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Description

Chatham House, the Royal Institute of International Affairs, is one of the world's leading independent policy institutes with a reputation for tackling the hardest problems of international relations that stretches back more than a century. Based in London with a global outreach, we aim to help build a secure, sustainable, prosperous and just world. We pursue our mission through convening meetings and speakers, private dialogue, world leading analysis and solutions-based ideas, and look to help the next generation as well in building a better world.

Our 14 research programmes and initiatives deliver world-class research and convening on the critical issues in international affairs, including democracy, multilateralism and international law, the environment, global economic trends, peace and security. As the institute enters its second century, it faces unprecedented interest in its themes and work and potential for more influence but also challenges to its income and new pressure on its costs. It is also a moment, after years of rapid growth, when we need to consolidate and simplify our internal organisation and take a clear, strategic look at our priorities and the balance between costs and income (which includes donations, grants and memberships).

We seek a highly skilled and motivated Finance Project Manager to join our team and lead the process mapping and analysis for implementing a new accounting system. As the Project Manager, you will play a critical role in mapping existing financial processes, identifying areas for improvement, and ensuring a seamless transition to the new accounting system to be implemented in the first half of 2024.

You will act as a valued business partner across the organisation, driving pragmatic and simple solutions to complexity. The right person is someone who is comfortable business partnering at all levels, able to business partner and influence while also working independently, and understands the third sector and what makes Chatham House unique. The ideal person must have experience of finance system implementation and an understanding of financial accounting.

We are an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and do not discriminate based on protected characteristics. We encourage applications from all backgrounds. If there is anything we can do to improve your experience or support you, please get in touch at [email protected].

Principal Responsibilities

Delivery

• Deliver a new finance system to Chatham House within agreed budget and timeframes that provides accurate and swift ongoing reporting and is compliant.
• Conduct a comprehensive assessment of the organisation's existing financial processes across the organisation within multiple teams. Processes will include budgeting, invoicing, purchasing, tracking and reporting to create detailed process maps covering all the financial processes taking place within the organisation.
• Provide analysis of current processes identifying bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and opportunities for automation and optimisation make and oversee implementation of recommendations.
• Through a clearly outlined project plan, ensure the implementation of each milestone, coordinate build; test sessions; launch and snagging.
• Liaise with suppliers ensuring good, timely and cost effective service from them.
• Monitor the project budget, ensuring cost-effectiveness and adherence to financial constraints. Create regular reports and share these with key stakeholders (ELT Project lead, Chief Operating Officer, Finance Director or Head of Finance).
• Reporting and Documentation: Maintain accurate and up-to-date project documentation, progress reports, and financial analysis to provide clear insights to stakeholders and leadership.

People

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including (but not limited to) finance, research finance, IT, programme teams, budget holders and new third-party SAAS suppliers, to ensure smooth communication and alignment throughout the project.
• Build trusted relationships with key individuals, actively listening and providing effective solutions.

Strategy

• Risk management of the project, ensuring all potential risks and challenges of the processes and project implementation are understood along with mitigations and appetite for risk documented.
• Ensure any new system works alongside current systems utilised by the organisation.
• Align the project with the Chatham House strategy, supporting the delivery of our overall objectives.

Requirements

Skills and Experience:

You must have/are:

• Experience of finance system implementation.
• Experience working in the third sector.
• Working knowledge of all major business financial processes including purchase ledgers, sales, trial balances, profit and loss statements, balance sheets, monthly and yearly accounts as well as statutory accounts.
• Experience of implementing finance system projects and experience with MS Dynamics is highly advantageous. Experience of SAP Concur, and Great Plains is also helpful.
• Demonstrated project management skills, including project planning, execution, and risk management—demonstrable ability to work with an agile methodology.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities to assess complex financial processes and propose simplified and actionable improvements.
• Excellent communication, negotiating and influencing skills to collaborate effectively with diverse teams.
• Detail-oriented with a focus on accuracy and data integrity.

Desirable:

• Background as an accountant or financial analyst

Benefits

Benefits include approximately 37 days annual leave (including public holidays and Chatham House closure days), pension salary exchange, employee assistance programme, parental leave, flexible working and other benefits designed to suit your lifestyle. All of this, in a professional, engaging and intellectually stimulating environment.

Salary: £60,000 - £70,000 per year.

Contract: 8 months fixed-term. We are happy to consider full-time and part-time options.

Location: Hybrid (Office/Home), minimum 3 days in the office per week.

Closing Date: Monday 2 October 2023. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the closing date may be brought forward if needed. We encourage early application. You will be notified of the status of your application within 4 weeks of the role closing.

If you would like to discuss a consultancy, please email [email protected].

Please note: The Job Description as outlined above will not be available once the closing date has passed. Please ensure you keep a copy for your own records.