Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the Director of Finance Operations ensures the effective and efficient operation and management of the University’s financial administration, and plays a pivotal role in leading and driving improvements in the University’s finance service. The Director of Finance Operations acts as the Finance Digital and Transformation Lead.

The role is responsible for the design of financial policies and processes administered by University staff in departments, divisions and local hubs and in Central Finance, and guiding these communities through the efficient and compliant completion of those processes, allied with strong internal controls. The role is the overall process design authority of the core finance operational processes, and leads the work of the Process Oversight Groups, which bring together central finance and departmental finance staff across the University with deep subject- and issue-specific expertise to identify opportunities for processes to run more smoothly and safely with greater co-ordination and efficiency. The role also convenes the Finance Digital Board to create and implement strategic plans and development projects for the University’s financial systems.

Leading the operations teams based in the Finance Division, the Director of Finance Operations is responsible for planning and managing the staffing, resources and service delivery of the central teams administering the University’s payroll, pensions, payments, accounts receivable, research accounting, gift registry, financial systems and financial assurance, encompassing over 50% of the Division’s people.

As a member of the Finance Leadership Team of the Central Finance Division, the Director of Finance Operations is jointly responsible for the development and wellbeing of all Central Finance Division staff, working with Finance Division and wider University Administrative Services (UAS) peers to coach staff and continuously improve the level of service and compliance provided by the Central Finance Division, as well as leading the work of the Division’s Administrative team in supporting and developing HR practice and staff development.

The Director of Finance Operations is also a member of the Finance Share Leadership Group (FSGL), which provides oversight of the University’s overall finance service in alignment with the University’s priorities and initiatives for professional services (currently the Professional Services Programme), and supports the Chair (the CFO) in leading this group.

Along with their peers, the Director of Finance Operations is also expected to role model the behaviours of team-working, communication, relationship management and coaching required to achieve the target culture of the Central Finance Division: “a diverse, collaborative environment that fosters a culture of trust, respect, and learning from achievements and mistakes, with recognition for innovation and expertise”.

Responsibilities

There are three main areas of responsibility for the role:

Finance Operations

• Line manage and lead the Finance Operations teams: Administration, Pensions and Payroll, Research Accounts and Credit Control, Gift Registry and Payments, and Financial Processes, Systems and Assurance;
• Work with the team managers to:
  • Formulate and develop service strategies;
  • Develop and maintain service plans and business continuity plans across all functions;
  • improve the efficiency and quality of services. Including key SLAs and service metrics;
  • recruit, retain, motivate and develop all members of the teams;
• Network and engage with the senior representatives of service customers and suppliers, within the University and externally, ensuring the strategic and operational alignment of services with requirements and delivery of excellent customer service;
• Represent the Finance Division on University working groups, programme boards and committees relevant to the Finance Operations teams. Examples of current projects and committees are the:

Service Oversight and Development

• Act as overall process design authority of the core operational processes, and drive effective delivery across the University through communication and support for local teams.
• Chair the core operational Process Oversight Groups (currently P2P, Expenses and Advances, Sales Income, Capital Projects, Philanthropic Income, and Research Operations Process Oversight Groups,  working with the Head of Financial Processes, Systems & Assurance. Drive continuous improvement in financial operational processes as delivered the Finance Operations teams and more widely.
• Convene the Finance Digital Board to drive the creation and implementation of a strategy and development programme for the University’s financial systems;
• Fulfil the role(s) of Project Sponsor, Senior User and/or Senior Supplier for major business process and finance system projects.

Finance Division Management and Leadership

• Be an active member of the Finance Leadership Team (FLT), representing the Finance Operations functions and contributing positively to the strategic management and direction of the Finance Division;
• Support core practical operation of the Finance Division, through management of the Administration Team, and support Finance Division budgeting and planning.
• Carry out delegated functions as required by the CFO in relation to Finance Operations eg authorising payments, contracts and journals, taking delegated responsibility for aspects of health & safety etc;
• Represent the Finance Division on University bodies and committees as required.

Key Stakeholders

• Finance Leadership Team
• Registrar’s Senior Leadership Team, particularly the Director of Research Services, the Director of HR, the Director of IT Services, and the Director of Assurance
• Divisional Registrars
• Heads of Administration and Finance
• Divisional Financial Controllers
• Research Services
• Development and Alumni Engagement
• Internal and External Auditors
• OSPS Trustees

Person Specification

The post holder will have significant experience of effectively leading large teams and managing accounting operations including process improvements, systems changes, compliance and long term strategy. You should have high levels of personal effectiveness with a focus on achieving deadlines and ensuring timetables and project plans are delivered.

You will be based in Hythe Bridge Street but you may be able to agree a pattern of regular remote working with your line manager. The Finance Division employs approximately 200 staff, most of whom are based at Hythe Bridge Street, just a short walk into central Oxford.

• Background in effective leadership of large teams and team-working within a broader organisation – developing staff skills, motivation, engagement, communication and performance whilst demonstrating an awareness of the wider context of the organisation’s objectives.

• Background in management of accounting operations with in-depth experience of operating large-scale, decentralised processes.

• Background in and experience of process improvement (eg six-sigma, total quality management).

• Experience of designing and delivering process/ systems change with material financial and/or compliance and/or operational benefits.

• Experience of IT projects delivering changes and/or improvements to financial systems;

• Experience of designing and delivering internal controls and the provision of second line financial assurance.
  • Strong customer focus with experience of developing service plans and KPIs, using these to monitor performance, demonstrate accountability to service users, and create a culture of continuous improvement.

• Ability to establish and maintain multiple relationships to a high level of effectiveness, engendering confidence from a wide range of stakeholders.

• Thinks strategically, taking an open and long-term view of possibilities in order to articulate a clear vision, engaging others in the process.

• Acts with integrity based on strong self-awareness and continuous reflection.

• Takes accountability whilst encouraging accountability in others by empowering them to contribute and deliver.

• High levels of personal effectiveness, particularly co-ordination, organisation, and the ability to focus on achieving deadlines, ensuring that timetables/project plans can be met.

• Experience of major IT transformation projects involving financial systems change.

• Financial or accounting qualification.

Along with their peers, the Director of Finance Operations is also expected to role model the behaviours of team-working, communication, inclusion, relationship management and coaching required to achieve the target culture of the Central Finance Division: “a diverse, collaborative environment that fosters a culture of trust, respect, and learning from achievements and mistakes, with recognition for innovation and expertise”.

Salary and Benefits

Working at the University of Oxford offers several exclusive benefits, such as: 

• 38 days of annual leave (inclusive of public holidays) to support your wellbeing, with the option to purchase up to 10 extra days and additional leave after long service.
• One of the most generous family leave schemes in UK higher education, offering up to 26 weeks of full-pay maternity and adoption leave, plus 12 weeks of full-pay paternity/partner leave.
• A commitment to hybrid and flexible working to suit your lifestyle.
• Access to the excellent contributory “Universities Superannuation Scheme” Pension
• Affordable and sustainable commuting options, including a cycle loan scheme, discounted bus travel, and season ticket loans.
• Access to a vibrant community through the University’s social, cultural, and sports clubs.