Director of Finance and Data (full-time or 0.8 candidates considered)

We are looking for a new Director of Finance and Data as the College enters an exciting new period of growth across the Greater London and Greater Manchester regions.

Ada is a high-performing specialist technical College, the first brand new Further Education College in England since 1993, focused on developing our learners’ technical, creative and entrepreneurial mindsets and networks. We are passionate about educating, supporting and creating the next generation of diverse digital pioneers with a particular focus on recruiting learners from less privileged circumstances, ethnically diverse backgrounds and young women who are particularly underrepresented in the tech sector. In November 2018, we were rated ‘Good with Outstanding’ features by Ofsted.

All our students and apprentices are passionate about tech and we are committed to supporting them to progress onto highly skilled roles in the digital sector. In London, we run a high-performing specialist 6th form in which all students study computer science with regular off-curriculum industry projects with partners such as King Games, Deloitte and Bank of America. We consistently are rated as the top institution in the country for the rigorous Computer Science BTEC. Students can also study a range of related A-levels.

In London and Manchester, we train 300+ Higher Level and Degree Apprentices digital apprentices for 30+ companies ranging from Google and Salesforce through to Deloitte and PwC as junior developers, data analysts and tech consultants. We use innovative Foundation and BSc. Programmes that are developed with our employer partners and validated by the Open University with 98% of our apprentices passing and graduating successfully and progressing into permanent employment in tech.

Our existing campuses in London are in Tottenham Hale and Whitechapel. In Manchester, we have training space in Manchester Technology Centre. We are just now finalising the details on two new capital refurbishment projects in London (August 2023 occupation) and Manchester (Spring 2024 occupation), which will see us move to larger, more permanent premises in both regions. The London project is managed by the DfE. The Manchester project will be project managed internally as we are part of the Greater Manchester Institute of Technology.

About You

Ada is looking for a talented FE finance professional with experience of data management/compliance and oversight. You will be a key member of the College’s Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and work closely with Board Members. Leading a small team, you will be focused on managing Ada’s financial performance, building on our solid financial performance to date, and providing oversight of our MIS system, ILR returns and organisational compliance to ensure they remain fit for purpose as the College grows and scales its learner volumes and impact. With the capital projects and expected increases in learner volumes, the next 18-24 months are a critical time in the College’s short history and will really establish the firm foundations for longer-term growth and the realisation of Ada as a truly National College.

Experience and Ambition

A successful candidate will be able to evidence through experience:

• an excitement for being part of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) of a small, fast-growing College with ambitious plans, enviable industry links and a high performance, can-do culture.
• a track record of successful financial management and leadership in the FE sector or significant compensatory experience that is easily translatable to the role
• a track record for leading and managing high-performing teams
• high ethical standards and influencing skills with the ability to engage effectively with all staff across the College, the governing body, EFSA, DfE and Employer/Philanthropy partners
• good knowledge and instincts for the basics of effective data management and compliance
• strong attention to detail and a willingness to roll up their sleeves and be involved in resolving operational issues where needed.

The Role

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight of a robust financial and data management infrastructure for the College
• Lead the Finance and Data teams driving high performance and effectiveness.
• Producing and working with auditors on statutory accounts
• Work with your team, providing timely finance and data analysis to the Board of Governors, CEO and ELT to aid strategic decision making
• Lead on effective Risk Management and mitigation at the College working with the Director of Operations and other relevant team members
• Oversee the delivery of internal audit (currently outsourced)
• Be a collaborative, enthusiastic member of the College’s ELT, working closely with staff and Governors to help deliver our ambitious ‘Evolving to Ada 2.0’ strategy by December 2025, which will see us start to scale our impact

Some of the main Duties and Responsibilities are included below but fuller details are listed in the accompanying job description.

You will be accountable for:

• The effective leadership, management and development of the Finance and Data team to deliver required outputs across the full range of finance and data activities
• Advising the CEO, Board and sub-committees on all matters relating to financial strategy and keeping them up to date on financial performance, data management and key risks and issues.
• Developing and leading, with the CEO, the delivery of a finance strategy and relevant forecasts for the college to underpin business growth and meet financial performance targets
• Financial management and reporting across all finance activities for the College Group and its subsidiary companies, including financial returns and submissions to the ESFA
• Acting as Chief Data Officer in response to GDPR requirements.
• Undertaking other duties commensurate with the role as directed by the Chief Executive Officer or as delegated by the Chair of the Board.

The job description is designed to outline a range of main duties that may be encountered. It is not designed to be an exhaustive listing of tasks and can be varied in consultation with the post holder in order to reflect changes in the role or needs of the organisation.

Safeguarding

Ada, National College for Digital Skill is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. The successful candidate will be required to have an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and references will be sought from previous employers prior to commencing employment. Other related pre-employment checks appropriate to the post will also be carried out.

Equal opportunities

Ada. National College for Digital Skills recognises that equality of opportunity and the recognition and promotion of diversity are integral to its strengths.

Applicants with disabilities

Ada. National College for Digital Skills is keen to increase the number of disabled people it employs. We, therefore, encourage applications from individuals with a disability who are suitably qualified and who are able to carry out the duties of the post. If you have special needs in relation to your application please contact us.

Sponsorship

Sadly, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role so can only accept applications from candidates who have the legal right to work and remain in the United Kingdom