Role Description
Responsible to:
- Chief Finance Officer
Responsible for:
- Finance Operations Leads
- Head of Legal and Compliance
- Manager of Student Finance and Debt Management
Job Purpose
The Director of Finance plays a pivotal role in enabling the University to achieve its strategic ambitions by delivering high‑quality financial leadership aligned to the University's mission, vision and values. The role provides strategic direction and operational oversight across financial planning, management accounting, financial operations, audit, risk, and compliance, ensuring these functions collectively support strong governance and long‑term financial sustainability.
The role holder leads the full suite of management and financial accounting services for the University, its subsidiaries, and the Falmouth Exeter Plus (FX Plus) Group, ensuring effective financial control, accurate reporting and a robust framework of internal assurance. They will deliver a proactive, customer‑focused business partnering service across all Profit Centres and Professional Services, supporting evidence‑based decision‑making and strong budgetary management.
Working collaboratively with stakeholders, the Director ensures compliance with statutory and regulatory reporting requirements while contributing to the development and execution of the University's financial strategy. They support the Chief Finance Officer and executive leadership by providing high‑quality analysis, insight and financial advice to enable delivery of institutional priorities and long‑term strategic goals.
Main areas of responsibility
Strategic and operational leadership
Provide operational leadership for the University’s financial management and assurance framework, ensuring effective delivery of policies, controls and processes defined by the CFO.
Lead the development and continuous improvement of financial planning, management accounting, financial operations, audit, and compliance services, ensuring these functions work cohesively to enable effective decision‑making, strong internal control, and long‑term financial sustainability across the University, its subsidiaries and FX Plus.
Work with the Chief Finance Officer in the preparation of financial forecasts for the University and FX Plus and, working with the Management Accountants, lead the preparation and presentation of detailed budgets for the following year to the University Executive Board and FX Plus Senior Leadership Team.
Deputise for the Chief Finance Officer as required including attendance at appropriate committees and working parties including University Executive Board (UEB). This may include chairing committees and working groups, management of complex HR issues and leadership and management of projects that cut across the institution.
Financial Management, Reporting & Business Partnering
Ensure Budget Holders are provided with an effective Finance Business Partnering service, that there are robust processes in place across Profit Centres, Professional Services and FX Plus for the monitoring and control of income and expenditure, ensuring compliance with financial regulations.
Work closely with the Director of Planning and Business Intelligence Services to ensure that financial planning, forecasting, and reporting are informed by high-quality data and analytics. Support the integration of business intelligence insights into financial decision-making, resource allocation, and performance monitoring, contributing to the university’s strategic objectives and continuous improvement agenda.
Work with finance colleagues to prepare statutory and regulatory returns including the annual statutory accounts (for the University, FX Plus and all related subsidiary companies), TRAC, Access & Participation Plan and OfS regulatory/funding monitoring returns.
Research sector practice and benchmarks in relation to financial performance and prepare reports through analysis and data monitoring that measure the University’s performance.
Financial Governance, Compliance & Risk
Provide strategic advice to the Chief Finance Officer on financial policies and regulations including the approach to treasury management. Responsible for the University’s Treasury Management Policy and preparation of treasury management reports for the Board analysing and explaining differences between actual and forecast cash balances. Monitor bank overdraft levels required and implement changes necessary to comply with banking covenants. Monitor bank loan payments in both FX Plus and the University and liaise with banks as required.
Implement all tax planning and day-to-day tax matters including VAT and Corporation Tax advice for the University and related companies. Preparation and submission of quarterly VAT returns for three entities. Annual review of income for Corporation Tax purposes for the University and FXPlus including preparation of annual tax returns and completion of quarterly returns for foreign entertainers.
Lead the team in defining and explaining Financial Regulations to staff across both organisations and supporting the decision-making process including interpretation of financial regulations.
In collaboration with your team, lead the development of a risk management plan for the department. This will identify and prioritise risks and set out actions which can reduce risk, including a risk plan which will be reported annually as part of the annual planning cycle.
Ensure financial policies are adequate with regard to security of information and staff. Check that staff comply with these procedures. Carry out risk assessments where required.
Collaboration & Capability Development
Lead the development, review and implementation of a strategy for the service to meet the requirements of the University and FX Plus. This involves working closely with the Finance Operations Leads, Assistant Accountants, Manager of Student Finance and Head of Procurement (in FX Plus) to identify gaps in the provision of information and inefficiencies in business processes and/or opportunities to improve functionality of core finance systems.
Contribute to the financial education and budget management skills of departmental leaders through coaching, training and up-skilling activities.
Person Specification
We are seeking a colleague who will complement the aims of the University as a modern, vibrant place to work and learn, and who really wants to make a positive difference every day.
Qualifications
- A recognised CCAB professional qualification (CIMA, ACCA, ACA).
Experience, Knowledge and Skills
- Significant post qualification experience in the management of financial issues in a large or complex organisation.
- Significant and progressive senior management experience of leading multiple areas of finance activity and their teams.
- Experience of working with and influencing management teams and governing bodies at a senior level.
- Technical knowledge and experience of financial and management accounting and the operation of accounting systems, controls and processes.
- Experience of complex legal and accounting requirements for VAT and Corporation Tax in large multi company organisations.
- Experience of statutory accounts preparation.
- Excellent interpersonal, communication (written and oral) and influencing skills.
- Ability to represent the finance directorate to internal and external stakeholders including governing body and relevant committees.
- Positive, open-minded outlook; innovative, flexible and responsive to customer needs.
- Ability to work under pressure, demonstrate self-motivation and prioritise workload.
- Willingness and ability to represent the University externally and to create and participate in links with relevant external bodies.
Experience of the higher education sector, knowledge of IFRS or transitioning to new accounting standards, and familiarity with medium‑ to large‑scale ERP or finance systems is advantageous.
How to Apply:
We are working with Hays Senior Finance on this appointment.
Apply now or contact Jonathan Green 01392 348 871 for an informal conversation.
Closing date: 4th March.