Head of Reporting

Job Purpose

The Head of Reporting is a senior leadership role within the Finance function, responsible for delivering a robust and integrated reporting framework that supports strategic decision-making and ensures full compliance with external obligations across the group. This position will lead the Financial Reporting and Management Accounts teams, drive alignment between statutory and management reporting, ensuring robust controls are in operation and take ownership of the external audit process.

• Define and implement the vision for financial and management reporting, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and finance strategy.
• Embed and promote Service Excellence across the function.
• Challenge staff to ensure that each area delivers what is needed both internally and externally, with performance measurable against agreed and reported KPIs.
• Work with the Financial Controller and senior leadership team on reporting strategy, compliance and performance insights.

• Lead and inspire the Financial Reporting and Management Accounts teams, fostering collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Mentor team managers to build strong leadership capability within the reporting function.
• Manage the team resource and identify changes required as a result of external factors or changes internally to support upcoming areas of key importance to the University, providing business cases as required.

• Drive integration of financial and management reporting processes to deliver consistency, transparency and actionable insights.
• Oversee production of high‑quality monthly and annual reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure robust internal controls are embedded within reporting processes to guarantee accuracy, completeness and reliability of financial information within both the Income & Expenditure Account and the Balance Sheet.

• Assume full accountability for statutory financial statements and all external reporting requirements, ensuring compliance with accounting standards and regulatory frameworks.
• Ensure accounting policies, standards and processes remain current and reflect changes in accounting standards and regulatory requirements.
• Lead preparation and delivery of reports for internal governance committees and Senior Management Group (SMG), ensuring clarity, accuracy and timeliness.
• Maintain strong governance and internal controls across all reporting activities.

• Lead the successful delivery of the Statutory reporting process, managing risks and implementing solutions as required, acting as the primary liaison with auditors.
• Ensure timely and accurate delivery of audit requirements, resolving queries efficiently and maintaining strong relationships with audit partners.
• Drive continuous improvement in audit readiness and compliance.

• Champion initiatives to enhance reporting efficiency, accuracy and timeliness.
• Leverage technology and data analytics to strengthen reporting capabilities and deliver forward‑looking insights.

• Partner with senior executives and business leaders to provide clear, strategic financial insights that inform decision‑making.
• Represent the reporting function in cross‑functional projects and strategic initiatives.

• A1 CA/ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualified with post‑qualifying experience commensurate to this level of role within a specialised reporting function.
• A2 Able to demonstrate the necessary strategic competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary professional knowledge and leadership experience in a similar or number of different roles OR:
  Ordinary/Honours Degree (SCQF Level 9, 10 or 11) or equivalent.
• A3 Highly developed knowledge of the effective design and operational dynamics of a complex multi‑national Financial Reporting team.

• C1 Strong leadership and management skills with a demonstrable ability to develop high performing teams.
• C2 High level…