Head of Financial Planning and Analysis

### **Description**

Bath Spa University is seeking an experienced and highly analytical finance leader to join us as Head of Financial Planning & Analysis. This is a pivotal senior role, providing authoritative financial insight to support the University’s strategic ambition and long‑term financial sustainability.

### **About the Role**

Reporting to the Director of Finance, the Head of Financial Planning & Analysis leads the University’s financial planning, forecasting and analytical capability. You will play a central role in shaping the University’s five‑year financial plan, delivering robust budgets, forecasts and scenario modelling that underpin strategic decision‑making at the highest level.

You will oversee tuition fee planning and reforecasting across all areas of activity, including Bath Spa, London Hackney, franchise partners and direct delivery provision, as well as associated expenditure such as franchise fees, marketing and student recruitment commissions. Working closely with colleagues across Finance, Data & Insights and the wider University, you will ensure all planning assumptions are robust, evidence‑based and aligned with institutional priorities.

As a senior leader within the Finance Leadership Team, you will promote a culture of analytical excellence, financial rigour and collaboration. You will lead and develop the Financial Analysis team, drive continuous improvement in financial models and systems, and provide high‑quality insight to senior leaders, committees and external regulators. The role also acts as a key deputy to the Director of Finance, representing the Finance function when required.

### **About You**

You will be a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or CIPFA) with significant experience in financial planning, forecasting and analysis within the higher education sector or a similarly complex environment. You will bring strong leadership experience, a track record of developing long‑term financial plans, and the confidence to provide clear, constructive challenge and advice to senior stakeholders.

Highly analytical and detail‑focused, you will be comfortable working with complex datasets and financial models, translating them into clear, compelling insight for non‑financial audiences. You will have excellent communication and influencing skills, enabling you to support strategic decision‑making and promote a strong culture of financial sustainability across the University.

Strategic, proactive and solution‑focused, you will thrive in a fast‑moving environment with competing priorities, and be committed to continuous improvement, collaboration and professional excellence.

### **Additional Information**

Salary: Grade 9S - Starting from £58,226, rising to £61,760

*The salary range shows the potential maximum pay progression in addition to any annual inflationary increase to your pay. Please note that our default position is to appoint into the lower end of the range, unless there are exceptional circumstances.*

**Staff Benefits**

We offer a wide range of great benefits at BSU, including

• Generous pension scheme (Local Government Pension Scheme/Teacher's Pension Scheme). This is a defined benefit pension scheme which pays members a secure income for life, post-retirement
• Enhanced paid leave - 41 - 46 days depending on the role (Full Time) - more details here: https://apphub.bathspa.ac.uk/StaffBenefits
• Family friendly policies including hybrid working, flexible work environment, on-site nursery, and a sector-leading enhanced maternity scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme which offers access to on-demand GP appointments, wellbeing support and advice, and access to counselling
• Transport schemes including Electric Vehicle Scheme and Cycle to Work
• Wide range of discounts and financial benefits, accessed through and easy-to-use app

For further details about all our staff benefits, have a look at our rewards page: https://www.bathspa.ac.uk/work-at-bath-spa/rewards-and-benefits/

*We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.*

### **About Bath Spa University**

At Bath Spa University, we believe in the power of education to break down barriers to opportunity and to transform lives. We are the Professionally Creative for the future. Professional Creativity transcends subject disciplines, and is just as important for our sciences, education, business and law subjects as it is for our sector leading creative industries provision. We connect learners, staff and external partners with applied research and innovation. We power inclusive growth through skills development and practice based, innovation – intensive learning for all.

Our main Newton park campus is based in stunning countryside just a few minutes from a World Heritage City. We are also proud to offer courses to students at our other campuses around Bath, and in London at our Canary Wharf and Hackney sites.

An impressive 84% of our staff said they would recommend the University to a friend as a good place to work.

We are a community of colleagues, striving for excellence to ensure students thrive. Our values are:

• Respect
• Inclusivity
• Collaboration
• Sustainability

We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff, and community. We foster inclusivity, celebrating and respecting differences. We welcome diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds and genders. We consider our recruitment practices to be comprehensive and unbiased; ensuring fairness, transparency, and equal opportunity for all.