Deputy Head of Finance (Membership Records)

USDAW

About the Organisation

Usdaw is one of Britain's largest Trade Unions with over 360,000 members nationwide. Usdaw members work in a variety of occupations and industries, including shopworkers, factory and warehouse workers, drivers, call centre workers, clerical workers, insurance agents, milkround and dairy process workers, butchers and meat packers, catering, laundries, chemical processing, home shopping and pharmaceutical.

About the role

To manage and direct the work of the membership records team within the Finance Department, including all aspects of Union membership data and payments, ensuring all functions are administered effectively and efficiently.

Responsibilities

Principal Accountabilities:

• Manage and direct the work of the team to deliver membership and financial services to the Union in a timely, accurate, and efficient manner and in compliance with Union rules and relevant legislation.
• Leadership and team management:
  • Provide clear direction, support, and coaching to the team.
  • Set expectations, monitor performance, and hold individuals accountable in a fair and consistent manner.
  • Motivate the team, build capability, and create a culture of responsibility, accuracy, and continuous improvement.
  • Delegate effectively, ensuring workloads are balanced and development opportunities are shared.
  • Manage staffing issues, including absence, conduct, training, and recruitment.
  • Encourage collaborative working across the organisation.
• Provide regular, timely, and accurate reporting on membership to senior management and the wider organisation.
• Advise senior management and the wider organisation on matters relating to membership and the operation of the Union's Rule Book.
• Oversee the implementation of changes to Union rules in respect of membership or benefits matters, for example, membership contribution increases.
• Manage the complaints procedure in respect of membership or financial matters.
• Liaise with ICT to ensure the effective operation of all technology in use by the team and the wider organisation for the purpose of maintaining membership data.
• Develop and enhance processes to deliver the best experience for members by reviewing operations and systems and utilising new technologies to make improvements.
• Act as a main point of contact for external auditors supporting the successful delivery of the Union's annual statutory financial and membership audits, reconciling data and providing supporting documentation, responding to audit queries promptly and implementing audit recommendations and improvements.

Planning and Organising:

• Work within the Union's policies, procedures, and governance framework.
• Manage competing priorities, balancing urgent requests with routine deadlines.
• Demonstrate strong personal accountability, taking ownership of the performance of the team.
• Build positive working relationships across all levels of the Union and externally.
• Maintain strict confidentiality in all finance matters.
• Lead by example and role-model the Union's values, supporting the development and delivery of the Union's strategic objectives.

Essential Internal and External Work Relationships:

• Central Treasurer
• Union's Senior Management team
• Finance Department Management Team
• Staff in the Finance Department
• Staff in the Union's regional offices
• Managers and staff in the Union's other Head Office departments
• External contacts include company payroll teams, software providers, bankers, external auditors, professional advisors, and others.

Skills, Competencies, Experience & Attributes

Knowledge:

• Detailed understanding of Union rules relating to the admission or cessation of membership, political membership, and entitlement to benefits.
• An understanding of staff management, training, and development.
• Strong understanding of data management principles and data protection legislation, and its application.
• Knowledge of Usdaw processes and procedures relating to:
  • Usdaw membership.
  • Usdaw benefits and services.
  • Employer deduction schemes.
  • Management information systems.
• An understanding of the aims and objectives of Usdaw and the Trade Union Movement.

Skills:

• Leadership and people management, including delegation and coaching.
• Ability to motivate teams and build a positive culture.
• Strong organisational, planning, and prioritisation skills.
• Ability to analyse information, identify issues, and develop solutions.
• Clear communication and relationship-building.
• Confidence in managing multiple priorities and meeting deadlines.
• Strong judgment, initiative, and problem-solving skills.
• Advanced Excel and membership systems proficiency.

Behaviours:

• High attention to detail with a commitment to accuracy and integrity.
• Demonstrates strong personal accountability and ownership.
• Fair, consistent, and confident in decision-making.
• Motivational leadership style that empowers others.
• Proactive, solution-focused, and able to lead through change.
• Maintains confidentiality and professionalism at all times.

Compensation & Benefits

• Defined contribution pension.
• Generous holiday entitlement 24 days rising to 32 days plus bank and customary holidays (pro-rata to commencing month in holiday year and number of days a week worked).
• Free onsite parking, subject to availability.
• Cycle to Work Scheme (subject to passing probation and length of contract).
• Season Ticket Loan (subject to length of contract).
• Free health assessments (post probation).

Conditions of employment

• You must have the right to work in the UK.

Working locations

• Head Office, Salford Quays, M50 3XZ, United Kingdom
• The postholder will be required to live within 50 miles of Head Office. Overnight stays may be required.

How to apply

• An application pack can be downloaded from. Alternatively, please e-mail [email protected] or telephone the HR Section on 0161 413 0904, quoting Ref: 953.
• All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.  Please note that CVs will not be accepted, and we can only accept emailed applications in Word or PDF format. No agencies, please.

Interviews

• Please note that it is the Union's policy not to give external candidates feedback after not being shortlisted for an interview.

Policies

Usdaw is an equal opportunities employer committed to treating all employees and job applicants with dignity and respect. A copy of the Equal Opportunities Policy is included in the application pack.

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