Head of Finance ( Maternity Cover)

Leadership and Management

• Provide strategic advice to senior leadership and governance bodies to support the development and execution of the organisation's 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 team's 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 organisation's 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 organisation's 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.