Appointment of a Director of Finance and Operations
Dear Candidate,
Thank you for expressing an interest in applying for the post of the next Director of Finance and Operations at the Royal Academy of Dance.
Founded in 1920 to improve standards of teaching of dance, the Royal Academy of Dance is dedicated to advancing standards of dance education and training. Based in Battersea, London, the Academy has a presence in 83 countries and over 12,000 members worldwide. Granted a Royal Charter in 1935, the Academy is governed by a Board of Trustees and is a registered charity, a Higher Education establishment and an awarding body. The Academy has an annual turnover of £12m
This is an exciting time to be joining the Royal Academy of Dance. In early 2022 we move to a brand new purpose-built global headquarters, with the opportunities that presents while balancing this with the challenges of our recovery from the pandemic.
The successful candidate will play a critical role in continuing the modernising and streamlining of the Academy’s financial processes and operations. ICT, Facilities and the Academy’s commercial arm, RAD Enterprises, fall under the responsibility of the Director of Finance and Operations, as will leadership of all areas of financial management and corporate governance. Your membership of the Executive Board will enable you to play a central role in the day to day running and future strategic development of the Academy.
After 23 years as CEO of the Academy, I will be retiring on 30th April 2022. I will be succeeded by Tim Arthur, who joins us on 1st March 2022. I am of course sad to be leaving this remarkable organisation but am excited for its future. The appointment of Tim, who is a talented and experienced CEO, will ensure the Academy is set fair for the future.
It is hoped the successful candidate will bring experience gained in almost any sector. Proven financial experience and ability at a senior level are the only non-negotiable aspects of the person specification. I invite you to look closely at this opportunity, even if you have not previously considered joining an organisation like ours where commitment, dedication, enthusiasm and respect for all are what make the Academy a rewarding place to work.
Within the rest of this site, you will find further information about the Director of Finance and Operations position, our mission, values, and plans for the future. If you recognise yourself in our vision, leadership description, and person specification, do contact our advisors, Anderson Quigley, for a confidential conversation.
The Royal Academy of Dance is an organisation dedicated to advancing standards of dance education and training. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to learn to dance.
With a global headquarters in Battersea, London, the Academy has a presence in 83 countries and over 12,000 members worldwide. Established in 1920, the Academy was granted a Royal Charter in 1935. It is governed by a Board of Trustees and has an annual turnover of £20 million. We are a registered charity, a higher education establishment and an awarding body.
The RAD’s patron is Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, our Vice Patron is HRH The Duchess of Cornwall and our President is Dame Darcey Bussell, DBE.
Our higher education programmes are regulated and a recent Ofsted inspection found the RAD to be an ‘outstanding’ provider of initial teacher education. The RAD’s examinations are recognised by Ofqual and contribute to UCAS points.
There are currently over 1,000 students in full-time or part-time dance teacher training programmes and each year the RAD’s renowned classical ballet examination syllabus is taught to thousands of young people worldwide, with around a quarter of a million pupils per year going on to take our exams.
Having reached its centenary in 2020, the Academy’s activities now extend from world class summer schools and events – such as the internationally renowned Fonteyn International Ballet Competition – to the highly regarded community engagement programme Step into Dance, in partnership with The Jack Petchey Foundation which reaches around 5,000 secondary school students in almost 200 secondary schools across London and Essex.
On May 1st 2022, a new Chief Executive will succeed the current CEO and the opportunities presented by the move – to a brand new purpose-built Global Headquarters – in addition to the challenges of the Academy’s recovery from the pandemic, make this a particularly exciting time to be involved in the Academy’s work.
Further background information about The Royal Academy of Dance can be found on the website at https://www.royalacademyofdance.org/
Director of Finance and Operations
Job Title: Director of Finance and Operations
Reporting to: Chief Executive
Job Purpose: The Director of Finance and Operations is responsible for strategic, financial and corporate management of the Royal Academy of Dance.
Hours: Full time
Key Objectives
Corporate and Governance
- As the Group Finance Director, provide strategic leadership on finance, audit, compliance and risk management
- Attend meetings of the Board of Trustees, providing accurate and accessible financial information as required
- Executive lead for the Finance sub-Committee and input to /attend the Board of Directors of Royal Academy of Dance Enterprises Ltd
- Advise the Finance sub-Committee and the Board of Trustees of any matters, financial administrative and statutory relating to the financial well-being and good governance of the RAD
- Ensure sound financial management within group entities
- Ensure accountability of group entities
- Ensure the RAD and its subsidiaries comply with their UK statutory filing requirements (including The Charity Commission, Companies House, HMRC, and Office for National Statistics) and international filing requirements
- Ensure that the RAD’s financial, legal and charitable obligations are met, fulfilling the role of Company Secretary
Financial and Strategic Planning
- Identify effective ways to enhance the RAD’s financial performance and profitability
- Design and lead the process for developing an annual consolidated budget for the Group for submission to the Finance sub-Committee and the Board of Trustees
- Lead the creation of long term Business Plans as required for submission to the Finance sub-Committee and the Board of Trustees
- Ensure the RAD’s banks are provided with quarterly reports as required under the terms of any borrowing requirement
- Create and manage budgets for capital projects as required
Financial Management
- Ensure the highest levels of financial reporting and information systems are in place
- Provide strategic leadership on finance, compliance, audit and risk management
- Report to the Finance Sub-Committee, the Board of Directors of Royal Academy of Dance Enterprises Ltd, and the Board of Trustees on a quarterly basis
- Lead preparation of UK and Consolidated Annual Accounts in accordance with current legislation governing charity and company accounts
- Lead preparation of annual instructions for Group activities for the preparation of Annual Accounts
- Lead preparation of Annual Accounts, and any other periodic reports for any statutory or regulatory bodies, as required (OfS, Ofqual, HEFCW, QAA etc.)
- Administer any Restricted and Designated Funds in accordance with any restrictions
Risk Management
- Take lead responsibility for risk assessments including the business operations and physical fabric of the premises
- Ensure adequate insurance cover
- Lead on the maintenance of an effective Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Plan
- Lead maintenance of group risk register and submission to sub-Committees and Board of Trustees
- Ensure that the RAD has a legally compliant set of corporate policies and procedures, including Health and Safety and data management
Stakeholder relationships
- Lead on relationship and planning with auditors
- Arrange and attend Audit Meetings and conclusion of Annual Audit
- Manage relationships with the RAD’s bankers
- Lead on relationship and on-going reviews with insurers
- Maintain contact with international auditors
- Review RAD’s advisors from time to time
Strategic and Operational Leadership
- Provide leadership for the Finance, Facilities and ICT Departments, and manage the Head of Trading for the Royal Academy of Dance Enterprises Ltd, overseeing and directing the strategic planning, procurement and implementation of plans and activities related to their operations
- Support and develop direct reports, conduct annual appraisals and support their learning and development, managing any performance issues
- Liaise with the UK-based international operations team and international finance leads / National Directors (Managers) (Representatives) as and when necessary on operations, governance, financial management, risk management, financial and strategic planning.
Other Responsibilities
- Act as Senior Information Risk Officer and Data Controller (Data Protection) for the Royal Academy of Dance
- Chair the Health and Safety Committee
- Act as Director for various international Group Companies
- Act as Company Secretary for Royal Academy of Dance Enterprises Ltd
- Lead preparation of Financial Accounts for the Iris Truscott Trust and lodge with the Charity Commission
- Lead preparation of Financial Accounts and annual returns for dormant companies (Ballet for All, Dance Proms) and lodge with Companies House
- Lead management and administration of the RAD’s pension schemes including the Stakeholder scheme, Teachers Pension and any other schemes in operation
- Act as Appeals Officer for Faculty of Education Programmes
- Act as Designated Financial Officer for the PGCE: Dance Teaching and Masters of Teaching programmes
- Act as Complaints Officer against members (following escalation from the Director of Marketing Communication and Membership)
Direct Reports (Head Office)
- Head of Finance
- Head of Facilities
- Head of ICT
- Head of Trading (RAD Enterprises Ltd)
Indirect Reports (International)
- National Directors (Managers) (Representatives) (Finance and Administration only)
- Financial Controllers
Indirect Reports
- Finance Department staff
- Facilities Department staff
- ICT Department staff
- RAD Enterprises Ltd staff
Committee Representation
- Board of Trustees
- Board of Trustees sub-Committees (Artistic, Benesh, Education, Examinations, Finance, Fundraising and Development, RAD Enterprises, Regional)
- Executive Board
- Health and Safety Committee (Chair)
- FoE Finance and Resources Committee
Person Specification
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Joining our creative and inclusive team comes with a range of attractive benefits including:
- A competitive salary to be agreed with the successful candidate, dependent on experience.
- Hybrid / flexible working patterns to support work-life balance
- A comprehensive package of financial security and support, including:
- Defined Contribution pension scheme with over 11% Employer contribution and 5% Employee contribution; life assurance; health insurance; healthcare cash plan scheme; and income protection plan
- 25 days’ annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays and company closure at Christmas/New Year, usually around 4 days.
- Employee Assistance programme and access to health and wellbeing support and employee perks through a benefits and rewards platform.
Please note: we operate a 6-month probationary period for new appointments at this level of seniority
Anderson Quigley is acting as an advisor to The Royal Academy of Dance. An executive search process is being carried out by Anderson Quigley in addition to the public advertisement.
The closing date for applications is noon on Wednesday 2 February.
Applications should consist of:
- A full CV.
- A covering letter (maximum of 2 pages) setting out your interest in the role and details of why you will be successful
- Please include the names and addresses of two referees. Referees will not be approached until the final stages and not without prior permission from candidates.
Please complete the following online Equal Opportunity Monitoring Form.
Completed applications should be uploaded at www.andersonquigley.com/candidates using the AQ reference number AQ1273.
Should you wish to discuss the role in strict confidence, please contact our advising consultants at Anderson Quigley: Rob Hilyer on +44(0)7719 325 771 or Elyse Turner-Pearce on +44 (0)7808 648 559.
Timetable
Interviews with Anderson Quigley w/c 7th February 2022
Royal Academy of Dance interviews w/c 21st February 2022
