Interim Finance Projects & Systems Manager

This is a key leadership role within the Finance Department with University-wide responsibility for the ownership, support, development, and continuous improvement of the University’s Finance systems portfolio. Reporting to the Head of Payroll, Pensions & Systems, you will act as the technical lead for core finance system and associated platforms, and the lead contributor on behalf of Finance when supporting wider University digital projects. working collaboratively across Professional Services, Academic Departments, and external suppliers.

The role is centred on leading finance and payment systems strategy, configuration, integration, and development, with the strategic directive to implement a new system. You will also contribute significantly to the ongoing implementation and optimisation of the University’s Student Records System transformation programme, helping ensure successful adoption, continuous improvement, and effective transition into sustainable business-as-usual service delivery.

As System Owner, you will be responsible for ensuring the University’s Finance and payment systems platforms remain secure, reliable, effectively integrated, and aligned with institutional priorities and regulatory requirements.

With the University transitioning towards a modern SaaS-first architecture, the role places a strong emphasis on systems integration, automation, and interoperability. You will lead the design and delivery of integrations and data pipelines using APIs, middleware, JavaScript, and cloud-based integration technologies, while also overseeing system configuration, release management and operational support.

The role carries responsibility for application lifecycle management, supplier and vendor relationships, service performance, and operational risk ownership across the Student Systems portfolio.

• Professional qualification with experience of managing technically complex IT solutions and services across multiple hardware environments and software platforms, on-prem, managed hosting and SaaS, delivering intended outcomes and quality results

• Detailed knowledge and practical experience of enterprise application development, configuration, integration, and support, including APIs, middleware/iPaaS technologies, automation, and modern integration methodologies

• Proven experience of developing and supporting technical solutions using technologies such as SQL, JavaScript, PowerShell, RESTful services, and Microsoft cloud technologies including Azure and the Power Platform

• Experience of software release management, testing, structured change control, troubleshooting, incident resolution, and operational support across live production environments

• Experience within UK University highly desirable.