Job Purpose

Project Sierra necessitates subject matter experts from certain functions within University of Glasgow to work within the Project team in order to:-

- Evaluate potential systems solutions from a business perspective.

- Review processes to ensure they are fit for purpose and refine processes to ensure they meet best practice as illustrated by system providers or implementation partners.

- Work with colleagues in colleges or central services to understand best practice requirements, pain points and reporting needs in relation to existing and current system.

- Challenge existing processes to ensure new processes or procedures can be implemented as efficiently as possible in a future state model.

- Work with colleagues to support the implementation of new systems

This role will report to the Head of Management Accounts – Projects.

The role holder will work with various stakeholders within the Project team, College Finance and Professional Services in order to understand current working practices, challenges, manual processes and ultimately help stakeholders define requirements that will shape the customisation of the new ERP and Research Management System.

The role holder will work with College based colleagues to provide high quality technical support through insightful analysis and issue resolution and will help design processes and procedures to support efficient and effective operations within a strong internal control environment throughout the project lifetime.

The role holder will support and develop enhanced liaison between the Project Sierra team and the wider College finance and professional support teams ensuring accurate, timely, relevant, and reliable information is shared in relation to the project, opportunities and practical outcomes.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Financial Forecasts, Budgetary Control and Reporting

Work with colleagues in finance to ensure:

- accuracy and quality of monthly College management reports are maintained through the ERP implementation and supporting required adjustments to teaching, research, and commercial data sets to aid reporting.

- preparation of month-end reporting process, including preparation of monthly consolidated management accounts, reporting packs, financial performance indicators and commentaries and information is accurate and can be produced in a timely manner through the new ERP.

- colleagues can effectively provide financial budgeting and planning processes, consolidation of financial information, production of commentary and reporting packs and ensuring that proposed budgets can be evaluated and challenged through the new ERP.

- the new ERP can be used to prepare accurate forecast data on Teaching, Research, Commercial and Transnational Education activity for the College ensuring that the process is continually improved both in terms of data quality and analytical insight.

- integrity of financial data to be transition from the Agresso accounting system, ensuring all appropriate financial reconciliations can be carried out with variances investigated and corrective action taken.

2.Ensuring Process Efficiency and Effectiveness

- support the College Transaction Hub team to ensure the new ERP supports efficient operations and provision of meaningful KPI data and targets at both an individual and team level.

- review processes to mitigate single points of failure by designing systems driven guidance on training.

- as a key member of the Project Sierra team lead by example, motivate and assist in the development of the project team, ensuring behaviours and attitudes reflect University values. 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.

- 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 the College Heads of Finance and colleagues in the broader finance function.

- help to optimise the service the finance function provides across the Colleges and other departments to ensure appropriate elimination of duplication of effort through introduction of new technology.

- look to digitise policies, procedures and internal controls to ease compliance delivered in an effective and efficient manner utilising the appropriate corporate systems and processes.

3.Other Duties

- provide expert professional advice and guidance, including coaching and support to new inductees to the project team.

- manage and deal with enquiries from internal and external customers, resolving queries and liaising, where required, with other University colleagues.

- promote financial awareness and a culture of financial accountability through Project Sierra to ensure financial sustainability is central to all business activities.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential:

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. Or: Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 9,10 or 11 (Ordinary/Honours Degree, Post Graduate Qualification), or equivalent, including being professionally qualified in

relevant discipline, with a broad range of professional experience in a management role(s).

A2 Membership of a recognised CCAB/CIMA accounting professional body.

A3 Strong evidence of continuing professional development relevant to the role.

A4 Demonstrable experience in a similar management accounting role within a large complex environment.

A5 Comprehensive knowledge of strategic planning, budgets, and forecasts.

Desirable:

B1 Knowledge of financial governance and regulation in the HE sector.

Skills

Essential:

C1 Excellent leadership and management skills.

C2 High level influencing and interpersonal skills, able to quickly build credibility and deliver impact at all levels.

C3 Strategic thinker, ability to develop strategy and policy and implement effectively.

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 prioritising work and manage competing demands.

C10 Advanced skills in the use of Microsoft packages such as Excel, Word, Access, and PowerPoint.

Experience

Essential:

E1 Substantial post-qualification management accounting experience with a proven track record in 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 organisation 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.

Closing date:  5 August 2025

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 8, £49,559 - £57,422 per annum.

This post is full time, and fixed term for 2 years from start date

The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.  If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.

Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.

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, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University  https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.