At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic financial planning and budgeting for a top-ranked university.
- Company: The University of Edinburgh, a globally recognised institution with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and the chance to shape future education.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team driving transparency and accountability in a complex organisation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on financial sustainability and academic ambitions at a leading university.
- Qualifications: Fully qualified CCAB accountant with senior FP&A leadership experience.
The predicted salary is between 66582 - 77368 £ per year.
The Organisation
The University of Edinburgh is a globally top-ranked, research-intensive university shaping the future of education, innovation, and societal impact. It is one of the world's leading universities, combining academic excellence and global reach, with over £1bn in annual scale. The University is a flagship, internationally recognised institution at the forefront of research, education, and global thought leadership.
Job Purpose
The Director of Financial Planning Analysis provides strategic financial leadership across the University, ensuring that financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and analysis directly supports the University's 2030 Strategy, academic ambitions, and financial sustainability goals. The role is central to delivering high quality insight, evidence-based decision support, and rigorous financial stewardship across a complex, multi-college research-intensive institution; it drives the strategic, forward-looking analytical function for the University. The postholder will lead the transformation of how the University plans, allocates, and measures the performance of its £1.4bn+ organisation, driving improved transparency, accountability, and value for money. This role is distinct from the Business Partnering as it does not provide operational support to within budget area decision makers.
Main responsibilities
- Strategic Financial Planning: Lead the development of the multi-year rolling financial plan. Shape the financial modelling that underpins strategic initiatives, academic plans, workforce strategies, research growth, and capital investment. Provide evidence-based advice to the CFO, the Senior Leadership Team, University Executive, and the University Court.
- Budgeting Resource Allocation: Lead the development and approach for the University's annual budget cycle, ensuring clarity of assumptions, drivers, risks, and dependencies, building towards a fully integrated planning model. Ensure budgets are aligned to the University's strategy, risk appetite, and required savings trajectory. Develop, introduce, and maintain a transparent and evidence-based budget area contribution model.
- Management Reporting Financial Analysis Insight: Strategic Financial Assurance in the delivery of business cases change projects.
- Stakeholder Leadership Team Leadership: Development of Planning Analysis Team.
- Problem Solving Decision Making.
The Person
Education, Qualifications Training: Fully Qualified CCAB accountant with experience commensurate with the seniority of the role. Evidence of continuing professional development in financial reporting, audit or financial controls.
Knowledge Experience: Proven senior level FP&A leadership experience in a complex, multi-stakeholder organisation. Deep experience in financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and cost management. Strong track record of producing high quality financial insight for executive and board-level audiences. Experience of leading large scale cost reduction or transformation programmes.
Additional Information
The role holder must be eligible for appointment as a director for a University subsidiary company i.e., not precluded under UK Company law. Director's Duties training will be provided.
Director of Financial Reporting & Analysis in Midlothian employer: Morgan Philips Executive
The University of Edinburgh is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters innovation and academic excellence. With a commitment to employee development and a culture of collaboration, staff are encouraged to grow professionally while contributing to impactful research and education. Located in the heart of Scotland's capital, employees benefit from a vibrant city life alongside the opportunity to shape the future of higher education on a global scale.
