Finance Business Partner

The Post

This is a senior role operating in the Finance Office and reporting directly to the Head of Financial Planning. This role will involve working directly with senior colleagues, delivering insightful financial guidance, planning and decision support to the business objectives of the University. The post-holder will be an experienced finance business partner who will work with leadership teams across the University to deliver professional finance and accounting advice, as well as proactive and value add finance support to inform decision making.

The post-holder will be business focused, highly analytical and aware of the sector and risk environment in which the University operates. In addition to traditional accounting strengths, strong commercial awareness and the ability to challenge stakeholders are highly desirable qualities.

With demonstrable skills and experience of working in a busy finance environment you will be able to contribute to the wide range of activities undertaken by finance professionals including financial accounting, management accounting and business development. Experience in developing and implementing business and financial strategies would be preferable, you will be a professionally qualified accountant.

As the role may involve liaising with external stakeholders as well as senior members of the University's staff it is important that the post-holder is able to build and maintain good stakeholder relationships and have excellent communication skills.

Description of Duties Financial Strategy and Planning

Ensure that financial sustainability is central to the University's strategy and operation by:

• Support the identification of new income sources and opportunities in line with the aims of the University Strategic Plan for designated areas
• Working with key stakeholders in the University to translate business strategies into financial plans, making sure they are complete, robust and fully understood by the relevant budget holders
• Work with designated areas to support delivery of their in-year forecasts, annual budgets and long-term plans, ensuring they are aligned with targets for revenue, cost and contribution
• Ensuring finances of strategic development are evaluated and that sound financial advice is provided to stakeholders within the University
• Providing action plans to address issues and opportunities identified to deliver financial sustainability, identifying significant position changes early to influence financial decisions
• Maintain a sound understanding of sector developments in relation to financial planning and project support, and an awareness of relevant external policy/guidance, legislation, and government initiatives, providing advice and guidance to colleagues as appropriate

Financial Analysis and Insight

• Preparation of monthly management reporting for designated areas on a timely and accurate basis by combining quantitative, qualitative data and statistical analysis to highlight trends, share insights and evaluate alternatives against business objectives
• Provide insightful analysis and challenge on all financial matters to identify where efficiencies can be made to demonstrate best value and maximisation of use of resource and make recommendations to senior management
• Provide value added commentary on financial results, explanations of underlying key performance indicators and provide action plans to address issues and opportunities

Performance Measurement

• Working with the senior colleagues to ensure effective and efficient use of resource and deliver improvement in KPI and league table performance
• Ensure that all activities, new and existing are fully costed so informed decisions can be taken on the profitability of current and proposed activities
• Monitor performance indicators to establish viability and sustainability of existing and new activity to ensure that financial business plans are delivered

Business Cases

• Manage the process of investment and project appraisal within the University.
• Produce clear and insightful financial business cases supporting both revenue and capital investments
• Challenge and review critical assumptions made in business case to identify risks and opportunities in the financial plans and ensure that stakeholders are actively managing these appropriately