Financial Planning Analyst

Reporting to the Head of Financial, Planning and Analysis, play a leading role in the provision of comprehensive, effective, and efficient financial analysis and planning support as part of the FP&A function and Finance Directorate. Ensure the provision of professional, effective and solutions focused finance services aligned to the achievement of the Service Excellence Programme and FP&A function. Provide high quality technical support and challenge through insightful analysis and issue resolution working with a range of senior stakeholders across functions.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Analysing and Monitoring Financial data

Lead on financial analysis of professional services costs as part of the Service Excellence Programme and annual strategic planning and budget round. This will include but is not limited to:

• Identifying areas of inefficiency or cost reduction across services, using this data to present a case for change to senior stakeholders without compromising service quality
• Assessing, challenging and influencing financial performance by comparing forecasts to actual spend and key strategic outcomes
• Implementing insightful FP&A that will help inform decision making, reporting key findings to Executive leaders
• Responsible for scenario planning, benchmarking and trend analysis in relation to key service areas, mapping costs and opportunities across different value streams and quantifying and challenging service areas on fixed v variable costs
• Define and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and dashboards around service delivery, such as response times, customer satisfaction scores, and service level agreements (SLAs), to gauge and enhance service excellence
• Act as a key stakeholder in the development of the IBM Planning Analytics project
• Act as the finance lead, to challenge and influence decision making to ensure that University strategic objectives are aligned to investment

2. Strategic financial management and business development

• Provide detailed financial analysis and insight to business initiatives and projects to help ensure informed decisions can be made by senior management, identifying trends and patterns in relevant data and presenting and reporting these in an efficient and effective manner
• Act as the Key Finance Business Partner for the service excellence programme, supporting the implementation of the programme, analysing spend and reporting on progress to the relevant governance committees
• Lead on a robust analytical review of professional services spend with recommendations on minimising cost and maximising strategic outcomes

3. Process Efficiency and Effectiveness

• Play a key role in optimising the service that the Finance team provide across the University and remove duplication and wasted effort
• Have a clear understanding of the needs of the customer base and work to deliver an effective service. This will include review of processes to mitigate single points of failure by maintaining process notes and identifying skills gaps within the team
• Ensure all policies, procedures and internal controls are complied with and support is delivered in an effective and efficient manner utilising the appropriate corporate systems and processes

4. Leadership of team / Organisational Development

• As a key member of the FP&A team, lead by example, motivate and assist in the development of the finance team, ensuring behaviours and attitudes reflect University values. In doing so promote a continuous improvement approach, ensuring appropriate professional standards and demonstrate a culture of ownership and accountability to ensure the delivery of excellent services
• Participate fully in the work and activities of the University-wide finance community and contribute to the development of University wide finance solutions, working with finance colleagues across the institution

Our client is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status or pregnancy and maternity.