Job Description
Grade UE10: £81,016- £95,193
Corporate Services Group/Finance Department
Full-time: 35 hours per week
Fixed-term: 18 months
We are looking for a strategically focused qualified accountant with excellent people management experience. It’s important that you are team oriented, with a drive to deliver ongoing change and improvements.
The Opportunity
The role of the Director of Finance Operations (DFO) is to develop and lead the delivery of both Finance Operations and transactions process improvement within Finance;
* To lead, motivate and manage the Finance Operation Teams in delivering the University’s Finance Strategy; all in alignment with the complex and varied needs of Colleges and Professional Service Groups;
* To build capability in the specialist areas including Payroll, Pensions and Insurance to address current and future challenges;
* To support the development, resilience and effectiveness of Finance Operations, ensuring that the transactions that underpin all activities in the University are accurately processed and reported to agreed timelines;
* To position Finance as a strategic, business-focused professional service, setting and adhering to the highest professional and service standards ensuring financial integrity and effective stewardship.
Your Skills And Attributes For Success
* Experience of managing teams in large multi-departmental organisations at a senior level (Assistant Director or equivalent)
* Working in high performing organisations with a progressive approach to developing financial management
* Success in staff development and training
* Operating in a strategic finance environment
* Implementing strategy through highly effective operational plans
* Operating with an enterprise wide, integrated finance system in organisations with multiple business units.
* Control and successful delivery of multiple projects to tight timescales
* Decisive and confident in operating autonomously on a regular basis
* Positive, self-reliant, open-minded and enthusiastic attitude
* Ability and discipline to plan and prioritise work at personal and team levels to achieve agreed objectives
* Ability to generate respect and support at all levels
* Innovative and committed to continuous improvement
* Analytical, with a strong understanding of how to select and report key information for decision makers
* Ability to consistently work comfortably to tight deadlines
* Excellent working knowledge of Excel
* Ability to deliver and maintain a high standard of quality outputs
Please submit a CV and covering letter for consideration.
Click here for a copy of the full job description.
As a valued member of our team you can expect:
* A competitive salary.
* An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work.
* To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community.
* Comprehensive Staff Benefits, such as a generous holiday entitlement, competitive pension schemes, staff discounts, and family-friendly initiatives. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page (opens in a new tab) and use our reward calculator to discover the total value of your pay and benefits.
Championing equality, diversity and inclusion
The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality.
Prior to any employment commencing with the University you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages (opens new browser tab).
On this occasion the University will not consider applicants requiring sponsorship for this role. International workers will therefore only be able to take up this role if they can demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.
Key dates to note
The closing date for applications is 15th December 2025.
Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm GMT. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone.
Interviews dates to be confirmed.
About Us
As a world-leading research-intensive University, we are here to address tomorrow’s greatest challenges. Between now and 2030 we will do that with a values-led approach to teaching, research and innovation, and through the strength of our relationships, both locally and globally.
About The Team
The Finance Department is responsible for the effective financial management, stewardship and long-term financial health of the University, which has a turnover in excess of £900m per year. It exercises control over the University’s finances, provides expert financial guidance particularly for key decision making, and provides an effective services and information for the financial conduct of the University’s business. It follows core values and behaviours to value and strengthen its team and delivery of its services – One Team; Expert; Innovation; Customer Focused; and Transparent.
http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/finance/home