Finance System Change Support Lead (Subsidiaries)

Role Description

Finance System Change Support - Subsidiaries Lead The University of York is looking for a proactive, tech-savvy part or fully qualified accountant to join our Finance Transformation team. You won't just be crunching numbers; you’ll be working with our transformation team to ensure our Workday system is robust, scalable, and provides our subsidiaries with the data and functionality they need to grow. This isn't a "business as usual" role—it’s a high-impact position designed for someone who excels in getting the best out of systems to deliver efficient processes and support effective teams.

If you have a sharp eye for detail and the ability to visualise, design, implement and train financial system processes then we would love to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities:

• System design, testing and maintenance: Advice on hierarchies and schedules of delegated authority and how these are applied in small subsidiary teams.
• Process Improvement: Identify "pain points" in the current subsidiary finance workflows and help design automated solutions to reduce manual data entry and improve financial control.
• Reporting & BI: Work with the Subsidiaries to develop and maintain reports and dashboards using Workday tools.
• Engagement: Work with the programme team including University of York and subsidiary representatives, Workday specialists and the design team to deliver required programme outcomes.
• Implementation Support: Assist in system implementation, User Acceptance Testing (UAT) and training.
• Data Integrity: Data transition planning and execution (with programme team) including reconciliations and control checks between current (Agresso/Sage) and new (Workday) system.
• Training and support: Act as the first point of contact for subsidiary finance team queries and provide training to non-technical staff on system best practices. Support the wider subsidiary teams with both transformation and key day to day work.

Key Requirements:

• Part or fully Qualified Accountant: ACA, ACCA, or CIMA qualification with a solid understanding of financial accounting, month-end close, and statutory requirements.
• ERP management and data structures: previous experience or a strong interest in ERP management and data structures. Familiarity with Agresso/Unit4, Sage or Workday Adaptive Planning (Desirable).
• A natural problem-solver who doesn't just ask "how" but "why": You should be comfortable explaining technical concepts to non-technical colleagues.
• Analytical Excellence: Proven ability to gather, interpret, and report complex financial data for senior stakeholders.
• Project Expertise: A solid grasp of delivery within a project environment.
• Ambition: A desire to develop skills in Workday and a drive to embrace organisational change.
• Experience within the Higher Education sector. (Desirable).

Why Join the University of York? We provide a supportive, inclusive environment where professional development is prioritised alongside personal wellbeing. Our benefits include:

• Salary: Up to £56,535 per annum.
• Hybrid working: Minimum of two days required on campus, flexibility to work from home up to three days per week
• Family-friendly policies. Part-time options are open for discussion.
• Generous Leave: 38 days of annual leave (including bank holidays).
• Excellent Pension: 14.50% employer contribution
• Travel Incentives: Ride to Work and season ticket loans available

For an informal conversation about the role, please contact Ali Henley-Jones, Deputy Director of Finance, at [email protected].

Condition of employment

This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. Consequently, all applicants will be asked to declare both unspent and spent convictions on their application form.

Appointment of the successful candidate will be conditional on a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

The University strives to be diverse and inclusive – a place where we can ALL be ourselves.

We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University.

We offer family friendly, flexible working arrangements, with forums and inclusive facilities to support our staff. #EqualityatYork

As a Disability Confident employer, we will ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum (essential) criteria for each position will be offered an interview. Read more about the University of York’s commitments under the Disability Confident scheme.