At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial strategy and planning in a dynamic higher education environment.
- Company: Reputable organisation with a focus on collaboration and values.
- Benefits: Opportunity to influence decisions and drive meaningful change.
- Other info: Join a high-performing team and enjoy a collaborative work culture.
- Why this job: Shape financial direction and make a real impact at a senior level.
- Qualifications: Fully qualified accountant with significant senior finance experience.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
A reputable organisation is recruiting a Head of Financial Planning and Analysis. An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and commercially astute finance professional to join a large, complex organisation operating within the higher education sector. This is a senior leadership role requiring a qualified finance specialist with significant experience in financial strategy, planning, and operational delivery. The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping financial direction, influencing strategic decisions, and ensuring the highest standards of financial management and governance.
The Role
Reporting into senior leadership, you will act as a trusted advisor across a broad stakeholder base, providing strategic financial insight and ensuring robust financial planning, control, and reporting. You will lead financial reporting and business partnering activity, supporting long-term sustainability and enabling data-driven decision making across the organisation.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Finance Leadership
- Contribute to the development and delivery of financial strategy and long-term planning
- Lead on the production of consolidated financial plans, including five-year budgets and forecasts
- Provide expert financial advice to senior stakeholders to support strategic decision-making
- Influence organisational direction through insight, analysis, and commercial evaluation
- Financial Management Reporting
- Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting processes
- Deliver high-quality management information, including variance analysis and financial commentary
- Ensure robust financial controls, compliance with regulations, and adherence to audit requirements
- Identify financial risks, opportunities, and value-for-money improvements
- Business Partnering
- Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders across diverse operational areas
- Translate complex financial data into clear, actionable insights for non-finance audiences
- Support investment appraisal, business cases, and commercial decision-making
- Team Leadership Service Delivery
- Lead, develop, and motivate a high-performing finance team
- Set service standards and continuously improve financial processes and systems
- Ensure delivery of a responsive, customer-focused finance service
- Governance, Collaboration Representation
- Represent the finance function at senior internal and external forums
- Collaborate across departments to ensure alignment with organisational strategy
- Contribute to policy development, ensuring compliance and best practice
About You
You will be a proactive and influential finance leader with the ability to operate at both strategic and operational levels.
Essential Requirements
- Fully qualified accountant (CIPFA, CIMA, ACA/ICAEW or equivalent)
- Significant senior finance experience, ideally within higher education or a similarly complex environment
- Proven track record in budgeting, financial planning, and commercial appraisal
- Strong leadership experience with the ability to develop and manage teams
- Experience of business planning and strategic financial management
Key Skills Attributes
- Ability to communicate complex financial information clearly to non-financial stakeholders
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with sound judgement
- Experience influencing senior stakeholders and building strategic relationships
- Demonstrated ability to drive service improvements and deliver high-quality outcomes
- Highly organised with the ability to prioritise and manage multiple demands
Why Apply?
This role offers the opportunity to:
- Influence strategic decision-making at a senior level
- Play a key role in shaping financial direction within a complex organisation
- Lead meaningful change and continuous improvement
- Work in a collaborative, values-driven environment
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 on your career.
Head of FP&A in Kingston upon Hull employer: Hays
Join a reputable organisation in the higher education sector as the Head of Financial Planning and Analysis, where you will be part of a collaborative and values-driven environment. This role not only offers competitive benefits and opportunities for professional growth but also allows you to influence strategic decision-making and lead meaningful change within a large, complex organisation. With a focus on employee development and a commitment to high standards of financial management, this position is ideal for those seeking a rewarding career path.
