Independent Football Regulator – Head of Finance

Independent Football Regulator

Manchester, UK

Hybrid

Expires: Expiring in less than 4 weeks

Finance

Flexible

£67,987 - £80,556 per year

Job summary

The Independent Football Regulator

The Independent Football Regulator (IFR) has been established to protect and promote the sustainability of English football, for the benefit of fans and the local communities football clubs serve.

The IFR will help improve financial sustainability of clubs, ensure resilience across the leagues, and safeguard the heritage of English football. It will operate a licensing regime; set corporate governance standards and monitor, protect, and promote financial resilience. It will also enforce compliance with requirements on financial regulation, club ownership and directors, fan engagement, and heritage protection.

The IFR will also have powers to prohibit clubs from joining competitions that are not fair or meritocratic, or that threaten the heritage or sustainability of English football.

Job description

Responsibilities Include:

Leading the organisation’s financial activities ensuring robust financial governance, regularity, propriety and value for money throughout the organisation.
Ensuring alignment of financial strategies, policies and governance with the regulator’s strategic priorities.
Leading and managing all aspects of financial operations including: financial strategy; planning, budgeting and forecasting; reporting and analysis; compliance and risk management; financial control; audit and assurance; charging strategy; treasury and cash management.
Embedding effective financial management and control.
Leading the development and implementation of the financial strategy supported by effective forecasting, reporting, analysis and compliance.
Lead, motivate and develop the organisation’s financial function and promote wider financial awareness, fostering personal accountability, operational excellence and continuous improvement throughout the organisation.
Ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, regulatory requirements and government financial standards, including Managing Public Money.
Providing strategic inisght and authoritative advice to the CEO, COO, ExCo, ARAC and Board on financial performance and effectiveness.
Embed strong risk management, control and assurance.
Effective stakeholder management.
Leading by example and driving a culture of financial rigour, accountability and excellence across a small but high‑profile organisation.

Essential Requirements

Leadership and management experience with a strong track record of building and leading high performing finance teams, fostering a culture of personal accountability, driving operational efficiency and delivering exceptional outcomes in a high profile operating environment.
Excellent financial skills with experience of developing and implementing effective financial strategies, policies, governance and control throughout an organisation.
Finance strategy and planning experience - budgeting, forecasting, reporting and aligning with strategic priorities.
Financial operations expertise - overseeing day-to-day functions including cash management,. Treasury, payroll and invoicing.
Experience implementing and optimising new financial processes and systems.
Reporting and analysis expertise – overseeing the production of statutory and management accounts, reporting to ExCo and Board, developing, monitoring and reporting performance metrics and effectiveness indicators.
Sound knowledge of compliance, assurance and risk management.
Detailed knowledge and experience of public sector finance financial governance frameworks, Managing Public Money and procurement environments.
Excellent communication skills, including briefing senior leadership and boards.
Eligibility for appropriate government security clearance.
Finance professional with a recognised relevant qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent.

Desirable Skills

Experience working with or within regulators, sports bodies or public sector organisations.
Financial modelling, data analytics and proficiency in ERP software
Understanding Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) requirements and their financial impact
Emotional intelligence – managing high pressure situations and understanding the financial impact of financial decisions on employees and stakeholders.

We are running an information session where prospective applicants can find out more about the role. This will be hosted by Sarah High and will take place on:

Tuesday 14th April at 14:00

The session will be an opportunity to hear more about the role, the team and the department. It will also be an opportunity for you to ask any questions you have about the role.

Please register your interest by filling out this form and you will be sent an invitation. The invites will be sent the night before the session. The sessions are not recorded.

Please note that the session will not focus on the IFR recruitment process - please direct any queries that you have on this topic (timelines, reasonable adjustments, onboarding etc) to careers@footballregulator.org.uk

Person specification

Essential Requirements

Leadership and management experience with a strong track record of building and leading high performing finance teams, fostering a culture of personal accountability, driving operational efficiency and delivering exceptional outcomes in a high profile operating environment.
Excellent financial skills with experience of developing and implementing effective financial strategies, policies, governance and control throughout an organisation.
Finance strategy and planning experience - budgeting, forecasting, reporting and aligning with strategic priorities.
Financial operations expertise - overseeing day-to-day functions including cash management,. Treasury, payroll and invoicing.
Experience implementing and optimising new financial processes and systems.
Reporting and analysis expertise – overseeing the production of statutory and management accounts, reporting to ExCo and Board, developing, monitoring and reporting performance metrics and effectiveness indicators.
Sound knowledge of compliance, assurance and risk management.
Detailed knowledge and experience of public sector finance financial governance frameworks, Managing Public Money and procurement environments.
Excellent communication skills, including briefing senior leadership and boards.
Eligibility for appropriate government security clearance.
Finance professional with a recognised relevant qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent.

Desirable Skills

Experience working with or within regulators, sports bodies or public sector organisations.
Financial modelling, data analytics and proficiency in ERP software
Understanding Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) requirements and their financial impact
Emotional intelligence – managing high pressure situations and understanding the financial impact of financial decisions on employees and stakeholders.

We are running an information session where prospective applicants can find out more about the role. This will be hosted by Sarah High and will take place on:

Tuesday 14th April at 14:00

The session will be an opportunity to hear more about the role, the team and the department. It will also be an opportunity for you to ask any questions you have about the role.

Please register your interest by filling out this form and you will be sent an invitation. The invites will be sent the night before the session. The sessions are not recorded.

Benefits

Terms and Conditions of Employment

If successful you will join a Non Departmental Public Body and will be employed as a Public Servant.

If you are an existing Civil Servant or a DCMS employee you will no longer have access to Civil Service benefits including the Civil Service pension.

The terms and conditions of employment include:

Pension 12% An employee contribution of 5%, with an employer contribution of 7%.
Flexible Benefit 8% Employees can choose to invest 8% of their base salary into their pension, or take as cash (post tax)
Reward we will have a performance based reward programme.
31.5 days annual leave
Flexible and hybrid working, 40% in office attendance
Occupational sick pay
9 months paid Maternity Leave + generous paternity and adoption leave.
A bespoke L&D programme to help you achieve your personal CPD, including paid membership fees
Cycle-to-work scheme and much more!

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

How to Apply

To apply for this vacancy, you will need to submit the following documents which will assessed against experience.

➔A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you provide employment history that relates to the essential and desirable criteria, and that any gaps in employment history within the last 2 years are explained. The CV should not exceed more than 2 x A4 pages and you should insert your CV into the "Job History" section on Civil Service Jobs on the Civil Service Jobs application form.

➔A Statement of Suitability (max 750 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role in reference to the essential requirements highlighted. You may also choose to reference the desirable skills listed however these will not be considered in the assessment of your application except in circumstances where there are a high number and calibre of candidates.

For the shortlist, we will select applicants demonstrating the best fit for the role by considering the evidence provided in your application.

In the event of a large number of applicants, an initial sift will be conducted on the statement of suitability.Those who are successful in the initial sift will then be scored on all elements of the application.

For support in writing your application and interviewing, please refer to the ‘Application and Interview Guidance’ document attached to the job advert.

The Interview

The interview process will assess experience through a presentation which will be provided prior to interview. It will also assess your suitability for the role through competency-based questions.

As part of your interview, you will be asked to deliver a short oral presentation. Full details of this, including the topic, length of time, and whether or not you will need to use visual aids, will be sent to you prior to your interview.

Your interview will take place in person at One New Bailey, 4 Stanley Street, Salford, Greater Manchester, M3 5JL

Further Information

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

The IFR has a location neutral pay scale. For more information on this, please see the ‘Candidate Information Pack’ attached.

Reasonable Adjustments

We are committed to supporting candidates so they can perform at their best throughout the recruitment process. This includes making reasonable adjustments to our process. To request an adjustment, please email careers@footballregulator.org.uk

Accessibility

If you are experiencing accessibility difficulties with any of the attachments, please contact us. Contact details can be found in the 'contact point for applicants' section of the job advert.

Feedback

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check and complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

UK nationals

nationals of the Republic of Ireland

nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK

nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)

nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)

individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020

Diversity and Inclusion

The IFR is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found.

Contact point for applicants

Email: careers@footballregulator.org.uk

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

UK nationals
nationals of the Republic of Ireland
nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Salary range

£67,987 - £80,556 per year