University of East London
Founded in 1898, we are the University of East London (UEL), a dynamic institution dedicated to transforming lives through education. Our mission is to drive forward careers-first education aligned with Industry 5.0 to prepare our students for the jobs and opportunities of tomorrow. At the heart of our ambitions is a pledge to foster diversity in the 5.0 talent pipeline, partner to unlock potential wherever it exists, and create a balanced, inclusive, and sustainable future.
But we can only accomplish this with forward-thinking, innovative, and curious individuals like you. We invite you to join our thriving community to help shape the future. By becoming part of UEL, you’ll work alongside a diverse group of people who share your passion for making change happen. Our inclusive and progressive environment challenges the status quo and thrives on collective advancement.
About the Department
The Finance Department at UEL plays a critical role in strategically managing the University’s financial resources to support its Vision 2028 goals. We deliver a broad spectrum of services, including budgeting, financial planning, tax management, compliance, and advisory support to ensure operational efficiency and stability. The team oversees the preparation of annual financial statements, statutory reporting, and regulatory submissions, while also proactively supporting staff, schools, and services with financial guidance. Through collaboration, we emphasize compliance, value for money, and strategic investment across all operations.
About the Role
As Finance Systems Manager, you will be a key player in overseeing, improving, and supporting UEL’s central finance system (Unit4 ERP/Unit4 ERPx) and associated platforms. Reporting to the Head of Finance Systems and working within the broader Finance Systems Team, you will ensure the smooth operation, data accuracy, and continued development of the finance systems to provide exceptional service delivery and user experience.
Key Responsibilities:
- Serve as the main point of contact for staff using the finance systems, offering expert guidance, support, and communication about system updates and processes.
- Lead the maintenance, management, and enhancement of finance systems reports, ensuring data accuracy and relevance for all University areas.
- Design and deliver training sessions while maintaining up-to-date user guidance resources.
- Administer the Finance Systems helpdesk, resolving issues promptly, analyzing performance metrics, and identifying opportunities to enhance user experience.
- Collaborate with internal teams and external providers to execute system updates, address technical issues, and integrate improvements into routine operations.
- Support the team in maintaining the integrity, reliability, and consistency of financial datasets, reports, and processes across all integrated systems.
UEL recently transitioned from an on-premises Unit4 ERP7 system to the SaaS-based Unit4 ERPx platform.
About You
You are a proactive, customer-focused professional with in-depth experience in finance systems management, development, and support. You blend technical expertise in financial systems with excellent interpersonal, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Desired Qualifications & Experience:
- Educated to degree level or equivalent, and a qualified accountant (CCAB, CIMA, or equivalent) or possessing equivalent extensive experience.
- Demonstrable experience of developing, testing, and supporting major finance systems, ideally Unit4 ERP/Unit4 ERPx, with proven engagement with senior-level stakeholders.
- A strong track record of delivering exceptional customer service and maintaining high service standards.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with an ability to simplify technical finance and systems concepts and create impactful user training and documentation.
- Collaborative mindset and the ability to effectively influence and work across teams.
- Strong organizational and time-management skills to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines efficiently.
You’ll also share enthusiasm for empowering colleagues to maximize the functionality of finance systems, alongside a deep commitment to UEL’s core values of Passion, Inclusion, and Courage. Promoting equality, diversity, and inclusivity in a vibrant, multicultural environment is integral to your approach.
Benefits Package
At UEL, we value more than just professional roles—we offer comprehensive benefits designed to support your wellbeing, career aspirations, and overall quality of life.
A competitive salary (dependent on experience) is complemented by a range of excellent perks. Discover the full benefits package here:
UEL Benefits for Professional Services Roles
Equal Opportunities
As an inclusive employer, UEL takes pride in fostering equality, diversity, and inclusivity. Our achievements include a zero gender pay gap, partnerships with Stonewall, and recognition from Athena SWAN awards. We expect all employees to embrace our EDI policy so we can continue creating a discrimination-free environment.
We are a Disability Confident employer and encourage all talented individuals to apply. Please let us know if you require reasonable accommodations during the recruitment process.
How to Apply
If our vision aligns with your ambitions and you’re inspired to create a meaningful impact at UEL, don’t wait to apply—you could be the forward-thinking professional we’re looking for. Please note that this vacancy may close earlier than the advertised deadline if we receive high interest, so we recommend submitting your application promptly