Financial Director

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Strategic Finance Manager to join our team at the University of Glasgow. As a key member of our finance department, you will play a leading role in providing comprehensive, effective, and efficient management accounting support and direction to our large-scale multi-partner project, InFrame.

1. Lead on all InFrame finances across three universities, utilizing a business partner approach to deliver the project's strategic objectives.

2. Develop, gain agreement on, and deliver a finance management plan that aligns with the strategic delivery of the project, ensuring financial leadership and influence across a complex three-university structure.

3. Provide strategic accounting leadership, challenging and supporting the InFrame project team with regards to central financial concerns, and the projects funded through the Culture Catalyst Fund (CCF), to assure work is coordinated in line with strategic requirements of the three universities and the InFrame Project.

4. Provide insight, expert commentary, and analysis for all reporting requirements, providing strategic financial leadership across the three partner institutes.

5. Develop and lead on procedures and controls to assure all reporting across a complex partnership.

6. Prepare accurate forecast data ensuring that the process and related reports are continually improved both in terms of data quality and analytical insight.

7. Provide oversight of the CCF to assure financial strategic aims are met.

8. Apply professional expertise to provide robust financial challenge and financial due diligence, providing recommendations for level of support, and ensuring that all proposals progressed withstand scrutiny and contain measurable delivery criteria.

9. Lead on the development and dissemination of protocols across the three universities and oversee the smooth operation of processes related to funding decisions and funds management in adherence to policies particularly for transferring funds between partner universities.

10. Provide strategic advice and amendments to funding agreements for the CCF, including options analysis for deliverable workstreams.

11. Ensure appropriate records and procedures are maintained for the financial management of the grant in line with complex landscape of all three partner Universities' Financial Regulations, and the funder Terms and Conditions.

12. Lead on the financial management reporting for both strategic and operational purposes, including strategic financial planning, financial governance and control, budgeting, forecasting, monitoring and reporting.

13. Lead on the analysis and interpretation of financial data to meet all portfolio management, governance, risk and compliance reporting requirements, strategically advising the Project Lead and Project Manager.

14. Ensure all financial operational and strategic planning and processes contribute to successful matrix management of the 13 members of the Project Team working closely to steer the work of the three institutional Project Coordinators, leading on individual and cross-university financial inputs in the short and long-term, working towards strategic objectives.

15. Lead on building strong relationships with key people, teams, communities and networks across the three partner universities, working productively across different levels, job families, and management structures.

16. Work as an engaged team player who is cooperative, communicative and builds trust and the support of colleagues and partners through respectful collaboration and building consensus.

17. Implement a strategically aligned project-wide financial risk framework to manage and mitigate financial risks.

18. Ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements in relation to the procurement of products, services and contractors.

19. Utilizing insights and analysis lead on eliciting change to maximize quality, efficiency and continuity across the three-university partnership.

20. Be accountable for the integrity of financial data within the Agresso accounting system, ensuring all appropriate financial reconciliations are carried out with variances investigated and corrective action taken.

21. Act as the key point of contact with the University Services Finance Team across the three universities.

22. Lead on the management and strategic alignment of the project budget across the three institutions, providing financial leadership for all procurement exercises that require alignment with the funder requirements, and three university's procurement and finance teams.

23. Provide strategic direction to Project Coordinators to ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements in relation to the procurement of products, services and contractors.

24. Keep abreast of the financial policy, legislative and funding changes and the implications on project interdependencies and emerging needs, providing evidence for, and making, change to facilitate the projects strategic objectives.

25. Lead by example and motivate, ensuring behaviors and attitudes reflect university values.

26. In doing so promote a continuous improvement approach, ensuring appropriate professional standards and demonstrate a culture of ownership and accountability to ensure the delivery of excellent services.

27. Proactively identify, undertake, and share opportunities for ongoing professional development, both for yourself and for colleagues in the Project Team.

28. Participate fully in the work and activities of the University-wide finance community and contribute to the development of university-wide finance solutions, working with finance colleagues in University Services, Central Finance and across the Colleges.

29. Perform other duties as requested, consistent with the grade level of the position and agreeing appropriate prioritization of work with line management or other relevant stakeholders as needed.

We are looking for a highly skilled and experienced Strategic Finance Manager who possesses the following qualifications and skills:

• A1 Ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary professional knowledge and management skills in a similar or number of different specialist roles
• A2 Membership of a recognized CCAB/CIMA accounting professional body
• A3 Comprehensive knowledge of business processes
• A4 Comprehensive knowledge of strategic planning, budgets, and forecasts

Desirable qualifications and skills include:

• B1 Knowledge of financial governance and regulation in the HE sector
• B2 Continuing engagement with current practice and developing knowledge

Essential skills include:

• C1 Excellent leadership and management skills
• C2 Proven high-level communication skills obtained through representational, influencing and/or negotiating activities
• C3 Proven ability to develop and implement financial management plans with strategic alignment
• C4 Ability to drive forward and deliver change in line with strategic and operational objectives and priorities
• C5 Ability to constructively challenge the status quo, influence change and present arguments based on sound professional judgement and expertise
• C6 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
• C7 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 colleagues
• C8 Outstanding and proven analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to make well-considered decisions, resolve conflicts and demonstrate sound, professional judgement
• C9 A self-motivated individual with the ability to work effectively under pressure and to tight timescales with an aptitude for prioritizing work and manage competing demands
• C10 Advanced skills in the use of Microsoft packages such as Excel, Word, Access, and PowerPoint

Essential experience includes:

• E1 Substantial post-qualification management accounting experience with a proven track record in leading and managing the financial planning, reporting and governance within a large complex environment
• E2 Demonstrable experience of working with and influencing across all levels of an organization 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 Proven experience of building robust business cases with non-financial professionals and presenting these to senior management
• 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 Demonstrable experience in a similar management/project accounting role within a large complex environment

Desirable experience includes:

• F1 Experience of managing grant funding projects or programmes from initiation to conclusion and/or related funding mechanisms such as tax incentives
• F2 Understanding of relevant health and safety policies and procedures relative to the role, and the quality outputs and standards required