Group Associate Director - Financial Services

Ivy Rock Partners is thrilled to be working with London South Bank University in recruiting a permanent Group Associate Director - Financial Services.

Purpose of the post:

Ensuring the delivery of high quality financial transactional services and operational reporting across the Group combining strong financial control with a service culture approach to delivery. This post will provide leadership of our key operational services across income and expenditure. In addition, this role oversees the procurement function at LSBU.

Increasingly these services will be provided across the LSBU Group, encompassing the University (LSBU), South Bank Colleges (SBC) and South Bank Academies (SBA) and this role will support the transition to more shared financial systems, policies, processes and services over the next few years.

Key Relationships:

1. The role holder will be expected to build close relationships with
2. the Group CFO and senior FMI colleagues
3. Group Executive and leadership at each of the Group entities
4. Academic and PS leadership
5. Directors of professional services including the Academic Registrar
6. External suppliers and software vendors

Under the leadership of the Group CFO and jointly with the other senior leadership roles within FMI, this role will:

• set the performance and service standards for FMI, role model the principles set out in the LSBU Group behavioural framework, deliver against agreed objectives and targets and deliver excellent customer service
• Establish and maintain effective senior team working within FMI, providing collective leadership, strategic direction and overall management of FMI
• Assist the LSBU Group Executive in the wider leadership, direction and management of the University and Group.

In addition, the Group Associate Director of Financial Services has responsibility for the following areas:

• overseeing aspects of Group financial service and control including Income, Fees & Collections, Payments, Payroll, Pensions, Procurement and Finance Systems
• maintaining Group Financial Regulations and relevant financial policies and procedures.
• ensuring efficient and accurate processing of all financial transactions in line with financial regulations, policies and procedures
• ensuring the full and efficient provision of fees and bursaries services are provided and that billing is accurate, prompt and supports effective collection of fees and accommodation payments
• ensuring that appropriate credit control reporting and activity is undertaken in order that all amounts owed to the Group are collected
• ensuring that payments to staff, suppliers and other payees are processed accurately and on time
• ensuring the effective and efficient delivery of financial systems across the Group, currently Unit4 Business World / Agresso and TM1. Ensure with IT that the environment is secure, available and well administered.
• investigating and reporting on cases of suspected fraud and financial irregularity
• overseeing the development and delivery of compliant, effective and flexible procurement processes and services across the Group
• preparing and presenting papers to the Group Executive and Governing Body/ Group Board Committees as required
• ensuring appropriate supervision, appraisal and learning and development throughout the Financial Services section
• undertaking any other appropriate duties as may be necessary in the interests of the Group or FMI as agreed with the group CFO.
• These responsibilities apply to all entities within the Group. For those entities which have local financial management and control arrangements which are not managed directly by this post the role holder is expected to work closely with those responsible e.g. the SBC/A Vice Principal (Finance & Performance).

SELECTION CRITERIA:

Essential selection criteria:

• A good honours degree or equivalent qualifications/experience
• Significant experience in the design and delivery of financial services at a large and complex organisation. Experience in HE or similar sector preferable but not essential
• Proven track record of service delivery and customer service excellence
• Strong understanding of credit control processes and commercial and more collegiate approaches to debtors and recovery of funds due
• Experience of commercial negotiations and delivery of change projects for the provision of new or improved financial services, finance partnerships and/or transactional assistance
• Strength and quality of leadership and the personal skills required to develop and lead an effective and well-motivated, professional and multi-disciplinary team through a period of change
• Demonstrable management skills, including the ability to set a clear direction; give positive and negative feedback constructively; delegate; and manage both teams and individuals
• Experienced in the use of automations, ticketing systems and other efficient means of providing and supporting high performing services
• Technically sound, including on current regulatory and financial reporting issues and developments including fraud, AML and KYC requirements and best practice
• Excellent oral and presentational skills, including the ability to explain complex issues clearly and succinctly together with excellent written communication skills
• A personal commitment to diversity and equality.

Preferred selection criteria

• Awareness and experience of OfS/charities/ FCA regulations and reporting
• Experience of working with Unit4 Business World / Agresso
• A CCAB or CIMA qualified accountant
• Led or sponsored a significant integrations or process change project