Financial Planning and Reporting Analyst - Internal Applicants Only

We are undergoing a period of exciting change as we prepare for the move to the new Ray Dolby Centre. The new facility is designed to match the most exacting standards of current research, serving the educational needs of future generations of undergraduate and graduate students much more effectively than is possible on our existing site. The Financial Planning and Reporting Analyst will support the Department Finance Manager (DFM) in financial planning and resource allocation for the department. The role holder will assist the DFM in creating the template for the five-year financial projection and will act as the first point of contact for all central and local reporting, including annual SRF returns, the Technician Survey, and analyses of grant Pooled Labour and overhead income and expenditure. Additionally, the role holder will lead a team of three Finance Administrators and conduct regular financial reviews with budget holders to ensure that academics and heads of service functions are aware of the financial status of their respective budget centres. The role holder will represent the department in the Central University Finance User Group, maintaining communication with central accounting staff and conveying departmental concerns to the wider university. The role offers enormous variety. Responsibilities include:

• Financial Reporting & Stakeholder Communication: Provide financial management information to academic stakeholders, overseeing the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual reports. Ensure regular reviews and corrective actions are reflected in long-term projections.
• Budgeting, Planning & Analysis: Analyse financial data from departmental systems, provide budgetary advice, prepare finance reports, and manage financial projects. Attend Finance Committee meetings, produce minutes, and manage actions.
• Financial Processes & Training: Develop and implement financial reporting processes, supported by KPIs. Provide training and support for staff to ensure accurate, consistent outputs and deliver finance induction training for new starters.
• Research Facilities & Financial Services: Manage departmental research facilities' reporting, including year-end accounts, pricing for internal and external customers, and annual returns. Provide accounting services support, including advising on university procedures, preparing invoices, and managing expenses.
You will be expected to work proactively with the Departmental Finance team and the grant team to develop strong and effective working relationships to ensure that processes are effective and appropriately managed.

The successful candidate will be highly numerate, analytical, and proficient in standard software packages, particularly Excel. Good interpersonal and communication skills are required, including the ability to effectively explain financial procedures to non-finance staff. Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a basic disclosure (criminal records check) check and a security check.

The Department of Physics is one of the largest departments in the University, with over 1,000 people on site across nine buildings on the West Cambridge campus. Physics has a very wide range of scientific facilities and complex equipment, including wet and dry laboratories, biological facilities, clean rooms, cryogenics, mechanical and electronics workshops, microscopy, and large-scale astronomical structures. Many of the facilities operate as Small Research Facilities (SRFs).