Head of Finance Transformation

The Post

We are seeking a strategic and highly collaborative Head of Finance Transformation – Processes and Systems to lead the evolution of our finance function with a strong hands-on approach.

This role will be responsible for designing, streamlining, and optimising finance processes, maintaining and enhancing finance systems, and preparing the organisation for the implementation of new systems.

The successful candidate will serve as a primary liaison between Finance, Information services (IS), and wider business stakeholders, ensuring that processes and systems effectively support strategic growth, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance.

Description of Duties

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Finance Process Transformation:

• Map, review, and optimise end to end finance processes (Procure to Pay, Record to Report, Order to Cash, Planning & Reporting)
• Strategically assess complex financial data and end-to-end processes to identify inefficiencies, control weaknesses, and compliance risks. Drive the design and implementation of scalable process improvements and automation, applying creative and analytical thinking to re-engineer workflows and establish more effective, future-ready operating models
• Standardise finance processes and embed best practices across the organisation
• Lead change management initiatives, including training and stakeholder (both internal and external) engagement, to ensure sooth adoption of new processes and systems
• Act as a trusted advisor, providing expert guidance on process optimisation and system solutions

Finance Systems Management and Implementation:

• Maintain and optimise existing finance systems, ensuring data integrity, compliance and efficiency
• Prepare finance processes and systems for new system implementations (e.g. ERP, cloud finance platforms, reporting tools etc)
• Serve as Capability Lead for the Student Accounts capability within the Student Information System (SIS) implementation project
• Provide strategic project leadership for Agresso (Unit4) system developments, bringing together cross-functional stakeholders to define requirements, oversee delivery, and manage end-to-end project plans, ensuring system enhancements support wider process improvement and transformation
• Collaborate with IS, vendors and business stakeholders on system improvements and change initiatives

Reporting and Analytics

• Lead the development, automation and standardisation of operational and management reports
• Ensure an effective balance between in built system-generated operational reports and cross system Power BI solutions to deliver accurate, timely, and meaningful data outputs
• Establish reporting standards, with aligned data definitions, and best practices to ensure consistency and reliability across the organisation
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand reporting needs and translate into scalable solutions

Leadership and Stakeholder Management

• Lead and mentor the Finance Systems Analyst, offering guidance, support and development, whilst also providing direction to cross functional project teams to drive effective and timely project delivery
• Partner with finance, IS, business stakeholders and external consultants to ensure successful delivery of transformation initiatives
• Communicate progress, risks, opportunities and outcomes to senior leadership

Essential Criteria

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) or equivalent

Knowledge & Experience

• Extensive experience in finance transformation, process optimisation and finance system implementation
• Proven experience as a system capability lead or project lead is highly desirable
• Advanced Power BI skills (or equivalent), including dashboard creation and data modelling
• Strong knowledge of finance processes and a working knowledge of any ERP systems (e.g. Unit 4, Oracle, SAP, Workday)

Desirable Criteria

Skills & Attributes

• Strategic thinking with a hands-on delivery focused approach
• Excellent analytical and problem solving skills
• Strong project and change management experience
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to convey complex information and data clearly and professionally at all levels throughout the university
• Exceptional leadership and influencing skills
• Ability to drive change and influence at all levels

Additional Information

Full time

Open ended

The closing date for applications is midnight on Monday 05 January 2026.

There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK.

This role may be eligible for sponsorship depending on candidate circumstances under SOC code 1131.

The University of Stirling recognises that a diverse workforce benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers and welcome applications from those who would contribute to further diversification of our staff and ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is woven into the substance of the role. We strongly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds including gender, identity, race, age, class, and ethnicity.

Behaviours and Competencies

The role holder will be required to evidence that they can meet the qualities associated with the following behavioural competencies, as detailed within the AUA Competency Framework.

• Managing self and personal skills
  
  Being aware of your own behaviour and mindful of how it impacts on others, enhancing personal skills to adapt professional practice accordingly.

• Delivering excellent service
  
  Providing the best quality service to external and internal clients. Building genuine and open long-term relationships in order to drive up service standards.

• Finding solutions
  
  Taking a holistic view and working enthusiastically to analyse problems and to develop workable solutions. Identifying opportunities for innovation.

• Embracing change
  
  Being open to and engaging with new ideas and ways of working. Adjusting to unfamiliar situations, shifting demands and changing roles.

• Using resources effectively
  
  Identifying and making the most productive use of resources including people, time, information, networks and budgets.

• Engaging with the wider context
  
  Enhancing your contribution to the organisation through an understanding of the bigger picture and showing commitment to organisational values.

• Developing self and others
  
  Showing commitment to own ongoing professional development. Supporting and encouraging others to develop their professional knowledge, skills and behaviours to enable them to reach their full potential.

• Working together
  
  Working collaboratively with others in order to achieve objectives. Recognising and valuing the different contributions people bring to this process.

• Achieving Results
  
  Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.

The University

The University of Stirling is committed to providing education with a purpose and carrying out research which has a positive impact on communities across the globe. Driven by our mission to be the difference, we are addressing real issues, providing solutions, and helping to shape society.

The University has more than 17,500 students globally and employs 1,800 staff, with more than 140 nationalities represented within our community. Our campus environment is ranked first in the UK and top 10 in the world, and our sports facilities rank first in the UK and second in the world (International Student Barometer 2024, wave two), reflecting our long-standing designation as Scotland's University for Sporting Excellence.

We were shortlisted for University of the Year 2024 at the Times Higher Education Awards and are proud holders of a Silver institutional award from the Athena Swan Charter, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality. We have an overall five-star rating in the QS Stars University Ratings and are ranked top 30 in the UK for postgraduate teaching and learning (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey In recognition of our excellence in business education, we are accredited by AACSB International.

Eighty-seven per cent of our research has an outstanding or very considerable impact on society, with more than 80% rated either world leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021), and we are ranked among the top 100 institutions in the world for our contribution to meeting 10 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. We have twice been recognised with a Queen's Anniversary Prize; for our Institute for Social Marketing and Health and our Institute of Aquaculture

Alongside partners, the University spearheads the £214 million Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal – which will deliver three major University-led projects: the National Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Hub, Scotland's International Environment Centre, and the Intergenerational Living Innovation Hub. We are also a central partner in the Forth Valley University College Health Partnership.

Job Reference: SERV02021