Head of Finance and Operations, Switzerland

Description

The Head of Finance & Operations (Switzerland) is responsible for managing all financial matters across ISP’s two schools in Geneva (British School of Geneva and Ecole Mosaic), together with the relationship between the schools and the outsourcing company responsible for the transactional accounting, billing and payroll (FIEF).

The role will report directly into the Principals of the two schools, with a dotted line to the Regional Finance Director – Europe. The role is the main finance point of contact for BSG/Mosaic for the ISP Europe Region.

The role will also support the Principals at both schools to drive revenue growth and profitability, improve margins through the more efficient use of resources and better procurement.

Direct reports: Purchasing Officer at Mosaic and FIEF.

British School of Geneva

The British School of Geneva (BSG) offers the cohesive English National Curriculum from Reception through to A-Levels. Open to students of all origins and educational backgrounds, there are currently over 70 nationalities represented, and this extraordinary diversity enriches lessons, perspectives and friendships.

Class sizes are limited to a maximum of 18 students (maximum 14 in A-Level classes) so that teachers can tailor lessons to suit individual learning needs.

Mosaic School

Mosaic School, in Geneva, Switzerland, was found in 2004, starting with 40 students aged 3 to 6, and gradually building up to reach 320 students today, with an expansion plan to reach 450 students aged 2,5 to 12 by 2025.

Mosaic is well-respected within the Swiss and international community. In a world where migration – voluntary or imposed – becomes normality, Mosaic school aims at making children aware of the richness of our differences and prepares them from the very beginning of their school experience, to develop an in-depth knowledge of their own culture as well as of those they will be in contact with. Mosaic has therefore created an environment where multiculturalism is praised as an asset, taught as a subject, and where understanding and therefore adaptation to an ever-changing world is part of everyday school culture.

About ISP

The International Schools Partnership (ISP) is creating a leading learning-centered international family of private schools around the world, all of which aim to be the school of choice in their local area. Learning is at the heart of everything we do for our students, colleagues, and parents. We are committed to getting better, all the time.

ISP was founded by an experienced team of committed educationalists and operators who have worked together over many years. The group has grown rapidly over the past 7 years and is now one of the largest schools’ groups globally and currently has over 62 schools, operating in 16 countries, structured into 8 regions, delivering multiple curricula, and building on local brands and reputations, with ambitions to be 75-100 schools, within 5 years.  With over 50,000 students and 7,500 staff, it is a complex group and one which is growing very rapidly both through investment in its existing schools, opening new schools and through acquiring schools.

Main responsibilities:

Core Finance

• Manage the relationship with FIEF to ensure the general ledgers and financial statements are complete and accurate.
• Work with FIEF to manage the accounts payables, accounts receivables and the invoicing functions of the schools efficiently.
• Update and enhance the financial policies and procedures of the schools and maintain a documented system of policies and procedures.
• Ensure general ledger reconciliations including deferred income and relevant Balance Sheet accounts are performed.
• Liaise with banks, audit, legal and tax providers as necessary. Comply with government reporting requirements and tax filings.
• Maintain the fixed asset register by supervising the recording of all items in the inventory, maintaining pertinent records, and ensuring adequate treatment of fixed asset acquisitions and disposals.
• Ensure the schools always have adequate insurance cover.

Financial Planning & Analysis

• Ensure the timely and accurate reporting of all monthly and annual financial information including KPI reporting. This will involve extracting Trial Balances from FIEF and submitting them to the region.
• Manage the production of the annual budget and forecasts.
• Prepare monthly budget variance reports and work with the Principals on corrective actions to ensure the budgets are met.
• Provide financial analysis for decision support including capital investments, pricing decisions, and contract negotiations.

Operational & Commercial Support

Undertake such other reasonable responsibilities and tasks that may, from time to time, be assigned by the Principals and the Finance Director – Europe.

Candidate Profile

• The successful candidate will need to have a minimum 5 years’ accounting and finance operational experience in a commercial environment. They will be a self-starter who uses initiative, can manage a varied workload, is deadline driven and has the commitment to seeing a change process through from start to finish.

1. Chartered accountant or equivalent
2. Strong technical accounting skills including a good knowledge of IFRS
3. Strong budgeting/forecasting experience
4. Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships at senior levels of the school and wider organisation and influence key stakeholders
5. Excellent written and verbal communication and influencing skills
6. Flexibility, multi-tasking mindset and an ability to deal with shifting priorities
7. Comfortable managing a variety of financial (group and regional finance, bank, auditors, tax etc) and non-financial stakeholders (school teams, parents, etc)
8. Advanced Excel skills
9. Demonstrable understanding of working with information systems and implementing ERPs
10. Experience in the education industry is desirable but not required
11. Fluent in written and spoken English
12. Fluent in written and spoken French is desirable

Safeguarding & Safer Recruitment

ISP is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All post holders are subject to appropriate vetting procedures and satisfactory Criminal Background Checks or equivalent covering the previous 10 years employment history.