Finance Manager - Oxford, United Kingdom - University of Oxford

University of Oxford

Verified Company

Oxford, United Kingdom

3 weeks ago

Posted by:

Tom O´Connor

beBee Recruiter

Description

This is a fantastic opportunity to work for the world renowned Oxford University

This role comes with lots of opportunity for progression internally

About Our Client

The University of Oxford is a stimulating work environment, which enjoys an international reputation as a world-class centre of excellence.

Their research plays a key role in tackling many global challenges, from reducing our carbon emissions to developingvaccines during a pandemic.

This is role sits within Oxford Physics, one of the largest and most eminent Physics' departments in Europe - pursuing forefront research alongside training the next generation of leaders in Physics.

The key responsbilities of the Finance Manager will be:

Management:

To deputise for the Head of Finance as required in respect of financial matters
To assist the Head of Finance in the management of all finance areas.
Direct linemanagement responsibilities for the PurchasetoPayment team (currently of 3)
Ensure appropriate and robust financial procedures, controls and accounting structures are in place throughout the Department to provide a complete, accurate and up to date record of the financial transactions and balances. Such procedures and controlsmust be in full compliance with the University's Financial Regulations and related documentation.

Budgeting and Reporting:

Support the Head of Finance in the preparation of the Department's annual budget, inyear forecasts and longerterm financial plans. This will involve close liaison with staff at all levels within the Department, the MPLS Financial Controller and othersenior Divisional staff.
Preparation and review of monthly management accounts, to include cut off adjustments, accruals, prepayments and analysis of performance against budget and inyear forecast figures.
Ensure robust monitoring procedures are in place to provide an early warning of any significant variance to these plans. Identify and propose innovative solutions to remedy or compensate for such variances.
Draft the yearend and quarterly financial statements for the Department in line with the requirements and deadlines of the University's Finance Division.

Analysis and Research:

Deliver high quality professional advice and support to staff at all levels within the department and university. This will include providing expert financial analysis and guidance, and developing sensitive and creative solutions to complex financial issues.

For example, preparing detailed, but non-technical, briefing papers for Senior Management and the interpretation and implementation of University policy and systems into the Department of Physics.

Work alongside academics within the Department who have proposals for new programmes, posts or capital projects to enable robust business cases to be prepared in line with University and Divisional policy

Organisational:

Provide a high quality, efficient and timely management reporting service to the Head of Finance and other relevant stakeholders ensuring that actual performance against key targets is accurately reported on a regular basis, and that all reporting needsare met.
Ensuring the completeness of cost recovery from the department's Small Research Facilities through the timely and accurate preparation of recharges to grants, departmental projects, internal funds, other departments and invoices to third parties.
Produce regular key performance indicators of the financial performance of the Department's SRF and other support groups, and analyse the overall cost of its teaching and research activities.

The Successful Applicant

Qualified (ACA, ACCA, CIMA)
Proven and demonstrable technical finance skills, including management accounting and reporting, budgeting and financial planning, and the ability to analyse large and complex data sets.
Knowledge, intellectual capacity, reasoning and analytical skills of a graduate or equivalent. This will be evidenced by a good first degree.
Strong financial acumen together with the ability to gain the confidence of and influence staff at the highest level within the Department of Physics and the University.
Excellent communication and presentation skills, including the ability to provide complex financial narratives to nonspecialist audiences, the ability to produce high quality papers and financial reports.
An enquiring and tenacious mindset with the drive and ambition to challenge and enhance financial processes and procedures to optimise resource utilisation and ensure compliance with financial best practice.
Effective leadership and teamwork skills, especially in communicating with and developing staff.
A high level of personal effectiveness, particularly coordination, organisation, and the ability to manage a range of tasks within competing deadlines
Highly computer literate, with strong spread sheet skills and a thorough understanding of financial systems, including experience of using such systems.

Desirable skills and experience:

Interest in Science and Technology, particularly Physics
Experience in a Higher/Further Education or public sector research organisation
Knowledge of UK research grant award systems and the major academic and research funding bodies
Experience of using Oracle Financials
Experience of using and developing databases

What's on Offer
The Finance Manager is a grade 8 role.

As an employer, they genuinely care about our employee's wellbeing and this is reflected in the range of benefits that are offered, including: