Deputy Director of Finance - Financial Control

We are a world class research-intensive university. We deliver teaching and learning of the highest quality. We play a leading role in economic, social and cultural development of the North East of England. Attracting and retaining high-calibre people is fundamental to our continued success.

Salary:  Competitive, depending on skills and experience

Closing Date:  09 January 2022

Within its Vision and Strategy, the University has made clear its commitment to put people in the centre of all it does. We aim to provide an environment that enables our people to flourish and develop. This strategic role will provide strong leadership and a compelling vision for the development, delivery and direction of the Corporate Finance team within the University’s Finance Professional Services Hub. 

 

This senior finance role will lead, co-ordinate, develop and support the University’s Corporate Finance team to provide high quality service supported by robust financial control practices.  Ensuring the high-quality delivery of all external financial reporting, treasury and endowment management, taxation compliance, insurance needs and technical accounting support. 

You’ll have a high degree of self-motivation, initiative and drive, and the ability to demonstrate professional resilience.  You will engage with the senior management and governing body of the University on a regular basis. 

This role will report directly to the Executive Director of Finance.  

The University is an exciting and dynamic place to work, dedicated to world-leading education and research. Benefits include excellent pension; flexible working options; 42 days holiday (including public holidays); discounted travel for the Metro and local bus services; and discounts for national retailers. You can find out more on our benefits web page.

We are committed to building and maintaining a fair and inclusive working environment and we would be happy to discuss arrangements for flexible and/or blended working.

For an informal conversation regarding the role please contact Executive Director of Finance Nick Collins

Interview date: 02 February 2022

 

Key Accountabilities

Financial Leadership

•    To lead the production of the University’s Integrated Annual Report, managing the collation of Executive Board input and the effective approval through internal governance prior to publication.  

•    To lead the production of the Annual Report and Accounts for all subsidiary and joint venture companies within the Group.  

•    To co-ordinate the external audit of the University and all subsidiary entities, 

•    To lead the production of the quarterly group accounts for inclusion in the quarterly management reports.

•    To provide management and oversight of relevant projects, including representation of Finance in University-wide initiatives and steering committees.

•    To provide accounting advisory support to the wider function and University including selection of appropriate accounting policies and practices.  To undertake accounting assessment on new initiatives and strategic projects. 

•    To represent Finance and the University in governance committees and external industry groups.  Contributing to sector wide developments to develop best in class sector policies and working practices.

•    To work closely with the Executive Director of Finance and wider University senior management team to provide critical thinking on financial and tax implications of new strategic initiatives and projects, both UK and overseas.

•    To support the maintenance of the financial integrity and robustness of the University, by developing and monitoring the effectiveness of financial systems and controls. 

•    To be responsible for the development and implementation of the University’s short term investment strategy and policy and to ensure robust cash management within that policy.

•    To be responsible for the development and implementation of the University’s taxation strategy including risk appetite in the context of tax legislation. 

•    To lead on ensuring tax compliance for the University and group covering all areas including corporation taxes, VAT, employment taxes and global mobility issues.

•    To support strategic projects and the wider University in advisory and compliance capacity in relation to tax planning and risks.  Managing the relationship with HMRC and other regulatory bodies. 

•    To coordinate the relationships with key external stakeholders including investment managers auditors and tax advisers.

•    To be responsible for the development and implementation of the University’s endowment assets’ investment strategy, working with internal and external stakeholders and investment managers.

•    To be responsible for the development and implementation of the University’s insurance strategy and to procure and manage the insurance arrangements for the University, working with insurers to maintain appropriate cover.

•    To keep up to date with changes in financial reporting and technical accounting standards and be aware of the potential application within the University. 
 

Operational Management

•    To provide an excellent leadership example for the Corporate Finance team and other colleagues to foster a culture of outstanding performance and customer service, establishing clear expectations of performance underpinned by appropriate leadership and processes. 

•    With a strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, to establish strong management practices, standards and aspirations in which colleagues are recruited, managed, motivated, developed and recognised in line with University values, policies and principles.  

•    To ensure the maintenance of high professional and insightful standards in service delivery.

•    To lead specific initiatives or projects on behalf of the University. 

•    To deputise for the Executive Director of Finance at relevant meetings and committees and to represent the University’s financial interests, as appropriate, taking the lead role in influencing and informing internal and external stakeholders.

•    To recognise the importance of continuous personal development and ensure your teams are at the forefront of industry practice, enabling development and further understanding of key financial challenges across the University and externally making recommendations accordingly. 

•    To be a member of the leadership team of Finance and to deputise for the Executive Director of Finance as and when required.
 

Stakeholder Management

•    To work closely with senior management and key stakeholders both internal and external, to establish service requirements and improve service delivery. 

•    To lead effective customer relationships to ensure the service meets customer requirements whilst maximising quality and efficiency. 

•    To provide evidence-based challenges to the finance team and University to continue to improve process effectiveness and time saving measures, especially where performance is hampering the ability to effectively deliver. 

•    To provide support and advice to colleagues particularly in complex and high-risk matters 

•    To provide professional expertise to functional and wider University projects including memberships of steering committees and task and finish groups where appropriate.

•    To represent the interests of the University as shareholder in certain subsidiary and spin-out investment entities, by acting as a company director or appointed attendee.  
 

The Person 

 

Qualifications
•    Professionally qualified CCAB accountant
•    Educated to degree standard and/or with substantial relevant professional work experience

 

Knowledge, Skills and Experience
•    Strong and up to date understanding of financial reporting, technical accounting and taxation
•    Substantial post-qualification financial management experience in a large, complex organisation
•    Experience of working with senior management from a range of disciplines
•    Experience of coordinating external stakeholders, including external auditors  
•    Substantial line management experience including recruitment, appraisals, performance development and coaching
•    Strong IT skills and understanding of financial systems and internal reporting
•    Excellent presentation and communication skills including experience of regular presentations to Board-level stakeholders
•    Understanding of the Higher Education sector in general and research-intensive universities would be beneficial (desirable)
•    Previous experience in areas such as treasury management, fund management and complex pensions schemes would be beneficial (desirable)

 

Attributes and Behaviour
•    Strong interpersonal leadership skills with the ability to coach and mentor effectively
•    Promotes and actively drives change within own area and across the organisation
•    High drive and initiative, able to demonstrate professional resilience
•    Exceptional interpersonal, communication and influencing skills
•    Politically astute and sensitive to the priorities and dynamics of an academically led organisation
•    Strong track record and desire in working collaboratively with colleagues at all levels across the organisation
•    Strong track record of building strong working relationships with external stakeholders and external advisors

 

Newcastle University is committed to being a fully inclusive Global University which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society.  We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all our employees and the communities they represent.  We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from everybody, regardless of race, sex, ethnicity, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital status/civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, as well as being open to flexible working practices.

 

The University holds a silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. The University also holds the HR Excellence in Research award for our work to support the career development of our researchers, and is a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.

We understand how important the full employment package is to our colleagues at Newcastle University and we are committed to providing a great range of benefits and discounts for all.  You can learn more about what is available here on our Benefits Website page.

 

Requisition ID: 14887