of the theatre, and with the Executive Director on the financial impact of annual programming and strategic projects including the planned capital project. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Strategy, planning and reporting: Work with the Executive Director on the Company’s long-term financial strategy, developing plans for long term resilience. Support the Executive and Board with excellent financial information and analysis to drive decision-making and to identify and deliver initiatives to increase income and reduce expenditure. Develop and maintain the company’s financial projections and risk register and associated internal planning Oversee financial reporting across the organisation and to the Board and relevant committees and advise on strategic financial development Page 2 of 7 Ensure that the legal reporting obligations of the Company are met. This will include administering DWP Ltd and its subsidiaries at Companies House. With the rest of the SMT, ensure all activities comply with the necessary standards including Health & Safety, legal, environmental policies, accounting standards, and general duty of care Financial Management Consolidate and develop tight systems of financial management and accountability across the organisation Support the Senior Management Team in controlling expenditure and maximising spend within their departments, challenging colleagues when necessary to manage the trade- offs required for delivery of the organisational strategy Manage income and expenditure within agreed budgets with budget holders and for the company overall, and work with the finance team to ensure that systems and processes are accurate and robust Oversee the finance team in the collection, preparation and reconciliation of financial data for Donmar Warehouse Projects Ltd and its subsidiaries, representing the theatre’s activities and running budgets for use in planning the financial years ahead Oversee the finance team in the preparation of budgets and reforecasts and deliver financial reports to the Audit, Finance & Operations Committee and the Board Oversee the finance team in delivery of payroll, VAT returns and the preparation and production of quarterly and annual accounts for the auditors, Charity Commission and Arts Council England Lead on key financial matters such as VAT and the Theatre Tax Relief scheme Oversee the Company’s trading subsidiaries: Donmar Productions Ltd, Donmar in the West End Ltd, Donmar Films Ltd Oversee the American Friends of the Donmar Theatre Inc., a company registered in the US. Risk & compliance Take responsibility for setting, managing and regularly updating the Company’s organisation-wide risk management and disaster recovery plans Oversee liaison with insurance providers, including regular review of policies and negotiation of appropriate cover. Take lead responsibility for the Company’s policies and practices relating to Health and Safety, Licencing and Regulation, Child Protection, Data Protection, Employment Law and other relevant compliance matters. Systems and controls Ensure that appropriate financial and operational controls and reports are in place to support cost and income control and financial resilience Ensure that effective systems are in place to manage the day-to-day financial operations, robust sign off procedures are operating and all statutory obligations (eg HMRC, Charity Commission, Companies House) are met. Capital Project Take senior management responsibility for the financial management of the Company’s planned capital project, reporting regularly on financial progress to the Board, the Executive Director and Project Director. Page 3 of 7 Sit on the Capital Project working group, and be responsible for holding the Project to account in all its financial aspects, including creating strategic financial plans for the operation of the theatre post-refurbishment. Support the capital Project Director, monitoring the feasibility and management of capital plans and their financial impact Key stakeholders: Lead the Audit, Finance and Operations Committee meetings Submit year end reports and audited accounts for the Charity Commission, providing necessary materials where requested. Maintain key external relationships including auditor, bank and HMRC Provide financial information to Arts Council England and other stakeholders as requested Contribute to the Donmar’s culture: Input into strategic conversations as a member of the SMT Represent the Company at Development, Educational and other events where necessary Management Line manage and offer appropriate support to the Management Accountant and Finance Assistant. Undertake regular appraisals of all line-managed staff in accordance with the Company’s HR policies and procedures. General Comply at all times with the Company’s Equal Opportunities and Health & Safety policies and procedures and all other relevant Company policies in force from time to time. Carry out any other relevant duties as reasonably required by the Executive Director. PERSON SPECIFICATION Skills and experience Fully qualified accountant