Job Description

You are responsible for developing and maintaining a model of the University’s finances, which can operate as a ‘single source of truth’ and be used to assess the financial impact of external changes and internal decisions. This is of growing importance in a time of increased financial uncertainty, and will require the post-holder to have a deep understanding of the Higher Education funding environment, maintain a database of the key indicators and develop a network of subject matter experts across the University.

The FP&A Manager is also responsible for providing monthly reports to the Chief Financial Officer, forecasting the University’s ‘surplus before gains’. This is a key reporting metric which will be used to assess the University’s financial sustainability and supports its credit rating.

The FP&A Manager will play an important role in working closely with the five Divisional Financial Controllers (DFCs), who oversee the finances of the four academic divisions and services, working closely with them when setting the annual timetable, issuing guidance and ensuring that the internal budgeting tool is fit for purpose. The FP&A Manager is also responsible for the collation, interpretation and review of budgets and forecasts, ensuring consistency and identifying areas that may need further work.

The FP&A Manager is responsible for a number of key returns, including the Office for Students Annual Financial Return and the annual TRAC (Transparent Approach to Costing) return to the Office for Students, ensuring compliance with TRAC methodology, including an appropriate level of internal review and scrutiny;

You may be able to agree a pattern of regular remote working with your line manager.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

You will be a qualified accountant with significant experience of budgeting, planning and forecasting and developing multi-year financial forecasts in a large and complex organization. Strong analytical skills, project management experience and excellent communication skills are essential.