Job Purpose
Working closely with the College Head of Finance and College Director of Professional Services to lead on the development and setup of finance projects across the College that achieves value for money on all spend. To lead and provide a comprehensive, effective and efficient financial management, governance, support, challenge and direction. As a senior manager you will ensure the provision of a strategic, professional, effective and solution focused finance service is delivered and aligns to the achievement of the College's Strategy.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
1. Provide leadership and management to the College Finance Projects Team, to develop and oversee detailed business plans, projects and programmes of work to ensure College leaders are keeping in line with the strategic priorities.
2. To lead on establishing and embedding quality and performance standards within the team to develop and improve the capability of individuals in order to achieve an effective, efficient, and consistent financial project team delivering value-added across the College. Promote a continuous improvement approach, delivering a culture of ownership and accountability to enhance the service delivery, financial awareness and governance.
3. Working closely with the Head of College, Deputy Head of College, College Head of Professional Services and College Head of Finance to provide expert analysis to support decision making and development of College strategy. This will include sourcing, analysing and evaluating financial information from across the College / University, using insight and expertise to draw conclusions and make recommendations. Present findings and recommendations to inform and support strategic decision making at College Management Group, College Strategy Group and to external stakeholders.
4. To oversee and lead on project work within the College Finance team as requested by the Head of College, Deputy Head of College, College Head of Professional Services and College Head of Finance. This includes leading initiatives involving internal teams and external advisors to deliver strategic College wide projects related to process improvement and implementation of the University strategy.
5. To actively contribute and participate in project meetings and working groups to provide specialist financial support and advice to project boards as required, preparing detailed business cases and other analyses for senior management, challenging and testing the data provided and ensuring the accuracy and timeliness of reports.
6. To shape and lead the Finance Projects team in the implementation and maintenance of cost recovery models for Research Facilities. Provide effective leadership in the creation and oversight of financial models. Develop and maintain robust financial data and leverage to produce financial management information to senior leadership including identifying strategic action plans to ensure the return on investment. Identify and proactively mitigate the major strategic financial risks relating to Research Facilities. Establish a framework to review and maintain cost recovery models on an annual basis to ensure they deliver the college objectives.
7. Lead on the support and management of the College Capital plans. Working closely with the College Head of Facilities and College Estates Business Partner to ensure that Capital plans are completed and maintained on a regular basis. Responsible for providing financial oversight on costings, data, and leverage to present robust financial management information to senior leaders and identifying strategic action plans to ensure the return on investment.
8. To proactively participate fully in activities that support the University-wide finance community to make sure best practices, policies and procedures are being consistently applied to meet financial controls and compliance.
9. Deputise for College Head of Finance where relevant and undertake any other duties that may reasonably be required.
Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience
Knowledge/Qualifications
Essential
A1 Ability to demonstrate the necessary strategic competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary professional knowledge and leadership experience in a similar or number of different specialist roles, including being professionally qualified in relevant discipline, with a broad range of professional leadership experience in strategically important specialist areas
A2 Membership of a recognised CCAB accounting professional body
A3 Strong evidence of continuing professional development relevant to the role
A4 Comprehensive knowledge of strategic planning, budgets and forecasts
Desirable
B1 Post-graduate qualification in a relevant discipline
B2 Knowledge of financial governance and regulation in the HE sector
Skills
Essential
C1 Excellent leadership and management skills
C2 High level influencing and interpersonal skills, able to quickly build credibility and deliver impact at all levels
C3 Ability to create an environment of accountability for results and actions
C4 Strategic thinker, ability to develop strategy and policy and implement effectively
C5 Ability to drive forward and deliver change in line with strategic and operational objectives and priorities
C6 Ability to constructively challenge the status quo, influence change and present arguments based on sound professional judgement and expertise
C7 Proven strong commercial awareness with a clear understanding of key business drivers and the ability to quickly understand the strategic corporate agenda in order to work effectively in partnership with senior managers
C8 Well-developed report writing and presentation skills with the ability to present and translate comprehensive and often complex information and financial concepts for non-financial and senior colleagues
C9 Outstanding and proven analytical and problem solving skills with the ability to make well-considered decisions, resolve conflicts and demonstrate sound, professional judgement
C10 A self-motivated individual with the ability to work effectively under pressure and to tight timescales with an aptitude for prioritising and managing competing demands
C11 Advanced skills in the use of industry standard and specialist financial and accounting software packages including Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint
Experience
Essential
E1 Extensive post-qualification project accounting experience preferably within Higher Education sector
E2 Demonstrable experience of working with and influencing across all levels of an organisation including senior management operating in a political or highly complex environment – providing direction, delivering results, building on relationships and capability and demonstrating personal resilience
E3 Extensive experience of building robust business cases with non-financial professionals and presenting these at board level
E4 Proven experience of working as a key member of a multidisciplinary team, providing financial leadership, support and challenge
E5 Proven experience of successfully contributing to continuous financial process improvement and change with demonstrable operational and financial efficiencies delivered
E6 Experience of developing innovative solutions and practical implementations for strategic change
E7 Proven project management experience, providing leadership, innovative thinking and delivery against set objectives and timelines
Informal enquiries are welcome and should be directed to Stuart McDonald, Head of Finance (MVLS), [email protected]
Terms and Conditions
Salary will be Grade 9, £57,696 - £64,914 per annum.
This post is full time and open ended. Relocation assistant will be provided where appropriate.
As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.
As a valued member of our team, you can expect:
1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.
2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https: // www. gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.
3 A flexible approach to working.
4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University https: // www. gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.
We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https: // www. gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.
We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https: // www. gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.
We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https: // www. gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.
Vacancy Ref : 150510 Close Date : 15-Aug-2024 23:45