WANTED – Deputy Treasurer

Downright Excellent’s mission is to enable children with Down syndrome to maximise their potential. We passionately believe that all our children have skills and talents that should be celebrated and developed to support them to be the best that they can be. We deliver a range of interventions and support to both children with Down syndrome and their families in Greater London.

We are seeking a deputy treasurer to join our board as we navigate our way through the challenges presented by the current Covid-19 crisis, and plan for the future.

A bit about this role

Our volunteer deputy treasurer will work closely with our treasurer to maintain the finances of our charity, ensuring our funds are spent in the most effective way. Working with the wider trustee team, you will also contribute to overall governance, our fundraising strategy and fundraising initiatives.

What can you expect to be doing?

Working closely with our treasurer and small finance team you will help us to:

• Make sure appropriate finance processes are in place
• As part of the finance team, assist in:
  • preparing budgets and financial reports, and in presenting these to the Board
  • ensuring accurate financial records are kept
  • ensuring that DEx’s financial resources meet our needs now and in the future
  • managing and monitoring income and expenditure
• As a trustee and working with all DEx’s trustees:
  • give firm strategic direction, set overall policy, define goals and evaluate performance
  • understand DEx finances and charity finance and make sure we are using our resources properly
  • make sure that DEx meets its duties under charity and other relevant laws and regulations
  • help DEx to continue growing and operating as a business that offers top quality professional services.

What are the benefits to you?

You will share your skills, expand your knowledge and make a significant contribution to improving the lives of children with Down syndrome and their families and to developing DEx. You will also meet great people, enjoy working in a different context and be part of an energetic and committed board of trustees.

We’re looking for someone who…

• has experience of accounting or finance (ideally but not necessarily in a charity) and good Excel skills
• are prepared to put extra time into learning about charity finance from the start if they have little or no previous experience
• can collect and present information clearly and logically
• is confident using IT systems
• has good written and verbal communication skills
• can use their own initiative and has good, independent judgment
• is willing to speak their mind and join in discussions
• can show us their drive and passion to support our work
• has around 8 hours per month to contribute

DEx is committed to promoting equality and diversity and it is embedded in all we do. Our goal is to build a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills and reflects the diverse DEx community. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.

Time expectation

We need you to spend around 8 hours a month in this role. More hours may be required for other tasks at certain times, such as specific fundraising initiatives. The Board meets at least 6 times a year for around two and a half hours, with one longer strategy day per year, and 3 topic-based workshops.

How to apply

To find out more about DEx, please visit our website at www.downrightexcellent.org/news

To apply, please send your CV or an informal summary of your experience and a covering letter telling us why this role at DEx attracts you to Ann Reynard, DEx CEO at ann@downrightexcellent.com cc gemma@lovegovernance.com

Interviews for suitable candidates will take place as their applications are received, with an appointment made when we find the right person.