Director of Finance & IT

America. Our funding comes from diverse sources including government institutions,

philanthropic foundations, an invested endowment and corporate partnerships. Funding in the

media development space is highly contested so to sustain and expand our efforts, we must

continuously evolve our fundraising strategies, be ready to pivot in our approaches and be

operationally efficient.

The Direct of Finance and IT is a key member of the senior leadership team and works closely

with the CEO, the Managing Director - Development, the finance committee and the board of

trustees. Financial rigour and oversight are vital to the job, as is leading on our technology

infrastructure and due diligence across the group. Strengthening and updating our systems,

streamlining financial operations and contributing to future strategy, is also important. The role

is both high level and hands-on, fitting the size of the organisation. The team is welcoming and

the atmosphere is collegiate and collaborative. We look forward to meeting candidates that

share our mission and would like to contribute to the important work that Thomson does., You will collaborate with the CEO, the Board, and the Senior Management Team across both

Thomson Foundation and Thomson Media to develop short and long-term organisational

strategies, underpinned by strong financial business plans.

You will serve as the organisational lead, for the UK and the Thomson Group entities, on all

matters relating to finance, security, information technology, risk management, compliance and

other administrative functions.

You will implement and further develop the Finance & Technology Transformation Plan, seeking

to maximise efficiencies, streamline processes, strengthen IT security and improve internal

controls.

You will be comfortable working within a very small organisation where you will be required to be

hands on as well as serve as a strategic leader.

Financial Management

• Ensure the production of timely and accurate management financial information across the

Thomson Group for the Senior Management Team, Finance Committee, Board, internal

budget holders and donors.

• Preparation of statutory accounts and all audit schedules for the Thomson Foundation and

the Thomson Foundation Group (includes a German subsidiary) as required, including any

other statutory reporting (e.g. annual corporation tax return to HMRC, VAT returns, Charity

Commission) and other legal reporting and compliance needs.

• Responsible for the day-to-day accounting functions of Thomson Foundation, including

journal entries, bookkeeping, reconciliations, maintenance of the financial management

system etc as required in a small organisation.

• Work collaboratively with Thomson Media's Finance Manager to ensure ease of

consolidation for management, donor/ contract/ project and statutory reporting, providing

advice and support where necessary., * Responsible for the annual budget process across the Thomson Group, working with the

Thomson Media Finance Manager in setting clear timetables and decision-making points,

ensuring all stakeholders in both entities are involved and working with the Development

Team to ensure robust income forecasting.

• Support the Development Team by ensuring relevant information is available and can be

tracked especially in respect of overheads and cost drivers.

• Proactively train and develop finance and non-finance staff across both entities to ensure a

culture of financial compliance and understanding within the organisation.

• Oversee the development and implementation of policies and procedures to provide

sufficient internal controls and protect organisational assets.

• Responsible for treasury management, including managing currency needs.

• Maintain banking, auditor, investment manager and other key supplier relationships.

• Ensure appropriate systems and processes are in place to manage financial aspects and

compliance aspects of funding contracts and grants to partners.

Risk Management, Compliance & Legal

• Lead on organisational risk management, overseeing the organisation's risk management

framework and ensuring that risks are recorded and that appropriate risk mitigation

measures are put in place, with a quarterly review by the Senior Management Team and

reporting to the Finance Committee and Board.

• Provide support and assistance on legal matters relating to grants and contracts and be a

key point of contact with legal advisers.

• Ensure that the organisation meets its requirements under GDPR.

• Ensure that the organisation fully discharges its legal responsibilities as a charity and

company limited by guarantee (including with the Charity Commission and Companies

House).

• Oversee a central function for effective reporting and record keeping against all compliance

responsibilities, with all regulators - including ICO, Charity C, Companies house, HMRC,

etc.

• Lead on overseas compliance matters, including any requirement for local registration,

setting up of local payroll facilities and banking facilities., * With the support of Thomson's outsourced IT provider, leading on Thomson Foundation's

technology infrastructure strategy and needs, ensure an efficient and effective IT working

environment as well as compliance with relevant legislation, ensuring systems are

appropriate and in line with organisational need.

• Lead on the use of MS365 and associated applications across the organisation and acting

as gatekeeper for use of other cloud services, ensuring appropriate governance and controls

are in place where these are used, so as to both protect Thomson's information assets as

well as enable overseas team have the right tools to carry out their work.

Other

• Overseeing the space requirements of the UK office, liaising with the landlord, proactively

identifying any upcoming lease breaks and with the CEO, managing any changes to existing

arrangements.

• Ensure appropriate insurance coverage is in place at all times to cover the needs of the

organisation and its staff.

• Line management of a small team.

• Qualified accountant (ACA, CIMA, ACCA or equivalent) with senior level experience (at least

Head of Finance or Financial Controller) gained within the charity / not for profit sector.

• Excellent financial technical skills including knowledge of Charities SORP, VAT and proven

experience of dealing with international donor compliance and finance requirements.

• Experience overseeing Technology and other operational functions in a charity / not for

profit, including managing financial software platforms and integrations with other

platforms (e.g. expense management/ invoice payment apps, Power BI) or able to

demonstrate a strong understanding and aptitude to develop this area.

• Experience of overseeing the governance function of a charity / not for profit.

• Experience of presenting data to senior leaders at Board and Finance Committee level, * Strong problem-solving skills with a track record of delivering modernisation and

improvements.

Personal attributes

• Collaborative, non-hierarchical working style.

• Ability to build partnerships with a wide range of individuals from diverse backgrounds.

• Not phased by having to carry out hands on financial tasks such as posting journals,

reconciliations and manipulation of data to obtain reports in the required formats, as well as

conducting the strategic functions of this role.

• Commitment to pursuit of results with a strong work ethic, organisational skills and a cando

attitude.

• Comfortable planning and delivering multiple activities under pressure to strict deadlines.

• Salary : £90,000

• Full time, Permanent (37.5 hours per week) (4 days may be considered)

• Hybrid / London (staff attend the London office a minimum of two days per week, Tuesdays

and Wednesdays).

• Pension - 10% non-contributory.

• Annual leave - 25 days, plus public holidays. In addition to this, the period between

Christmas and New Year is granted as leave for all staff.

• Death in service - 4 x salary

• Private health insurance - full family cover available

• Employee Assistance Programme which includes access to a which has a range of included

benefits including shopping discounts and a wellbeing portal

• Virtual GP services via Health Hero

Thank you for your interest in joining the leadership team of Thomson Foundation and helping us to support independent, trusted journalism across the world. At Thomson we are driven by a singular mission, to foster a free, independent and thriving media landscape. For over 60 years we have been empowering journalists, strengthening media organisations, working with communicators and championing the principals of ethical information. We have equipped thousands of journalists with the tools needed to tackle complex issues, provided vital training and supported the creation and growth of independent media outlets. Our work today is more vital than ever in a world where disinformation is rife whilst access to reliable, accurate information is crucial for informed decision making and, Thomson Foundation's core team is 12 staff members in the UK, with a sister organisation, Thomson Media (4 staff), based in Germany. We work collaboratively across a range of countries to deliver our work through a network of consultants and trainers.