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Chief Finance Officer Recruitment Pack

January 2021

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Chief Finance Officer

YOUR APPLICATION

Thank you very much for your interest in this post. On the following pages, you will find details of the role and the selection process to assist you in completing and tailoring your application. In order to apply you should submit:

• An up-to-date CV which shows your full career history – we recommend that this is no longer than three pages;

• A supporting statement explaining why you are interested in this role, detailing how you are a good candidate for this post and how you fulfil the person specification – we recommend that this is no longer than three pages;

• The declaration form, noting that completion of the equalities section is not mandatory, this is requested for monitoring purposes in line with our commitment to equality and diversity; and

• Indicate on the declaration form if you cannot attend any of the interview dates.

Please note that applications can only be considered if all the documentation is complete. Please submit your completed application documents using the online form, which is accessible via our jobs page: https://www.campbelltickell.com/jobs/

Applications must be received by 12th February 2021 at 12 noon

Please ensure we receive your application in good time. If you do not see a on screen confirmation message after submitting your application using the online form, please call us on 020 3434 0990.

Do call me if you wish to have an informal discussion about the role and organisation, or if you have any other questions to help you decide whether to apply.

Kind regards,

Jim Green

Jim Green Recruitment Manager 07375 886036 jim.green@campbelltickell.com

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Contents

Welcome to Housing 21 3

About Housing 21 4

Executive management team 7

Role profile 9

Person specification 12

Executive & senior team structure 13

Chief Finance Officer structure 14

Key terms and conditions 17

Key dates and the selection process 18

The media advertisement 19

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Chief Finance Officer

WELCOME TO HOUSING 21

Dear Applicant, I am delighted that you are considering this opportunity to join our Executive Team as our new Chief Financial Officer. This is an exciting time to join Housing 21, as we establish our newly expanded Executive Team and continue our journey of growth and innovation to become leaders in our sector, providing excellent retirement and extra care housing for older people of modest means. This role will require financial and strategic leadership skills of the highest order, and a commitment to collaborative working across the whole executive, to guide and support Housing 21 in the next phase of our evolution. Whilst we are proud of many things we do and have achieved; we are not complacent and there is always room for improvement. We have sound systems and processes in place for much of our core financial management, but there are areas that require improvement and there is scope for modernisation of processes and ways of working. We want our new CFO to increase financial engagement across the organisation and instil a business-partnering culture within the finance teams. Hence, engaging with our staff and providing clear and visible leadership will be essential. Housing 21 is continuing to expand – we currently own and manage over 21,000 properties, and that number is set to continue to grow through an active development programme and acquisitions. At the same time, we are investing heavily in our existing properties, making good on our commitment that our residents have comfortable and safe living spaces of excellent quality. We have already made substantial progress in improving the energy efficiency of our properties, but we want to go further to become a net zero carbon organisation as well as investing in improvements to building safety and enhancing opportunities for digital engagement. We have the capacity to fund these ambitions and have had success in recent bond financing, but looking to the future to ensure we manage our debt, liquidity, and security to support further expansion will also be a key focus for the role. We operate in a regulated environment and our Chief Finance Officer will play a pivotal role in providing assurance on our compliance with law and regulations. We are currently putting in place the processes that will guide us through our next In-Depth Assessment (expected in late 2021) and embedding these over the first few months in post, to ensure our compliance with the highest standards, will be critical.

I hope you find the challenges and opportunities this role offers exciting and after reading the other details about the role and about Housing 21 you will want to complete and submit an application for consideration.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

Bruce Moore Chief Executive

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ABOUT HOUSING 21

Our history

Housing 21 has come a long way! Formed in 1964 as the Royal British Legion Housing Association, our aim at that time was to provide housing for veterans and their families. We changed our name to Housing 21 in 1992 and became Housing & Care 21 in 2014. In 2019 we took the bold step to change our name back to Housing 21 having listened to our residents who wanted to be seen to be living more independently.

By making use of government grants and funding opportunities we have grown to become a leading provider of retirement housing and extra care services for older people of modest means throughout England, whether or not they have a military service connection.

Our products and services

The challenge of a growing and increasingly diverse ageing population; the pressures of social care funding; and the on-going housing crisis, all mean that there is a real need for the services that Housing 21 provide.

We are one of the largest not for profit providers of care and housing for older people. Our clear purpose is to provide contemporary housing and care services and solutions that meet the needs of older people of modest means. We fulfil this purpose by providing retirement housing and extra care properties and care and support services that meet individual needs, promote independence and improve quality of life.

Housing 21 is a substantial organisation, with an annual financial turnover of some £200m; a national presence encompassing 150 local authority areas; and more than 3,000 staff who manage over 20,000 properties and deliver over 40,000 hours of care each week.

We are the leading providers of Extra Care housing and care that allows older people to live independently but with access to a flexible onsite care service, meals and communal facilities. We provide Extra Care services at 152 sites. We are also a major provider of specialist Retirement Housing which offers secure sociable housing opportunities for older people with the support of a dedicated on-site Court Manager.

Housing 21 has undergone something of a transformation over recent years. We have restructured, reorganised and refocused the organisation to concentrate on our core areas of service, specialism and expertise (namely Extra Care and Retirement Housing) and disposed of other services and activities that did not fit with our core purposes (including a significant Home Care business division). We feel that we are in a strong position as an organisation and are fully committed to pursuing our own distinctive, ambitious and positive strategy of growth, improvement and innovation.

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Our three guiding principles

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We are committed to providing a modern, forward-thinking 21st century service. This includes updating and modernising our existing housing, as well as developing new and innovative property designs and service models for the future. We will challenge ourselves to think differently, embracing the disruptive potential of new technologies and the challenges and opportunities of social change.

Better

We strive for continuous improvement and innovation in all that we do. We will never become complacent and will constantly challenge ourselves to do better and achieve better performance, quality and value for money. We aim to be ‘better than good’ and work hard to provide excellent services we are proud of and our residents deserve.

Experience

We aim to provide a consistently excellent service and a great experience for all the people we serve. We seek to engage and empower residents to make choices and exercise control over the services they receive and to devolve decision making to local staff who are closest to the residents whenever practicable and possible. We are committed to acting ethically and openly in all that we do, questioning whether we are ‘doing the right thing’ and being ready to acknowledge and learn from mistakes. Ultimately the success of Housing 21 rests on the satisfaction we provide to our residents.

Our strategic priorities

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Who we are?

You can find the strategic plan here.

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EXECUTIVE TEAM

BRUCE MOORE – CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Bruce joined Housing 21 as Chief Executive in 2013 with a track record of successfully managing change and addressing challenges in order to improve the provision of housing and care services for older people. He has previously been Chief Executive for Hanover Housing Group, Chief Executive of Wolverhampton Homes, and Deputy Chief Executive of Anchor Trust.

Bruce has served as a Board Member for a number of housing associations and charities including twice serving as an appointee on behalf of the regulator.

He completed a PhD considering the differences in attitudes and expectation of the governance role of boards of housing associations in 2017 and is currently studying for a further PhD on the priorities and preferences of residents of Retirement Housing and Extra Care.

TONY TENCH – DEPUTY CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Tony has over 20 years of experience in housing, development, asset management and social care, and as Deputy Chief Executive for Housing 21, he is responsible for health & safety, property development, asset management, acquisitions, and business

transformation projects. His previous experience includes a number of Executive roles at Hanover Housing Association, prior to that leading on Extra Care housing development for Anchor Trust.

Tony is a Business and Marketing Graduate and a Group Board Member of The Community Housing Group.

SIMON MELLOR – CHIEF FINANCE OFFICER (INTERIM)

Simon is a Chartered Accountant and Corporate Treasurer with over 15 years’ experience across a broad range of finance and treasury roles.Simon joined Housing 21 in 2019 following six years at Sanctuary Group. Prior to joining Sanctuary Simon worked in corporate finance and audit. Simon has recently secured a £120m bond tap, raising funds to support Housing 21’s future development programme at exceptionally low rates for the supported sector.

Simon was Head of Commercial Finance and Treasury at Housing 21 before being appointed Interim Chief Financial Officer in December 2020.

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KRIS PEACH – EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF EXTRA CARE

Kris joined Housing 21 in July 2010 following a period working for a specialist supported housing provider. He previously worked for Claimar Care for over 10 years in operational and development roles, managing and commissioning new Home Care and Extra Care services.

Since joining Housing 21, Kris has seen the expansion of Extra Care across the country. As the Executive Director of Extra Care, Kris is responsible for providing the strategic leadership, direction and oversight for the development of Extra Care at Housing 21. He is committed to ensuring that Extra Care services deliver the best quality housing and care for older people. For Kris, this means continually striving to innovate and further improve the housing with care offer from Housing 21.

PAM MASTRANTONIO, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF RETIREMENT HOUSING

Pam has 30 years’ experience working in the housing sector in a mixture of general needs, supported, and older persons housing, working for local authorities, large scale stock transfers and housing associations.

She began her career as a housing trainee and has held roles at a variety of levels in housing management, legal services, resident engagement, leasehold and supported housing.

Previously, she has held roles as; Head of Neighbourhoods in Braintree (Essex), Assistant Director of Retirement Housing and Director of Operational Transformation at Hanover, and most recently Head of Retirement Housing (North) at Housing 21 before being appointed Executive Director of Retirement Housing in 2020.

NOTE: Board and Committee Member profiles can be found on the Housing 21 site here.

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ROLE PROFILE

Reports to: Chief Executive

Job purpose

To provide strategic leadership, direction and oversight for Housing 21 with specific responsibility and accountability for the financial stability and success of Housing 21 and the performance, potential, effectiveness and assurance of all financial management, business planning, accounting, treasury, procurement, income management, payments and key business processes.

The job holder will be a senior leader expected to be work across Housing 21 and play a pivotal role in ensuring the success of Housing 21. This job profile is not exhaustive, and it is expected that there will be a willingness to take on other activities and responsibilities of a top tier Executive Director.

Key accountabilities

1. Strategic Leadership

• Supporting the Chief Executive in the leadership of Housing 21 and playing and active role as a member of the Executive Leadership Team.

• Contributing to the strategic thinking and planning for the future of Housing 21.

• Working closely with the Board of Housing 21 to demonstrate accountability through a process of challenge and collaboration.

• Develop and implement clear strategic financial and treasury plans, policies and processes to support the goals and objectives of the Housing 21.

• Acting as a champion and ambassador for Housing 21 with external and internal stakeholders, creating an external reputation as an expert in housing for older people.

2. Accounting

• Overseeing the production of complete, accurate and timely accounts, financial statements and returns to meet all statutory, regulatory and business requirements.

• Setting and achieving stretching and ambitious targets for the provision of financial information and reports with insightful analysis to understand and identify areas for attention and opportunities to achieve improved value for money.

3. Treasury & Financial Planning

• Propose and operate the treasury strategy of Housing 21 to provide for the effective and competitive raising of funds and management of the risks and costs involved to ensure that the funding is available to support the development and investment requirements of Housing 21 over the short, medium and long term.

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• Produce business plans, projections and forecasts that ensure sound financial and cash management. Enabling Housing 21 to ensure it will remain viable and allow for the effective assessment of business risks, opportunities, contingencies and strategies.

4. Budgeting and Business Partnering

• Collaborate and assist the divisions and departments of Housing 21 to produce realistic but stretching budgets and forecasts for financial performance and stewardship.

• Develop a culture of commercial and financial business partnering to support the financial aspects of Housing 21’s core business functions.

5. Procurement

• Set strategies and put processes in place to ensure that the procurement approach of Housing 21 delivers value for money, meets business needs, and is conducted with probity and proportionality to meet business needs

6. Business Processes

• Ensure that business transactions are designed and performed efficiently and effectively to provide excellent service and satisfaction to residents, clients and other stakeholders as well as ensuring probity and value for money

7. Rents and Regulatory Compliance

• Oversight and implementation of rents and service charge policies that are compliant with laws and regulations and are both affordable for people of modest means whilst also providing Housing 21 with an effective financial return.

8. Improvement, Assurance and Effectiveness

• Identify and contribute to improvements both within and beyond the finance functions and working collaboratively with other leaders to deliver programmes that positively impact the strategic direction of the wider organisation.

• Achieve an assurance of quality and service standards across all aspects of finance and associated functions and processes.

• Lead on the Value for Money strategic priority as well as demonstrating the effectiveness of the operation of finance functions and services. Drive and deliver exceptional standards of service delivery through a process of continuous improvement and learning.

9. Visible Leadership

• Create a strong bond of loyalty and trust from staff within the finance functions and across the whole of Housing 21 by being visible and accessible as a leader.

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• Develop a capable, effective and reliable finance leadership team and supporting the development and growth for team members.

• Working across divisions, directorates and departments of Housing 21 to create a sense of shared purpose, commitment and endeavour and encouraging others to do the same.

10. Protection and Integrity

• Actively demonstrate an understanding and commitment to ensure full adherence to Health & Safety policies and requirements.

• Promote and uphold the principles of Diversity & Inclusion.

• Uphold laws and regulations and act with professionalism and integrity at all times.

11. Relationship Management

• Build strong strategic relationships across the organisation and external partners, investors and regulatory bodies to influence and deliver positive outcomes for the organisation and its residents.

• Present convincing, articulate, and well-reasoned reports, including to the Board to facilitate the overall governance. Demonstrating an appropriate balance of conviction and openness when challenged.

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Chief Finance Officer

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Knowledge and experience

• Substantial financial experience at a senior or executive level in an organisation of comparable scale and complexity

• Experience of successfully developing and delivering significant service improvement and change programmes with tangible results and positive consequences

• Track record of experience and understanding of the business and financial operations of the housing and/or care sectors or of a comparable regulated sector

• Experience and expertise in treasury management is desirable

Skills and behaviour

• An enthusiastic advocate of housing and support for older people of modest means and champion for the role that Housing 21 can play as a leading provider and successful social enterprise

• Passionate about service improvement and quality that is ‘better than good’

• Demonstrates, lives and actively promotes the values, ethos and culture of Housing 21 through the principles of ’21, Better, Experience’ and ‘Doing the Right Thing’

• Actively engages, involves and listens to others but is also willing to be decisive and show leadership when required

• Is an advocate for diversity and inclusion and recognises the merits, fairness, vibrancy and trust this creates

• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal skills to communicate messages and present clearly and effectively.

• Strong influencing and negotiating skills and able to work effectively and collaboratively with multiple parties (internally and externally and at all levels) to reach effective outcomes and shared commitment

• Strong financial skills and ability to analyse, interpret and assess financial information in order to plan, manage and balance risks and returns

• Strong intellectual reasoning, intuitive and problem solving skills to identify strengths and weaknesses as well as assessing opportunities and threats

• Flexible approach to working arrangements in accordance with the seniority of the role, including working outside the normal working day (evenings & weekends) when necessary.

• Willing to be held accountable and learn from feedback and mistakes

Qualifications and training

• Qualified accountant holding a CCAB or similar qualification

• Degree level education combined with additional management/professional qualifications or demonstration of commitment to further learning and personal development

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EXECUTIVE AND SENIOR TEAM STRUCTURE CHART

CEO

Deputy CEOExecutive

Director Extra Care

Executive Director

Retirement Housing

Executive Director People

and Systems

Vacant

Director Audit, Assurance and

Governance

Chief Financial Officer

Vacant

Head of Commercial Finance and

Treasury

Head of Finance and Accounting

Head of Procurement

Head of Business

Processes

Head of Legal Services

Head of Strategic

Engagement

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CHIEF FINANCE OFFICER STRUCTURE CHARTS

Head of Finance & Accounting

Financial Reporting Manager

Financial Accountant

Balance Sheet Analyst

Finance Business Partner - Development & Asset Management

Business Accountant Development

Business Accountant Development

Senior Finance Analyst

Finance Business Partner - Technology &

Corporate Services

Data Management Analyst

Senior Finance Analyst

Finance Analyst

Tax Manager

Head of Procurement

Category Manager

Junior Category Buyer

Senior Category Buyer

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Head of Business

Processes

Credit Manager

Transactions Senior -Cash Transactions

Transaction Clerk -Cash Transacitons (x3)

Credit Controller (x3)

Accounts Payable Manager

Transaction Senior -Accounts Payable (x2)

Transaction Clerk -Accounts Payable (x6)

Payroll Manager

Payroll Clerks (x5 + 1 temp)

Operations Support Manager

Operations Support Advisor (x6)

Project Support -Subject Specialist

Operations Support Admin Assistant

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Head of Commercial Finance and Treasury

EC Finance Business Partner

EC Business Accountant (x2)

EC Senior Finance Analyst

EC Resident Charges

Accountant

EC Resident Charges Finance

Analyst (x2)

Transactions Manager

Transactions Clerk (x4)

RH Finance Business Partner

RH Business Accountant (x2)

RH Finance Analyst

RH Resident Charges

Accountant

RH Resident Charges Senior Finance Analyst

RH Resident Charges Finance

Analyst (x2)

Rents and Service Charges

Specialist

Rents and Service Charges

Specialist Finance Analyst

PFI Accountant

PFI Accountant Finance Analyst

Bid Manager

Bid Co-ordinator

Treasury Manager

Treasury Operations Manager

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KEY TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The role

Chief Finance Officer

Remuneration

£140k

Hours of work

We offer a standard working week for full time employees of 35 hours per week. Given the seniority of the post, flexibility is expected with regards to working hours where necessary to meet the full role responsibilities.

Annual leave

Annual leave entitlement is 25 days plus bank holidays, rising to 26 days after 3 years, and 27 days after 5 years.

Benefits

Company sick pay, life assurance, and pension scheme.

Period of notice

3 months

Location

We are flexible about remote working, however attendance at regular face-to-face meetings at our Birmingham head office, as well as travel to our locations nationwide is expected.

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KEY DATES AND SELECTION PROCESS

Closing date: 12th February 2021 at 12 noon

We will be in touch to let you know the outcome of your application by the end of this week.

First interviews: week commencing Monday 22nd February 2021

Longlisted candidates will be invited to an interview with a Campbell Tickell panel. These interviews will be held online.

Final interviews: week commencing Monday 1st March, 2021

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview with a Housing 21 panel. These interviews are likely to take place at their offices in Birmingham.

Shortlisted candidates will also have an opportunity to meet with other members of the executive team. This meeting will take place prior to the final interviews and will be held online.

If you are unable to attend on any of the identified dates for interview, please do speak to Campbell Tickell before making an application.

housing21.org.uk

Chief Financial Officer£140 pa | Birmingham

Are you passionate about people? Are you ready to play a pivotal role in ensuring the success of Housing 21? Housing 21 is a leading not for profit provider of Retirement Housing and Extra Care for older people of modest means, and we have an unwavering commitment to ensure that the homes and services we provide for our residents are first-class. We make a positive difference to society by putting people at the heart of what we do.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, you will be an enthusiastic advocate and champion for the role that Housing 21 can play as a leading provider and successful social enterprise. Our organisation is successful, but we are not complacent and know there is always room for improvement, and you will share our passion for service improvement and quality that is ‘better than good’.

As a qualified accountant you will bring much more than your technical skills alone. Accounting and target setting, value for money, treasury and financial planning will form the core of your expertise and the ability to inspire and support colleagues will be of equal importance.

As an accomplished strategic leader, you will have mastered the complexities of leading in a regulated environment through experience possibly gained at a senior level in a housing association or local government environment. Customers, and the customer’s voice, will be central to influencing how you shape priorities and make things happen.

By joining us, you won’t just receive a competitive salary and access to a range of benefits - you will be part of an organisation that is inclusive, celebrates diversity, and cares about its employees and their work/life balance.

Curious to learn more? You can download a recruitment pack from www.campbelltickell.com/jobs for further information, or contact Jim Green on 07375 886036 for an informal discussion.

Closes: Friday, 12 February 2021 at 12 noon

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Telephone +44 (0)20 8830 6777 Recruitment +44 (0)20 3434 0990 info@campbelltickell.com www.campbelltickell.com @CampbellTickel1