Deputy Head of Financial Planning and Analysis chez Birmingham City University

Job Title: Deputy Head of Financial Planning & Analysis
Salary: £56,462 per annum, with progression in post to £60,842 per annum
Grade: H
Contract: Full-Time, Permanent
Location: Birmingham City University

About Us

Birmingham City University is a large and diverse learning community with over 30,000 students from around 100 countries. We are committed to providing a transformational student journey through excellent teaching, cutting-edge facilities, and a strong focus on practical skills and employability. We also lead world-class research that addresses real-world challenges and drives innovation beyond the University.

The Role

We are seeking a proactive and detail-oriented Deputy Head of Financial Planning & Analysis to join our Finance team. You will play a key role in the preparation and delivery of monthly management accounts, oversee the University’s budget and five-year financial forecast, and provide insightful analysis to senior stakeholders.

This is an excellent opportunity for a fully qualified accountant with strong analytical, technical, and communication skills to influence decision-making at a strategic level within a complex and dynamic environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver the month-end closedown process, ensuring deadlines are met and issues resolved promptly.
• Prepare and present monthly management accounts to the University Executive Team.
• Produce monthly income and expenditure variance analysis for management review.
• Support the external audit process, ensuring timely and accurate submissions.
• Lead the University through the annual budget-setting process (c.£335m income) and five-year forecast, including reporting to the Finance Committee and Board of Governors.
• Develop and maintain the University’s five-year forecast model, incorporating balance sheet and cash flow forecasts.
• Review and improve tuition fee income forecasting (c.£260m), ensuring accuracy.
• Collaborate with the Finance Business Partnering Team and other departments to ensure consistent financial reporting.
• Support HR in developing and maintaining accurate staff FTE reporting.
• Ensure timely and accurate payroll reporting in coordination with the Payroll team.
• Support the management of the University’s contingency fund.
• Identify and report material financial risks and opportunities to the University Executive Team.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders across the University.
• Lead improvement initiatives and support the implementation of process enhancements.
• Deputise for the Head of Financial Planning & Analysis as required.

Essential Criteria

• Degree or equivalent in a numerate subject.
• Fully qualified accountant (CCAB or CIMA).
• Substantial relevant experience in a similar role, ideally within the higher education sector.

For more information, please email Head of Financial Planning and Analysis: [email protected]

For a full list of responsibilities and requirements, please download the Job Description below

Job Description

The appointed candidate will normally be employed through our subsidiary company BCU Support Services Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Birmingham City University. Appointees with prior LGPS membership who wish to enter the LGPS scheme will be able to do so and will be employed by Birmingham City University directly.

Birmingham City University is deeply committed to equality, diversity, and inclusivity at all levels in the organisation, and to addressing underrepresentation in our workforce to ensure we are truly representative of the community we serve. We welcome applications from applicants from all backgrounds and communities for this role, and particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic applicants.

The University is proudly Disability Confident. This means amongst other things that we commit to offering a guaranteed interview to disabled applicants who fully meet the essential criteria for each role.