Deputy Director of Finance (Financial Analysis and Planning)

Oxford Brookes University is distinctive in nature. We are a modern and forward thinking institution rooted in, and connected to a city with a rich history of culture and learning. We are a globally recognised University focused on providing high-quality teaching, delivering impactful research and an excellent student experience. Our vision is simple: “shape tomorrow through our unique blend of the modern and the traditional, by embracing diversity, seeking out the new and excelling in education and research.”

Our people are at the heart of the University - our excellence in teaching, research and knowledge exchange depends on the engagement, capability and wellbeing of our people. We strive to create and encourage an environment where people have the opportunity to develop, progress and thrive.

In acknowledgment of our commitment to gender equality and progression, we proudly hold the Athena SWAN Bronze award, a testament to our unwavering dedication to creating an inclusive and equitable environment for all. Join us at Oxford Brookes University, where every step forward is a leap toward a brighter tomorrow.

The role

We are recruiting for a Deputy Director of Finance. Based at our Headington Campus and reporting to the Director of Finance, the Deputy Director of Finance, Analysis and Planning is responsible for designing and reporting the core financial analysis for the University in support of understanding the actual performance as well as forecasting and planning strategically for the University’s finances.

About the team

The Finance Team is professional and high performing with a focus on customer service delivery. Covering support to budget holders with controlling expenditure and financial business case development through to invoicing, debt collection, payroll and accounts payable. The Deputy Director of Finance has three direct reports – the Senior Management Accountant who supports Directorates, the Costing Management Accountant who delivers the annual TRAC (Transparent Approach to Costing) statutory return and course costing, and the Management Accountant, Projects and Reporting, who supports project accounting for strategic and business change projects.

What will I be doing?

• Strategic and Financial Planning;

• Lead, advise and direct the annual five-year financial planning process for the University;

• Provide challenge to the Faculty and Directorate 5 year Financial Plan proposals;

• Model scenarios and assess financial risk to the 5 Year Financial Plan;

• Understand the equation between the surplus, profile of capital expenditure, cash flow and compliance with bank covenants;

• Promote a culture of innovation, ambition and challenge to drive income diversification;

• Implement planning and reporting software to finance and non-finance budget managers;

• Monitoring and Reporting, ensuring the process for reporting is continuously reviewed and improved making use of and optimising software;

• Manage the TRAC/Costing accountant in compiling the annual TRAC return and reviewing the workload planning inputs with faculty senior managers;

• Represent the Finance Function working in cross University Groups such as the Recruitment and Admissions Group (RAG);

• Advise and co-ordinate areas such as annual tuition fee increases working with Strategic Reporting colleagues to review market intelligence and compare with the competitor groups;

• Ensure that all OfS financial returns are timely, accurate, signed off by the Vice- Chancellor and submitted to the OfS published timetable;

• Improve project management and project reporting across the University, provide standardised and fully costed plans to support the Strategic Change Board (SCB) to make informed decisions;

• Leading, developing and influencing a high performing team.

What skills do I need?

• CCAB qualified accountant with significant post-qualifying experience in complex and diverse organisations. A Levels or equivalent.
• Significant management accounting and financial planning (revenue and capital) skills.
• Ability to design, implement, lead and develop a high performing team.
• Excellent communication skills with all levels of staff and the ability to write reports for senior management and committees.
• Training for finance and non–finance managers.
• Experience in using reporting software, Microsoft Office and advanced skills in Excel; use of large integrated financial systems.
• Ability to develop and use software packages for accounting/planning/costing and reporting.
• Ability to synthesise and analyse complex information and make sound judgements and decisions based on this.
• Manipulate and present data in a robust and transparent way.
• Professionalism and customer service skills. Ability to develop and implement efficient and successful ways of working.

About the location

Based at ourHeadington campus*, you’ll experience the vibrant campus atmosphere and benefit from our modern office environment. The campus is one mile from the centre of Oxford and is served by regular public transport.  This role will be hybrid typically* requiring 2 days on campus per week.

Benefits

As an Oxford Brookes employee, you will enjoy a total of 30 days holiday, rising with your service, plus 8 Bank Holidays and additional University concessionary Days (approx 5 per year).

We have an extremely competitive Local Government pension scheme  with a 19.2% Employer contribution rate, as well as providing all staff with financial education, a comprehensive employee assistance helpline.

We encourage and support hybrid working where the role allows and ensure that you have the necessary equipment to allow you to work flexibly.

We prioritise the well-being of our employees—both physically and mentally, as well as financially. That's why we provide a diverse and comprehensive benefits package to support our team. In addition, all employees have access to:

• Discounted rates for the University sports & gym facilities
• Brookes on-site Nursery
• Discounted travel options
• TOTUM card discount scheme
• Relocation scheme (for moves over 30 miles)
• Training and development opportunities
• Connected community - Brookes have a wide variety of staff networks which instil a sense of community offering employees a space for support, guidance and friendship making it a vibrant and inclusive place to work.

Equality, diversity and inclusion 

At Oxford Brookes, inclusivity is one of our five guiding principles: we take positive steps to create an environment in which we celebrate, value and provide equal opportunity to all. We are committed to recruiting from the widest possible pool and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates who embrace our values, regardless of their background.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we guarantee to interview any disabled applicant who meets the essential selection criteria.