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- Tasks: Lead financial strategy and operations during a transformative period at a leading university.
- Company: A prestigious London-based university with a focus on innovation and excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, hybrid working model, and impactful leadership role.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact in higher education finance while enhancing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Proven experience as a Finance Director with a strong background in higher education.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team and drive meaningful change in a complex environment.
A leading London-based university is seeking an experienced Interim Finance Director to provide senior financial leadership during a period of organisational change and capability strengthening. This is a high-impact role suited to a commercially astute finance leader with deep experience in complex public sector or higher education environments.
The role involves reporting to the CFO and working closely with executive leadership, providing strategic oversight and operational direction across core finance functions. The appointment will focus on stabilising delivery, strengthening financial capability, and driving improvements across reporting, governance, and transformation initiatives.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading finance capability development and strengthening internal delivery structures
- Oversight of statutory and management reporting frameworks
- Ensuring robust compliance, controls, and governance across finance operations
- Providing expert oversight on tax matters within a complex institutional structure
- Financial leadership across estates and capital programmes
- Supporting ongoing finance transformation and process improvement initiatives
- Acting as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders across the university
The candidate:
We are seeking a senior finance professional with:
- Proven experience operating at Finance Director or equivalent level
- Strong background in higher education
- Demonstrable success in finance transformation and capability development
- Deep knowledge of reporting, compliance, and financial governance frameworks
- Experience overseeing tax and estates finance in large institutions
- Exceptional stakeholder management and leadership skills
- A hands-on, delivery-focused approach suited to an interim environment
Interim Director of Finance employer: Burman Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Burman Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Interim Director of Finance
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance sector, especially those in higher education. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of financial governance and compliance frameworks. We want you to showcase your expertise and how it aligns with the university's needs.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of a strong online presence. Update your LinkedIn profile to reflect your skills and experiences relevant to the Interim Finance Director role. It’s a great way for recruiters to find you!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Interim Director of Finance
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Interim Finance Director. Highlight your experience in finance transformation and governance, and don’t forget to mention any relevant work in higher education. We want to see how you can bring your unique skills to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your past successes in similar positions and how they relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description. We love a good story!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a senior finance professional, we want to see your leadership style. In your application, highlight instances where you've led teams or projects, especially in complex environments. This will help us understand how you can guide our finance functions during this transitional period.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Burman Recruitment
✨Know Your Numbers
As an Interim Finance Director, you’ll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics relevant to the university sector and be ready to discuss how you've successfully managed budgets, reporting frameworks, and compliance in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
This role requires strong leadership skills, so think about examples that highlight your ability to lead teams through change. Prepare to discuss how you've developed finance capabilities and strengthened internal structures in past positions.
✨Understand the Institutional Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges and opportunities within higher education finance. Be prepared to talk about how you can navigate complex institutional structures and provide strategic oversight during periods of transformation.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Stakeholder management is crucial for this role. Think of ways to illustrate your experience in building relationships with senior stakeholders. Prepare questions that show your interest in their needs and how you can act as a trusted advisor.
