Job Purpose

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Head of Finance within our College of Arts & Humanities (COAH). This is a great time to join the University of Glasgow as we continue to deliver on significant investment plans and within CoAH continue progress to become a world top 50 College.

You will be responsible for all aspects of financial management, control and support within the College acting as a strategic business partner for the VP Head of College, member of the College Management Group  and University Finance Leadership team.

You will take the lead in providing financial input to the strategic management of the College and will be expected to use your functional expertise to support senior colleagues in identifying best value solutions for the strategic and operational risks and opportunities . A key element of the role is the value add / interpretation that the role holder will be expected to provide in pursuing and supporting financially sound business development opportunities, and measuring delivery against College plans and maximising return on investment.

You will lead the financial budgeting and strategic planning processes across the College and will ensure that effective reporting mechanisms are in place to develop a ‘no surprises’ culture. You will be expected to work closely with the central Finance Office to ensure that transactional support is delivered effectively and efficiently utilising appropriate corporate systems and processes whilst ensuring compliance with associated financial controls. You will also work collaboratively with other senior College leaders including the Director of Professional Services & College Operations and the Director of People & Organisational Development, thereby providing financial input in relation to the work of our Research Office; Student Services; External Relations (Marketing), PIA and other functions.

You will also provide professional leadership of the finance function within the College and will ensure that organisation design and capability levels are fit for purpose.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Strategic financial management and business development. The role holder will work closely with the College Management Group and will be responsible for shaping the financial strategy of the College. The role holder must ensure that financial sustainability is central to College operations and will be expected to interpret the operational dynamics of the College and understand the external environment in order to identify and highlight the strategic issues and opportunities that need to be addressed. The role holder will apply their financial expertise and knowledge to provide potential solutions and product offerings, leading business case developments including appropriate investment appraisal. The role holder will be expected to take a leading role in the implementation of agreed proposals ensuring that delivery is aligned with requisite decision making and maintained throughout projects.

2. Financial budgeting and strategic planning. The role holder will lead the financial budgeting and planning process across the College. The role holder will ensure appropriate ‘top-down’ and ‘bottom-up’ processes are in place and budgetary proposals have been evaluated and challenged within the College. The role holder will also take the lead in producing the financial budget papers for meetings with the Senior Vice Principal, the Executive Director of Finance and the Principal. The role holder will take a leading role in the allocation of budgets to Schools and administrative units within the College, challenging and implementing plans to grow and maximise academic performance alongside delivery of savings targets.

3. Analysis and insight. The role holder will work with the Finance Office ensuring that effective financial reporting and costing mechanisms are in place. The role holder will be expected to provide the College Management Group with value added commentary on financial results, explanation of underlying key performance indicators and provide action plans to address issues and opportunities. A key area of responsibility will be the analysis and improvement of product costing and contribution.

4. Process efficiency and effectiveness. The role holder will be responsible for optimising the provision of a financial service function to the College and eliminating duplication and inefficiencies. The role holder will have a clear understanding of the needs and expectations of their customer base and will provide an effective service level delivery. The role holder will work with Finance Office colleagues to ensure that transactional support is delivered effectively and efficiently in accordance with agreed corporate systems and associated processes across the College.  As part of the University Service Excellence programme they will also support the Director of Professional Services & College Operations in challenging processes across the College and broader University to ensure they are fit for purpose in size, shape and performance.  They will also support the College and broader finance staff on our ERP change programme (Project Sierra) enabling an adopt not adapt approach, while identifying any CoAH specific challenges that need to be overcome to ensure a successful Go Live.

5. Risk Management The role holder will be responsible for leading the risk management process across the college. That process will ensure that strategic and operational risks are regularly reviewed at the College Management Group and that there is a process within each School / administrative unit that feeds into the process. It will also ensure that each risk identified is assessed and that appropriate mitigating actions are identified including an owner for each action. Opportunities will also be evaluated and actions implemented.

6. Training and awareness The role holder will work with peers within other Colleges and University Services to develop and deliver a programme of training and support that delivers a step change in advancing financial awareness and capability of academic and administrative colleagues.

7. Leadership & Management The role holder will provide professional leadership to all staff undertaking roles which encompass financial responsibilities within and across the College, irrespective of direct line management responsibility for such role holders. The role holder will ensure that all aspects associated with the management of people, including development and review are in place in relation to these colleagues. The role holder will also review the finance organisational structure and capability set within the College and will ensure these are fit for purpose, liaising with College Management Group as necessary to determine appropriate resourcing levels.

8. College Management Group The role holder will be part of an integrated professional services leadership team within the College and will work closely with the Vice Principal & Head of College, Director of College Professional Services & College Operations and the College Director of People & Organisational Development.  The role holder will be a member of the College Management Group responsible for overseeing College activities. This team will be led by the VP/Head of College, and consists of the Deputy Head of College, Director of College Professional Services & College Operations, four Deans (Graduate Studies; Research; Learning, Teaching & Student Experience, and International & External Partnerships), the Heads of Schools, and the College Head of P&OD. The role holder will be expected to deputise for the VP/Head of College on financial issues.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications 

Essential

A1 Qualified to degree standard

A2 Chartered Accountant or equivalent

A3 Comprehensive knowledge of business processes, management information systems and value drivers of management accounting

A4 Has used a variety of analytical tools within a complex environment

A5 Has the knowledge and ability to structure and develop plans to exploit business opportunities

Skills

Essential

C1 An ability to add rigour to business decisions through active business partnership and the application of well established tools and techniques

C2 A track record of innovative idea generation leading to financially viable solutions

C3 Highly effective oral and written communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to challenge with diplomacy

C4 An ability to demystify complex financial concepts for non-financial colleagues

C5 Resilient and able to maintain momentum in the face of obstacles and setbacks

C6 Is able to deal with ambiguity and uncertainty in an effective manner

C7 Is able to prioritise and juggle competing demands from a variety of stakeholders

C8 Strong leadership, performance management and mentoring skills

C9 An ability to challenge assumptions and practices

C10 Effective team worker

Experience

Essential

E1 Substantial senior post qualification financial and management accounting experience within a large complex organisation.

E2 Has managed a significant team containing experienced professionals E3 Experience of managing organisational change

E4 Has extensive experience of working with and influencing senior management E5 Has developed business cases with non-finance professionals and presented these to senior colleagues and clients

E6 Has managed budgeting and strategic planning within a complex environment E7 Proven experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary team

E8 Has experience of working within a matrix organisational structure E9 Has experience of managing risk within a large organisation to preserve value and deliver continuity

 
Terms and Conditions

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Salary will be on the Management, Professional and Administrative, Senior Administrative Group.

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This vacancy is full-time (35 hours per week) and is open ended.

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As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.

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As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook    https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing    https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

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We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community    https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

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We endorse the principles of Athena Swan   https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

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We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website   https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.