Finance Change Lead

USS Investment Management Limited; Liverpool; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Health & wellbeing

Flexible working

Volunteer days

Job summary

Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) invites applications for a Finance Change Lead to drive finance process change within the Finance Transformation Programme. You will identify, design and implement improvements to enhance customer experience, strengthen financial control and enable automation.

The role focuses on leading delivery across Accounts Payable, supplier onboarding and reporting, with a view to reducing manual work and improving controls. Hybrid work is available in the UK.

Qualifications

• Hold a professional accounting qualification such as ACA, ACCA or equivalent.
• Experience delivering finance change or transformation within a finance function.
• Knowledge and experience of financial systems, accounting processes and controls.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to quickly build collaborative relationships with peers and multiple stakeholders.
• Strong analytical skills, problem solving capability, an enquiring approach and ability to challenge.
• Embraces change and ability to adapt to the complexities and changing financial reporting landscape.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of finance process change initiatives aligned to the Finance Transformation Programme.
• Translate strategic objectives into practical process improvements and implementation plans.
• Drive hands‑on delivery of change initiatives across Finance.
• Review end‑to‑end processes to identify opportunities to reduce manual intervention and improve automation.
• Design and implement improved processes, utilising SME knowledge and driving forward change that leverages technology and emerging capabilities.
• Lead process improvements across Accounts Payable, supplier onboarding and reporting processes.
• Improve stakeholder experience through redesigning finance processes.
• Ensure process changes enhance financial control and auditability.
• Work closely with Programme Lead and Project Manager to align delivery to overall plans.

Skills

ACA/ACCA

Finance transformation

Financial systems

Analytical skills

Education

Professional accounting qualification

Tools

ERP systems

Automation tools

Job description

When you join USS, the size and scale of our pension scheme means you will have numerous opportunities to learn and develop your career. Given our size you'll have real autonomy and influence as you collaborate closely with a wide-ranging team of experts.

About the role

In your role as Finance Change Lead you will make a meaningful and valued contribution from the outset. This role will provide a great opportunity to be responsible for leading and delivering finance change activity as part of the Finance Transformation Programme (FTP). The role focuses on identifying, designing and implementing business process improvements to enhance customer experience, strengthen financial control, and enable automation and straight‑through processing.

What you will be doing

As a trusted part of the Finance team you will be responsible for:

• Lead delivery of finance process change initiatives aligned to the Finance Transformation Programme.
• Translate strategic objectives into practical process improvements and implementation plans.
• Drive hands‑on delivery of change initiatives across Finance.
• Review end‑to‑end processes to identify opportunities to reduce manual intervention and improve automation.
• Design and implement improved processes, utilising SME knowledge and driving forward change that leverages technology and emerging capabilities.
• Lead process improvements across Accounts Payable, supplier onboarding and reporting processes.
• Improve stakeholder experience through redesigning finance processes.
• Ensure process changes enhance financial control and auditability.
• Work closely with Programme Lead and Project Manager to align delivery to overall plans.

Primary measures

• Delivery of agreed finance process improvements to agreed deadlines
• Reduction in manual processing and increased automation
• Improved stakeholder satisfaction
• Enhanced financial controls and audit readiness

About you

We know that sometimes people can be put off applying for a job if they don't tick every box, if you're excited about working for us and have most of the skills or experience we're looking for, then please apply, regardless of whether you meet all the requirements outlined in this profile.

To be successful in the role you will have:

• Hold a professional accounting qualification such as ACA, ACCA or equivalent.
• Experience of delivering finance change or transformation within a finance function.
• Knowledge and experience of financial systems, accounting processes and controls.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to quickly build collaborative relationships with peers and multiple stakeholders.
• Strong analytical skills, problem solving capability, an enquiring approach and ability to challenge.
• Embraces change and ability to adapt to the complexities and changing financial reporting landscape.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Why join us?

We offer a rewarding package and flexible work arrangements.

How we will reward you

• Great starting salary
• Generous annual leave package
• Access to a high quality pension scheme provided through Universities Superannuation Scheme
• Supportive people policies (including enhanced occupational sickness pay and family friendly pay)
• Financial contributions towards your personal development to help you maintain your physical and mental wellbeing
• Access to a range of health and wellbeing services e.g., private healthcare, discounted gym membership
• Learning and development opportunities to develop your skills, knowledge and talent
• Employee Volunteer Days to support the communities where you work and live
• Cycle to Work Scheme

Flexibility

As an inclusive employer, we recognise the importance of achieving the right work‑life balance that works for you. Our people work differently depending on their role and needs, from hybrid working to flexible working arrangements. We are open to discussing alternative working arrangements such as part‑time hours and job shares, so please feel free to raise this with us.

Our culture

Our people are what makes us different. We work together to create a diverse and inclusive culture that embraces individuality, where people are welcomed and feel comfortable in the knowledge that they can be themselves. We are active members of:

• Social Mobility Pledge
• Menopause Workplace Pledge
• Actively support Women in Tech
• Annual Intern programme supporting individuals to gain work experience

About us

Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) was established in 1974 as the principal pension scheme for universities and higher education institutions in the UK. We work with around 330 employers to help build a secure financial future for more than 500,000 members and their families. We are one of the largest pension schemes in the UK, with total assets of around £90.8bn (at 31 March 2022). To find out more, please visit https://www.uss.co.uk

USSL is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We strive to ensure our recruitment process is as flexible and inclusive as possible so we can attract diverse candidates and recruit the best talent. We want all candidates to perform at their best during the recruitment process, so if you need any reasonable adjustments or if there is anything we can do to help support you through your recruitment journey please let us know by contacting [e-mail].