Finance Manager - Financial Planning & Analysis

University of Sheffield; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

An educational institution in Sheffield is seeking a Finance Manager to lead financial forecasting and management within the Financial Planning & Analysis team. This role involves challenging financial data, supporting senior decision-making, and collaborating across the Department of Finance. Suitable for experienced FP&A professionals or those in the Higher Education sector looking to advance their careers. Offers competitive benefits including a pension scheme and flexible working opportunities.

Benefits

Competitive annual leave

Generous pension scheme

Flexible working opportunities

Development and wellbeing commitment

Retail discounts

Qualifications

• Experienced finance professional with a strong interest in the financial environment of the Higher Education sector.
• Ability to assimilate and challenge financial data and present analysis.
• Open to candidates with prior FP&A experience or HE sector experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead in preparing the University’s financial forecasts as Finance Manager.
• Present analysis to support decision-making at a senior level.
• Support financial management reporting, forecasting, and budgeting.

Skills

Financial analysis

Data presentation

Budgeting

Forecasting

Financial reporting

Job description

Overview

University of Sheffield

Job Reference Number: 1676

Working Pattern: 100% full time 35 hours per week. Fixed Term until January 2026 to cover a maternity leave

Faculty: Department of Finance

Closing Date: 15 October 2025

Are you an experienced finance professional who has a keen interest in the financial environment of the Higher Education sector and supporting the University’s financial sustainability? We have an exciting opportunity to join the Financial Planning & Analysis team as Finance Manager, taking the lead in preparing the University’s financial forecasts.

You will have an aptitude for assimilating, reviewing and challenging financial data, and presenting analysis in a way that supports and influences decision-making at a senior level.

Reporting to the Head of Financial Planning & Analysis, you will support the provision of a range of financial management information, including reporting on financial performance, multi-year forecasting, budgets, scenario modelling, regulatory financial returns and various KPIs, including research performance and statistics. You will be involved in both the regular cycle of work as well as a range of strategic analysis or modelling projects.

The University’s Department of Finance has over 150 staff within several specialist teams supporting specific areas of financial activities of the University. The scale & diversity of activity at the University makes this a truly interesting environment for any inquisitive, dynamic & enthusiastic finance professional.

This fixed-term maternity cover provides an excellent opportunity for either an experienced FP&A professional looking for a change and a move into the Higher Education sector, or someone with HE experience looking for the next step in their career.

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits, including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pension scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more.

Find out more at sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits and join us to become part of something special.

Responsibilities

• Lead in preparing the University’s financial forecasts as Finance Manager within the Financial Planning & Analysis team.
• Assimilate, review and challenge financial data, and present analysis to support and influence decision-making at a senior level.
• Support the provision of financial management information, including reporting on financial performance, multi-year forecasting, budgets, scenario modelling, regulatory financial returns and various KPIs including research performance and statistics.
• Be involved in both the regular cycle of work and a range of strategic analysis or modelling projects.
• Collaborate with colleagues across the Department of Finance to support financial planning activities for the University.

Qualifications and Experience

• Experienced finance professional with a strong interest in the financial environment of the Higher Education sector.
• Ability to assimilate and challenge financial data and present analysis to influence senior decision-making.
• Open to candidates with prior FP&A experience or HE sector experience seeking the next step in their career.

Benefits

• Competitive annual leave entitlement (with the option to purchase additional leave).
• Generous pension scheme.
• Flexible working opportunities.
• Commitment to development and wellbeing.
• Retail discounts and other benefits.