Head of School Finance

**About Our Client**

The University of Manchester is a truly global institution, with a reputation for education and innovation that resonates across the world. It is a place where research has international impact, where students experience outstanding teaching and learning,transforming into employable graduates, and where all activity is enriched by a commitment to social responsibility and the benefits we bring to society and the environment. Manchester was the first and most eminent of England's civic universities. Our richheritage of discovery, social change and pioneering spirit remains at the heart of all we do. Today, we're part of the prestigious Russell Group of UK universities and one of the UK's largest single-site higher education institutions, with more than 40,500students, 12,950 staff, a £1.1 billion turnover, and a significant ongoing capital investment programme.

The University's vision and strategic plan,Ourfuture, has three core goals and four themes:

- Research and discovery
- Teaching and learning
- Social responsibility
- Our people, our values
- Innovation
- Civic engagement
- Global influence

Our future sets an ambitious agenda to build on our distinctive strengths over the next decade, with a commitment to make a difference to society

The Head of School Finance is a member of the Directorate of Finance working under the guidance of the Head of Faculty Financial Reporting and Analysis. You will work alongside Heads of School/Directors/Senior Managers as a business partner to provide operationaland strategic support on all financial matters. You will be responsible for managing the financial planning, budgeting,forecastingand reporting processes for your area of responsibility. This will include analysis of performance and highlighting remedial actionwhere required. You will develop and continuously improve management information to assist School/Directorate budget holders.
- Actively work with the Heads of School/PS Directors to develop their financial awareness and understanding of their area in the context of the University, and to help them drive appropriate actions
- Work with the Heads of School/PS Directors in all financial planning, budget and forecast processes and consolidate results for their areas
- Prepare and review the monthly management accounts, provide insightful management information and financialanalysisand deliver to tight deadlines
- Provide support to the Head of Faculty Financial Reporting & Analysis on the commercial areas of the Faculty/Directorate with financial analysis/modelling of commercial deals and decision support
- Work with key colleagues to deliver budget results and to ensure that the full financial implications of initiatives, including financial risks, are fully understood and appropriately managed
- Work with the Directorate/School teams to develop a clear understanding of the drivers of business performancein order toenhance financial forecasting and decision making, including the optimal prioritisation of resources
- Linemanagemembers of the finance team, providing developmental support or training as necessary and be actively involved in line management and training of the wider team where appropriate in conjunction with the Head of Faculty Financial Reporting & Analysis
- Work with the Heads of School Operations/Leadership team as appropriate on the preparation and review of financial reports and business plans, including plans for new ventures and external funding proposals
- Provide support on capital expenditure planning within the School/Faculty/Directorate, including preparing and reviewing large scale business plans for capital projects working with the University's Capital Accountant
- Produce monthly and other ad hoc financial reports and ensure that these are distributed to the relevant Budget Holder and that appropriate action is taken where necessary
- Responsible for ensuring that financial reconciliations are undertaken and reviewed on a timely basis, as required

**The Successful Applicant**
- A recognised CCAB professional accountancy qualification or equivalent
- Experience of working within finance in a large, complex organisation demonstrating ability to work collaboratively and proactively across organisational boundaries
- experience leading,managingand developing teams across various locations, with the ability to think in strategic terms and exercise leadership.
- Experience of working in a business partnering role and delivering an exceptional customer service to stakeholders
- Significant experience of working in anaccountspreparation role with strong analytical skills to enable production of meaningful financial reporting
- Motivation to streamline processes and identify and implement continuous improvement
- Excellent IT skills, particularly accounting systems and high level excel skills, including data manipulation and interrogation
- Ability to convert data into management information easily understood by non-accountants and colleagues alike
- Excellent communication (both verbal and written) and interpersonal skills to engage colleagues at all levels, including those without financial expertise

**What's on Offer**

£43,414- £53,353 annual salary + 29 days holiday + Christmas closure days + bank holidays + USS Pension scheme (21.1% employer contribution) + hybrid working
- on average 2 days a week on site