An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced andmercially astute finance professional to join a large,plex organisation operating within the higher education sector.This is a senior leadership role requiring a qualified finance specialist with significant experience in financial strategy, planning, and operational delivery. The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping financial direction, influencing strategic decisions, and ensuring the highest standards of financial management andernance.
The RoleReporting into senior leadership, you will act as a trusted advisor across a broad stakeholder base, providing strategic financial insight and ensuring robust financial planning, control, and reporting.You will lead financial reporting and business partnering activity, supporting long-term sustainability and enabling data-driven decision making across the organisation.
Key ResponsibilitiesStrategic Finance & Leadership
1. Contribute to the development and delivery of financial strategy and long-term planning
2. Lead on the production of consolidated financial plans, including five-year budgets and forecasts
3. Provide expert financial advice to senior stakeholders to support strategic decision-making
4. Influence organisational direction through insight, analysis, andmercial evaluation
Financial Management & Reporting
5. Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting processes
6. Deliver high-quality management information, including variance analysis and financialmentary
7. Ensure robust financial controls,pliance with regulations, and adherence to audit requirements
8. Identify financial risks, opportunities, and value-for-money improvements
Business Partnering
9. Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders across diverse operational areas
10. Translateplex financial data into clear, actionable insights for non-finance audiences
11. Support investment appraisal, business cases, andmercial decision-making
Team Leadership & Service Delivery
12. Lead, develop, and motivate a high-performing finance team
13. Set service standards and continuously improve financial processes and systems
14. Ensure delivery of a responsive, customer-focused finance service
15. Represent the finance function at senior internal and external forums
16. Collaborate across departments to ensure alignment with organisational strategy
17. Contribute to policy development, ensuringpliance and best practice
About YouYou will be a proactive and influential finance leader with the ability to operate at both strategic and operational levels.
Essential Requirements
18. Fully qualified accountant (CIPFA, CIMA, ACA/ICAEW or equivalent)
19. Significant senior finance experience, ideally within higher education or a similarlyplex environment
20. Proven track record in budgeting, financial planning, andmercial appraisal
21. Strong leadership experience with the ability to develop and manage teams
22. Experience of business planning and strategic financial management
Key Skills & Attributes
23. Ability tomunicateplex financial information clearly to non-financial stakeholders
24. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with sound judgement
25. Experience influencing senior stakeholders and building strategic relationships
26. Demonstrated ability to drive service improvements and deliver high-quality oues
27. Highly organised with the ability to prioritise and manage multiple demands
Why Apply?This role offers the opportunity to:
28. Influence strategic decision-making at a senior level
29. Play a key role in shaping financial direction within aplex organisation
30. Lead meaningful change and continuous improvement
31. Work in a collaborative, values-driven environment