Commercial Finance and Business Systems Manager

Responsibilities

• Responsible for producing accurate financial reports, encompassing monthly, quarterly, and year-end reporting.
• Collaborate with the Heads of Service and Finance Business Partner to prepare forecasts, budgets, and financial models, and conduct analysis and interpretation of data to support informed decision-making among senior colleagues.
• Manage financial controls and processes across multiple cost centres/sub-projects, ensuring accuracy and compliance across services.
• Work collaboratively with senior colleagues to identify and implement cost efficiencies and process improvements.
• Develop and produce bespoke reports from a range of sources across services.
• Analyse data and present information to management to help inform decision making.
• Oversee financial engagement with other departments, external partners and third parties, including invoicing, service charges and reporting.
• Oversee the effective implementation, development and optimisation of business-critical systems alongside senior colleagues and key stakeholders, ensuring appropriate business continuity plans are in place.
• Oversee system training and produce user guidelines.
• Triage, troubleshoot and monitor system issues and oversee timely resolution, liaising with 3rd party system suppliers where applicable.
• Ensure systems comply with data retention policies and that cyber security policies are adhered to.
• Provide effective daily line management for Catering’s central support team, focusing on developing and enhancing staff capability within the group.
• Motivate and mentor team members to achieve both current and future objectives.
• Oversee workload planning, task allocation and performance management to ensure administrative activity contributes to and develops financial, operational and commercial priorities.
• Identify opportunities to streamline administrative processes, improve efficiency and enhance service delivery through effective use of systems and digital tools.
• Support the Deputy Director to identify improvements in local policies and processes, such as the Delivered Catering Policy.
• Provide recommendations and input into financial controls and supporting Standard Operating Procedures.
• Any other duties as relevant duties required by the senior managers.

Essential Skills

• A relevant degree and/or professional qualification, or equivalent significant experience in a similar or related role.
• Significant experience in a financial processes management and/or business systems management role, ideally within a large, complex organisation.
• Experience in the higher education, public sector, or commercial services environment.
• Proven experience of budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting and analysis, including supporting senior management decision-making.
• Experience of overseeing or coordinating business systems, IT platforms, data or reporting tools.
• Demonstrable experience of leading, managing or overseeing administrative and/or professional services teams.
• Experience working collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders, including Finance, IT, operational and senior leadership colleagues.
• Strong financial and analytical skills, with the ability to interpret complex data and present clear, accurate insight.
• High level of competence in using financial systems, data tools and reporting platforms, with the ability to improve processes and data quality.
• Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities across finance, systems, operations and people.
• Experience of driving process development, efficiency or service enhancements through effective use of systems, data or standard operating procedures.
• Ability to communicate complex financial or technical information clearly to non-specialist audiences.
• Ability to analyse and review business requirements, map and document business processes and recommend enhancements and efficiencies.
• Highly organised, proactive and able to work under pressure while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong leadership and people-management qualities, with a supportive and inclusive approach.
• Confident, professional and credible, with the ability to influence and challenge constructively.
• Collaborative and adaptable, with a commitment to continuous improvement and innovation.
• Demonstrates integrity, professionalism and alignment with the organisation’s values.
• Willingness and ability to work flexibly, including occasional evenings and weekends, in line with the operational requirements.
• Ability to work across multiple locations and provide on-site presence when required, including engagement with the central Finance function and operational teams.
• Commitment to maintaining high professional and ethical standards, including confidentiality, data protection and financial integrity.
• An understanding of, or willingness to work within, the public sector and higher education environment, including governance and accountability requirements.