Deputy Director of Finance in Canterbury

Canterbury Christ Church University is seeking to appoint a forward-thinking financial leader to the role of Deputy Director of Finance. Working closely with the Director of Finance, a member of the University’s Senior Management Team, you will play a central role in delivering the University’s financial strategy as part of Vision 2030. This includes leading medium and long‑term financial planning, ensuring long‑term sustainability, and providing an excellent service to colleagues and students.

The University has undergone substantial financial and operational transformation in recent years. Through targeted change initiatives, careful stewardship and the commitment of teams across the institution, we have built a strong and sustainable financial platform, with surpluses forecast over the next five years. This role offers the opportunity to shape the next phase of our evolution, driving transformational change, championing process and technology improvements, strengthening financial resilience through effective cost management and income diversification, and enhancing the service we provide across the University.

In addition, the Deputy Director will operate with influence, credibility and assurance at the highest levels of the institution, working closely with senior academic and professional services leaders to support informed decision-making and embed best‑practice financial management across the University. We are seeking a qualified accountant with experience gained in a large and complex organisation. You will bring a strong track record of delivering organisational improvements, embedding robust financial frameworks, and using innovation to enhance financial performance.

As an inspiring and supportive leader, you will foster a culture of collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement within the finance team, while confidently representing the Directorate across the wider University and external financial and sector networks. This is an exceptional opportunity for an ambitious financial leader to influence the strategic direction of a modern, forward‑looking University. If you are energised by meaningful change and the opportunity to make a lasting impact, we would be delighted to hear from you.

We are committed to supporting flexible methods of working wherever possible and this role is split between home and office working. Other key benefits of working at the University include membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme, generous holiday entitlements, training & development opportunities, flexible working and health and wellbeing support.

Canterbury Christ Church University truly welcomes fresh perspectives and new voices. We want you to bring the real you to work, so we are committed to building a genuinely inclusive working environment where everyone is welcomed and where everyone can have a true sense of belonging. Our spirit of community will help us to eliminate discrimination and will enable us all to thrive in a culture that is underpinned by fairness and justice. We therefore seek people to join us who will proactively support and shape this aim and contribute in their own unique way. If this is you, then we are waiting to hear from you.