Job Description - Finance Manager/Controller (2007969)
Job Description
Finance Manager/Controller - ( 2007969 )
Description
Salary: £55,000 - £70,000
PCL is a unique higher education institution. Based in the centre of London near Covent Garden, it is both supported by the global learning company, Pearson, and also a separate legal entity in its own right. It is a non-profit with its own independent governing body.
PCL is a boutique institution with 1200 students across two schools with both undergraduate and postgraduate students. Escape Studios provides degrees visual FX, gaming and animation and its first cohort of graduates are already winning awards with their work. Pearson Business School provides degrees in business management, law, and finance and its employment outcomes for highly skilled roles are outstanding.
PCL is set within a professional learning environment, and its aim is to integrate demanding academic study with outstanding industry engagement. Authentic employer engagement is key part of its approach, and we are fortunate enough to work with a wide range of companies from FTSE 100 household names, to tiny start-ups selected by our students.
We want our students to benefit from both the academic world and the professional world. Therefore they have tutorials, seminars and lectures, but also many opportunities for experiential learning and direct engagement with industry. This is both within their modules and in our extra-curricula programme.
We are building a diverse and creative ecosystem of learning opportunities, which makes PCL an exciting, challenging and interesting place to be, whether as a student or a staff member.
Summary of role:
This senior position will be part ofthe senior executive team at the College and will play a crucial role insupporting the Principal and the rest of the senior executive team in thefinancial, operational and strategic management of Pearson College London(“PCL”). PCL is a not-for-profit higher education institution, registered withthe OfS and with the ESFA. It is also a subsidiary of a FTSE listed company (PearsonPLC). PCL has its own independentgoverning body. This provides a unique and interesting financial managementenvironment requiring an understanding of the financial needs for a UK highereducation institution and an ability to interact effectively and appropriatelywith the wider company. The post-holder’s primary responsibility will be PCL’sfinancial management and reporting, and ensuring PCL fulfils the financialrequirements set by its regulatory bodies. Producing regular financial reportsfor a range of stakeholders is a key element of the role. Reporting directly tothe Principal, you the post-holder’s input and expertise will support thesenior executive team in making short and long term business decisions, andstrengthen the internal reporting and control infrastructure.
Main activities/responsibilities
Preparation and submission ofregulatory reports and statutory accounts to external stake-holders includingthe Office for Students and Companies House
Provision of clear regular reportingand analysis on financial performance and KPIs to the Governing Body and seniorexecutive team at Pearson College London and to the wider Pearson (in liaisonwith the Finance Director for UK HE in Pearson
Working with the Principal and seniorexecutive team on financial planning and the annual budget.
Work with the heads of departments to:
support sound financial management ofresources;
identify and explain variances on amonthly basis, reporting on this to the senior executive team; and
identify and address operationalimprovement and efficiency opportunities.
Develop financial business cases for new initiatives, such as new degreeprogrammes to assist in the approval process. Should they be approved forimplementation then to also monitor their financial performance againstsuitable targets.
Provide financial analysis and advice on existing initiatives.
Highlight and provide insights on key financial risks and opportunitieswithin and across departments at PCL, and with stake-holders external to PCL.
Maintain an up to date knowledge of PCL’s regulatory and auditrequirements and ensure such requirements are fulfilled.
Oversee audit schedule and delivery.
Liaise with and support the Finance Director of the wider Pearson’s UKHE team, ensuring effective and appropriate interaction with the wider Pearson.
Work with the Pearson group financial team to track and address accountsreceivable issues.
Qualifications
Qualified account (CIMA, ACCA or chartered) with demonstrable experience in financial control or financial management.
Financialmanagement experience within a higher education context is highly desirable
Experience of providing financial reports that meet the needs ofregulatory bodies such as the Office for Students and for internal stakeholderssuch as Governing Body (the Board of Directors) and the senior executive.
Experience with ESFA and apprenticeship levy funding would be anadvantage.
Expected Results:
Clear and regular financial reports and forecasts as required by allstake-holders, in particularly the PCL executive, the governing body, theregulator and the wider Pearson.
Effective financial management and communication across PCL.
Effective control framework with appropriate risk mitigation
Delivery of relevant KPIs
Delivery of investment and business cases
Efficiency improvements where appropriate
Required Skills:
The ability to communicate (verbally and in writing) appropriately toboth finance and non-finance specialist colleagues.
Strong analytical ability and focus. There is a high degreeof analyst work involved in this role.
A strong understanding of financial control and business performancemanagement.
The confidence to interact with senior management and an ability toleverage influence across teams and cultures.
The ability to assist in decision making in a complex environment, withan understanding materiality, and an ability to prioritise effectively.
Skills in the use of Oracle (OBIA/Projects) an advantage
Skills in the use of Hyperion an advantage.
