At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead finance and planning teams, ensuring clarity and delivery during a pivotal recovery period.
- Company: A dynamic Higher Education institution in Yorkshire with a focus on financial recovery.
- Benefits: Flexible working, competitive interim package, and exposure to executive-level activities.
- Other info: 6-12 month contract with a hybrid working model and immediate start.
- Why this job: Make a tangible impact in a critical role with real influence and leadership opportunities.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with senior finance leadership experience, ideally in higher education.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
A Yorkshire-based Higher Education institution is seeking an experienced senior finance leader to undertake a high-impact interim assignment as number two in Finance, reporting to the Executive Director of Finance and Strategic Planning. The appointment comes at a pivotal point for the organisation, offering the opportunity to provide immediate leadership capacity during a period of financial recovery, regulatory focus, and organisational change.
The Role
This is a hands-on, senior leadership position operating across both strategic and operational levels. The successful candidate will:
- Provide day-to-day leadership of Finance and Planning, ensuring clarity of priorities and delivery.
- Create operational headroom for the Executive Director to focus on strategic finance, lender engagement and board assurance.
- Strengthen financial grip, reporting, and performance insight.
- Support delivery of year-end, audit, and budget cycles.
- Play a key role in embedding integrated planning and data-driven decision-making.
Key Focus Areas
- Leadership & Delivery: Visible, credible leadership of finance and planning teams through a complex and evolving environment.
- Financial Planning: Oversight of budgeting, forecasting and development of the medium-term financial plan.
- Cash & Covenant: Strengthening liquidity management, cash flow forecasting and covenant reporting.
- Reporting & Insight: Enhancing Executive and Board-level reporting to support decision-making.
- Business Partnering: Supporting senior academic and professional leaders with clear financial insight.
- Audit & Compliance: Supporting year-end, external audit and regulatory returns.
- Continuous Improvement: Driving improvements in systems, processes and reporting outputs.
Candidate Profile
We are seeking a qualified accountant with:
- Significant senior finance leadership experience, ideally within higher education or a complex regulated environment.
- A track record of delivering in financially challenged or recovery settings.
- Strong expertise across planning, forecasting, cash flow, audit and reporting.
- The ability to bring pace, grip and clarity in a demanding environment.
- A collaborative, pragmatic and hands-on approach.
- Credibility to operate with Executive colleagues and senior stakeholders.
Why This Role?
- A rare opportunity to step into a number two finance role with real influence.
- The chance to make a tangible difference in a critical period.
- Exposure to Executive and Board-level activity.
- A flexible, hybrid working model.
- A highly competitive interim package, reflective of the scope and impact.
Key Details
- Duration: 6-12 months.
- Start: Immediate / ASAP.
- Location: West Yorkshire / 2/3 days in the office.
- Reporting to: Executive Director of Finance and Strategic Planning.
For a confidential discussion, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
Deputy Director of Finance employer: Hays Accountancy and Finance
Join a dynamic Yorkshire-based Higher Education institution as a Deputy Director of Finance, where you will play a pivotal role in steering financial recovery and organisational change. With a flexible working model and a competitive interim package, this position offers a unique opportunity for impactful leadership and professional growth within a collaborative environment that values innovation and strategic insight.
Contact Details:
Hays Accountancy and Finance Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Director of Finance
✨Join Financial Networking Events
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✨Connect with Alumni from Your Uni
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We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Director of Finance
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Academic Achievements:In banking and financial services, your academic record can really make you stand out. List relevant grades, certifications, or coursework on your CV, especially if you've taken finance-related modules. This is particularly important for a temporary role where qualifications can help you shine even brighter!
Highlight Relevant Experience:If you’ve done any internships, part-time roles, or even coursework that aligns with banking or finance, make sure you include those! Showcase specific tasks where you used quantitative skills or analytical thinking, as this is what the hiring managers at Hays Accountancy and Finance will be keen to see in your application.
Tailor Your Cover Letter Purposefully:When writing your cover letter, focus on why you’re interested in a temporary position at Hays Accountancy and Finance. Let them know how you can quickly adapt to the team's needs and how eager you are to learn the ropes of the banking sector during this short stint. Your motivation and enthusiasm could really set you apart!
Be Prepared with References:For temporary roles, references can play a crucial role in your application. Make sure you’ve got a couple of references lined up who can vouch for your skills and work ethic. This helps to give Hays Accountancy and Finance confidence in your short-term commitment to the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays Accountancy and Finance
✨Brush Up on Financial Regulations
Since this is a role in banking and financial services, be ready to discuss key regulations like MiFID, Basel III, or GDPR. These are hot topics, and your awareness of how they impact daily operations can give you a significant edge during your interview with Hays Accountancy and Finance.
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Prepare for interview questions that assess your analytical abilities. You might need to tackle hypothetical scenarios involving risk assessment or financial forecasting. Bringing examples of relevant projects or coursework can emphasise your practical understanding of these concepts.
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For a temporary role, showing that you can quickly pick up new processes and tools is crucial. Be ready to discuss previous experiences where you had to adapt to changing requirements or tight deadlines, as this will reassure Hays Accountancy and Finance that you’re a reliable team player.
✨Demonstrate a Willingness to Learn
In a temporary position, leaning into your eagerness to learn can really set you apart. Be prepared to share how you’re staying updated on industry trends or any additional training you've pursued. Employers appreciate candidates who are proactive about their development—even for short-term roles.
