Job Title: Head of Finance (Senior Business Partner)

Location: Oxford Road, Manchester

Salary: £47,389 - £58,225 per annum (plus £4,000 Market Supplement), dependent on relevant experience

Job Type: 1 x Permanent and 1 x 24-month fixed term contract / 2 x Full Time (1 FTE)

Closing Date: 26/08/2025

The University of Manchester are seeking to appoint two dynamic and experienced Head of School Finance (Senior Finance Business Partners) to join their Finance Team.

The Head of School/Directorate Finance is a member of the Directorate of Finance working under the guidance of the Deputy Director of Faculty Finance. You will work alongside Heads of School/Directors/Senior leadership teams as a business partner to provide operational and strategic support on all financial matters. You will be responsible for managing the financial planning, budgeting, forecasting and reporting processes for your area of responsibility. This will include analysis of performance and highlighting remedial action where required. You will develop and continuously improve management information to assist School/Directorate budget holders

This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated individual looking to advance their career in a collaborative and forward-thinking environment.

There are two posts available - 1 Permanent contract and 1 Fixed Term contract for 24 months. If you are only interested in one post please stipulate this in your application otherwise you will be considered for both opportunities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Actively work with the Heads of School/PS Directors to develop their financial awareness and understanding of their area in the context of the University, and to help them drive appropriate actions
• Work with the Heads of School/PS Directors in all financial planning, budget and forecast processes and consolidate results for their areas
• Prepare and review the monthly management accounts
• School/Directors/Senior Managers, provide insightful management information and financial analysis and deliver to tight deadlines
• Provide support to the Deputy Director of Faculty Finance on the commercial areas of the Faculty/Directorate with financial analysis/modelling of commercial deals and decision support
• Work with the Heads of School/PS Directors and the School/Directorate Leadership Teams to take appropriate action to deliver budget results and to ensure that the full financial implications of initiatives, including financial risks, are fully understood and appropriately managed
• Work with the Directorate/School teams to develop a clear understanding of the drivers of business performance in order to enhance financial forecasting and decision making, including the optimal prioritisation of resources
• Work with the Heads of School/PS Directors and their Heads of School Operations/Leadership teams to ensure that School/Directorate financial operations run efficiently and effectively, in compliance with University financial regulations, and to ensure up to date, accurate, and technically correct accounting

• Line manage members of the finance team, providing developmental support or training as necessary and be actively involved in line management and training of the wider team where appropriate in conjunction with the Deputy Director of Faculty Finance

Essential skills:

• Possess a recognised CCAB professional accountancy qualification or equivalent
• Experience of working within finance in a large, complex organisation demonstrating ability to work collaboratively and proactively across organisational boundaries
• Experienced in leading, managing and developing teams across various locations, with the ability to think in strategic terms and exercise leadership
• Experience of working in a business partnering role and delivering an exceptional customer service to stakeholders
• Significant experience of working in an accounts preparation role with strong analytical skills to enable production of meaningful financial reporting
• Motivation to streamline processes and identify and implement continuous improvement
• Strong IT skills, particularly accounting systems and high level excel skills, including data manipulation and interrogation
• Ability to convert data into management information easily understood by non-accountants and colleagues alike
• Excellent communication (both verbal and written) and interpersonal skills to engage colleagues at all levels, including those without financial expertise

As one of the leading Universities our employees enjoy exclusive access to excellent benefits and schemes including:

• Generous annual leave allowance, including Christmas/New Year closure
• Pension scheme membership to provide benefits for you and your family
• Well-being programme with counselling, fitness and leading sports facilities
• Learning and development opportunities
• Season ticket loans for public transport
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Workplace nursery scheme
• Staff recognition schemes
• Staff discounts on a range of products and services including travel and high street savings

Please click APPLY to be redirected to our website to complete an application form.

Candidates with experience of: Group Finance Officer, Head of Finance, Finance BP, Lead Finance Business Partner, Finance Business Partner, Group Accountant, will also be considered for this role.