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Northern Stage Applicant Information Pack Finance Director Thank you for your interest in the post of Finance Director at Northern Stage. The contents of this pack include: An introduction to Northern Stage Job description & person specification Summary of Terms Application form How to apply Please complete the application form and equal opportunities monitoring form; CV’s cannot be accepted. Please use the application form to outline your interest in this role and what skills and experience you would bring to Northern Stage. Please refer directly to the job description and person specification. Your application should be addressed to: Kate Denby, Executive Director Please submit your application by email to: Philippa Leith, Executive Assistant [email protected] Or you can submit your application by post to: Philippa Leith Executive Assistant Northern Stage Barras Bridge Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RH Please mark your email / envelope: Application – Finance Director The closing date for applications is: Wednesday 10 August 2016, 12 noon Receipt of your application will be confirmed by email Interviews are likely to be held: Thursday 25 August 2016 Please note you may be called to interview at short notice About Northern Stage Northern Stage creates and presents stylish, imaginative and accessible theatrical experiences of international quality and ambition. From our home in Newcastle upon Tyne we present a performance programme of classic and contemporary drama, dance and comedy on three stages: Stage 1, a 449 seat main house; Stage 2, a 160-seat studio; and Stage 3, a 90-seat fringe space. Each year we produce 7-8 in-house productions, co-productions and tours, and present the best in local, national and international touring theatre on the small- and mid-scale. We see producing and coproducing as fundamental to the future health of the theatre and intend to keep growing our capacity and ambition over coming years. Over the last four years we have developed an innovative artist development programme, supporting a diverse range of artists to create ambitious and adventurous theatre. We are increasingly working in co-production or in association with these artists to produce, present and promote their work in Newcastle and beyond. Each summer we run a venue at the Edinburgh Festival, supporting artists from across the region to present and promote their work at the largest arts festival in the world. Northern Stage strives to be at the forefront of re-imagining the possibilities of what a 21st century regional producing theatre can be. We take a considerable strategic and developmental responsibility for artists and companies from within our region and seek an ambitious effective original thinker to help us on this mission. The operational structure Northern Stage has a turnover of £3 million, of which 50% comes from Arts Council England, 30% from Box Office and artistic activity, 10% from fundraising and 10% from commercial activity. The café bar facilities are operated under a franchise. The company has unrestricted reserves of £300k, and has achieved a balanced or surplus budget in each of the last 10 years. This summer we are undertaking a £350k capital redevelopment of our fringe space, Stage 3, which is due to complete in autumn 2016. We are currently developing a new business plan and have ambitions to grow our turnover significantly over the next 5 years. Northern Stage currently comprises of two companies: Northern Stage Ltd is a company limited by guarantee and registered charity, and oversees the whole operations of the organisation; Northern Stage Enterprises Ltd is a subsidiary company and special purpose vehicle through which Northern Stage productions and co-productions can run, enabling the theatre to take advantage of the government’s new theatre tax relief scheme through a corporate tax claim. Northern Stage is VAT registered, and VAT on income and expenditure is fully recoverable. The companies are managed by a joint-Chief Executive: Artistic Director Lorne Campbell and Executive Director Kate Denby. They report to a Board of 12 Directors, led by Chair Simon Elliott. The Board meets 4-5 times a year, and receives reports from a number of sub-committees: Finance, Development, Capital and Catering. The role of Company Secretary is held by the Finance Director. Northern Stage has a permanent staff of 36, of whom 10 are members of Senior Team, including the Finance Director, and a large number of casual and freelance staff employed as needed. Job Title: Responsible to: Responsible for: Finance Director Executive Director Finance Manager, Finance Assistant Main purpose of the post: The Finance Director will play a vital role in achieving the creative transformation of our business and operating model, working closely with the Executive Director to formulate and implement the business and financial strategy to ensure our long-term sustainability. The Finance Director has both a strategic and operational role: s/he will keep a close eye on developments in the charity, tax and funding sectors and will work with the auditors to ensure that Northern Stage financial practices are accurate, transparent and competitive; and will work closely throughout the year with Heads of Departments and budget holders to manage and review day to day finances. The Finance Director will offer inspirational leadership and management of the Finance department, comprising of a Finance Manager and Finance Assistant. The Finance Director is a member of Senior Team and reports to the Executive Director and the Board. Duties: Senior & Departmental Management To take senior management responsibility for all aspects of the company’s financial management in accordance with the Charity Commissions SORP and the Companies Act To act as a member of Senior Team, contributing appropriately to Northern Stage’s strategic planning processes and supporting the Executive Director in the preparation of long-term financial plans and modelling To prepare and present financial and other related reports as and when required by the Executive Director and Board, and to attend meetings of the Board of Directors To prepare and present proposed updates to financial policy for approval by the Executive Director and Board of Directors To act as Company Secretary and ensure legal and charitable compliance in the governance of Northern Stage, and manage all returns to statutory authorities To keep abreast of financial practices including legislation, VAT, Theatre Tax Relief, Gift Aid, pensions, banking developments, audit requirements, and ensure that the company’s finances are managed to the best advantage at all times To advise non-financial staff and budget holders on the appropriate treatment of VAT, Gift Aid and tax issues etc. as they relate to operational activity To provide support to the Executive Director in personnel matters including contracts, pay benchmarking, employment compliance procedures, and to provide administrative support in the event of HR disputes To be a key contact for the company with external parties including the accountant, auditor, bank relationship manager and HMRC, and to represent Northern Stage at relevant local, regional and national meetings or bodies To support initiatives and measures that will exploit resources with particular regards to increasing Northern Stage’s earned income To ensure compliance with and actively promote the theatre’s Equal Opportunity, Environmental and Health & Safety policies in every aspect of the work of Northern Stage’s finance team To provide inspirational and active leadership and be responsible for the line management of the Finance team Financial Strategy, Budgeting and Controls To prepare the annual budget, working closely with the Executive Director To oversee and ensure the accurate production of regular (monthly or quarterly) management accounts, balance sheets and cashflows for the Executive Director and Board, working closely with the Executive Director on reforecasting and financial analysis To oversee and ensure the accurate production of year-end accounts for all Northern Stage companies, and to lead on liaison with the auditors To lead on cashflow planning and manage overall cashflow, ensuring adequate funds are available to settle liabilities as they fall due and that funds are invested in accordance with agreed policy To make claims for Theatre Tax Relief in a timely fashion and to advise on and implement systems to maximise the relief To ensure that the Executive Director is accurately informed about the company’s financial position at all times To prepare financial systems and procedures for approval by the Executive Director and the Board of Directors and ensure that these systems are adhered to across the organisation To support the Executive Director and budget holders with timely and accurate financial information, and assist in developing effective systems for monitoring, reviewing and forecasting box office, trading and other income streams To prepare financial information for funding applications and monitoring, and other strategic financial matters as required To coordinate and report on risk management and the risk register To act as an authorised signatory and process BACS transfers as required Any other duties as reasonably requested by the Artistic or Executive Directors, consummate with the post for which the post holder has the necessary experience and/or training Person specification Essential A recognised professional financial qualification and substantial finance experience A proven track record as a successful finance professional taking responsibility for the day-to-day financial functions of an organisation with a turnover of at least £1 million Demonstrable knowledge and experience of management accounts, charities SORP, cash flow and year-end accounting Sound grasp of business planning and management, including demonstrable skills in risk analysis, forecasting and problem solving Proven commercial experience in setting and meeting profit targets The ability to interpret and communicate financial information to non-finance people A proven understanding of VAT A forensic eye for detail and transparent reporting systems Full IT competence, in particular Microsoft Excel, Sage 200 and Sage Payroll Excellent verbal and written communications Credibility and absolute discretion A commitment to diversity and equality of opportunity Desirable Experience of financial management of an arts building Knowledge of the political and funding environment in which the arts currently operate An interest in theatre and sympathy with the organisations charitable aims Experience in managing staff Some experience of employment law Terms & conditions of service Salary: Hours: Holiday: Commensurate with experience 3 days per week (24 hours), plus occasional evenings and weekends No overtime payments are available. Northern Stage operates a time off in lieu system. 28 days per year including Bank Holidays (pro rata) This post is subject to a three month probationary period. Benefits: Complimentary or discounted tickets to selected shows (non transferable and subject to availability) Discounted tickets to Newcastle/Gateshead Cultural Venues subject to T&Cs Northern Stage offers professional development opportunities to all its employees