This vacancy is open to current University of Glasgow employees only

Job Purpose

The Head of Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) is a 2-year Fixed Term Contract role funded via Project SIERRA.

This strategic leadership role exists to enable the Finance department’s long-term ambitions by establishing and embedding a high-performing central Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) function. The postholder will be responsible for delivering meaningful financial insight and analysis that supports effective institutional decision-making.

They will lead the development and management of the FP&A team, embedding ownership of core financial planning activities including budgeting, forecasting, and cashflow analysis. In parallel, the role will play a key leadership role in Project SIERRA, shaping and delivering the future FP&A solution for the institution.

Operating across both business-as-usual and transformation, the role requires deep financial expertise, strong strategic oversight, and the ability to prioritise high-impact activities that drive value

and performance across the organisation.

The role reports directly to the Deputy Director of Finance / Director of FP&A.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Team Development Shape and lead the central FP&A team, building capability, resilience, and embedding the function within the wider Finance department and across the University. As a key member of the Finance leadership team and deputy to the Director of FP&A, set the strategic direction and evolution of the FP&A function.

• Provide significant contribution to developing and ensuring delivery of the wider Finance Strategy and Roadmap

• Financial Budgeting & Planning Oversight Provide strategic leadership of the annual budget and planning cycle, ensuring integration of financial and non-financial insights to support institutional priorities and to maximise the benefits realised by the University. Lead the transition of budgeting responsibilities into the FP&A team.

• Insight & Analysis Delivery Define and deliver the strategic vision for financial insight and analysis across the institution. Lead initiatives that elevate reporting standards, including ownership of cashflow analysis and modelling, scenario modelling, cost improvement opportunities, and revenue /margin opportunities ensuring outputs are aligned with best practice and to inform strategic decision-making.

• Project SIERRA Leadership Lead the strategic evaluation and selection of the future FP&A tool as part of Project SIERRA, guiding the decision-making process and shaping the development roadmap to ensure alignment with long-term institutional goals.

• Stakeholder Engagement & Influence Collaborate across the University to embed unified budgeting and planning processes, ensuring alignment between financial and operational priorities. Build strong relationships to influence and support strategic outcomes.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications 

Essential:

A1 Ability to demonstrate the necessary strategic competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary professional knowledge and leadership experience in a similar or number of different specialist roles.

A2  Qualified to degree standard.

A3 Chartered Accountant or equivalent.

A4 Highly developed knowledge of the principles, theory and practice of FP&A, budgeting, management information and business information systems.

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

C3 An ability to demystify complex financial concepts for non-financial colleagues.

C4 Strategic thinker, ability to develop strategy and policy and implement effectively.

C5 Ability to deal with ambiguity and uncertainty in an effective manner.

C6  A self-motivated individual with the ability to work effectively under pressure and to tight timescales with an aptitude for prioritising and managing competing demands.

C7 Strong leadership, performance management and mentoring skills.

C8 An ability to constructively challenge assumptions and practices, influence change and present arguments based on sound professional judgement and expertise.

C9  High level influencing and interpersonal skills, able to quickly build credibility and deliver impact at all levels.

C10 Advanced skills in the use of industry standard and specialist financial and accounting software packages and an expert user of Microsoft Excel.

Experience

Essential:

E1 Substantial and broad senior post qualification FP&A and systems experience within a large complex organisation.

E2 Experience of developing innovative ideas, financially viable solutions, and practical implementations for strategic change.

E3 Significant experience building and leading functional teams containing experienced professionals.

E4 Experience of managing organisational change, and complex project management.

E5 Extensive experience of working with and influencing senior management.

E6 Experience of managing and controlling the budgeting and strategic planning within a complex environment.

E7 Experience of working within a matrix organisational structure.

E8 Experience of managing risk within a large organisation to preserve value and deliver continuity.

Terms and Conditions

Salary : competitive 

This post is full time and fixed term for up to 2 years.

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

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 , benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing.

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 here.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

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

Closing date : 27 October 2025 @23:45