Head of Financial Planning and Analysis

Job Description

Robert Walters - Public Sector Division - Head of Financial Planning and Analysis - Education Sector - Up to £65,000 per annum Role Type: PermanentLocation: West MidlandsJob Title: Head of Financial Planning and AnalysisSalary: Between £57,000 and £65,000 per annum depending on experienceWorking: Home working with occasional travel to West Midlands basesSector: Candidates with a background in Education, Local Government Education Divisions or Charity/Not-For-Profit are an essential criteria for this roleQualification: ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA - EssentialDuties of the Head of Financial Planning and Analysis:Operating within the Finance team, the role holder will be responsible for running a reliable and responsive Financial Planning and Analysis function that provides the Director of Finance, Deputy Director of Finance, the Senior Management Team (SMT) andmanagers across the organisation with incisive, value-add financial support and analysis which facilitates effective decision making.

• Lead the production of monthly management accounts ensuring major variances are explained and, if appropriate, identify remedial action/s
• Produce and develop monthly reporting pack to senior stakeholders, to strict deadlines, responsible for drafting the quarterly finance report, which is used to communicate results to the Vice Chancellors Group, Senior Management Team, Resources Committeeand external stakeholders
• Accountable for providing financial monitoring services for investment, research and project spend, including tracking efficiency savings versus business case targets
• Working with the Finance Systems and Reporting Accountant, responsible for developing reporting, which highlights the Full Economic Cost of the organisations activities at a detailed level, including cost per programme, and completing the annual TransparentApproach to Costing (TRAC) return in accordance with regulatory requirements
• Handle the annual budget process, ensuring a workable and locally owned set of plans which are agreed by the Vice Chancellors Group and approved by the Resources Committee and Council as well as the production of periodic re-forecasts, ensuring risks andopportunities are highlighted
• Build strong and positive relationships with budget holders and senior managers, providing the necessary assistance and professional advice to assist them with the financial aspects of their duties
• Ensure the Finance Business Partners are supporting each area of the organisation appropriately so that managers across the institution understand and own their numbers and receive analysis that informs and supports effective decision making
• Assist the Finance Business Partners, who are responsible for costing and budgeting research and similar projects; liaising with the Research, Knowledge Exchange and Innovation department as appropriate
• Be the focal point for complex financial queries, providing advice to stakeholders
• Apply various tools such as investment appraisal techniques to better inform decision-making and adopt a partner/challenger role in evaluating business plans and business cases
• Act as the finance lead / participate in projects as a team member as required
• Lead for the budget, forecast and financial management reporting processes, responsible for identifying and implementing efficiency and value improvements
• Working with the Systems & Reporting Accountant and Deputy Director of Finance to investigate and implement improvements in self-service budgeting / forecasting and reporting

If you are interested in this position, please email a CV to and applications will be called in order of receipt.