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Finance Business Partner, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences

Employer
Global Academy Jobs
Location
United Kingdom
Closing date
Jul 22, 2016

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Job Details

JOB PURPOSE:

To provide a comprehensive, professional financial management service to the Faculty with a remit to produce timely business critical information and analysis, assist accurate decision making, risk assessment, planning and provide rapid response trouble shooting when necessary. In addition, the post holder will support the Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Director of Operations and the Faculty Executive Board in the development and implementation of the Faculty Plan, including strategic and operational financial planning.

MAJOR DUTIES:

  • To contribute to the strategic direction of the Faculty in terms of the development of the Faculty Plan and support the management and monitoring of the Faculty budget, incorporating all core activities.
  • To manage all aspects of the services provided by the Faculty Finance team, ensuring the effective provision of professional advice and support to all stakeholders in the Faculty on a total economy basis, with a view to assisting in the delivery of the key targets outlined in Vision 2020.
  • To manage the annual budget setting and resource utilisation process ensuring that an annual budget is in place for the Faculty and ensure that this is maintained at Faculty, School/Institute level. To ensure that the Budget Plan is reviewed regularly and reported to the Faculty Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Director of Operations and Faculty Executive Board.
  • In close liaison with the Finance Directorate, to manage the quarterly estimates process ensuring that these are representative of trends within the Faculty and Schools and to take appropriate action when necessary. To report the outturn of these estimates to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Director of Operations and Faculty Executive Board and to provide advice on appropriate corrective action required.
  • Assist in the production of the University’s/corporate monthly management accounts and development of timely and accurate corporate information including production of the University’s financial forecast (5 year financial strategy) and estimates (current and one year ahead).
  • To review an agreed set of key financial performance indicators for all Faculty activities to include monthly performance against budget/estimate and provide analysis and commentary on performance highlighting positive and negative trends. To provide an effective professional service in support of externally funded research activity to include the provision of expert advice and support to academics in the development of research grant applications.
  • Ensure that all research grant applications are costed on the basis of the fEC principles with the expected funding levels calculated to enable an assessment of project viability. Ensure that University governance processes are adhered to and that all research grant applications comply with University policies and procedures. Co-ordinate, where applicable, the submission of research proposals from the Faculty in line with funder guidelines, format and timescales.
  • Co-ordinate the process of contract review of research awards, ensuring that contract negotiations are undertaken to manage and mitigate risks to the Faculty. Co-ordinate the process to set-up the accounting and financial management framework for new Faculty research awards ensuring that University systems are updated accordingly. Undertake a regular review, in conjunction with the Research Finance Team, of the post-award finances of the portfolio of research grants in the Faculty identifying issues of concern, highlighting to Faculty management and agreeing corrective actions.
  • To oversee the process of contract review and agreement, ensuring that contract negotiations are undertaken in line with University procedures, and external advice is taken as necessary to ensure the University’s exposure to risk is managed and mitigated.
  • Prepare and evaluate investment and business cases to support proposed Faculty developments.
  • To assist in the development of an integrated performance management report to aid Faculty reporting in the monitoring of Vision 2020 targets and financial performance.
  • To support the Faculty in the ongoing development of a Collaborative Provisions Framework.
  • To provide guidance and support to non financial users and to participate in the delivery of training programmes on financial management and budgetary control to budget managers and to provide ongoing training and development of financial skills.
  • To ensure all decisions are informed by a clear understanding of financial and commercial issues and to develop and implement finance policies and procedures as required, ensuring compliance and adherence to University Policies and Procedures.
  • To proactively identify and report to senior management, financial risks both in year and for future periods. Having identified the financial risk work closely with the budget holder to identify timely solutions that mitigate financial risk ensuring understanding of relevant issues and provide professional financial management advice.
  • Undertake any other duties required by the Director of Operations and Director of Finance.


Planning and Organising:

  • Plan and organise individual work schedules of self and Faculty Finance Team to ensure the delivery of a professional financial management support service to a wide range of stakeholders and to deal with ad-hoc requests for financial information on a daily basis. Plan and organise individual and/or team activity with an appreciation of longer term and strategic issues, ensuring plans complement and feed into broader operational plans and adhere to appropriate cycle of business timescales.
  • Balance the internal corporate demands of central financial reporting against the provision of professional support to the Faculty.
  • Manage conflicting priorities in an environment of competing needs and changing priorities.


ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

  • Degree (or equivalent qualification) in any subject.
  • A member of a recognised accountancy body (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent. Minimum 5 years’ relevant experience in an accounting/finance environment working with large and complex accounting systems.
  • Minimum 5 years’ relevant experience in an accounting/finance environment working with large and complex accounting systems.
  • Staff management experience. Experience in the use of complex computerised accounting systems.


Resource Management Responsibilities:

  • Direct work of supporting staff and allocate resource to best meet the Faculty’s competing needs and deadlines.
  • Responsible for the preparation of detailed budgets/business plans for the full range of activities within the Faculty and for the ongoing analysis and reporting thereof.
  • Advise and influence senior management within the Faculty on the internal allocation and management of resources.


Internal and External Relationships:

  • Provide professional financial expertise and guidance at senior levels across the University (for example to Pro-Vice-Chancellor,
  • Director of Operations, Heads of School, Centre Directors, Deans of Education, Deans of Research, University Committees) and through representation on a number of groups. Work within a multidisciplinary professional services support function which is aligned to, and will proactively support academic structures.
  • Represent and promote the MHLS Faculty, Finance Directorate and University at both internal and external meetings.
  • Liaise with external stakeholders including the Department of Health; Health Boards and Trusts and research and commercial funding bodies. Work closely with stakeholders to listen and respond to business requirements and develop and improve perception and performance of the overall Faculty.
  • To work in partnership with the other Faculty Professional Services teams in the delivery of the Faculty Plan. Experience and knowledge of the relevant accountancy practices/professional guidelines.
  • Extensive knowledge and experience of IT packages, in particular spreadsheet design and usage.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Excellent skills in financial and quantitative analysis including experience in report writing, provision of reports and collation of data and management information reporting. High level of motivation, energy and enthusiasm.
  • Highly organised, self starter, with the ability to work on own initiative.
  • Ability to monitor performance effectively and set and achieve clear objectives.
  • Able to work on own initiative and as part of a team.


DESIRABLE CRITERIA:

  • Experience of working in Finance within a large public sector organisation.
  • Experience of working as a Finance Business Partner.
  • Appreciation of HE policies and processes and wider issues affecting the sector.
  • Experience of Agresso Business World.
  • Experience of Cognos Planner.

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"The globalisation of higher education continues apace, driving in turn the ongoing development of the global knowledge economy, striving for solutions to the world’s problems and educating a next generation of leaders and contributors."

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