Head of Finance Transformation

University of Stirling; Stirling; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious educational institution in Scotland is seeking a Head of Finance Transformation to lead the evolution of finance functions. In this hands-on role, you'll map and optimise processes, maintain systems, and facilitate new implementations. The ideal candidate will assess financial data, engage stakeholders, and lead change management initiatives. This position is vital for ensuring compliance and operational efficiency within the organisation. Join us to help drive transformative change in our finance landscape.

Qualifications

• Experience in finance process transformation and systems implementation.
• Ability to assess financial data for inefficiencies and control weaknesses.
• Proven track record in leading change management initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Map and optimise finance processes ensuring best practices.
• Maintain and enhance finance systems for compliance and efficiency.
• Lead and mentor team members to drive project delivery.

Skills

Strategic assessment of financial data

Process optimisation

Stakeholder engagement

Data integrity maintenance

Leadership and mentoring

Tools

Power BI

ERP systems

Unit4 Agresso

Job description

The Post

We are seeking a strategic and highly collaborative Head of Finance Transformation - Processes and Systems to lead the evolution of our finance function with a strong hands‑on approach.

This role will be responsible for designing, streamlining, and optimising finance processes, maintaining and enhancing finance systems, and preparing the organisation for the implementation of new systems.

The successful candidate will serve as a primary liaison between Finance, Information services (IS), and wider business stakeholders, ensuring that processes and systems effectively support strategic growth, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance.

Description of Duties

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Finance Process Transformation

• Map, review, and optimise end to end finance processes (Procure to Pay, Record to Report, Order to Cash, Planning & Reporting)
• Strategically assess complex financial data and end-to-end processes to identify inefficiencies, control weaknesses, and compliance risks. Drive the design and implementation of scalable process improvements and automation, applying creative and analytical thinking to re‑engineer workflows and establish more effective, future‑ready operating models
• Standardise finance processes and embed best practices across the organisation
• Lead change management initiatives, including training and stakeholder (both internal and external) engagement, to ensure smooth adoption of new processes and systems
• Act as a trusted advisor, providing expert guidance on process optimisation and system solutions

Finance Systems Management and Implementation

• Maintain and optimise existing finance systems, ensuring data integrity, compliance and efficiency
• Prepare finance processes and systems for new system implementations (e.g. ERP, cloud finance platforms, reporting tools etc)
• Serve as Capability Lead for the Student Accounts capability within the Student Information System (SIS) implementation project
• Provide strategic project leadership for Agresso (Unit4) system developments, bringing together cross‑functional stakeholders to define requirements, oversee delivery, and manage end-to-end project plans, ensuring system enhancements support wider process improvement and transformation
• Collaborate with IS, vendors and business stakeholders on system improvements and change initiatives

Reporting and Analytics

• Lead the development, automation and standardisation of operational and management reports
• Ensure an effective balance between in built system‑generated operational reports and cross system Power BI solutions to deliver accurate, timely, and meaningful data outputs
• Establish reporting standards, with aligned data definitions, and best practices to ensure consistency and reliability across the organisation
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to understand reporting needs and translate into scalable solutions

Leadership and Stakeholder Management

• Lead and mentor the Finance Systems Analyst, offering guidance, support and development, whilst also providing direction to cross functional project teams to drive effective and timely project delivery
• Partner with finance, IS, business stakeholders and external consultants to ensure successful delivery of transformation initiatives
• Communicate progress, risks, opportunities and outcomes to senior leadership