View Vacancy -- Head of Finance and Purchasing LMS 1924

The London Institute of Medical Sciences (LMS) is a Medical Research Council funded research institute at the Hammersmith Hospital campus (London W12) of Imperial College London, with around 400 biomedical researchers undertaking multidisciplinary and internationally-competitive science. 

For more information, visit www.lms.mrc.ac.uk.

Overall purpose:

The MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences (LMS) is an internationally recognized centre of excellence in biomedical research, with research interests encompassing fundamental basic science and translational programmes enhancing the application to human health.

You will lead the vision, development and operation of the financial management service and associated functions for the LMS.

This is a broad hands-on role that involves formulating and producing strategic financial plans, improving and developing reporting approaches and systems to support decision-making.  You will provide high level expert financial advice and guidance within the LMS, and will establish yourself as a key business partner with MRC Head Office and Imperial College London. Close working with a multitude of stakeholders will be essential, so the ability to connect with people and build lasting relationships is paramount.

You will need to develop flexible approach to service delivery and develop the finance and purchasing teams by laying the foundations for its operation going forward. This will include developing the structure and culture of the group to meet current and future business needs.

Main duties & Key responsibilities:

To develop and implement a vision for the financial management of the LMS. This will involve leading, developing, managing and motivating staff members across a range of activities including expenditure, income, VAT, contracts, grants and invoices

To effectively communicate the vision and strategy for finance to senior management and to all levels of Institute staff, UKRI, MRC Head office and Imperial College London Faculty of Medicine, persuading key decision-makers to adopt the strategy

To lead the Institute’s budgeting, financial planning and forecasting to enable informed decision-making through:

• The provision of insightful information, analysis and risk management advice
• The preparation and analysis of monthly expenditure, budgets and financial forecasts over future years
• The ability to drive changes in the finance system and processes to ensure the Management Information meets stakeholder needs in a timely manner

To lead, produce and present timely Management Information. This will include close liaison with MRC corporate Finance and Imperial College London Finance officer, the budget holders and information providers, preparing reports and providing supplementary analysis for any arising key issues

To help evaluate the overall effective and efficient use of funding received, identifying and developing approaches for optimising value for money

To perform a range of complex reporting and control functions, positioning Finance to work with the business and link budgets to delivery plans and business cases

To lead from the front to ensure effective financial controls and appropriate policies and practices are followed. Lead change where necessary to develop internal systems and controls and acting as a change agent for performance improvements

To consult with senior stakeholders, utilising an in-depth understanding of priorities, and effectively ‘partnering’ with stakeholders to meet organisational and financial objectives

To play a leading role in the development and implementation of new financial systems or upgrades within UKRI and Imperial College London 

To contribute, push forward and lead ideas to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Group and the way in which the Institute operates

To lead negotiations with external stakeholders such as Imperial College London, Imperial College NHS Trust, Ministry of Justice and other Partners and collaborators on financial matters as required e.g. shared costs, service and facility costs, income and expenditure, influencing their approach and securing agreement

To play a leading representative role for the Institute, MRC Head Office, other MRC establishments, UKRI, Imperial College London and other bodies with whom the LMS interacts

Working relationships:

 You will:

• Report to the LMS Head of Operations
• Liaise with the LMS Director and Heads of Divisions as required
• Line manage the Finance and Purchasing Teams
• Work closely with Group Heads and Facility Managers
• Liaise with MRC Head Office’s Finance Director and Faculty Finance officer and Joint research office
• Have working relationships at multiple levels and across many different professional disciplines

Education / qualifications / training required (will be assessed from application form):

Essential:

• Degree level education
• Fully qualified with relevant finance qualifications (ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)

Desirable:

• Degree in finance or related field

Previous work experience required (will be assessed from application form and at interview):

Essential:

• Significant relevant experience of leadership roles and managing teams and services
• Significant experience of developing new ideas for financial planning
• Demonstrated experience in contract reviewing

Desirable:

• Experience of leading organisational change projects
• Experience of working in finance within a research laboratory environment

Knowledge and experience (will be assessed from application form and at interview):

Essential:

• Sound knowledge of corporate policy, accounting practices and procedures ideally in the public and charitable sector
• Experience of several financial systems
• Excellent IT skills with the ability to develop models to meet business needs, and ability to interrogate data and write reports and presentations for senior management

Desirable:

• Understands tax law and related risks related to research operations
• Project management facilitation and coordination skills to provide deliverables to tight time frames with various information providers

Personal skills / behaviours / qualities (will be assessed at interview):

Essential:

• Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate and manage services and staff
• Proven ability to listen, understand business needs and provide solutions in a proactive and principled manner
• Highly developed interpersonal skills, elicit confidence and able to command respect as a trusted advisor to senior management within the Institute and in discussions with MRC Head Office and Imperial College London
• A strong and pro-active communicator able to liaise with both finance and non-finance senior managers and budget holders
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as part of a team and to lead a team/projects as required to achieve outcomes for the Institute
• Flexible and adaptable approach, capable of planning, prioritising and delivering on a multitude of tasks in a fast paced environment
• Refined analytical skills with the ability to make and communicate recommendations rather than simply provide reports
• Appreciative of the culture of the LMS and the MRC

Please upload your CV, names and contacts of two references along with a covering letter stating why you are applying for this role (providing evidence against the requirements of the job as per the job description and person specification). Please quote reference number: LMS 1924