Regional Finance Manager North West Academies Oasis Vision
Oasis was established in 1985 and Oasis aims to develop communities where everyone is included, making a contribution and building healthy relationships. The way in which Oasis has now grown into a group of centres their work on whole-community transformation is called our ‘Hub charities working to deliver housing, Model’. We aim to create safe and inspiring local neighbourhoods that training, youth work, health care, provide integrated and diverse services to benefit the whole community. family support and Secondary, Oasis Community Learning (OCL) is a Multi-Academy Trust that was secondary and higher education. In established in 2004 with the express purpose of transforming learning, the UK we employ over 4,000 staff lives and communities. Oasis believes that an exceptional Academy is one where the whole community works together effectively, with the aim as well as working with thousands of helping children to become the best versions of themselves. We hold more volunteers. We also work in an expansive vision of the role that education should play at the centre ten other countries around Europe, of each Hub. It is our vision to create ‘Exceptional Education at the Heart of the Community’, developing a network of excellent learning Asia, Africa and North America. communities working in the context of the Oasis ethos of Inclusion, Equality, Healthy Relationships, Hope and Perseverance. Oasis Community Learning “I joined the organisation as Principal of Oasis Academy Coulsdon in Oasis Community Learning is an 2008 because of the strong and compelling ethos and work of Oasis. That ethos is the DNA of the organisation and our Academies.” (John educational trust established in Murphy, CEO, OCL) 2004 with the express purpose of transforming learning, lives Our ethos is an expression of our character - it is a statement of who we and communities through the are and therefore the lens through which we assess all we do. We are development of Oasis Academies. committed to championing this throughout all the aspects of the life and There are 47 Academies in the culture of each Academy community. Oasis family across Nursery, We are committed to developing character and competence within every Primary, Secondary and Post-16 child through providing an educational experience that is underpinned by phases. our philosophy of education; inspirational leadership, deep learning and healthy student communities (see page 12 for more information).
At Oasis Community Learning we believe our staff are architects of our students’ lives, and are committed to laying the right foundations for every one of our young people. We want all our students to achieve their very best both academically and personally, have access to high quality cultural experiences and develop the social skills that allow them to flourish in any community context and lead fulfilled lives. Working Arrangements
This role is based within Oasis Academy Oldham, Greater Manchester, however the post-holder will be expected to travel across the region to assist in the management of finances within other Academies.
Working Pattern
The post-holder will be expected to work full time hours (37 hours per week, 52 weeks per year with the exception of annual leave allowance and national holidays. Job Description
Post: Regional Finance Manager
Responsible to: National Head of Academy Finance
Key Relationships: National Head of Academy Job purpose: Finance, Regional Academies Provide strategic leadership as part of the Regional Leadership Team to Academies Director, Academy Principals, within the cluster for developing, leading and managing the Academy budgets, Academy Finance Staff maximising grant funding, developing and implementing strategies, key objectives, systems, processes and procedures relating to finance and best value. Presenting clear and concise financial information both verbally and in written form to a range of audiences.
The post holder will ensure that the Academies are in compliance with group policy (including the Finance Handbook, Management and Audit reports, Scheme of Delegation and any such other policies as stipulated by the OCL Board) and will be expected to provide clear direction to Regional Academy Directors (RADs), Academy Principals, finance teams and to support and challenge Academies in all aspects of financial management, governance and administration.
Key Responsibilities 1. To ensure the delivery of periodic budget monitoring reports, internal control checklists, audit workbooks and supporting information as required by the Academies and National Office 2. To produce sustainable annual budgets and long term financial plans for all Academies within the cluster 3. To understand Academy funding and maximise Academy income and advise the Academy Leadership Teams of best practice 4. To ensure that Academies within the cluster make the best possible use of resources through effective strategic planning, including consideration of all financial implications ensuring value for money 5. To monitor Academies against established benchmarks and identify opportunities for savings 6. To develop and manage cluster transaction processing/ procurement 7. To report financial activities of the cluster to National Office in line with specified reporting deadlines 8. To assist the RADs in strategic financial planning for the cluster 9. To have responsibility for the management of key finance personnel within the designated Academies, in conjunction with Academy Principals 10. To manage all financial aspects of new Academies opening within the cluster Duties (Covering all Academies within the cluster):
Resources • Ensure the Academy makes the best possible use of resources through effective planning, considering all financial and other resource implications • As a member of the Regional Leadership Team, to contribute to the strategic direction of the Academies and the development and implementation of the Academy Development Plan • Optimise the benefit to the Academies of funding from grants and other sources, by identifying funding opportunities, ensuring that opportunities are fully utilised, ensuring that out of hours use of grounds and premises is maximised to generate income, drafting funding bids, interpreting criteria and advising colleagues within the Academy Leadership Team to ensure that funding is appropriately used • Develop a five year financial plan for each Academy, taking into account DFE and relevant government guidelines and other sources of information in accordance with government budgets and within the parameters set by the OCL board and utilising the OCL budgeting template • Prepare the monthly management accounts, forecasts and other financial and non-financial reports of the Academy, presenting reports to the Principals and the National Office and explaining all significant variances to all relevant stakeholders, in accordance with agreed timetables • Understand and advise the Academies Leadership Teams the implications of government policies, local authority policies, educational trends and developments • Understand and advise Academies on student data, specifically data affecting pupil funding
Systems • Implement, develop, and maintain a regional transactional processing centre • Ensure that the Academies are compliant with group policies and all of the Academies financial processing and reconciliations are performed as outlined in the OCL Finance Regulations • Provide systems and accounting support to Academies and the regional processing team, identifying and implementing regional synergies in consultation with the Head of Finance and National Finance Team • Develop and implement robust systems to manage budgets, supporting the Principals to ensure that spending remains within limits
Management • Provide strategic support to the Principals and Academy Councils on all aspects of Academy business management • Manage all aspects of finance across the Academies and support the National Academy Finance Lead in their responsibilities • Line manage designated finance staff working collaboratively to ensure best value for money across the Academies and provide effective support, guidance, challenge and information • Provide support, guidance, challenge and information to budget holders • Maintain clear expectations, high standards of professionalism and collaboration to meet the Academy Improvement Planning priorities • Advise the Principals in safeguarding and managing the assets of the Academy, ensuring that the Academy has an asset replacement plan that is being adhered to, including IT • Use financial management information, especially benchmarking tools, to identify areas of relative spending, assess trends and directly advise the Principals and other members of the Academy Leadership Groups accordingly • Manage the procurement of all commercial contracts specific to the Academies coordinating with the OCL Director of Finance Strategy and Risk the tendering and negotiation processes, making recommendations to the Academy Leadership Teams on contracts to be awarded and managing the implementation of these contracts within the Academies • Take an active role in working with the Hub Leaders to maximise funding streams to support Hub work and ensure that lettings function effectively within the parameters agreed by the Academy Councils Internal and External Audit • Be the first point of contact for Academies internal and external audit visits and reporting, answering all queries in a timely manner, and implementing suggested improvements • Assist National Office in completing internal audits in Academies outside of the cluster
New Academy responsibilities • To assist in the preparation of budgets for new Oasis Academies in the area • Ensure all financial aspects of opening new academies are completed including: ensuring appropriate contracts are transitioned / signed up for, setting up Oasis systems, and completing all other financial aspects relating to opening a new Academy • Providing post-opening support to new Academies, ensuring accounts, forecasts and reports are accurate and timely. This will also include reviewing all internal control documents to ensure they are complete and accurately reflect the control environment of the academy
The duties of this post may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the post or level of responsibility entailed.
Health and Safety Statement So far as is reasonably practicable, the post-holder must ensure that safe working practices are adopted by employees, and in premises/work areas for which the post-holder is responsible, to maintain a safe working environment for employees and service users. These are defined in the Oasis Community Learning Health and Safety policy, departmental policies and codes of practice.
Oasis Community Learning is committed to the safe guarding of all of its young persons and expects all staff, volunteers and adults to work within the parameters of the policies and procedures as agreed by the Executive Board to ensure the safety of all young persons within its care.
The above responsibilities are subject to the general duties and responsibilities contained in the Statement of Conditions of Employment. The duties of this post may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the post or level of responsibility entailed. Person Specification
Evidenced in Application form and Interview
• Professional qualification in finance or accounting e.g. CIPFA, AAT, Qualifications ACCA • Degree
• Evidence of further relevant professional development. • Experience working in a monitoring and support level within an organisation • Financial monitoring experience • Experience of managing a large scale budget • Experience of developing and implementing strategies and policies for support functions • Able to proactively support the development of financial plans (3-5 Experience, years) and large scale budgets (c£20m+ across the two academies) skills and • School/Academy business management experience knowledge • Able to lead on the development of financial plans (3-5 years) and create and manage large scale budgets (c20m+) • Strong understanding of all areas of the Academy’s policies and objectives • Detailed knowledge of tendering processes and drafting specifications and experience of negotiating contracts • Good organisational and record keeping skills • Good communication and inter- personal skills • Ability to solve problems at an operational level and identify creative solutions Evidenced in Application form and Interview • Self motivated, with a “can do” approach to problem solving and an ability to work autonomously using own initiative • Ability to work as part of a team • Ability to use and act on own initiative and work unsupervised Personal • Ability to reflect • Emotional resilience in working in a range of challenging situations qualities & • Ability to solve problems at an operational level and identify creative attitude solutions • Ability to form and maintain appropriate relationships and personal boundaries with children • Have a willingness to demonstrate commitment to the values and behaviours which flow from the Oasis ethos
Safeguarding Children & Young People We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff to share this commitment and to undergo appropriate checks, including enhanced Disclosure and Barring checks
1. Candidates should be aware that all posts in Oasis Community Learning involve some degree of responsibility for safeguarding children and young people, although the extent of that responsibility will vary depending on the nature of the post. Please see the job description enclosed in this Application Pack for further details.
2. Accordingly this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore all convictions, cautions and bind-overs, including those regarded as “spent” must be declared.
3. If you are currently working with children, on either a paid or voluntary basis, your current employer will be asked about disciplinary offences, including those related to children or young people (whether the disciplinary sanction is current or time-expired), and whether you have been the subject of any child protection allegations or concerns and if so the outcome of any investigation or disciplinary proceedings. If you are not currently working with children, but have done in the past, that previous employer will be asked about these issues.
4. Where neither your current or previous employment has involved working with children, your current employer will be asked about your suitability to work with children, although it may where appropriate be answered not applicable if your duties have not brought you into contact with children or young people. Oasis Vision for Education
“Exceptional Education at the Heart of the Community”
OASIS’ AIMS:
Transform Lives - Every person matters and everyone is loved and valued
Transform Learning - We have a passion for learning and we want everyone to achieve their full, God-given potential
Transform Communities - We are committed to community development and the aim of all our work is to increase community cohesion, locally, regionally, nationally and globally
Oasis Philosophy of Education Three important ancient Hebrew words underpin Oasis’ whole life learning and philosophy of education:
Healthy Communities (peace; completeness; nothing missing; nothing broken; wellbeing; wholeness) Seeks to ensure that every classroom encounter, each piece of curriculum planning, each assessment experience are all shaped, informed and delivered in the light of our desire for wholeness and well-being in the widest sense of the word; for everyone at every level of their lives – academically, vocationally, physically, spiritually, morally, socially, economically, environmentally and culturally
Deep Learning (to know; to see; to perceive; to understand; to experience; to have a relationship with) Gives students the opportunity to encounter and experience learning personally and relationally. It is never an abstract, theoretical or academic idea simply to be contemplated but, rather, primarily about gaining wisdom – the practical application of knowledge to every area of life. Life is not straightforward; learning from failure and mistakes and being resilient is an important part of it. It is hands-on learning throughout life which can only be obtained through on-going active, intentional engagement with it and with others.
Inspirational Leadership (my teacher; my guide; my role model; a term of respect) Through personal example and strong relationships, all teachers are encouraged to be inspirational role models for their students. In this way, a teacher is not simply a purveyor of ‘knowledge’, dropping it into the minds of those they teach. Instead, they are communicating and bringing knowledge, wisdom and understanding through their words, actions and whole lives, helping students to reflect and think for themselves.
Oasis Offer Underpinned by our values and beliefs, all our work is designed to ensure each student receives the very best educational offer. Oasis operates as a national family of Academies, split into four regions.
The regional teams provide standards leadership and a professional governance service.
The Oasis family of Academies is led by empowered - and empowering – resilient leaders who, through their deeply held beliefs and values, always strive to make decisions in the best interests of the students and their communities.
Each Oasis Academy has its own identity and purpose and serves its local community by working with it to transform learning, aspirations and opportunities.
As a family, Oasis Academies work interdependently, benefitting from sharing best practice and inspirational pedagogy. Leaders and teachers build understanding of what is needed to secure the best possible sustainable outcomes for all learners.
Each Oasis Academy is committed to enabling children and students to become effective, enthusiastic, independent learners, committed to life-long learning.
Each Oasis Academy is dedicated to the task of working continuously in pursuit of excellence across all aspects of its life and work.