Director of Finance and Operations

The Royal College of Ophthalmologists is a membership organisation and the voice of the profession, with 4,750 members in the UK and overseas. Our role is to champion the specialty, set standards of training and practice, and influence change to make a difference to the lives of patients with eye conditions.

The Director of Finance and Operations plays an important role within the College, providing strategic leadership, oversight and development of a portfolio of corporate support functions. This includes finance, membership, HR, IT and facilities. 

This role has responsibility for a team of 8 members of staff and also forms a key part of our Senior Leadership Team, taking corporate responsibility for the overall direction and operational management of the College.

Key Responsibilities

1. To lead the strategic and operational management of our finance function

• Provide strategic leadership and quality assurance for the annual budgeting and forecasting process, delivered by the Financial Controller and finance team
• Review and challenge monthly management accounts, forecasts and financial performance reports prepared by the Financial Controller, working closely with budget holders
• Present financial reports and analysis to the Finance Committee and Board of Trustees to underpin informed discussion and decision-making
• Oversee, develop and maintain effective finance systems to reflect best practice and to help ensure timely and accurate figures
• Provide assurance to the Chief Executive and Trustees that appropriate systems and controls are in place to ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements
• Provide executive oversight of the annual audit and statutory reporting process led by the Financial Controller, including the production of the annual report, working closely with auditors and ensuring that any management control points are implemented promptly
• Lead trustee engagement on investment strategy and monitor investment performance
• Support the operation of the College’s trading subsidiary
• Co-ordinate the College’s use of restricted funds, ensuring compliance with contractual terms.

2. To foster individual and organisational development

• Monitor and develop our organisational culture, championing our values at every opportunity
• Empower staff and teams to actively inform the direction of the College and our activities
• Oversee the delivery of our equity, diversity and inclusion strategy, evaluating progress against key metrics
• Support the implementation and delivery of our new strategy from 2027.

3. To oversee other areas of our corporate support function

• Oversee our membership strategy to support sustained growth, identifying new opportunities to develop our offer to UK and international members
• Lead on operational and contractual efficiencies and service improvement programmes including IT and facilities management, ensuring the smooth running of the organisation, raising productivity, and delivering value for money
• Oversee all aspects of our HR function, including learning and development, in line with our values and behaviours framework, and new organisational strategy from 2027.
• Oversee the robust management of risk, data protection, and health & safety compliance.

4. To lead the department

• Lead and support the team, including through the identification and delivery of professional development opportunities
• Establish individual and team objectives linked to our strategic priorities, monitoring and holding colleagues to account for delivery
• Share key updates with the team on a regular basis and champion the department’s work internally
• Ensure rigorous financial management and long-term forecasting to ensure departmental and College-wide sustainability
• Support and provide strategic insight to committees, including the Board of Trustees and Finance Committee
• Establish appropriate structures and processes to drive forward key projects, including collaborative working across the College and evaluating success against identified metrics.

5. To be an active member of our Senior Leadership Team (SLT)

• Provide leadership and support across the organisation, ensuring consistency of operation, high standards of service and driving a one-team approach
• Agree organisation-wide policies and procedures and ensure their correct implementation
• Assume corporate responsibility for trustee and senior leadership decisions
• Role model our organisational values and behaviours at every opportunity

To undertake other duties as required:

• Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Chief Executive
• Some travel may be required, including attendance at our annual congress. Working outside normal hours may also be needed from time to time on key projects

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Knowledge, Qualifications and Experience

• A CCAB-qualified accountant, with at least five years of experience in a senior leadership role
• Detailed knowledge of charity financial management, budget preparation and reporting, risk, GDPR and health and safety
• Experience of leading successful growth, such as through the delivery of a membership or fundraising strategy, alongside high levels of organisational productivity and efficiency
• Experience of delivering against challenging performance targets, and of managing others to do so
• Experience of HR, IT and Facilities management

Skills and Abilities

• Ambitious, dynamic, values-driven leader with established leadership skills and emotional intelligence
• Successful track record of achieving results in a leadership role
• Strategic thinker with excellent attention to detail and a willingness to adopt a hands-on approach when required
• Ability to present and write clear reports for non-financial managers, trustees and committee members
• Highly developed influencing, persuading & communication skills
• Sound understanding of systems management, including accountancy software and CRM
• Ability to innovate, recognise challenges, analyse problems and apply effective solutions

Personal Qualities (Attributes)

• Commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and understanding of how this applies to own area of work
• Commitment to own continuing professional development

Benefits & Values

Staff benefits

We offer a friendly and supportive working environment and make sure our employees are well looked after with a great benefits package, which includes:

Work life balance and family friendly benefits

• Hybrid working: two days in the office (one of which is Thursday), and three from home
• 25 days of annual leave, increasing to 30 days with length of service (plus bank holidays and office closure between Christmas and New Year)
• One day of paid leave to move house
• Enhanced parental leave

Planning for your future

• Employer pension contributions up to a maximum of 12%.

Career development

• All staff are offered opportunities for learning and development, in addition to a comprehensive e-learning package
• Study loans

Travel

• Season ticket loan
• Cycle to work scheme

Wellbeing

• Summer Fridays (staff can finish 90 minutes early from mid-July to the end of August
• Enhanced Employee Assistance Programme (with access to free counselling sessions)
• Health Cash Plan

Inclusion and diversity statement

The College is committed to encouraging inclusion, equity and diversity among our staff, and eliminating unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation by complying with the Equality Act 2010. We want a working environment where individual differences and the contributions of all staff are recognised and valued. To do this, we will proactively tackle discrimination and disadvantage and ensure that no individual or group is directly or indirectly discriminated against for any reason. We expect all employees to champion and live our values through their work at every opportunity.