Senior Finance & Procurement Transformation & Change Manager

Durham University; North East; Hybrid; GBP 47,000 - 57,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days annual leave

Pension scheme (USS)

Hybrid working

Car benefit/tusker scheme

Job summary

Durham University is seeking a Senior Finance & Procurement Transformation & Change Manager to lead the Finance transformation agenda, coordinating across Finance, CIS, HR and Professional Services. The role drives digital improvement, automation and AI, balancing strategic aims with delivery and governance in a hybrid working environment at Boldon House near Durham.

You will oversee prioritisation, roadmaps and benefits realisation, while developing the organisation's capability to deliver

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience).
• Professional practitioner with significant experience leading portfolios, programmes or complex business change initiatives.
• Experience providing specialist programme, project and change-management advice and guidance.
• Experience developing internal or external networks to share good practice and influence reputation.
• Experience implementing policies and procedures and supporting service improvements.
• Strong programme and project management capability across multiple workstreams.
• Translate strategic objectives into deliverable plans with milestones.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills across business and technical teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, coordination and governance of the Finance transformation portfolio.
• Maintain the Finance Transformation Roadmap and portfolio plan.
• Coordinate delivery across multiple projects and workstreams.
• Manage governance, risks, issues, dependencies and reporting.
• Support prioritisation and resource planning decisions.
• Track delivery progress and benefits realisation.
• Develop business cases and investment proposals.
• Lead change-management approaches and workshops.
• Facilitate service design activities and identify automation opportunities.
• Develop a pipeline of digital improvement opportunities and AI initiatives.

Skills

Programme management

Stakeholder engagement

Change management

Digital transformation

Automation

Data governance

Communication skills

Finance experience

Education

Degree or equivalent

Tools

Oracle Fusion

Power Platform

Microsoft 365

Lean

Job description

We welcome applications from candidates with disabilities, neurodiversity and long-term health conditions, and we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process.

We will make adjustments to support the recruitment and interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

If you are unable to complete your application via our recruitment system or would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments to support you in the application process, please get in touch with us on [e-mail]

Job Description - Senior Finance & Procurement Transformation & Change Manager (26001276)

Job Description

Senior Finance & Procurement Transformation & Change Manager

Job Number:

26001276

Finance

Grade 8 : - £47,389 - £56,535 per annum *Appointment may be made above this range for exceptional candidates with significant relevant experience

Open-Ended/Permanent - Full Time

Working Arrangements : Mon - Fri 9am to 5pm

Closing Date

11-Oct-2026, 10:59:00 PM

Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement : Not Applicable.

Note that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a high volume of applications. Applications may also be reviewed and assessed as they are received. We therefore encourage interested candidates to apply as early as possible.

The University

At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.

Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, a key hub of activity within our region and nationally.

We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here.

Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? – Information Page.

The Role and the Department

The Senior F&P Transformation & Change Manager will support the Head of Finance & Procurement Systems and Transformation in delivering the Finance transformation agenda, providing leadership and coordination across a portfolio of change initiatives that improve processes, technology, data, customer experience and organisational capability.

The postholder will act as the operational lead for Finance transformation activity, ensuring projects are effectively prioritised, governed and delivered whilst building Finance's capability in digital improvement, automation and AI.

Working across Finance, CIS, HR and wider Professional Services, the role will provide the bridge between strategic ambition and successful delivery.

The role will also help identify and develop opportunities for digital innovation, automation and AI, supporting the advancement of a modern, efficient and increasingly data-driven Finance function.

The base location for this role is Boldon House, our exciting new professional serviceshub. Boldon House is situated on the outskirts of Durham near the Arnison Centre in Pity Me. Boldon House brings a number of professional services teams together in a vibrant office environment which supports collaborative working and is designed to embrace hybrid working. To find out more, visit the project webpage: Boldon House – Durham University.

Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.

Working at Durham

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University:

• You’ll receive 30 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year. The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
• We offer a generous pension scheme, and as a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have ample parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. You can also take advantage of our cost-effective and environmentally friendly Tusker Car Benefit Scheme, allowing you to lease a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle with savings on tax and National Insurance.
• We have a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
• We provide wide-ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
• Our family-friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
• We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community.
• You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions.
• Various salary sacrifice schemes are also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.
• If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs, and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest‑free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.

Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion

Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification

When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description. Where a criteria has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.

Your application should cover the following criteria:

Qualifications/Experience

1. Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience).
2. Professional practitioner with significant experience leading portfolios, programmes or complex business change initiatives, with the ability to influence strategic service delivery and organisational outcomes.
3. Experience of providing specialist programme, project and change-management advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues, including more senior colleagues.
4. Experience of developing and participating in internal or external networks to share and discuss good practice, develop strong and productive working relationships and positively influence the University’s reputation.
5. Experience of implementing policies and procedures and supporting service improvements.
6. Strong programme and project management capability, including managing multiple concurrent workstreams and competing priorities.
7. Experience translating strategic objectives into deliverable plans, milestones and measurable outcomes.
8. Excellent stakeholder engagement, influencing and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across business and technical teams.

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge

1. Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally
2. Strong digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps including Oracle Fusion, Power Platform, Microsoft 365 applications.
3. Committed to continuing professional development to maintain professional recognition.
4. Extensive knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines.
5. Ability to contribute to planning at operational and strategic levels.
6. Ability to solve problems and decide on and plan appropriate solutions.
7. Experience within Finance, Higher Education or another complex professional-services environment.
8. Experience of enterprise systems, digital transformation and automation initiatives, including platforms such as Oracle Fusion, Microsoft Power Platform or similar technologies.
9. Knowledge of data governance, information management and benefits realisation principles.
10. Experience of continuous improvement and business process optimisation, including Lean and/or other improvement methodologies.

Typical Role Requirements

Lead the planning, coordination and governance of the Finance transformation portfolio, ensuring initiatives are aligned to strategic priorities and delivered effectively.

Responsibilities:

• Maintain the Finance Transformation Roadmap and portfolio plan.
• Coordinate delivery across multiple projects and workstreams.
• Manage portfolio governance, risks, issues, dependencies and reporting.
• Support prioritisation and resource planning decisions.
• Track delivery progress, outcomes and benefits realisation.
• Support development of business cases and investment proposals.

Change, Simplification and Service Improvement

Lead the people and organisational aspects of transformation, helping Finance simplify services, improve processes and successfully embed change.

Responsibilities:

• Develop stakeholder engagement and change‑management approaches.
• Facilitate workshops and service‑design activities.
• Lead process reviews and identify opportunities for simplification.
• Promote continuous improvement across Finance.
• Support training, adoption and embedding of new ways of working.
• Ensure operational teams are engaged in transformation and service redesign activities.

Digital Transformation and Innovation

Support Finance's digital transformation agenda, identifying opportunities to improve services through technology, automation and AI.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain a pipeline of digital improvement opportunities.
• Identify opportunities for automation, AI and process optimisation.
• Support delivery of Finance's digital and AI roadmap.
• Work with colleagues across the University to ensure appropriate governance and controls.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and their relevance to Finance.
• Track benefits delivered through digital transformation initiatives.

Service Delivery/Development

• Contribute to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values.
• Develop and promote an in‑depth understanding of university policy and external developments relevant to your role.
• Ensure that policy and regulatory standards are met by activities, processes and transactions that are carried out in services you are responsible for.
• Use your professional knowledge and experience as a programme manager to resolve problems, shape processes and activities, develop systems and provide subject matter expertise and advice.
• Provide specialist advice on the analysis and interpretation of complex data and information relevant to your area.
• Look for ways to continually improve services and take a lead role in the development and implementation of assigned policies, processes and standards.
• Instigate and manage business process reviews to improve the service in your area.
• Meet the professional development needs of your stakeholders, providing training when required.
• Ensure data (commercially sensitive and/or personal) is appropriately stored and managed.
• Manage quality and regulatory audits of systems and procedures.
• Support the welfare, wellbeing and employment of your staff by providing professional guidance.

Planning and Organisation

• Contribute to operational leadership teams to influence the type and level of services that are provided by your area
• Contribute to the development of operational and strategic‑level plans relevant to your area.
• Scope, plan and implement large‑scale/University‑wide initiatives
• Oversee projects to deliver agreed objectives while solving any problems which are encountered.
• Provide oversight for short term/temporary project teams.
• Analyse data about the service levels provided by your area and make recommendations for improvement in reports to senior managers and committees.
• Allocate and monitor designated budgets, expenditure and resources
• Use your professional knowledge to identify and recommend priorities for long‑term business plans.
• Provide professional guidance and advice when managing Finance services.
• Design creative and innovative communications to promote and increase engagement relating to Finance Service
• Influence University policy and standards by leading operational business meetings, working groups and sub‑committees.
• Design and deliver training to your stakeholders to support their development and information needs.
• Create strong working relationships, including internal and external networks, using your networks to increase your knowledge and skills, swap information with peers and positively influence the University’s reputation.
• Represent Finance Service and University at promotional events.
• Identify opportunities to develop and increase participation in special interest groups.
• Any other reasonable duties.

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Job Applicants/Potential Job Applicants - Privacy Notice which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.

Durham University is a UKVI sponsor. Applicants who require sponsorship to work in the UK should note that not all roles are eligible. Further information on visa requirements and eligibility can be found on the UKVI website.

We welcome applications from candidates with disabilities, neurodiversity and long-term health conditions, and we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process.

We will make adjustments to support the recruitment and interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

If you are unable to complete your application via our recruitment system or would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments to support you in the application process, please get in touch with us on [e-mail]