Vacancies at the Science Council
Finance and Corporate Services Executive
Salary: £24,000 per annum
Reporting to: Corporate Services and Governance Manager
Working Hours: 9am – 5pm, 5 days per week. Flexible working options can be considered
Contract: Permanent
Location: Flexible between the Science Council’s central London office (71 Central Street, London, EC1V 8AB) and home working.
Do you have a background in Finance and Corporate Services? We are looking for a Finance and Corporate Services Executive who will play a key role in furthering the work of the Science Council as a membership body supporting learned societies and professional bodies in the advancement of science and its applications.
About the Role:
The role will be the first point of contact for the Science Council with suppliers and contractors and support the Governance and Corporate Services Manager to ensure the smooth running of the organisations financial and corporate services function.
You will be responsible for being the main point of contact in finance for suppliers, ensuring transactions are executed, manage the finance inbox, work with teams to ensure correct invoicing, lead on pay run and payroll processes, annual budget setting process support and internal compliance, as well as other financial administration tasks. You will be response for developing corporate systems and processes, manage enquiries and calls and work with the Governance and Corporate Services Manager to research and develop other projects.
About You:
The ideal candidate will have experience of working in a finance and corporate services role, ideally in the charity sector. You will be able to work to deadlines, anticipate and resolve problems and monitor progress effectively. You’ll have excellent communication skills, ability to take responsibility and deliver results and success in working as part of a team to deliver objectives. Proficiency in MS Office suite of applications is necessary, in particular Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
It is important that the ideal candidate is highly organised with the ability to stay calm and work under pressure and is highly organised. It is important the candidate value and commit to an inclusive approach that values diversity across the team.
What we offer:
The Science Council offer 25 days holiday, plus bank holidays and Christmas closure as well as 5% Science Council pension contribution.
The Science Council can also provide an interest-free travel ticket and are open to discussing flexible working.
Application:
To apply, please review the full application pack. Please submit an up to date CV and covering letter via our online application form outlining your suitability for the role according to the job description and person specification.
Please apply early as we may bring the closing date forward should we receive a high volume of applications.
Closing date for applications: 29 May 2023
Interviews: 16 June 2023
Work Experience
The Science Council welcomes inquiries regarding work placements for students and those looking to expand their skill set.
If you would like to gain work experience with us, please contact Oli O’Hanlon with an expression of interest and your CV.
Volunteering
If you are a registered scientist and would like to volunteer for us we are keen to welcome Assessors or Registrant Champions. If you would like to volunteer with us working in the Science Council office please email us with your CV and a covering note explaining what sort of experience you would welcome.
Board & Trustee FAQs
The role of the Board of Trustees is to:
- ensure that the Science Council has a clear strategic focus
- ensure that the Science Council fulfills its charitable objectives
- ensure that the Science Council complies with its legal and regulatory requirements
- act as guardians of the charity’s assets, both tangible and intangible, and ensure the financial stability of the organisation
- monitor and hold management to account
The Charity Commission, our Royal Charter and Bylaws, our Trustee Role Description and our Trustee Code of Conduct set out the responsibilities of trustees.
Trustees serve for an initial three-year term.
There are normally four board meetings per year, held quarterly and set around the charity’s financial reporting cycle. Board meetings last approx. 3 hours.
In addition to formal meetings, trustees may also be required to serve on individual board subcommittees, working groups or be invite to represent the Science Council at external meetings and events.
Trustees are expected to attend the Annual General Meeting, which is normally held in June or July.
It is every applicant's responsibility to receive consent from their employer, if necessary, that it is willing to release the applicant for the time commitments involved.
Anyone can become a trustee of the Science Council as long as they have the energy and commitment for the role.
It is worthy noting that sixty percent of Elected Trustees will come from Member Bodies. They will be either members or employees. Up to 40% of Elected Trustees will come from outside the membership and must not be employees or members of Member Bodies.
Trustees are elected by our Member Bodies, with each Member having one vote. Ballot forms containing the name and other relevant details of candidates for election are sent to every Member Body of the Science Council at least four weeks prior to the date of the Annual General Meeting.
The Board values diversity and actively encourages applications from a wide range of backgrounds and roles to stand for election. in 2023, the Board is interested to hear from people with expertise in the following areas:
- Parliamentary/Government contacts
- Management or leadership of scientists in industry.
- Marketing/brand awareness.
- Equity, equality, diversity and inclusion
It is not necessary to have previous board/trustee experience as support will be provided. All you need is to have the interest, time and energy to commit to the role.
Applicants will be asked to provide details of their current post and summary of their career to date; a personal statement; a summary of their suitability to join the Board, and an up-to-date photo. This information will be circulated to Member Bodies to provide them with the necessary information to make a decision on your suitability for the role.
Applications will open on 30th January and close on 31st March.
Voting will open in early June, with the results announced at the Annual General Meeting on 12th July.
After the application deadline, the Nominations Committee will review the applications received against the Board's skills requirements. The Committee will then make a recommendation to the Board, which will then put forward candidates to election.
New trustees are expected to participate in trustee induction sessions. This will include meeting with the Chief Executive, Governance Manager and the Chair of the Board.
New trustees will also be invited to attend Board committees to get a better understanding of the work they do in support of the Board. Throughout their term of office, trustee's are encouraged to undertake training, and attend conferences and events to equip them with the knowledge needed to discharge their duties.
If you would like more information on becoming a trustee please contact Oli O’Hanlon.