Head of Financial Planning & Analysis
Posted 4 days 4 hours ago by Durham University
Permanent
Full Time
Banking & Financial Services Jobs
England, United Kingdom
Job Description
We welcome applications from candidates with disabilities, neurodiversity and long-term health conditions, and we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process.
We will make adjustments to support the recruitment and interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, adjustments will be made to support people within their role.
If you are unable to complete your application via our recruitment system or would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments to support you in the application process, please get in touch with us on
Job Description Head of Financial Planning & Analysis ()
Department: Finance
Open-Ended/Permanent - Full Time
Working Arrangements: Hybrid
Closing Date 02-Nov-2025, 3:59:00 PM
Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement: Not Applicable.
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 for the Role
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.
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
We will make adjustments to support the recruitment and interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, adjustments will be made to support people within their role.
If you are unable to complete your application via our recruitment system or would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments to support you in the application process, please get in touch with us on
Job Description Head of Financial Planning & Analysis ()
Department: Finance
Open-Ended/Permanent - Full Time
Working Arrangements: Hybrid
Closing Date 02-Nov-2025, 3:59:00 PM
Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement: Not Applicable.
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 for the Role
- 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.
- 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.
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.
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
- Professionally qualified accountant (ACCA/CIMA or equivalent). . click apply for full job details