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About the Role

The Finance and Business Services (FBS) function is looking to recruit a Finance Systems Analyst to support the Open University’s Finance and Business Services team.

This role is critical in ensuring the integrity and strategic alignment of finance master data across systems, with a strong emphasis on its integration with the centralized finance data warehouse. The successful candidate will be responsible for designing and maintaining master data processes, enabling API-based connectivity between systems, and ensuring that data structures and flows support accurate reporting and business decision-making.

This is an exciting opportunity for a systems-focused finance professional who understands the importance of master data in driving operational efficiency, automation, and data-driven insights.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain processes for finance master data (GL accounts, cost centers, vendors, customers) across SAP S/4 HANA and integrated systems.
• Ensure data integrity, accuracy, and compliance with governance standards.
• Manage and align master data structures with the centralized finance data warehouse to support accurate reporting and analytics.
• Collaborate with IT teams to ensure seamless data flow and consistency between systems.
• Enable and maintain API-based integrations between SAP and other platforms for efficient data exchange.
• Troubleshoot integration issues and implement improvements to enhance automation and efficiency.
• Develop and document end-to-end master data process flows that support operational and reporting requirements.
• Maintain clear and comprehensive documentation for system usage and data governance.
• Monitor data quality, manage metadata, and enforce governance policies to maintain high standards of accuracy and reliability.
• Implement controls and checks to ensure compliance with organizational and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure master data readiness for month-end and year-end processes.
• Provide technical and functional support to finance teams during critical reporting cycles.
• Work closely with finance and IT teams to gather requirements, resolve issues, and deliver system enhancements.
• Act as a key contributor to the Finance and Business Services committee, offering insights and recommendations on master data and system improvements.
• Conduct user training sessions and create user-friendly guides for master data processes.
• Serve as a point of contact for queries related to finance systems and data integration.

About You

Essential criteria:

• Substantial practical experience with SAP S/4 HANA usage, particularly in FICA and master data modules.
• Proven ability to manage and maintain finance master data (e.g., GL accounts, cost centers, vendors, customers) across systems.
• Experience in data warehouse integration, ensuring master data consistency and alignment with reporting structures.
• Ability to design and document end-to-end process flows that ensure master data supports business operations and reporting requirements.
• Familiarity with API-based integration to enable seamless data exchange between SAP and other platforms.
• Skilled in data governance, including data quality monitoring, metadata management, and documentation.
• Experience in supporting month-end and year-end processes, ensuring master data readiness and accuracy.
• Ability to collaborate with finance and IT teams to gather requirements, troubleshoot issues, and implement improvements.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail and a commitment to data accuracy.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in a cross-functional team environment.
• Ability to conduct user training and produce clear documentation for master data processes and system usage.
• Key contributor to the FBS committee, providing insights and recommendations on master data and systems improvements.

Desirable criteria:

• Experience with SAP MDG (Master Data Governance) or similar tools.
• Familiarity with SAP BW/4HANA, SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC), or other reporting platforms.
• Understanding of data warehouse architecture and centralized data management principles.
• Experience with cloud-based integration platforms (e.g., Azure Integration Services, MuleSoft).
• Knowledge of financial processes in a higher education or public sector context.
• Relevant certifications in SAP, data management, or systems analysis.
• Understanding of SAP reporting tools like SAP BPC, BW, SAC, and Power BI.

Support with your application

If you have any questions, or need support or adjustments relating to your application, the recruitment process, or the role, please contact us on 01908 541111 or email careers@open.ac.uk quoting the advert reference number.

What's in it for you?

At The Open University, we offer a range of benefits to recognise and reward great work, alongside policies and flexible working that contribute towards a great work life balance. Get all the details of what benefits we offer by visiting our Staff Benefits page (clicking this link will open a new window).

Flexible working

We are open to discussions about flexible working. Whether it’s a job share, part time, compressed hours or another working arrangement. Please reach out to us to discuss what works best for you.

Working Location: It is anticipated that a hybrid working pattern can be adopted for this role, where the successful candidate can work from home 4 days per week. However, as this role is contractually aligned to Milton Keynes, It is expected that some attendance in the office will be required when necessary and in response to business needs. We’d expect this to be one day per week, but this could be more often if business needs dictate.

Next steps in the Recruitment process

Interviews are likely to be held in early February 2026.

Early closing date notification

We may close this job advert earlier than the published closing date where a satisfactory number of applications are received. We would therefore encourage early applications.

How to apply

To apply for this role please submit the following document(s):

• CV
• A Supporting Statement of up to 1000 words. You should set out in your statement why you are interested in the role and provide examples of where your skills and experience meet the essential criteria for this role as detailed in the job description.

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