Head of Financial Planning & Analysis

Consortium of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Voluntary and Community Organisations Limited; North East; On-site; GBP 60,000 - GBP 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK university is seeking a Finance Digital Strategy Leader to oversee the development of financial data strategies. This senior role involves collaborating with technical teams to enhance reporting processes and apply tools like Power BI for informed decision-making. The successful candidate will lead a small reporting team and will be pivotal in integrating financial data into broader institutional strategies. An exciting opportunity to shape the future of financial reporting and data usage within a prestigious university.

Benefits

30 days annual leave plus public holidays

Generous pension scheme

Health and wellbeing support

Qualifications

• Experience enhancing financial budgeting using data warehouse solutions.
• Track record of cross-functional management experience.
• Commitment to professional development for maintaining recognition.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of reporting structures for financial and non-financial data.
• Influence improvements to budgeting and forecasting processes.
• Champion a culture of data fluency across the organization.

Skills

Excellent spoken and written communication skills

Strong digital competence across apps including PowerBI

Ability to solve problems and plan solutions

Education

Professionally qualified accountant (ACCA/CIMA or equivalent)

Tools

Power BI

SQL

Oracle Fusion

Job description

Overview

Leading the Finance Digital Strategy at Durham University. Senior-level leadership and data expertise role. Collaboration with Business Intelligence and CIS teams. Developing financial data systems, processes, and insights. Influencing budgeting, forecasting, and data strategy.

The University

At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally. Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally.

We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here.

Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Information Page.

The Role and the Department

This key role is new within the University and is responsible for the vision, direction, objectives and timelines to drive the Finance Digital Strategy. The position will provide senior-level leadership and data expertise, supporting the Reporting team and working collaboratively with our skilled wider Business Intelligence and CIS teams. We need a confident communicator who can translate technical analysis into clear business narratives and provide project management and oversight to drive success.

This role is all about shaping the way the University uses financial data to grow. You’ll have the ability to influence and design systems, processes, and insights that directly influence the University’s continued success, while building a culture where data is integral to decision-making. There are a number of imminent key projects which you will be able to direct and shape, as well as oversee the development, maintenance and continuous improvement of the tools and processes once in place. You will work at all levels of the organisation, collaborating with senior management but also selling your vision and objectives to wider colleagues.

An existing reporting team, consisting of 2 FTE, will be reporting into you and work alongside you to achieve your objectives. This is a critical, exciting yet challenging role and one which you will be able to own and shape in order to meet the University’s need for enhanced financial data and decision-making in its changing and complex external environment.

Key Objectives

• Leading on the development of reporting structures and software platforms that combine financial and non-financial data and spearheading the use of PowerBI and Microsoft Fabric as key data tools for financial analysis and performance understanding.
• Leading on the improvements to the University’s budgeting and forecasting processes using new platforms as required together with the embedding of existing tools and methodologies.
• Leading the development of data strategy, reporting frameworks, and insight tools that empower teams to make informed, data-led decisions.
• Working closely with technical teams to transform raw data into accessible and meaningful outputs through the creation, maintenance and continuous improvement of a Finance data lakehouse.
• Building dashboards, reports, and data visualisations that translate numbers into stories and opportunities that drive decision making and continuous improvement to processes.
• Partnering with the Head of Business Intelligence to deliver the strategic planning and delivery of data services, analytics and knowledge management, data-driven decision-making cultural change and data policy as affects Finance.
• Acting as the bridge between technical specialists, Finance senior management and budget holders, making sure data and assumptions used are both reliable and relevant.
• Championing a culture of data fluency across the organisation by coaching teams and promoting self-service reporting.
• Provide expert strategic data insight and intelligence leadership and advice into the digital service and wider University, including strategic digital programmes.
• Engage with Finance and wider University teams to actively promote the value of high-quality data and the skills to best utilise information; to improve the timely, accurate recording of data and ownership of information to provide first class insightful valued analysis.

Working at Durham

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University:

• You’ll receive 30 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year. The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
• We offer a generous pension scheme, and as a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have ample parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. You can also take advantage of our cost-effective and environmentally friendly Tusker Car Benefit Scheme, allowing you to lease a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle with savings on tax and National Insurance.
• We have a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
• We provide wide-ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
• Our family-friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
• We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community.
• You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions.
• Various salary sacrifice schemes are also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.
• If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs, and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest-free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.
• Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion

Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

Person Specification

What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification

When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description. Where a criteria has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.

Qualifications/Experience

1. Professionally qualified accountant (ACCA/CIMA or equivalent).
2. Professional practitioner with specialist technical and financial knowledge and expertise to drive the development and efficient use of reporting tools and data recording solutions.
3. Experience of enhancing financial budgeting and forecasting processes through the use and development of data warehouse, Power BI, SQL and implementation of planning and analytics systems.
4. Experience of participating in internal or external networks to share and discuss good practice, develop strong and productive working relationships and positively influence the University’s reputation.
5. Experience of enhancing the decision-making of the organisation at a senior level through the production of accurate and detailed reporting solutions.
6. Track record of cross-functional management and development experience and/or an enhanced management qualification applied across a large service team or teams.

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge

1. Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.
2. Strong digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps including PowerBI, Oracle Fusion and EPM, Microsoft Office and Fabric.
3. Committed to continuing professional development to maintain professional recognition.
4. Extensive knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines.
5. Ability to contribute to planning at operational and strategic levels.
6. Ability to solve problems and decide on and plan appropriate solutions.

How to apply

To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria. Please don’t forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above).

Submitting your application

We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.

What you need to submit

• A CV: and
• A supporting statement which outlines how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification.

Contact details

For a chat about the role or any further information please contact Will Argyle, Assistant Director (Financial Planning & Reporting): [e-mail]

Leadership and Team Development

Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and the University’s values. Oversee and manage professional and regulatory standards and policies relating to accounting standards and financial control processes. Use your leadership and management expertise to implement any significant changes in the optimal way, in collaboration with other senior managers and specialists. Lead on the development of new areas of work or activities including scoping, planning and implementing any changes to achieve the outcomes expected by senior colleagues. Look for innovative ways to continually improve the services provided to your stakeholders. Develop and implement new or improved policies, processes and standards. Support quality and regulatory audits to ensure that systems and processes are operating in an optimal and compliant way. Meet the professional development needs of your stakeholders by ensuring that a programme of training and learning activities is designed and delivered. Provide specialist insight that enables data-driven decisions to be made about financial reporting, analysis and service delivery.

Planning and Organisation

Use your expertise to help develop strategic plans and business plans that cover a wide range of operational activities. Define what needs to be achieved so that other colleagues can scope, plan and implement large-scale/University-wide initiatives such as the Data Strategy and new tools to aid decision making and analysis. Ensure your services are performing at the optimal level by setting clear standards and introducing measurable performance indicators. Use your leadership expertise to help project teams understand what needs to be achieved, solve any problems that are encountered and keep implementation plans on track. Allocate and monitor designated budgets, expenditure and resources.

Leadership and Team Development

Set operational and strategic objectives and use your leadership and management skills, to develop the people in your team(s) and ensure high standards of performance. Help shape the skills and expertise needed to deliver a professional service by recruiting, inducting and training team members and structuring your team(s) in a way that will best meet operational and strategic priorities. Ensure that your team can deliver the required services by delegating responsibilities to appropriate team members and considering succession plans. Carry out regular performance reviews with colleagues to provide feedback on objectives and identify any development needs. Handle most HR issues and support the welfare and wellbeing of your team, taking advice on more complex issues from specialist services or senior managers. Lead internal and external meetings and committees to influence University policy, standards and governance. Build and lead an influential network of internal and external contacts to increase your knowledge and skills, swap information with peers and use that information to improve and develop decision-making and financial analysis. Identify opportunities to build relationships with external organisations to support the delivery of strategic-level objectives. Research new approaches being taken by internal and external stakeholders so that you can take these insights into account. Design and deliver a programme of professional development activities to your stakeholders to support their development and information needs.

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