At a Glance
- Tasks: Assist in financial management and reporting for university departments.
- Company: Join Durham University, a globally recognised centre of educational excellence.
- Benefits: Enjoy 39 days of leave, hybrid working, and health perks like gym discounts.
- Why this job: Be part of a supportive community focused on personal and professional development.
- Qualifications: Five GCSEs including English and Maths; accountancy qualification preferred.
- Other info: Opportunities for volunteering and discounts on various services available.
The predicted salary is between 22000 - 26000 £ per year.
A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University:
- 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 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 workforce 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.
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:
- Five GCSEs at least Grade C or level four (or equivalent) including English Language and Mathematics or a Post-16 qualification or equivalent experience.
- Evidence of continued personal development to maintain skills.
- Hold or be studying towards an accountancy qualification (or qualified by experience).
- Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.
- Demonstrable ability to proactively work with team members to ensure the delivery of high quality services.
- Experience of working in a busy office environment delivering front line administrative services to a high standard.
- Experience of managing time and working under pressure to meet tight deadlines without compromising on quality.
- Demonstrable experience of providing advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues.
- Strong digital competence across a range of digital tools including internet, email, digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications and accounting software packages.
- Ability to solve problems yourself and as part of a team and resolve issues, plan solutions and make pragmatic decisions.
- Ability to participate in networks to share and discuss good practice and exchange information.
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.
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:
- A CV
- A supporting statement which shows examples of how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification.
If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role, please contact either Charmaine Dillon or Rachel Allsop who would be happy to speak to you.
Typical Role Requirements:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.
Finance Coordinator employer: Durham University
Contact Detail:
Durham University Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Coordinator
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Durham University's values and commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion. During your interactions, whether in networking or interviews, highlight how your personal values align with theirs.
✨Tip Number 2
Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or other professional networks. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for standing out as a candidate for the Finance Coordinator role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've managed time and worked under pressure in previous roles. This is crucial as the job requires meeting tight deadlines without compromising quality.
✨Tip Number 4
Research common financial management tools and software that are used in higher education. Being knowledgeable about these can give you an edge during discussions with the hiring team.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Coordinator
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Finance Coordinator position. Tailor your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with these specific needs.
Craft a Strong Supporting Statement: Your supporting statement should clearly demonstrate how you meet each of the essential criteria listed in the person specification. Use specific examples from your past experiences to illustrate your qualifications and skills.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Make sure to mention any relevant qualifications, such as GCSEs or accountancy qualifications, and any ongoing personal development efforts. This will show your commitment to professional growth and suitability for the role.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your CV and supporting statement for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects attention to detail, which is crucial for a finance role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Durham University
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Finance Coordinator, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial concepts and be prepared to discuss your experience with budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting. Use specific examples from your past roles to illustrate your expertise.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Excellent communication is crucial in this role. Be ready to explain complex financial information in simple terms. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently, as you may need to interact with various stakeholders, both internally and externally.
✨Demonstrate Teamwork
The role involves working closely with team members and other departments. Prepare examples of how you've successfully collaborated in the past, highlighting your ability to support colleagues and contribute to team goals. This will show that you're a team player who can enhance the department's performance.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills. Think about challenges you've faced in previous roles and how you resolved them. Be ready to discuss your thought process and the steps you took to ensure high-quality service delivery under pressure.