Chief Financial Officer

Job Description

The salary for this role is £100,000 – £110,000.

Are you an experienced Finance professional with a background as a CFO?

Have you successfully led Governance, Risk, and Compliance functions?

Would you like the opportunity to influence the direction of our Finance and Commercial functions?

Can you take the lead amidst a transformative period for both our company and the finance, commercial and governance functions?

If so, we’d love to hear from you!

At Livestock Information Ltd, our mission is to be an outstanding service provider of livestock data, empowering government, industry, and farmers to effectively manage disease and infection control, whilst enhancing productivity and innovation in agriculture. To achieve this, we need great people, who share in our values.

As our Chief Financial Officer at LI, expect each day to be anything but typical. You’ll frequently collaborate with members of the executive team and the Managing Director, ensuring a seamless flow of ideas and strategies. Daily stand-ups with your teams will be part of your routine, fostering open communication and teamwork.

You'll play a pivotal role in tracking the progress of essential deliverables within the Finance and Commercial functions, while also actively participating in discussions around Governance and Risk management. Additionally, you will take charge of authorising payments and invoices personally.

Throughout the week, you'll engage with senior stakeholders, such as representatives from our company Board, the Audit Committee, and with the finance function within our key partner, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). You will also work closely with our internal and external audit teams.

Your schedule will include a variety of meetings, extending beyond your immediate functions. You’ll have the opportunity to represent the executive board at numerous events, and interact with the Chairs of the Board or Audit Committee.

Responsibilities

Your responsibilities will include:

• Being a full member of the company Board.
• Presenting financial, commercial and risk data to the company’s Board and Audit, Risk and Assurance Committee and, where required, individual non-executive directors.
• Being an active and visible presence on the company’s internal executive board, proactively demonstrating company values and goals to the company’s workforce.
• Being accountable for the company’s Financial Regulations and Governance Operating Manual.
• Leading engagement and developing excellent working relationships with the Finance Teams at the company’s sponsors, Defra and AHDB, along with Defra’s Livestock Information Transformation Programme, which oversees the work of the company.
• Ensuring continuity in financial reporting, budgeting, and accounting processes, including accounting/book-keeping, month-end closure; invoicing, cashflow forecasting and cash management.
• Ensuring compliance with accounting policies and regulatory requirements. 
• Overseeing the work and taking responsibility for the Commercial and separate Governance Risk Assurance and Compliance (GRAC) functions.
• Coordinating with internal and external auditors and sponsors, developing effective and lasting relationships with internal and external auditors.
• Reviewing financial data and preparing monthly accounts for consideration by key stakeholders working to a strict deadline (10 working days).
• Leading the development of annual statutory Accounts. Working with key stakeholders and navigating internal governance to ensure the Accounts are filed with Companies House in advance of due deadlines.
• Working with the Managing Director on cost-effectiveness and value for money strategies and reports for the company Board and sponsors.
• Making recommendations for the effective use of financial and risk software.
• Representing Commercial and GRAC functions at the company Board and internal Executive Board.
• Approving financial commitments in collaboration with the Managing Director.

Requirements

We are looking for someone with the following:

• Previous experience as a Chief Financial Officer, preferably working in the public sector.
• Demonstrable FP&A and Commercial finance experience.
• Experience of leading Governance, Risk and Compliance functions.
• Experience of working cross functionally with multiple stakeholders at Board level.
• Experience of reporting to or chairing Audit Committees.
• An experienced and resilient character with the ability to challenge senior stakeholders.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.

Qualifications

You will be ACA, ACCA, or CIMA qualified.

We will require proof of your qualifications to be sent to the Talent team should you be successful in reaching the final stages of the recruitment process.

Benefits

As an LI employee, you will be entitled to our company benefits which include:

• A fully remote and flexible working set up
• 33 days annual leave, inclusive of Bank Holidays
• 4 x annual salary Life Assurance
• Market leading pension scheme through Legal & General
• Enhanced Family Friendly Policies
• Excellent learning, training, and career development opportunities
• 24/7 access to our Employee Assistance Programme
• A diverse and inclusive culture where everyone is respected and valued

Application and Interview Process

To apply for this role, you will need to submit a CV and answer some pre-screening questions.

The interview and assessment process for this role will involve a telephone interview with our Talent Team, followed by a first stage (likely remote) and a final stage (likely face-to-face) interview.

If you are successful in being invited to final stage of the process, an online assessment link will be sent to you to complete prior to attending the interview.

If we need to make a reasonable adjustment so that you can complete your application, please contact us as soon as possible by emailing talent@livestockinformation.org.uk before the closing date to discuss your needs.

The closing date for this role is 4pm on 16th February. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

Values

We approach our work with TACT; we are Transparent, Accountable, Committed and we work as a Team.

We are transparent together, embracing honesty and building trust. We are accountable to the industry and strive for the best possible solutions for the communities we serve. We drive change with passion, commitment and enthusiasm to deliver a great service to the livestock industry. We work kindly and cohesively which allows us to support each other in our personal and strategic goals.

Diversity statement

At Livestock Information, we value diversity and believe that every individual brings different strengths. We understand that not everyone may possess every single skill outlined in this job description, but if you believe you have a solid skill set that enables you to excel in this position then we really encourage you to apply.

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in a fair and open manner or if you are dis-satisfied with any of your interactions during the recruitment process and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact our Talent team via email: talent@livestockinformation.org.uk

Disclaimer 

Livestock Information Ltd. cannot sponsor work visas at this time.

Livestock Information Ltd. Does not discriminate based on race, sex, colour, religion, age, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other reason prohibited by law in provision of employment opportunities and benefits.

 Livestock Information Ltd. Does not accept unsolicited CVs from any source other than directly from a candidate. Any unsolicited CV’s not originating directly from a candidate and sent to Livestock Information Ltd or any Livestock Information Ltd employees, including unsolicited CVs sent to a Livestock Information Ltd mailing address or email address, are rejected. Livestock Information Ltd will NOT pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited CV. Livestock Information Ltd considers any candidate for whom the recruiter has submitted an unsolicited CV referred by the company free of any fees.