Our client is the world renowned Hallé Concerts Society, encompassing the Hallé Orchestra and Hallé Choir and a range of youth ensembles. With a history dating back to 1858 The Hallé performs over 70 concerts each year at The Bridgewater Hall in Manchester, as well as making over 40 appearances throughout the rest of Britain and overseas. A not-for-profit organisation, the Hallé’s reputation for artistic excellence has led to many international tours, frequent broadcasts and televised performances and published recordings. Last season, over a quarter of a million people heard the Hallé (live), of which more than 50,000 were inspired by the Hallé’s pioneering education programme. Generating over 60 projects a year, the education programme exists to create a wider enjoyment and understanding of music throughout the whole community.

A Finance Director is now required to take responsibility for the financial management of, and operational support to, the Hallé Concerts Society and associated entities.

The Role

Reporting to the Chief Executive and managing a team of 3, this fascinating role is broad, encompassing finance, accounting, funding and driving operational efficiency.  Key Responsibilities include:

• Strategy: Work closely with the Chief Executive in defining and developing financial strategy; Together with the Chief Executive provide leadership on organisational and development matters; Assisting the Chief Executive in negotiations with public funders and to develop and assess the organisational and financial implication of developments with third parties;
• Financial Management: Manage the Group’s financial affairs efficiently and effectively, within agreed and defined policies and budgets; Ensure the accuracy of the Group’s income and expenditure, assets and liabilities, and the integrity of the systems used to record and report on them; Provide financial reports and other statistical information to outside funders, agencies and statutory bodies;
• Commercial support and Planning: Ongoing development of astute management information and commercial insight for the Senior Management team; Budgeting and forecasting and cashflow management; Provide partnering, support and challenge to functional leaders on operational matters;
• Pensions & Investment: Manage the pensions arrangements of the Society; Oversight of the Society’s investments and related matters (with relevant external advice);
• Tax Compliance and Company Secretarial – including ensuring charitable, company and statutory compliance overseeing the company secretarial obligations;
• Other: Responsible for IT support arrangements, as well as an HR Manager; Deputise for the Chief Executive where appropriate; Management of ad hoc projects and capital investment appraisal.

The Candidate

• Qualified accountant with considerable experience of financial management, Financial Planning & Analysis, Budgeting & Forecasting;
• A strong understanding of Pension Schemes and Investments, as well as experience of financial guidelines for Charities and Trust Funds;
• Ability to provide written and verbal presentations at Board level;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, communication skills and experience of managing staff;
• Strong IT skills for Microsoft Office programmes
• Understanding of current financial legislation including tax requirements
• Well organised, an efficient and effective team leader.  An excellent communicator with strong integrity and good judgement;
• Ideally, but not essentially, possessing an interest in the arts, particularly classical music.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a candidate with a passion for the Arts to play a pivotal role in the management and development of one of the UK’s leading and highest profile musical societies.