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 hybrid working, competitive interim package, and exposure to executive-level activities.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a complex and evolving environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a critical role while enhancing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with significant senior finance leadership experience.
An interim Deputy Finance Director (Finance & Planning) is required for a 6-12 month contract in Leeds with flexible working options. 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.
This 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 in Leeds employer: Hays
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 hybrid working model, competitive interim package, and opportunities for meaningful impact at the Executive level, this role offers an enriching work culture that values collaboration and continuous improvement, making it an excellent employer for finance professionals seeking to make a difference.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Director of Finance in Leeds
✨Join Financial Networking Events
Jump into local finance meetups and conferences — they’re a goldmine for temporary roles in banking and financial services. You can chat with industry professionals and even get leads on upcoming opportunities that might not be posted online yet.
✨Utilise Temp Agencies Specialised in Finance
Reach out to temp agencies that focus on the banking sector. They often have strong ties with various firms and can help you secure short-term gigs that can help beef up your CV and get your foot in the door at firms like Hays.
✨Connect with Alumni from Your Uni
Don't underestimate the power of your university’s alumni network. Many former students are working in banking and can help you find temporary roles or even offer mentorship. Reach out directly or attend alumni events to broaden your circle.
✨Stay Active on Job Boards and Company Websites
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards specifically for finance roles. Companies like Hays might post temporary positions directly on their sites, so make sure to apply there too. Set alerts to catch those roles the moment they go live!
We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Director of Finance in Leeds
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 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. 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 confidence in your short-term commitment to the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays
✨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.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
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.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
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 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.
