Finance Business Partner (External Activities)

Overview

The Department of Finance develops and implements dynamic and future-focused financial strategies to support the University’s aims, whilst maintaining sound financial oversight and administration in managing the University’s financial affairs.

You will be part of a Financial Management team within the Department of Finance, aligned to the Faculty of Health.

We are looking for an experienced, independent finance professional with strong technical skills who will work closely with a variety of internal colleagues at all levels across the breadth of the Department of Finance, other Professional Services and Academic Schools within the University.

You will also possess excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to form strong and effective working relationships with a diverse range of key external stakeholders.

You will utilise your effective collaborative and analytical skills to manage the University’s complex c.£30m pa Lynparza royalties income stream, working closely with internal and external stakeholders to ensure adherence to contractual arrangements and robust forecasting of income and associated expenditure.

You will also be responsible for the management, monitoring (including month end routines and forecasting activity) and reporting of the Faculty’s NHS recharge portfolio (c£17m pa), including ensuring recharges are actioned in line with deadlines and that contractual information is accurate and complete.

You will provide a high-quality service in all aspects of your role, which will also include ensuring the effective management and monitoring of the training clinical placements income stream, our NHS Contract fee income streams and be responsible for the Faculty’s growing number of spinout companies.

You will have oversight of a portfolio of large, complex activities and will need to be comfortable in making decisions and reacting to changing and conflicting priorities. You will manage a small group within the faculty team and will also regularly engage with other finance and non-finance teams.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Management and monitoring of the Faculty’s Health Authority recharge portfolio, including ensuring monthly, quarterly, and other ad hoc recharges are processed accurately and in a timely manner
• Reconciliation of accounts, preparing supporting documentation for recharges, responsibility for month end accrual routines and accurate income and expenditure forecasts for these accounts
• Close liaison with internal and external stakeholders to ensure accuracy of recharges and that payments are made in line with each Clinical Academic’s work plan, including, but not limited to various NHS Trusts, Human Resources, Payroll and Faculty and School colleagues
• Management and monitoring of the Faculty’s NHS student fee income portfolio, ensuring income is invoiced in line with contractual obligations and in a timely manner including responsibility for forecasting this income stream
• Management, monitoring and reporting of the University’s Lynparza income stream, from review of royalty statements, arranging invoicing, managing outgoing payments and reconciliation of the account, all in line with strict contractual obligations
• Work closely with the Commercial Manager to produce reliable income, expenditure and cash flow forecasts for this income stream, working with data covering differing financial years
• Oversight of the University’s Pioneers and More Life to Live funding programmes, ensuring claims for income are reviewed and authorised in collaboration with our charitable partners, Yorkshire Cancer Research. Preparation of cashflow forecasts for these programmes, to advise on available funding for future rounds
• Attend and contribute to meetings with Yorkshire Cancer Research colleagues, to discuss funds management and process and meetings with our internal stakeholders
• Management, monitoring and reporting of substantial donation and endowment accounts associated with our cancer research activities
• Develop robust financial processes and procedures for the effective management and reporting of the Faculty’s growing number of spinout companies
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and are respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Criteria

Essential or desirable

Stage(s) assessed at

Qualified or part qualified CCAB Accountant (or other relevant professional qualification / equivalent experience)

Essential

Application

Experience in preparation of timely, transparent and effective financial information with high attention to detail and levels of accuracy

Essential

Application / Interview

Ability to operate independently, effectively, comfortably and across boundaries in a complex, challenging and changing environment

Essential

Application / Interview

Proactive with the ability to work to multiple deadlines

Essential

Application / Interview

Excellent collaboration, communication and interpersonal skills to engage and positively influence multiple stakeholders at all levels (internal and external)

Essential

Application / Interview

Proven planning and organisational skills with the ability to manage a complex workload

Essential

Application / Interview

Strong analytical and problem solving skills with the ability to manipulate and interpret financial data with an appreciation of wider implications

Essential

Application / Interview

Hands-on IT skills, particularly with Microsoft Office, Google applications and accounting and other business systems

Essential

Application

Experience of working with external funding streams, with the ability to assess contractual requirements and manage any associated risk

Desirable

Application / Interview

Experience of financial management in a large, complex organisation

Desirable

Application / Interview

Further Information

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place week commencing 24th November. This will consist ofan interview and a presentation. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 17th November. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Emma Fairclough (e.fairclough@sheffield.ac.uk).

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

Possession of a criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment at the University of Sheffield. We recognise the value of steady employment in the rehabilitation process and examine each case in its own right. More information can be found on our Information for candidates page:- sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/candidates (opens in a new window).