Junior Finance Business Partner - Knowledge Exchange

Are you a finance professional looking to make an impact in a dynamic and creative environment? University of the Arts London (UAL) is looking for a talented and motivated Junior Finance Business Partner to join our friendly and supportive Central Finance Business Partnering team.

As a Junior Finance Business Partner, you will:

• Play a key role in providing a comprehensive, customer-focused service to budget managers across the University. Your work will directly contribute to the smooth operation of the costing and budget monitoring process by providing relevant financial information to help drive informed decision-making.
• Collaborate closely to support budget holders in developing and managing budgets, assisting with quarterly forecasting, and supporting key decision-making. Your expertise will help ensure that these processes are completed on time and in line with agreed-upon approaches.
• Work closely with Knowledge Exchange (KE) stakeholders, gaining a deep understanding of their operational needs, challenges, and deliverables, to support their project costings and decision-making.
• Support the quarterly forecasting process and contribute to strategic decision-making.
• Perform checks to ensure KE projects comply with all tax, legal, financial, HR, and Payroll requirements.
• Establish strong, positive relationships with key stakeholders to provide tailored financial advice.

About you

If you hold a strong understanding of finance and budgeting processes, we would be interested in hearing from you. The post-holder for this role will be educated to degree level in a relevant subject area and will be actively studying for a professional accounting qualification.

The key candidate requirements include:

• A good knowledge of finance and management information needs, knowledge of finance information systems and an understanding of financial management controls and procedures.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with various stakeholders.
• A proactive and customer-orientated approach to problem-solving.
• Attention to detail and the ability to work to tight deadlines.
• Previous experience of financial planning, budget setting, forecasting, management accounts and variance analysis.
• Previous experience of producing and explaining financial information and management accounts to tight deadlines.
• Previous experience in finance or business partnering is desirable, but not essential, as is a background in higher education.

Working at UAL

University of the Arts London (UAL) generates and inspires the creativity the world needs for a better future. Since 1842, our colleges have been defining creative education. With curiosity, imagination and intent, we make work which creates lasting change for people and our planet. London is core to who we are, a place where we meet and share ideas with people from different backgrounds and cultures. Our creative network influences learning, culture, industry and society on a global scale. Our academics and practitioners deliver creative education and inspire new ways of thinking through research and innovation. We work with students at every level from pre-degree and short courses to postgraduate and online learning, enabling them to build the careers they want. Together, we are a community of makers, thinkers, pioneers and storytellers redesigning the future.

As a University, we are ranked second in the world for Art and Design. We are formed of 6 Colleges with unique histories and identities: Camberwell College of Arts, Central Saint Martins, Chelsea College of Arts, London College of Communication, London College of Fashion and Wimbledon College of Arts. UAL also has 4 Institutes, 5 Research Centres, 1 Pre-Degree School and 2 subsidiary companies delivering specialist activities.