Financial Planning & Analysis Manager

About the role

We have an exciting opportunity to join the University’s Financial Planning and Analysis team as the Financial Planning and Analysis Manager. Reporting to the Director of Financial Planning & Analysis, this is a key role that sits at the heart of the University, with responsibility for providing financial information that will inform high-level decision-making.

Leading a small team, the Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) Manager is responsible for developing and maintaining a model of the University’s finances, which can operate as a ‘single source of truth’ and be used to assess the financial impact of external changes and internal decisions.  This is of growing importance in a time of increased financial uncertainty, and will require the post-holder to have a deep understanding of the Higher Education funding environment, maintain a database of the key indicators and develop a network of subject matter experts across the University.

The FP&A Manager is also responsible for providing monthly reports to the Chief Financial Officer, forecasting the University’s ‘surplus before gains’.  This is a key reporting metric which will be used to assess the University’s financial sustainability and supports its credit rating.

The FP&A Manager will play an important role in working closely with the five Divisional Financial Controllers (DFCs), who oversee the finances of the four academic divisions and services, working closely with them when setting the annual timetable, issuing guidance and ensuring that the internal budgeting tool is fit for purpose.  The FP&A Manager is also responsible for the collation, interpretation and review of budgets and forecasts, ensuring consistency and identifying areas that may need further work.

The FP&A Manager is responsible for a number of key returns, including the Office for Students Annual Financial Return and the annual TRAC (Transparent Approach to Costing) return to the Office for Students, ensuring compliance with TRAC methodology, including an appropriate level of internal review and scrutiny;

About you

You will be a qualified accountant with significant experience of budgeting, planning and forecasting and developing multi-year financial forecasts in a large and complex organisation. Strong analytical skills, project management experience and excellent communication skills are essential.

As a senior member of the Finance Division, the FP&A Manager is expected to role model the behaviours of team-working, communication, relationship management and coaching underpinning the Finance Division’s stated culture of being ‘a diverse, collaborative environment that fosters a culture of trust, respect, and learning from achievements and mistakes, with recognition for innovation and expertise’.  Key to achieving this will be a visible commitment to the Division’s five values:  professionalism, integrity, excellence, respect and inclusion.

You will be based in Hythe Bridge Street but you may be able to agree a pattern of regular remote working with your line manager.

The Finance Division employs approximately 200 staff, most of whom are based at Hythe Bridge Street, just a short walk into central Oxford.

Application Process

You will be required to upload a supporting statement, setting out how you meet the selection criteria, curriculum vitae and the names and contact details of two referees as part of your online application.

Only applications received before noon Friday 21 October 2022 can be considered.

Interviews will be held during week commencing Monday 7 November 2022

Committed to equality and valuing diversity