Assistant Finance Business Partner at The Open University

Terms: Fixed Term for 12 months Full Time (Part time considered)

Closing Date: 29 February 2024 – 12:00 (noon)

Interview date:  14/15 March 2024 

It is anticipated that a hybrid working pattern can be adopted for this role, where the successful candidate can work from home and the office. However, as this role is contractually aligned to our Milton Keynes office it is expected that some attendance in the office will be required when necessary and in response to business needs. We’d expect this to be approximately once per week.

Part time hours of 30 hours and above will be considered, including Thursdays when the team are typically on-site.

Change your career, change lives

The Open University is the UK’s largest university, a world leader in flexible part-time education combining a mission to widen access to higher education with research excellence, transforming lives through education.

The role

The focus of this role is to support the Senior Finance Business Partner and Finance Business Partner in the financial management and budget planning of the units they support, assisting on financial procedures and co-ordinating regular reporting as part of the Business Partnering Team.

The role will be based in the Professional Services Business Partnering Team, which provides a first class, customer focused finance and business support service to the University. You will develop strong links and working relationships with operational managers and at times senior management, as well as with colleagues in the University’s Finance and Business Services teams. The role will act as the first point of contact on finance and budget matters within the Estates unit, giving advice, guidance and direction to operational managers, senior management, and budget holders to ensure they comply, control and meet their financial performance responsibilities and deadlines, as set both by the unit and the University.

Skills and experience

This role will suit you if you have;

• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
• Extensive accounting experience and / or CCAB/CIMA accountant qualification would be desirable, or actively studying towards one of these qualifications.
• Relevant financial and planning experience at an equivalent level
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of budget planning, forecasting, and monitoring and financial accountancy processes.

The Open University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion which is reflected in our mission to be open to people, places, methods and ideas. We aim to foster a diverse and inclusive environment so that all in our OU community can reach their potential. We recognise that different people bring different perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and culture, and that this difference brings great strength. We strive to recruit, retain and develop the careers of a diverse pool of students and staff, and particularly encourage applications from all underrepresented groups. We also aspire to make The Open University a supportive workplace for all through our policies, services, and staff networks.