At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic financial planning and analysis for a top-ranked university.
- Company: The University of Edinburgh, a globally recognised institution.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a chance to shape the future of education.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team and drive transformation in a complex organisation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on financial sustainability and academic ambitions.
- Qualifications: Fully qualified CCAB accountant with senior FP&A leadership experience.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 100000 € 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: Define the University standard for management reporting across the University, producing timely, accurate, and insightful monthly and quarterly reporting packs. Prepare & present analysis and insights to the University Executive, Policy & Resources Committee and University Court where required. Lead communication of key financial plans and strategy to external audiences such as Union engagement and the front of the annual report. Lead continuous improvement of financial performance dashboards, reporting templates, KPIs, and business intelligence tools.
- Financial Analysis & Insight: Provide high-quality analysis on income, cost drivers, inflationary pressures, student mix, research margins, performance, and organisational efficiency against sector baselines to define University standards. Deliver scenario modelling and stress-testing to support strategic decision making. Provide high quality cash flow forecasting to ensure that the Treasury department maintains sufficient liquidity for the institution, whilst maximising investment opportunity. Identify emerging trends and risks across the sector, Scottish Public Finances and wider UK and Scottish economies.
- Strategic Financial Assurance in the delivery of business cases & change projects: Lead the financial monitoring and assurance of the University’s strategic change portfolio. Lead the development of investment business cases, ensuring that they are completed to the expected standard. Provide performance tracking, benefits tracking approaches and risk oversight framework including strategic risk. From the development of business cases within the strategic change portfolio; provide savings targets with rationale to each budget area with methodology to allow these to be included into budgets. Ensure submitted budgets include appropriate baselines and reflect agreed timelines for delivery. Establish clear ownership and accountability of delivery. Ensure transparency and consistency between savings plans, budgets and reported outcomes. Lead the development, monitoring, and assurance of the University’s £140m cost reduction and financial sustainability programme.
- Stakeholder Leadership: Build trusted relationships with senior academic and professional service leaders across University Senior Leadership. Ensure FP&A is a proactive, solutions-focussed partner providing clarity, challenge, and meaningful advice.
- Team Leadership & Development of Planning & Analysis Team: Lead, develop, and inspire a high-performing FP&A team. Foster a culture of analytical excellence, accountability, continuous improvement, and collaboration. Champion the adoption of modern planning tools, data automation, and advanced analytical techniques.
- Planning & Organising: Plan and direct complex FP&A activities using deep experience in financial planning, budgeting, forecasting and reporting. Structure and prioritise work through exceptional analytical and strategic thinking skills, ensuring clarity and alignment with organisational needs. Organise transformation and cost reduction programmes drawing on senior leadership experience in large scale change. Plan FP&A team capability and continuous improvement using a collaborative, forward thinking, improvement focused mindset.
- Problem Solving: Use exceptional analytical and modelling skills to interpret complex financial issues and develop evidence-based solutions. Apply deep experience in financial planning, forecasting, cost management and reporting to resolve multi factor organisational challenges. Identify and address risks or inefficiencies drawing on experience leading large scale cost reduction or transformation programmes. Approach challenges proactively and resiliently, offering clear, actionable insights to senior stakeholders.
- Decision Making: Make strategic decisions informed by senior-level FP&A leadership experience in complex, multi stakeholder environments. Evaluate options using exceptional analytical, modelling and strategic thinking skills to provide clear, actionable recommendations. Exercise judgement on major financial change initiatives grounded in experience leading large scale cost reduction programmes. Confidently challenge and advise senior leaders while balancing technical rigour with pragmatic, commercially sound judgement.
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 Planning and Analysis (UK876617:LI) in Edinburgh employer: Morgan Philips Group
The University of Edinburgh is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters innovation and academic excellence. With a commitment to employee growth, the university provides numerous professional development opportunities and encourages a culture of collaboration and analytical excellence. Located in the heart of Scotland's capital, employees benefit from a vibrant city life while contributing to impactful research and education that shapes the future.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Financial Planning and Analysis (UK876617:LI) in Edinburgh
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at the University of Edinburgh on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info about the role and the culture, plus it shows our genuine interest.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into the University’s 2030 Strategy. We want to show that we’re not just interested in the role but also in how we can contribute to their long-term goals. Bring ideas to the table!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get a friend to do a mock interview with us. Focus on articulating our experience in financial planning and analysis clearly, especially how it aligns with the University’s mission.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after the interview! A quick thank-you email reiterating our enthusiasm for the role can leave a lasting impression. Let’s make sure they remember us!
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Financial Planning and Analysis (UK876617:LI) in Edinburgh
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that align with the Director of Financial Planning and Analysis role. Highlight your strategic financial leadership experience and any relevant achievements that demonstrate your ability to support the University’s 2030 Strategy.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about this role and how your background makes you the perfect fit. Don’t forget to mention your experience in budgeting, forecasting, and stakeholder leadership.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:Since this role involves a lot of financial analysis, be sure to include examples of how you've used your analytical skills to drive decision-making in previous roles. This could be through scenario modelling or delivering high-quality insights to senior stakeholders.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves, and we can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Morgan Philips Group
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Director of Financial Planning and Analysis, you’ll need to demonstrate your expertise in financial metrics. Brush up on key financial indicators relevant to the University’s budget and strategic goals. Be ready to discuss how you would approach financial modelling and forecasting in line with their 2030 Strategy.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role requires strong team leadership and stakeholder engagement. Prepare examples of how you've led teams through complex financial transformations or cost reduction programmes. Highlight your ability to build trusted relationships with senior leaders and how you’ve provided meaningful insights that drove decision-making.
✨Understand the University’s Vision
Familiarise yourself with the University of Edinburgh’s mission and strategic objectives. Be prepared to discuss how your experience aligns with their academic ambitions and financial sustainability goals. Showing that you understand their unique challenges will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect to face scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills. Think about past experiences where you had to analyse complex financial issues and provide actionable solutions. Practising these scenarios will help you articulate your thought process clearly during the interview.
