The Head of Finance (Maternity Cover) will oversee financial operations and provide strategic guidance for our client, a global complex organisation with offices in central Oxford.
Client Details
Our client is a large blue chip organisation with a global brand and reach.
Description
Leadership and Management
* Provide strategic advice to senior leadership and governance bodies to support the development and execution of the organisations long-term goals.
* Lead the financial function, influencing decision-making and promoting financial sustainability across the organisation.
* Build and maintain relationships with external stakeholders (e.g. partners, suppliers, sponsors).
* Manage key projects including internal financial reviews, forecasting tool development, and business process enhancements.
* Foster collaboration across departmental teams, particularly in areas such as research, development, and student administration.
* Develop cross-functional networks within the organisation and with relevant external partners.
* Act as professional line manager to the Deputy Finance Manager, with overall accountability for the finance teams performance.
* Provide financial leadership to staff with finance responsibilities, overseeing recruitment, training, onboarding, supervision, and performance development.
* Promote a strong understanding of financial principles across the organisation and ensure systems support transparency, compliance, and efficiency.
Financial Control
* Lead on all financial matters internally and with external partners and suppliers.
* Oversee and maintain robust and compliant financial systems and controls. Ensure key policy and procedural changes are understood across relevant teams.
* Manage month-end, quarter-end, and year-end processes, ensuring accurate and timely reporting.
* Champion cost control across departments, supporting teams to adopt best practice.
* Stay informed of regulatory and funding requirements, advising staff accordingly and serving as the first point of contact for finance-related queries.
Financial Strategy and Planning
* Provide forward-thinking financial leadership to support the organisations strategic objectives.
* Lead the budgeting process in collaboration with senior leadership and departmental heads.
* Contribute to strategic planning and the development of medium- and long-term financial plans.
* Oversee the financial structure and sustainability of affiliated centres, programmes, and initiatives.
* Lead financial modelling and cost analysis for new and ongoing projects.
* Provide data-driven recommendations to senior management using risk-based financial analysis.
* Contribute to the organisations risk management framework through financial oversight.
Reporting and Management Information
* Advise the senior leadership team and department heads on financial performance and planning.
* Own and develop reporting processes, ensuring timely and accurate monitoring against budget.
* Lead stakeholder engagement through regular reporting and review meetings.
* Deliver quarterly forecasts and variance analysis to meet internal and external reporting requirements.
* Maintain internal cost models, analyse teaching-related returns, and manage fee structures.
* Prepare financial reports for donors, sponsors, and other stakeholders.
* Ensure purchasing and expenditure approvals meet defined compliance standards.
Profile
A successful Head of Finance (Maternity Cover) should have:
* Educated to degree level, with strong accounting knowledge, evidenced by an ACA, CIMA, CIPFA, CPA or ACCA qualification.
* Significant experience at management level in a large, complex organisation with proven management accounting, budgeting, forecasting and reporting skills in a complex, research-intensive or equivalent environment.
* Experience of Oracle Financials ideal.
* 40% time is required in the office in central Oxford ( access via Park And Ride or walk from Train station)
Job Offer
* Competitive salary range of £50000-£58000 per annum.
* Generous pension contribution of approximately 14%.
* 35 days of annual leave, including bank holidays.
* Opportunity to work in a complex and challenging organisation.
* Fixed-term contract with potential for future opportunities.
This Head of Finance (Maternity Cover) role in Oxford provides an excellent opportunity to contribute to a meaningful cause while advancing your career. We encourage qualified candidates to apply.
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