Commercial Finance Manager

The University

At Durham University we are proud of our people.  A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.  

Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally.

We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University.  Further information about the University can be found here.

Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Information Page.

 The Role and the Department

The Commercial Finance Manager reports to the Commercial Director and plays a key role in providing commercial finance support for major strategic initiatives across the University.

Working in partnership with Strategic Finance colleagues, the role will lead the development, challenge and review of complex financial and commercial business cases, supporting executive decision-making, strategic investment, income generation opportunities and commercial growth initiatives.

The post holder will work closely with University Executive Committee members, Heads of Finance and senior stakeholders to ensure that significant initiatives, investments and commercial propositions are supported by robust financial analysis, commercial insight, and assessment of the financial, strategic and value creation impacts of major initiatives.

The role will act as a source of independent commercial challenge and assurance, ensuring that strategic investments and major initiatives are supported by robust analysis, clear value drivers and deliverable outcomes.

Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.

Working at Durham 

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University:

•   You’ll receive 30 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year. The University closes between Christmas and New Year.

•    We offer a generous pension scheme, and as a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).

•    No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered.  We have ample parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. You can also take advantage of our cost-effective and environmentally friendly Tusker Car Benefit Scheme, allowing you to lease a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle with savings on tax and National Insurance.

•    We have a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally.  There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University.  All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.

•    We provide wide-ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.

•    Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5-16.

•    Our family-friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).

•    We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community.

•    You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions.

•  Various salary sacrifice schemes are also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.

• If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs, and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools.  If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest-free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.

Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.

Durham University is committed to equality,  diversity and inclusion 

Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work.  As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do.  We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct.  At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.  If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application.  If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role. 

What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification  
  
When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role.  Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description.  Where a criteria has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.    
  
Your application should cover the following criteria:  

Essential Criteria

Qualifications/Experience

1.     Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience).

2.     Professional practitioner with specialist knowledge and expertise to influence service delivery, events and activities within the organisation.

3.     Experience of providing specialist advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues, including more senior colleagues.

4.     Experience of participating in internal or external networks to share and discuss good practice, develop strong and productive working relationships and positively influence the University’s reputation.

5.     Experience of implementing policies and procedures and supporting service improvements.

6.     Extensive experience in financial modelling, investment appraisal and strategic business case development, including working with senior stakeholders to evaluate commercial opportunities, strategic initiatives and complex organisational challenges.

7.     Experience of developing and presenting complex business cases and investment propositions for senior leadership teams, boards or governance committees.

8.     Experience of assessing the financial and commercial viability of strategic projects, investments or growth initiatives.

9.     Experience of influencing strategic decision-making through the presentation of financial and commercial analysis.

10.  Experience of operating in complex organisational environments where stakeholder priorities, risks and strategic objectives must be balanced.

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge

11.  Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally

12.  Strong interpersonal skills including motivational, negotiating, influencing and networking.

13.  Strong digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps including digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications (advanced excel), financial & non-financial business systems.

14.  Committed to continuing professional development to maintain professional recognition.

15.  Extensive knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines.

16.  Ability to influence planning and decision-making at both operational and strategic levels through the application of financial and commercial insight.

17.  Ability to evaluate complex financial and commercial risks, challenge assumptions constructively, and develop evidence-based recommendations which support strategic decision-making.

18.  Demonstrable commercial acumen with the ability to evaluate opportunities, investments and initiatives from both financial and strategic perspectives.

19.  Ability to influence and constructively challenge senior stakeholders through the presentation of complex financial and commercial information.

20.  Ability to operate effectively in complex environments, working collaboratively across functions and managing competing stakeholder priorities.

21.  Ability to provide constructive commercial challenge and assurance to strategic proposals, investment decisions and business cases.

How to apply
  
To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria.  Please don’t forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above).

While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.   
  
Submitting your application 

We prefer to receive applications online.   We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.
  
What you need to submit   

•    A CV: and   
•    A supporting statement which outlines how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification.

 
Contact details   
  
For a chat about the role or any further information please contact owen.watson@durham.ac.uk

Typical Role Requirements  

Service Delivery/Development

·         Contribute to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values.

·         Develop and promote an in-depth understanding of university policy and external developments relevant to your role.

·         Ensure that policy and regulatory standards are met by ensuring all colleagues adhere to approved financial and procurement activities and processes that are carried out in services you are responsible for.

·         Use your professional knowledge and experience as a qualified Finance professional to understand, explain and contribute to improved University performance and provide subject matter expertise and advice.

·         Provide specialist advice on the analysis and interpretation of complex data and information relevant to your area.

·         Use your managerial and leadership expertise to identify priorities and shape the assigned business unit/s to achieve the required financial outcomes.

·         Look for ways to continually improve services and take a lead role in the development and implementation of assigned policies, processes and standards.

·         Instigate and manage business process reviews to improve the service in your area.

·         Meet the professional development needs of your stakeholders, providing training when required.

·         Ensure data (commercially sensitive and/or personal) is appropriately stored and managed.

·         Manage quality and regulatory audits of systems and procedures.

·         Support the welfare, wellbeing and employment of your staff by providing professional guidance.

Planning and Organisation

·         Contribute to operational leadership teams to influence the type and level of services that are provided by your area

·         Contribute to the development of operational and strategic-level plans relevant to your area.

·         Scope, plan and implement large-scale/University-wide initiatives.

·         Oversee projects to deliver agreed objectives while solving any problems which are encountered.

·         Provide oversight for short term/temporary project teams.

·         Analyse data about the service levels provided by your area and make recommendations for improvement in reports to senior managers and committees.

·         Allocate and monitor designated budgets, expenditure and resources

Communication/Liaison

·         Use your professional knowledge to identify and recommend priorities for long-term business plans.

·         Provide professional guidance and advice when managing  Finance & Procurement services.

·         Design creative and innovative communications to promote and increase engagement relating to Finance & Procurement Services

·         Influence University policy and standards by leading operational business meetings, working groups and sub-committees.

·         Design and deliver training to your stakeholders to support their development and information needs.

·         Create strong working relationships, including internal and external networks, using your networks to increase your knowledge and skills, swap information with peers and positively influence the University’s reputation.

·         Represent Finance & Procurement Services, the assigned business unit/s and the University at promotional events.

·         Identify opportunities to develop and increase participation in special interest groups.

·         Any other reasonable duties.

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Job Applicants/Potential Job Applicants - Privacy Notice which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.  

Durham University is a UKVI sponsor. Applicants who require sponsorship to work in the UK should note that not all roles are eligible. Further information on visa requirements and eligibility can be found on the UKVI website.

Version 07-2026