Financial Services Support Team 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

The Role and the Department

Financial Services represents the larger part of the Finance Department including Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Student Services and  Cash Management functions.

The Financial Services Support Administrator will report to the Financial Services Support Team Assistant Manager and  the tasks associated with the role include:

• Compiling Standard Operating Principles
• Assist the Team Leader / Assistant Manager(s) with tasks where attention to detail is required e.g raising of invoices and Credit notes to customers
• Responsible for the compilation of financial data and processing adjustments as required
• Deal with queries
• Any other duties associated with the post

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.  The University closes between Christmas and New 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 and access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16 throughout the year.
•    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. 

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 equivalent experience.

2.    Experience of working in a busy office environment, preferably within a large organisation and/ or with accounts receivable experience, delivering front line administrative services, across a high volume of transactions & queries, or having relevant qualifications for the role.

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

4.     Experience of working on the front line with service delivery, and the ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines without compromising on quality. 

5. Experience of large ERP system, such as Oracle/ SAP

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge
6.    Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.  

7.    Strong digital competence with demonstrable skills in using core digital tools including internet, email, digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications, digital booking system, project planning. 

8.     Evidence of personal development to maintain skills. 

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

10.    Demonstrable ability to provide advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues.  

11.   Ability to effectively network and exchange advice and information for development purposes.     

Desirable Criteria

12.  Understand importance and experience of writing standard operating procedures.

13.  Knowledge or experience of accounts payable.

14. Knowledge or experience of treasury management.

15. Knowledge or experience balance sheet reconciliation.

16. Experience of working within the higher education sector.

17. Experience of billing in large volumes, with varying parameters for the types of bills

18. Experience of Banner

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 ask any questions about the role, please contact Sandra Bartlett   email [email protected]

Typical Role Requirements  

Service Delivery
•    Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values.
•    Ensure that relevant regulatory and professional standards are being used within services being delivered by your team.
•    Help to develop and implement policies and procedures relating to your service area.
•    Respond to queries and provide information/advice, while raising more specialist or complex queries with more experienced team members.
•    Use your experience and problem-solving skills to investigate and resolve issues relevant to your role such as and make recommendations based on your findings.
•    Continually review what is required from staff, students and others who you work with to make sure the best possible service is provided.
•    Ensure that processes and business systems effectively support the services being delivered by the team
•    Monitor and analyse the use of equipment and resources to ensure efficiency and report your findings to senior colleagues.
•    Ensure that data is accurate and provide reports and analysis of patterns and trends to senior colleagues.
•    Capture and share information and data that needs to be shared with relevant networks and committees.
•    Use digital media e.g. SharePoint, Social Media to update team members and colleagues, students and external contacts
•    Prepare reports for senior managers.

Planning and Organising
•    Plan and organise own workload to deliver the role.
•    Organise and schedule assigned resources, activities and events.
•    Monitor processes and activities to ensure team priorities are met.

Teamwork
•    Provide specialist support and advice to team members 
•    Explain and provide instruction to other team members on how to correctly record and manage data.
•    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.
•    Seek feedback from students, staff and anyone else that you come across as part of your role on their requirements from your service and recommend improvements to senior colleagues.

Communications/Liaison
•    Use your knowledge and expertise to provide advice and guidance to resolve problems and respond to a wide range of queries.
•    Provide instruction and demonstrations to others within the Finance Team.
•    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.
•    Liaise with staff in other areas, professional organisations and agencies to ensure that services are being delivered in an efficient and collaborative way.
•    Create good working relationships with internal and external partners and suppliers to work together on joint activities.
•    Build relationships with contacts and contribute to internal and external networks to share good practice and exchange information.
•    Liaise with external suppliers, contractors, specialists and service providers to plan the delivery of services and events.

•    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