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Role Description

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UCL’s academic faculties are organised into four Schools in order to facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration in research and teaching.  The Director of Finance, Academic leads the School-based finance functions that comprise 25 staff and support each School and Faculty in SLMS, BEAMS and SLASH.  The role is a member of both the School Executive Groups and UCL’s Finance and Business Affairs Senior Team.  

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The Director of Finance, Academic brings a modern, business like approach to financial leadership within the Schools with an emphasis on partnership between Finance and the Deans, Vice Provosts and Faculty Managers.  The role is critical in the conversion of strategic academic aspirations of the Faculties into credible business plans that are strategically consistent, academically successful and financially sustainable.  This involves working with the Faculty, Department and Institute leaders to develop and evaluate scenarios and set a financial framework that provides resource and information to support Faculty and School plans.    

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This role is one of the senior roles that provide leadership to the finance function and support to the organisation that has a turnover in excess of £1.3bn.  The post-holder is a member of the Senior Team in Finance and Business Affairs and is therefore required to lead, support and participate in wider strategic initiatives.   The post-holder will deputise for the Director of Finance and Business Affairs as required.
 

 

Specific Responsibilities

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  • Develop and maintain 3-5 year financial plans to enable the Schools to meet both their academic and financial objectives on a sustainable basis.

  • Provide the Deans, Faculty Managers and other senior colleagues within each School with effective support on both strategic and operational financial issues.

  • Deliver a comprehensive, timely and fit-for-purpose financial and management reporting service including actuals, budgets and forecasts for the School, including income, expenditure and critical balance sheet items such as reserves and discretionary accounts.

  • Provide accurate, realistic and accessible management information and commentary on performance against agreed targets, including comprehensive analyses of all risks. This should include both financial and other relevant non-financial information, such as student and headcount numbers.

  • Provide effective support for all current and planned projects, capital proposals and partnerships within the Schools, liaising with relevant teams in UCL.  Ensure business cases, investment appraisals and risk analyses are conducted.

  • Assist the Deans in allocating resources and setting targets to best deliver the School’s objectives.

  • Work with Faculty Managers, local heads of administration and the Procurement Department to ensure that procurement good practice is rolled out across the School and that externally procured goods and services offer best value to UCL.

  • Ensure that discretionary accounts and other non-core activity within the Schools are properly managed and monitored to prevent future deficits and to implement remedial plans where necessary.

  • Ensure that the Schools maintain a robust fit for purpose system of financial controls.

  • Manage the relationship with key internal stakeholders to ensure that they are fully informed as to the financial performance of the Schools/Faculties and their contribution to it.  This will include providing suitable training to new Deans, Heads of Department and support staff.

  • Look for continuous improvement in all financial processes in which the Schools are involved, playing a proactive role in piloting and harmonising procedures across the Schools.

  • Provide ad hoc analysis and analytical review as required by Schools and University senior management and other stakeholders.

  • Provide support and encouragement to all finance staff within the Schools and ensure that staff within the School Finance teams are motivated, effectively managed and that professional development needs are identified and addressed.   

  • Work with other members of the Senior Finance Team on UCL-wide issues, policies and guidance.

  • Contribute to the development of the Schools’ strategy and policy as a key member of the School Executive Groups. 

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Other Duties

 

  • This job description reflects the present requirements of the post, and as duties and responsibilities change/develop, the job description will be reviewed and be subject to amendment in consultation with the post holder.

  • The post holder will carry out any other duties as are within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job as requested by the line manager. 

  • The post holder will actively follow UCL policies including Equal Opportunities policies and be expected to give consideration within their role as to how they can actively advance equality of opportunity and good relations between people who share a relevant protected characteristic and people who do not share it.

  • The post holder will maintain an awareness and observation of Fire and Health & Safety Regulations and may be required to undertake Fire Marshal duties, after appropriate training.
     

 

Person Specification – Essential

 

  • Fully qualified accountant with significant post qualification experience;    

  • Capable and credible finance professional, comfortable with operating and influencing at senior management level;

  • Track record of financial leadership, managing change and building effective teams in higher education or other sectors with translatable experience; 

  • Ability to generate innovative ideas and adept at finding solutions to improve policies and processes;

  • Successful experience of short and longer term business and financial planning in a complex environment;

  • Experience of building positive relationships with senior non-finance staff, and being able to communicate financial information and concepts in a clear and accessible manner, both in writing and verbally;

  • Excellent communication and presentation skills;

  • Excellent analytical skills and sound judgement; 

  • A collaborative working style with the ability to establish personal credibility quickly and effectively and to transfer skills and knowledge to colleagues;

  • Evidence of appreciation of the dynamics of higher education and an empathy with academic endeavour;

  • Commitment to UCL’s policy of equal opportunity

 

Person Specification – Desirable

 

  • Previous experience in a senior finance role within a research-intensive higher education environment

  • Current knowledge of the funding environment for research and teaching

  • Experience of successfully leading organisational change on a significant scale and in a complex environment

  • Familiarity with Oracle Financials and current reporting tools

Director of Finance, Academic
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