Head of Finance
South England | Hybrid Working | Competitive Salary | Higher Education Sector
Are you an experienced senior finance leader ready to drive strategic financial management in a thriving, creative environment?
A dynamic and forward-thinking specialist institution in the arts sector is seeking a Head of Finance to play a pivotal role in enabling its long-term sustainability and strategic growth. This role blends financial leadership, operational oversight, and digital transformation within a highly collaborative and creative academic setting.
The Role
As Head of Finance, you will:
Lead strategic financial planning and reporting, managing complex budgets and forecasting cycles over a multi-year horizon. Oversee statutory compliance including annual accounts, VAT, and PAYE, and support financial submissions to external bodies. Collaborate with senior stakeholders and heads of department to advise on financial direction, business planning, and project appraisal. Drive improvements in digital financial systems and lead implementations and upgrades to enhance service automation and efficiency. Lead a finance team dedicated to providing excellent customer service and ensure best practice across all finance operations. Influence institutional strategy through evidence-based analysis and high-level reporting.
What You’ll Bring
A recognised professional accounting qualification (e.g. ACA, ACCA, CIMA). Proven leadership experience in financial management within a complex organisation—ideally within higher education or the public sector. Strong technical knowledge of VAT (including partial exemption), UK GAAP and financial reporting standards. A sound understanding of sector funding (HE/FE), academic cost modelling, and digital finance transformation. Exceptional communication, influencing and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to translate complex data into strategic insight. Demonstrated success in managing teams, improving systems, and driving a customer-focused approach.
Why Join?
This is more than just a finance role. It’s an opportunity to shape the financial future of a unique creative institution making an international impact through its world-class graduates. You’ll work in a highly collaborative and flexible environment, contributing to meaningful change and innovation.
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