Finance Coordinator

The University

At Durham University we are proud of our people.  A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other.

Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally.  Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer. 

We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University.  Further information about the University can be found here .

Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Durham University

The Role and the Department

The Finance Coordinator will work as part of the Financial Planning and Reporting team, reporting directly to a Finance Business Partner.  They will assist the Financial Business Partner in all aspects of financial management, financial performance and control for the professional services departments within the University.  We currently offer hybrid working with a minimum of 2 days per week to spent in the office.

Working at Durham  

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits: 

•    27 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 39 days per year.  
•    No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered.  We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
•    Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
•    On site nursery is available plus access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
•    Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
•    There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally.  There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University.  All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities. 
•    The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community
•    Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions. 
•    We offer generous pension schemes.

Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here .

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion

Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work.  As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do.  We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct.  At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It’s important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.  If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application.  If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification  
  
When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role.  Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description.  Where a criteria has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.    
  
Your application should cover the following criteria:

Essential Criteria

Qualifications/Experience

1.    Five GCSE’s at least Grade C or level four (or equivalent) including English Language and Mathematics or a Post-16 qualification or equivalent experience.

2.  Evidence of continued personal development to maintain skills.

3.  Hold or be studying towards an accounting qualification.

4. Experience of working in a Finance environment.

Skills / Abilities / Knowledge

4. Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.

5.  Demonstrable ability to proactively work with team members to ensure the delivery of high quality services.

6.  Experience of working in a busy office environment delivering front line administrative services to a high standard.

7.  Experience of managing time and working under pressure to meet tight deadlines without compromising on quality.

8.  Demonstrable experience of providing advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues.

9.   Strong digital competence across a range of digital tools including internet, email, digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications and accounting software packages.

10.  Ability to solve problems yourself and as part of a team and resolve issues, plan solutions and make pragmatic decisions.

11.  Ability to participate in networks to share and discuss good practice and exchange information.

Desirable Criteria

 1.  Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience).

 2.  Experience of Oracle Fusion system.

How to apply

To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above.  Where there are desirable criteria we would also urge you to provide any relevant evidence.  Please don’t forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above).

While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.  

Submitting your application 

We prefer to receive applications online.  We will update you about your application at various points during the process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails 
 
What you are required to submit:
•    A CV 
•    A supporting statement which shows examples of how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification  

Contact details 
If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role, please contact Helen James ([email protected]) or James Walton ([email protected]) would be happy to speak to you. 

Typical Role Requirements  

Service Delivery
•    Resolve queries and requests for information and advice and escalate more specialist and complex queries or issues to more experienced team members. 

•    Deliver support services to ensure the effective and efficient running of business processes and systems. 

•    Monitor and evaluate service delivery to ensure compliance with regulatory and professional procedures and standards. 

•    Monitor data accuracy checks to identify anomalies and ensure the integrity of data and information. 

•    Update data and information on systems and media for recording, storing, communicating and informing service users and team members.

Planning and Organising

•    Plan and organise own workload and the activities of other team members to deliver the role.

•    Contribute to planning the operational priorities of your team and make suggestions to senior colleagues on how to improve the service.

•    Monitor processes and activities to ensure team priorities are met.

Teamwork and Team Development

•    Supervise and delegate tasks to other members of the team and make sure that they are completed.

•    Explain systems and procedures to new starters and provide specialist advice and guidance (including any training) to help less experienced team members carry out their role.

•    Contribute to performance review processes by providing feedback on individual and team objectives and expectations and considering any development needs.

•    Make changes to the services provided by your team in discussion with other team members.

•    Identify opportunities and contribute to decisions on how to improve services being delivered by the team.

Communications/Liaison

•    Use your knowledge and expertise to provide advice and guidance to resolve problems and respond to a wide range of queries.

•    Create good working relationships with other team members and anyone else that you come across as part of your role to work together on joint activities.

•    Create good working relationships with internal and external partners and suppliers to work together on joint activities.

•    Build relationships with contacts to share good practice and exchange information.

•    Any other reasonable duties.

  
Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Privacy Notices - Durham University  which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.  

When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas