Deputy Director - Finance

Heriot-Watt University; Scotland; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Scotland seeks a finance leader to oversee financial operations and support strategic priorities. Responsibilities include managing the finance team, providing insights to Boards, and ensuring financial sustainability. Ideal candidates should have a degree, a recognized accounting qualification, and significant experience in a complex environment. Join this dynamic team to foster improvement and drive initiatives that impact the institution's future.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Comprehensive benefits package

Career development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in a large, complex organization.
• Ability to develop and implement strategy.
• Track record of managing resources and change.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Finance Directorate on a day-to-day basis.
• Deputize for the GCFO as required.
• Assure the integrity of the University’s financial position.

Skills

Leadership

Financial Management

Team Management

Strategic Planning

Communication

Education

Degree qualification

Nationally recognized accountancy qualification (e.g., CA, ACA, CPFA, CIMA, ACCA)

Job description

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This role reports to the Global Chief Financial Officer (GCFO) and is responsible for providing leadership and driving performance of the finance function in support of delivery of the University’s strategic priorities and operational effectiveness and efficiency. The role is responsible for deputising for the GCFO as required, presenting financial management information and analysis to Boards and Committees, and leading and developing the finance business partnering function across the University, providing financial services and advice to our delivery units.

Summary of Key Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership and Management

• Reporting to the GCFO, responsible for managing the day-to-day operation of the Finance Directorate, developing and building the team, with a culture underpinned by values and driven by commitment to provide excellent support and practical and effective finance business partnership to stakeholders across the University.
• Specific accountability for ensuring that the team structure and skills in the Finance Directorate meet the University’s requirements, providing excellent leadership to the team and using regular review, mentoring and coaching to actively develop the service across the University.

Deputising for the GCFO

• Deputise for the Global Chief Financial Officer as required, including attending and reporting to key committee groups; University Executive; Global Operations Executive and University Court and Court Committee Meetings such as Finance Committee and Audit and Risk Committee.

Control Environment and Long-Term Financial Sustainability

• Working with the GCFO, to assure the overall integrity and long-term sustainability of the University’s financial position.
• Ensure an effective finance control environment is in place across the global finance function and that issues are escalated in a well-judged and timely way to senior management or governance teams.
• Ensure accounting standards, relevant legislation and statutory returns are complied with.
• Ensure all external reporting, including statutory accounts are produced in line with agreed timelines.
• Monitor and report on compliance with covenants and other requirements.

Service and Business Partnering

• Ensure a clear and effective finance service is provided across the University.
• To build the Finance Business Partnering approach, establishing service standards and consistent delivery.
• Managing communications and engagement processes.

Finance Systems and Processes

• Drive continuous improvement in finance systems and processes, seeking out ways to improve effectiveness and efficiency, optimise approaches, and improve customer satisfaction.
• Drive continuous improvement in financial management information designed to inform effective decision making and provide information to monitor and report on performance.
• Deliver complex financial analysis, communicating effectively to both financial and non-financial managers.
• Provide clear insights and expert financial advice to internal and external stakeholders.
• Provide effective explanations of complex technical accounting regulations in line with current UK and International Financial Reporting Standards.
• Influence and provide effective challenge when participating in decision making processes.
• Write reports and papers to meet governance and reporting requirements.

Integrated Planning and Budgeting

• Performing a key role in the development and implementation of a new Integrated Planning and Budgeting Process, working closely with the Vice Principal of the University and the Director of Strategic Planning, Projects and Performance. Delivering significant improvements in the budget planning and management process to ensure effective and efficient use of the University’s resources.
• Ensure strategies are in place for managing a complex series of priorities with multiple internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure budgeting and forecasts are delivered in a timely manner.
• Support the development and delivery of business cases in a standardised format, facilitating effective performance monitoring, benefits realisation, capitalisation and return on investment

Critical relationships

• Members of the University Executive and Global Operations Executive (Executive Deans and Directors of Professional Services)
• GCFO as line manager and others in the Finance Leadership team.
• The Vice Principal of the University
• The University Secretary and Vice Principal (Governance and Operations)

Frequent interaction with colleagues at all levels, including

• Provosts and COOs at the Campuses in Dubai and Malaysia, and their Heads of Finance
• The Director of Strategic Planning, Projects and Performance.
• Finance Senior Leadership Team and Finance team across the Group.
• Head of Assurance
• Head of Communications
• External auditors
• Bankers and other funders

Regular interaction with

• Principal and Vice Chancellor (who is the designated officer in respect of Scottish Funding Council funds);
• Chair of Court and Chairs of Finance Committee and Audit and Risk Committee
• The Scottish Funding Council, OSCR, other external stakeholder

Education, Qualifications & Experience

Essential
1. Qualified to degree standard.
2. Nationally recognised accountancy qualification e.g., CA, ACA, CPFA, CIMA, ACCA.
3. Significant experience post qualifying within a large, complex organisation.
4. Motivation to work at Heriot-Watt University
5. Experience of developing and implementing strategy
6. Demonstrable experience of managing a team that includes multiple layers of management
7. Track record of delivery and of change.
8. Demonstrable experience of managing resources, workloads and changing priorities for self and others
9. Demonstrable experience of managing and communicating change in a collaborative manner.
10. Ability to operate in a complex global environment
11. Demonstrable ability to work within a fast-changing environment
12. Good track record of developing and maintaining positive working relationships with internal and external customers, peers, stakeholders and others

Desirable
1. Chartered Member of relevant Professional Body
2. Experience of working within the HE Sector
3. Experience of leading complex change
4. Project Management skills
5. Experience of operating in a complex global environment

Please send a Covering Letter outlining why you feel you are suitable for this opportunity addressing the criteria if not already covered in your CV submission (maximum 2 pages for Covering Letter and up to date CV). Closing Date 31st July for Applications.

At Heriot Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team.

Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with well-being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community.

Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.