Executive Director – Finance
Are you our next Executive Director - Finance?
The Boat Race Company is a company limited by Shares (no. 02544376) established by the Oxford and Cambridge Rowing Foundation to deliver the annual Boat Race between Cambridge University and Oxford University.
The Boat Race is one of the major British sporting events of the year. 2023 will see the 168th Men’s Boat Race and the 77th Women’s Boat Race, with the men’s and women’s crews competing on the same day over the same course.
The event attracts around 400,000 spectators to the banks of the championship course between Putney and Chiswick and through our partnership with the BBC we reach over 6 million people across the world.
The Boat Race Company aims to use the reputation and reach of The Boat Race for a purpose beyond a race on the river in order to strengthen the heritage brand, work sustainably and help build a better shared future.
Like many organisations, The Boat Race needs to develop a stronger financial footing and effective relationships with key partners and stakeholders. At this time the Board is looking to appoint a new Executive Director, to lead on all financial matters for the organisation.
Executive Director - Finance
Specific responsibilities include:
Financial management
Preparation of annual budget
Manage the outsourced accountants
Provide Board with monthly reporting on financial performance & cashflow forecast
Create and maintain a register of internal controls
Supervise production of annual report and accounts and audit
Manage and approve payments {within delegated authority limits]
Manage and approve contracts [within delegated authority limits]
Company Secretarial
Maintain the company’s statutory books
Ensure all Director information is up to date on Companies House and with the bank
File annual returns and complete other required reporting with Companies House
Ensure the security of the company’s legal documents, including for example, the certificate of incorporation and memorandum and articles of association
Advise directors on their duties.
Ensure the Company has the appropriate insurance cover in place
Ensure VAT registration and appropriate tax treatment
Board
Input into the strategic direction and decision making of the company as a Board member.
Skills and Experience
We are looking for a qualified accountant with experience in:
Financial budgeting, reporting and/or audit Risk management
Commercial evaluation
VAT
In addition, we would expect candidates to be able to demonstrate:
Strategic vision
Independent judgement
An ability to think creatively
A willingness to speak your mind
A real interest in helping The Boat Race Company to achieve its strategy
Time and commitment
Board members are expected to attend each of the Board meetings with are approximately 7 per annum which may take place in the evenings in central London or virtually.
Board members are also expected to attend key events for the company throughout the year including the Boat Race itself.
Board members will also be asked to take on specific projects or provide ad hoc support to the executive staff on specific issues from time to time. The ED (Fin) is expected to lead on agenda items at the monthly Finance Committee meetings.
The time commitment, including preparing for meetings, is estimated to equate to approximately 20 to 25 days per annum in total.
You will need to be able to make a commitment to the Boat Race Company and be able to devote the necessary time to the role.
Terms
The appointment is for a four-year term, and up to two consecutive terms may be served. The role is voluntary but reasonable travel expenses will be paid.
Your application and the recruitment process
To apply you should submit:
A current CV which shows your full career history – we recommend that this is no longer than two pages;
A brief supporting statement explaining why you are interested in this role detailing how you meet the skills we are seeking (see skills and experience section above) – we recommend that this is no longer than two pages;
A completed, optional Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form.
Please send your application to via email to [email protected]
Closing Date
Applications should be received by midday on Friday 7 October 2022.
Selected Candidates will then be invited to meet a number of the current Board.
Please do contact us if you wish to have an informal discussion about the role or if you have any other questions to help you decide whether to apply. You can contact: Tim Senior, Chairman Alison Maitland, Non Executive Director and Chair of Finance Committee Joelie Chisholm, ED (Fin) Please direct all contact through [email protected]
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