Head of Finance – Operations Group

About the role:

The Head of Finance (Operations Group) is a crucial role within the wider Business Partnering team. You must be passionate and knowledgeable about the areas you support, acting as a trusted advisor, providing a clear “voice of the customer” input to colleagues across Finance. You will work closely with the stakeholders as the reliable, go to point of contact and will be responsible for providing comprehensive robust data, analysis, financial insights and recommendations to enable data-driven decision-making and strategic planning. This role involves close collaboration with senior leadership, working together to shape, develop and deliver financially sustainable departmental plans, offering financial expertise to help drive financial performance. This role provides an excellent opportunity to gain an insight into the finances of Imperial and add value its financial decision-making.

With a portfolio that includes supporting our Information and Communication Technologies and Transformation Departments, this is a pivotal role that will support our Chief Information Officer and Chief Transformation Officer to deliver our ambitious digital strategy and major transformation programmes.

What you would be doing:

• Provide comprehensive financial analysis and insights to support decision making. Analyse financial data to identify value drivers, trends, opportunities, and risks and propose strategies to mitigate and/or capitalise on them. 
• Partner with Chiefs, department heads and operational managers to develop strategic plans and initiatives, ensuring alignment with longer term Imperial wide strategic financial planning.  
• To manage the financial planning, forecasting, budget monitoring and support the year end cycle at a group level. Working with the Management Accountants to ensure these plans and initiatives are captured in the annual financial budgets and forecasts cycles. 
• Present fact-based analyses of cost drivers and financial sustainability so that departments can understand their options and make needed trade-offs. 
• Support University wide culture change initiatives by understanding and anticipating the need for change and building the case for change with stakeholders. 
• Partner and collaborate with colleagues across Finance to shape solutions and deliver a high value service to customers. 
• Play a crucial role supporting project teams with the design, implementation and adoption of Imperial wide improvements. 

What we are looking for:

• A Qualified Accountant
• Experience in a similar senior finance role in a large complex organisation  
• Proven record of representing finance to internal and external stakeholders. 
• Experience working closely with senior management, providing financial analysis to support strategic decision making.  
• Demonstrate strong in-depth knowledge of financial management, practices, and procedures.
• Possess the ability to quickly grasp and communicate complex issues clearly, concisely, sensitively, assertively, and diplomatically. 
• Pro-active individual who identifies opportunities and continually looks to improve processes.

What we can offer you:

• The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution and be part of our mission to use science for humanity.
• Benefit from a sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 41 days’ annual leave and generous pension schemes).

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