Director of Finance and Corporate Services

Hays is delighted to be partnering with a large public sector organisation within the further education landscape in the recruitment of their Director of Finance and Corporate Services. Operating at the heart of the organisation's leadership structure, the Director of Finance & Corporate Services will play a central role in shaping long-term financial and institutional sustainability. Working closely with the Principal & CEO and the Regional Board, the postholder will influence strategy, investment decisions, governance and transformation across a broad corporate services portfolio. The organisation is ambitious, values strong governance, and is committed to sustainability, digital transformation and continuous improvement, creating an environment where senior leaders can make a meaningful and lasting impact.

As Director of Finance & Corporate Services, you will provide strategic, financial and operational leadership across a wide and influential remit, including Finance, IT and Digital, Estates and Facilities, Programme and Project Management, Marketing and Communications, Legal, Risk, Audit and Compliance. As a key member of the Executive Team, you will contribute to the development and delivery of the organisation's vision, strategic priorities and business plans. You will lead the development and implementation of financial strategies that support long-term sustainability, oversee capital planning and estates development, and ensure that robust financial controls, governance and compliance frameworks are embedded across the organisation. Acting as a principal adviser to the Regional Board, you will attend and contribute to Board meetings and relevant sub-committees, including Audit & Risk and Finance & General Purposes Committees. The role also carries responsibility for representing the organisation externally with funding bodies, auditors and key stakeholders, as well as leading digital transformation and service improvement initiatives that enhance organisational efficiency, resilience and long-term value. This is a highly visible and influential leadership position, requiring sound judgement, commercial awareness and the ability to operate confidently within a regulated public sector environment.

To succeed in this Director of Finance & Corporate Services role, you will be a fully qualified senior finance professional with membership of a CCAB accounting body and significant post-qualification experience. You will bring a strong track record of leading financial management within a large, complex and multi-functional organisation, including responsibility for budgeting, forecasting, capital planning, cash management and the preparation of management and statutory accounts. You will have proven experience of leading and developing non-performing teams and of operating at a senior strategic level, contributing to business planning, organisational change and the delivery of complex programmes or projects. A strong understanding of financial reporting standards is essential, alongside the credibility to advise, influence and challenge senior stakeholders, including executive colleagues and Board members. The successful candidate will demonstrate excellent communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments and build strong external relationships. You will be solutions-focused, resilient and adaptable, with the confidence to operate in a high-accountability environment and the judgement to balance commercial thinking with public sector governance and compliance requirements. Experience of estates, IT, digital transformation, governance, audit, risk or the further education sector would be advantageous, though candidates with strong transferable leadership experience are also encouraged to apply.

In return, you will be offered a career-defining executive leadership opportunity with genuine scope to shape organisational strategy and long-term sustainability. This role provides significant autonomy and influence, with direct access to the Principal & CEO and Regional Board, and the opportunity to lead wide-ranging transformation across finance, estates, digital and governance functions. You will join a values-led public sector organisation with a strong focus on accountability, sustainability and continuous improvement, supported by a collaborative Executive Team culture. A competitive senior leadership reward package is offered, alongside the benefits associated with a public sector employer and the professional satisfaction of contributing to an organisation with a clear social and economic purpose.

If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now. If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.