Head of Financial Planning and Analysis
Rate - £650 (a day)
Duration - 6 Months (initially)
Location - London (3 days a week on-site)
Ir35 - Inside (Must use an umbrella company)
We are seeking an exceptional Head of Financial Planning & Analysis to join a higher education client financial leadership team to play a crucial role during an exciting period of transformation.
As a key member of the financial leadership team, this role has a broad remit across the University covering the provision of the financial planning and analysis capability within the University. The role is focused on providing high quality financial support at University Leadership, Senior Management and Governance levels to support effective financial decision making.
The role will involve leadership of a team of 4, while maintaining regular contact with the University's CFO and Associate CFO. You will be expected to lead the production of accurate and comprehensive financial and management reporting.
The diverse aspects of the role include the oversight of: financial management information, financial planning and strategic support, process and resource management as well as people management and leadership of your team.
You will need to be a fully qualified accountant (CCAB or equivalent) with strong leadership, transformation and strategic skills. A proven track-record in Business Partnering and building relationships with non-finance functions is required. Whilst sector experience is not a requisite, you will need to have gained relative experience from within a similarly complex organisation and have a genuine interest in working at a university.
Key duties and responsibilities:
People Management and Leadership
You will build and maintain effective business partnering relationships across the University
Ensure that a culture of customer-focused service delivery is consistently maintained across all aspects of the Finance department's provision
Provide advice and information to, and work collaboratively with, the Associate CFO and the Business Partners to provide a cohesive service.
Work collaboratively with Finance Business Partners and colleagues across Finance to develop shared insights, priorities and ideas.
Line manage a team of 4
Financial Management Information
Lead the production of accurate and comprehensive financial and management reporting.
Regular creation of papers and briefings up to and including Finance Committee and Collegiate Council.
Develop corporate level management information to support in year monitoring & challenge and decision making at University, department and activity levels.
Deliver, through the FP&A team, a business partnering approach to supporting activities at the University; influencing departmental decision making and creating a more integrated finance support service.
Work with departments to deliver operational and financial plans, providing monitoring on progress to senior colleagues.
Develop and keep under review financial and non-financial Key Performance Indicators and ensure reporting of these is effective, and appropriately engaged with both internally and externally. Liasing closely with the Planning Directorate in order to consolidate these metrics and deliver them in the most efficient way.
Co-ordinate statutory returns as needed. To provide analysis and context on these to senior leadership.
Owner of financial reporting systems and processes, driving developments as required.
Financial Planning and Strategic Support
Define policy, timetables, and access to resources in the annual planning and budgeting round process.
Supporting the CFO, help develop the University Finance strategy and funding plan.
Lead the development of budgets and forecasts for internal and external stakeholders ensuring that these dovetail with operational plans.
Co-ordinate regular reviews of performance against budget and likely outturns.
Review, highlight and support the management of the University's financial risks.
Define the approach to business and investment cases at University level. Oversee and advise on the development of individual business cases.
Development of the University capital plan, working in conjunction with the relevant business areas and business partners.
Partner with external consultants in the implementation of a new planning tool. Ownership of the administration of this tool going forward.
Play an active role in federal and internal working groups, providing expert senior financial advice on aspects of change management, relations with external parties and other financial developments
Provide financial and commercial expertise in supporting the development of new products and services. Provide financial appraisals and analysis to project proposals such as capital expenditure projects and other business development opportunities