Financial Controller - Durham

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. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.
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. We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here
The Role and Department
The Financial Controller is part of the Finance Department and includes the transactional processing areas Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Treasury & Cash Management and Capital Management as well as the Financial Accounting functions. Reporting to the Finance Director, this is a business facing role supporting the organisation as a whole and at all levels with respect to:

• Support the Finance Director in providing leadership across the University on all financial and resource matters;
• Support the Finance Director in ensuring the University complies with all relevant internal and external policies, regulations, guidance, accounting standards and governance requirements;
• Work alongside the Finance Director, as part of the Department\’s Senior Management Team, to lead all aspects of the University\’s financial management;
• Ensure the integrity, timeliness and relevance of financial information for statistical, regulatory and management purposes;
• Develop an accessible and professional financial support service with standard, effective and efficient procedures and promote a programme of continuous review and improvement;
• Provide high quality financial management, advice and support;
• Ensure financial compliance and accountability;
• Run effective services for financial transactions.

The Financial Controller will lead a team of 50 staff with 3 direct reports and ensure the day-to-day operations take place efficiently and effectively to meet current service levels.
The role offers hybrid working with a minimum of 40% office based per week, however, may increase to meet business needs, for example month end, audit etc.
From early 2025 the base location for this role will change from our Durham City Centre site to our exciting new professional services hub based at Boldon House. Boldon House is situated on the outskirts of Durham near the Arnison Centre in Pity Me. Boldon House will bring a number of professional services teams together in a vibrant office environment which supports collaborative working and is designed to embrace hybrid working. To find out more about this project, please visit this webpage: Boldon House – Durham University.
Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.
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:
• 30 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year.
• The University closes between Christmas and New Year
• We offer a generous pension scheme, as a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into this University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
• 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.
• 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.
• 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).
• 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.
• A salary sacrifice scheme is also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.
• If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs, and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.
Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.
Durham University is committed to equality diversity, inclusion and values
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
1. Qualified accountant with significant professional experience working in a senior finance role operating at a strategic / expert level.
2. Experience of financial planning, reporting and financial control at both operational and strategic level.
3. Experience of developing innovative solutions and practical implementations for strategic change.
4. Extensive knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines along with current accounting standards and regulations.
5. Experience of managing and controlling substantial budget/resources/funding and an understanding of financial management procedures.
6. Track record of cross-functional management and development experience and/or an enhanced management qualification applied across a large service team or teams.
7. Experience leading external audit and preparation of financial statements under FRS102.
Skills / Abilities
8. Demonstrable experience of leadership of large transactional diverse teams in a complex organisation.
9. Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.
10. Strong interpersonal skills including motivational, negotiating, influencing and networking nationally and internationally.
11. Excellent digital competence with experience in using core digital tools including internet, email, digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications, digital booking system, project planning, financial systems, recruitment tools, auditing tools, eLearning authoring tools.
12. Experience of working collaboratively with internal stakeholders and of developing a high quality, customer focused financial service.
13. Well-developed knowledge of systems/services for own area and across functions and how they relate to the University Strategy.
14. Experience of being able to network effectively and develop strong and productive working relationships, to influence perceptions of the University.
15. Demonstrable ability to provide specialist advice and influence others at operational at strategic levels.
16. Ability to demonstrate a proactive approach to service development and a commitment to improving systems and processes.
Desirable Criteria
1. Good knowledge and understanding of the higher education environment, nationally and internationally, and the major influences on institutional success.
2. Preparation of financial statements under US GAAP
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. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria. 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 throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.
What you need to submit
• A CV: and
• A supporting statement which outlines how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification.
Contact details
For a chat about the role or any further information please contact Sue Jarvis ( ).
Typical Role Requirements
Service Delivery
• Provide professional and strategic leadership for significant areas of the organisation with accountability for the development and delivery of business plans and outputs.
• Have a substantial impact on departmental direction, strategy and objectives.
• Contribute to strategic planning and influence the development of departmental goals.
• Lead, direct and manage the interrelationship of a team of managers and / or highly qualified professionals across the area of responsibility
• Review and address departmental performance and make a significant impact upon longer-term improvements typically within a one year timescale.
• Lead through appropriate consultation or negotiations, organisational changes to tackle major new issues and situations.
• Utilise problem solving skills to implement robust solutions to department / service issues.
• Develop workforce plans and identify talent priorities to ensure the recruitment and retention of highly competent and professional staff.
• Lead or contribute to internal and external business meetings, working groups and committees at departmental or functional service level to influence governance, policy and standards for the service.
• Accountable for budget within area of responsibility.
• Influence and shape the available resources as appropriate to meet the current and future needs of the University.
• Deputise for more senior manager where required
• Maintain clear and effective operational management to deliver agreed customer services.
• To seek out feedback about area of responsibility
• Work with senior colleagues from all areas of the university, with committees and external bodies, providing high level advice.
• Represent the university externally in sector groups in consultations and negotiations.
Analysis and Reporting
• Explore ways of improving efficiency and effectiveness and promote improvements in value for money.
• Monitor performance over time within area of responsibility and identify areas of improvement.
• Maintain a continuous review of quality and of external benchmarks to promote the best possible service.
Planning and Organising
• Develop and lead the implementation of strategies and plans for the area of responsibility, or specialism
• Contribute to the development and delivery of departmental strategy and policy
• Lead projects and initiatives which have significant resources and impact.
• Required to forward plan over a significant timescale (typically up to one year) and includes establishing departmental or service priorities.
Finance/Resource Management
• Undertake and ensure financial plans are developed and that services operate effectively within budget for the department/team.
• Explore ways of improving efficiency and effectiveness and promote value for money.
People Management
• Lead and manage staff in a major departmental area or service grouping, developing and raising performance through mentoring and coaching.
• Motivate, assess and reward of employees as required under university policy.
Continuous Improvement
• Undertake continuous review of departmental quality and of external benchmarks to promote the best possible service.
Communication
• Undertake day to day interaction with people of any level, within or outside of the organisation.
• Any other reasonable duties as required.
Useful links
If you would like further information you may find the following will help:
Annual Report and Financial Statements – Durham University
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.