Director of Finance – Ladies European Tour

The Organisation

The Ladies European Tour (LET) inspires women and girls to pursue their passion and realise their potential through the game of golf. Our strong, energetic, proud and confident players are driven to compete at the highest level and lead by example. A diverse and multicultural membership of 402 professional golfers represents as many as 43 countries, we’re a global tour with roots in Europe.

We aim to entertain and excite, but also to enhance health and quality of life, as a responsible, committed and respectful partner.

Ladies European Golf Venture Limited, the company which operates the LET (Ladies European Tour), is a joint venture collaboration between Ladies European Tour and the Ladies Professional Golf Association, which started on 8 January 2020 and was formed to increase playing opportunities for female golfers in Europe. 2024 marks the 46th season of golf tournaments since the professional tour was founded in November 1978. This year’s schedule includes 31 events in 20 different countries and a prize fund of at least €34 million.

Our exciting organisation is now recruiting a Director of Finance, a key role within the Senior Management Team. The location of the role is hybrid, with head office in Denham, Bucks.

SUMMARY:

As a key member of the Ladies European Golf Venture Ltd (LEGV) management team, the Director of Finance will be responsible for leading all financial operations of LEGV to include budgeting & forecasting; accounting activities including accounts payable, accounts receivable & general ledger transactions; preparing financials statements and reporting for management/LEGV Board; managing payroll services, and ensuring adequate systems to produce accurate financial information in accordance with generally accepted accounting practices and proper accounting controls. This individual will lead the growth and development of a team of three (3) finance staff and be responsible for creating a collaborative and effective environment to meet the global business needs of LEGV.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Budgeting and Forecasting

Prepare annual LEGV budget in cooperation with LEGV management team
On a quarterly basis, or more frequently as requested by management, review financial accounts as compared to budget and update annual forecast as necessary
Develop systems for accurately tracking key potential fluctuations that may have a future impact on LEGV financial results
Accounting Activities

Develop processes to accurately record and report all LEGV financial transactions via accounting solution (SAGE) including but not limited to accounts payable, accounts receivable, tournament payouts, fixed assets and general ledger
Manage the month-end and year-end close process, including review of balance sheet and statements of financial position schedules, bank reconciliations, and monthly costs
Oversee cash flow management including regular review of currency requirements; develop appropriate FX practices to effectively manage and mitigate currency exchange impact
Facilitate LET/LETAS player withholding tax calculations with promoters to ensure accurate payment/reporting in each jurisdiction
Lead the annual independent audit and ensure clear communication with auditors
Manage all international and UK tax reporting obligations including withholding and VAT filings
Review contractual obligations (revenues and costs) to ensure accurate management and reporting of financial obligations
Assist in negotiation of financial arrangements of supplier and sponsor contracts agreements
Oversee development of employee expense guidelines and expense reimbursement systems (Concur) and related compliance
Financial Statements & Reporting

Prepare monthly LEGV financial statements including department cost reporting; review variances with leaders to ensure adherence to budget and identify areas of concern or opportunity
Prepare financial statements and related presentation for LEGV Board meetings
Provide LEGV monthly financial statements to LPGA for broader consolidation within established deadlines; work collaboratively with LPGA team on providing updated forecasting and other reporting for LPGA Board/management presentations
Serve as key staff liaison for LEGV Finance Committee; coordinate meetings, prepare financial presentation and record minutes
Prepare special reports as requested by collecting, analysing, and summarising information and trends
Pay Services

Prepare monthly staff salaries in cooperation with third party payroll providers (UK and non-residents); ensure appointment of non-resident employees complies with UK law (including taxation)
Coordinate with third party provider on preparation of P45, P60 and P11Ds
Manage staff pension program with third party providers including monthly upload of pension obligation and auto enrolment requirements for eligible team members
Facilitate payment/administration of team benefits with applicable providers (health, life, income protection)
Accounting Systems

Maintain a good working knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and applicable laws and develop sound operational policies and procedures that foster efficiency and ensure compliance
Maintain appropriate systems of internal accounting controls to protect LEGV assets and financial systems
Directly oversee the performance, growth, and development of the Finance team
General

Maintain thorough understanding of the LEGV business operations and its varied relationships with promoters, sponsors, and members
Build close working relationship with LEGV department heads to understand contractual arrangements and operational obligations
Participate in special projects and assignments as requested


KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of major computerised general ledger systems. Sage 200 is considered a plus
Knowledge of Microsoft Office365, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams
Skilled in advanced level of Microsoft Excel, especially with Excel and database formulas and advanced Excel functions
Strong in written and oral communication
Strong organisational, prioritisation and time management skills to produce high quality deliverables within established deadlines
Strong analytical skills and ability to compile, organise, interpret, and communicate accounting data and results concisely
Initiative-taking, have excellent organisational skills, and perform efficiently
Ability and willingness to gain expertise and perform work in new areas
QUALIFICATIONS:

ACA, ACCA, or CIMA fully qualified required
Minimum of ten (10) years of accounting experience; corporate accounting experience preferred
Prior supervision and management of a finance or accounting team required
A demonstrable record of success / delivery in a changing and fast-paced environment
Self-confidence – ability to establish trust and credibility at all levels of the organisation
Commitment to maintaining high ethical standards and confidentiality of financial and other sensitive information consistent with moral, professional, and regulatory requirement
Personal qualities of integrity, credibility and a commitment to the LEGV’s mission and values
A consummate team player with a flexible, collaborative, and creative approach who can lead and empower teammates to contribute to their best
Salary: £80-90,000 base + bonus

Candidates wishing to apply should send their CV to retained consultant daryl.mason@hartmannmason.com Candidates should provide their current salary and salary expectations.

The LET welcomes applications from all sections of the community, regardless of age, race, colour, sex, marital status, religion, ethnic origin, nationality, disability or sexual orientation.

Closing date for applications: 25th April 2024

Finance Manager – LTA

The Finance Manager role itself is one of the two manager roles in Group Finance, which will report into the Head of Group Finance.

This position will have a broad range of accountabilities including but not limited to responsibility for treasury management of all LTA Group entities, foreign exchange, complex operational cash flow forecasting, loan book cash projections, day-to-day banking activity oversight, in-house banking facility(/facilities) expert, and monitoring of financial and regulatory compliance where relevant. The role will also be responsible for management of the accounts payable and receivable transactional team, the LTA’s insurance programme, and providing ad hoc project accounting support. This list is not exhaustive and will evolve over time. The Finance Manager will also play a key role in pro-actively identifying opportunities for, and driving the continuous development of, the Finance function through various projects and initiatives.

The role as Finance Manager is in essence about driving effective decision making, typically through best-in-class financial and risk planning. You will seek out opportunities to minimise cost while examining benefits and payback where appropriate, seek efficiency wherever possible, and drive value by ensuring activity is aligned to business strategy. You will have a pro-active approach and seek to be involved at the outset of all key projects to help enable effective conversations with senior management.

Key responsibilities:

  • Responsible for the operational and people management of the transactional processing team which includes one direct and three indirect reports, providing regular feedback and leadership.
  • Acting as the main point of contact for the LTA’s insurance programme, both internally and externally, while progressing renewal and / or remarketing options through liaison with external advisors as this arises. Responsible for ensuring the Finance Director and Chief Executive are informed of key changes and policies alongside key colleagues across the organisation. Key stakeholders include Board, Finance Director, Head of Group Finance, Chief Executive, Senior Managers, Legal, HR, Councillors and volunteers.
  • Responsible for cash flow forecasting, the development and review of all cash planning, and producing reports and guidance for inclusion in Board papers as required.
  • Responsible for being the treasury lead for the LTA Group to include preparation of treasury reporting and insight for the Finance Director, CEO, wider Executive team, LTA Board, and AELTC ensuring high quality information that is accurate, relevant and timely, and communicated and explained clearly to stakeholders across all levels of the organisation, including the production of relevant visuals and dashboards as required.
  • Key contact for the LTA’s investment portfolio responsible for initiating drawdowns from our accounts where necessary, provide monthly reporting of investments, and ensuring compliance with regulations in different regions.
  • Responsible for collecting coach, venue and hardship loan repayments, working with Commercial Finance and Property on any issues raised and reporting any non-payments.
  • Collaborate with the Head of Group Finance and Head of Commercial Finance to forecast the LTA Group reserves and produce analysis to relay to various boards and committees.
  • Responsible for ad hoc year end tasks in conjunction with the Group Finance function.
  • Conducting and completing reviews of outsourced providers and supplier contracts.
  • Preparation of relevant memos and / or supporting documentation, quantifying the benefits, making recommendations, co-ordinating all related follow up activity, investigating risks and opportunities, identifying savings to mitigate risks, all to ensure targets are achieved or improved on.
  • Being able to reliably show and report on the benefits of improved systems, processes, automations, behaviours, and decisions that drive improved outputs plus time and / or cost reductions.
  • Management of internal control integrity and ensuring that they are operated on a best practice basis.
  • Undertake such other duties as may be required from time to time as are consistent with the responsibilities of the post and the needs of the LTA.

Previous experience:

  • Able to influence key internal & external stakeholders across a number of different levels, with excellent interpersonal skills
  • Able to work independently and deliver on time and at a consistently high standard
  • Clear communicator with a critical eye for detail yet able to simplify the complex in communication
  • Commitment to problem-solving and improving processes, always anticipating the question, and looking for better ways of doing things
  • Ability to work with colleagues to ensure that there is a continued environment of creativity, shared opportunity and a culture of progressive and sustained improvement
  • Successfully driving strategic implementation through stakeholders and partners
  • Pro-active, flexible and fully engaged with a customer focussed mind-set
  • You will be ACA, CIMA or similarly qualified with at least three years post-qualification experience
  • Strong commercial/professional acumen gained at a fast paced, high demand business
  • Experience of using Unit4 desirable

Our Benefits

What we can offer you

We are proud of the range of benefits we can provide:

  • Retail discounts from brands including Adidas, Dunlop, Crew Clothing, AMC & many more
  • 25 days of annual leave
  • Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption, and shared parental leave
  • Free use of our Gym, Tennis & Padel courts and access to various sporting clubs upon joining
  • Priority access to our colleague ticket offers for all LTA Major Events, including Wimbledon
  • Eligible to participate in the LTA Annual Bonus Scheme, subject to meeting the set criteria in force at the time (depending on your role)
  • You will be eligible to receive life assurance cover up to the value of three times your basic annual salary (more depending on your role)
  • Private Healthcare cover
  • An Employee Assistance Programme that offers anonymous and confidential, emotional, and practical support 24/7 for you and your immediate family
  • Pension (up to 10% contribution from employer)
  • Cycle-to-Work scheme, eye care vouchers and season ticket loans
  • Free parking & bike racks at the National Tennis Centre, plus electric vehicle charging points
  • Staff lockers and discount on all food purchased at our Deuce Café
  • Social activities all year round which encourage you to get to know your fellow colleagues

Our Culture

The LTA, through its vision “Tennis Opened up”, is committed to creating a diverse environment where all colleagues feel included and a strong sense of belonging. We are proud to actively invite applications from all candidates who meet the essential criteria and can work in the UK. We commit that everyone will receive equal consideration for employment irrespective of your ethnicity, religion, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, age, any disability, marital or civil partnership status, and pregnancy or maternity status.

The LTA Tennis Foundation is a new tennis charity that partners with brilliant people and organisations to improve lives through tennis. It shares the LTA’s vision of ‘Tennis Opened Up’, and it wants to use our sport to make a real difference to people across the whole country. All LTA colleagues have the chance to get involved with the LTA TF, with some directly involved in delivering and leading its work.

To truly deliver our vision of “Tennis Opened up”, we believe it is critical that the LTA plays our part in contributing to a healthier and more sustainable society. We want to grow tennis in Britain, but do so in a responsible way, protecting and supporting the environment and working with everyone in the sport to tackle our climate impacts. We are committed to ensuring a lasting future for tennis in Britain, and our Environmental Sustainability Plan sets out how we will do this.

Accounts Retainable Supervisor – FA

The Role

The FA is looking for an Accounts Receivable Supervisor to:

  • Control and maintenance of all areas of the FA Group’s receivables ledgers and credit control/collection
  • Managing the annual Club Wembley season fee billing and collections process
  • Identifying and leading change to improve existing processes and controls where appropriate

The role will report directly into the Senior Financial Operations Manager and will manage a team of 3.

Key Accountabilities

Club Wembley:

Billing:

  • Plan and lead the annual billing of CW season fees including system input, reconciliations and distribution of invoices
  • Supervise ad hoc billing requirements for the CW membership including concert, option and bid events
  • Lead and supervise the process for offering Payment Plans to CW members including taking payments by monthly Direct Debit
  • Supervise and approve outgoing payments to CW members including seat and box resale and refunds etc.
  • Supervise the process of passing unpaid accounts to external solicitors
  • Supervise settlement and termination process of disputed or unpaid CW contracts
  • Monthly reporting of all outstanding debt and progress of the debt recovery team
  • Liaising with CW members as appropriate
  • Recruit, train and supervise a temporary debt recovery team during July and August to chase unpaid Season Fees

Credit Control:

  • Supervise and support the AR Co-ordinator in the billing and collection of debt for all Group receivables including commercial contracts, sponsorship, broadcasting, event income and ad hoc requirements
  • Supervise the preparation and distribution of monthly reporting and the month end closure process
  • Ensure there is a clear process in place to provide for bad debt
  • Liaising with internal and external legal teams regarding any disputed debt

People:

  • Supervise and development of the Accounts Receivable function comprising Credit Control and Club Wembley Finance
  • Oversight and management of the Debt Recovery (temporary team during July and August)
  • Build and manage the relationships with key stakeholders including: Club Wembley (IMG Sales and Account Management, Marketing, Operations), Legal (internal and external teams), Finance, IT, Commercial Business etc

Change:

  • Critically assess processes and lead improvement changes where appropriate

Other:

  • Executes additional tasks as required in order to meet FA Group changing priorities. The above list of job duties is not exclusive or exhaustive and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.
  • Comply with all company policies and procedures to ensure the highest standards of health, safety and wellbeing can be maintained.

What we are looking for

Essential

Experience

  • Experience in a membership/events environment
  • Customer Service experience, particularly over the phone
  • Accounts receivable experience

Technical Skills

  • Experience of leading and developing a team
  • Building and managing strong relationships both internally and with external organisations
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills
  • Extensive experience of Excel and manipulation of data
  • Proficient skills in Microsoft Office
  • Sound commercial judgement
  • Strong organisational and prioritisation skills

Desirable 

Knowledge

  • Relevant finance qualification such as qualified AAT or equivalent
  • Club Wembley product knowledge

Experience

  • Credit control experience
  • Billing experience

Technical Skills

  • Experience of Microsoft Dynamics CRM and Great Plains
  • Experience of using a ticketing system (e.g. Audience View)

What we can offer you

  • An exciting and challenging role within a changing, dynamic and world-renowned sports organisation.
  • Attractive benefits and a competitive salary.

Group Financial Controller – The Jockey Club

One Team: Group Financial Controller (12 month Fixed Term Contract)

Based at: High Holborn, London

Contract type: Fixed Term

Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday – Friday

The Jockey Club is looking to recruit an experienced Group Financial Controller to manage the group’s internal and external reporting processes, promote a best practice financial control and compliance culture, manage the Group’s shared finance centre and to provide analysis and insight for various group functions.

Role summary

The Jockey Club operates 15 racecourses nationwide including Cheltenham, Aintree, Epsom Downs, training grounds, The National Stud and Racing Welfare. The ideal candidate will have 7+ years PQ experience, strong technical and analytical skills, and excellent communication skills with the ability to distil complex financial information to a wide range of stakeholders.

Key responsibilities for this role include, but are not limited to:

  • Central control, consolidation and management of all aspects of Group reporting, including monthly management accounts process, annual Statutory accounts preparation, cash and net debt reporting tracking headroom against the JCR banking covenants, for reporting to Exec management and main Board. Preparation of management accounts of forecasts for head office functions.
  • Lead the Shared Finance function (Sales Ledger, Purchase Ledger, Treasury teams) in their development, implementing process improvement as identified and required and continuing its journey as a development ground for future finance talent across the Group. Build a culture of empowerment within that team. 
  • Head of Finance for Jockey Club Services, our outsourcing business. Responsible for pricing, contract reviews, client relationship, reporting.
  • Act as primary interface and co-ordination with the Group’s external auditors and tax advisers, to agree audit scope and procedures as well as timetable and ensure all audit deliverables including tax packs, are available in a timely manner.
  • Ownership of group chart of accounts and finance systems. Maintain strong financial controls across the group to preserve integrity of financial reporting and avoid unnecessary one off adjustments. Drive balance sheet reconciliations process and regular review of working capital movements as a priority.
  • Full ownership of the HMRC relationship for the Group. Main interface with HMRC for submission of all Group tax returns and management of VAT quarterly return processes, including MTD.
  • Responsibility for compliance with areas regulations such as CCO, SAO, off-payroll labour (IR35).
  • Working with the CFO to identify and evaluate alternative forms of structured finance for the business and optimizing the use of the Group’s assets. Transaction lead on future refinancing.
  • Actively participate and make a strong contribution to the Finance Leadership Team meetings and discussions on finance values, priorities and their implementation, as well as influencing Regional Finance Directors as appropriate.
  • Maintain and develop on-going processes of sharing and spreading best practice, with the rest of the Finance Leadership team, in all aspects of financial and management reporting.
  • Develop and maintain a strong working relationship with the CFO, Regional Finance Directors and Heads of Finance at Jockey Club Estates and the National Stud, as well as day-to-day various external stakeholders (Banks, HMRC, HBLB, JV partners, auditors).

We are looking for applications from candidates who can demonstrate the following:

  • A professional Finance qualification, ACA or ACCA certified
  • Advanced knowledge and operation of Excel functionality
  • Proven experience of working in a PQE role within a Group/matrix environment
  • Up-to-date technical skills and strong analytical capability
  • A proven track record as a self-starter, working with a wide range of stakeholders across the business, right up to CEO and Board level. The ability to set own agenda and work independently, balancing sometimes conflicting priorities
  • Strong leadership and management skills and a track record of developing both functional and management skills within a team.

Due to the requirement to travel to racecourses around the Group, the successful candidate will need to have a valid driving licence and access to a vehicle.

The closing date for applications is 20th June 2022. We reserve the right to bring this date forward should we receive a large volume of applications.