Director of Finance

Resident led social housing association is looking for a Director of Finance
An opportunity to join a sector leading organisation

About Our Client

Phoenix is a housing organisation with a difference. All housing associations talk about resident involvement. We live and breathe it every day.

We believe this is our core strength and it's helped us earn a wide range of accolades and awards.

We're based in south Lewisham, London, and are proud to be building new homes in our area. We've grown as a housing association, taking on the management of 1,500 more homes in late 2021 to bring our total number of homes to around 7,800.

Our new corporate plan will help us deliver on our vision of 'together we are building a better future for our Phoenix Community', supported by strategies to refresh our approach to resident involvement, customer service, sustainability and ensuring that all residents can enjoy good quality, safe and affordable homes.

We are the first resident-led housing association in London. Our model empowers tenants and leaseholders to take a central part in decision-making and become shareholding members. Our Management Board is led by our Resident Chair, there are five other resident Board members, four independent members and two Councillors.

We encourage all residents to get involved with Phoenix, to influence direction, services and future priorities.

We support local community initiatives to improve the environment and quality of life for everyone who lives and works in south Lewisham

Phoenix Community Housing has an exciting opportunity and are looking for an Executive Director of Finance to join the forward-thinking and customer focussed Executive Team.

You will be responsible for ensuring that Phoenix complies with all financial regulatory requirements, and that supports the delivery of the Board's strategic objectives.

This role combines the Finance, Procurement and Commercial teams at an exciting time as Phoenix looks to strengthen its strategic approach to tackling the issues faced by the sector and to deliver the homes and services our residents need to build a better future for our Phoenix Community.

This is a unique opportunity to work for an organisation that is truly resident led, ensuring that the resident voice informs all business plans and strategies.

Following a recent restructure, this role requires a hands-on forward-looking Director of Finance, who will embed a business partnering, value added culture within the Finance team.

Job Description

Key responsibilities

Financial stewardship - Leading business critical functions: treasury, business planning, financial accounting and processing services, procurement and commercial; strengthening Phoenix's financial position leading to the ongoing protection of its viability and investment standing
Customer driven decisions - Being instrumental in overseeing the use of financial insight and feedback to continue supporting a customer-led approach to effective decision making
Risk and assurance - Ensure all risks are identified, removed, minimised or balanced with appropriate rewards, and monitor risk mitigation strategies, ensuring all future plans are robust, tested and appropriate
Treasury management - Effective negotiation and relationship-building with lenders and other bodies to obtain funding at the most beneficial rates for Phoenix, working in partnership with the Chief Executive and Executive Team.
Procurement - Develop and deliver procurement strategies that ensure Phoenix meets all legal requirements and achieves value for money, and that are aligned with the Corporate Plan and other corporate strategies.
Commercial - Delivery of commercial strategies that maximise income for Phoenix while aligning with our ethos and values, and with our community investment activities.

The Successful Applicant

What you will need

Leadership - Executive experience or held a senior management position with regular exposure to the Executive Team. Leading a finance and treasury team with the ability to lead and inspire a diverse workforce
Strategic thinker - demonstrate a cross-organisational solution focused approach, having had exposure to boards and committees, helping drive organisational change.
Qualified accountant - CCAB or equivalent qualified accountant with a proven track record of achievement

The ideal candidate will have worked in social housing or other relevant industries.

Phoenix Community Housing is a customer led organisation that truly knows how to put the customer at the heart of everything they do. This is a unique opportunity to work for an organisation that is well-run, customer-focused, and committed to continuing to serve its local community.