About usUCL is a world-leading, global top 10 university, with 11 academic faculties, around 17,000 staff and over 50,000 students. We deliver ground-breaking research and exceptional teaching, supported by professional services that enable our community to thrive. Our Finance function plays a vital role in supporting UCL's strategic ambitions, financial sustainability and operational excellence.
Bringing together Strategic and Operational Finance, we are committed to improving our processes, systems and ways of working to deliver an effective, consistent and forward-looking service across the university. About the roleWe are seeking an experienced Finance Change Lead to drive meaningful, sustainable change across UCL's Finance function. In this job you will lead the coordination and delivery of finance change initiatives, ensuring they are aligned with institutional priorities and deliver measurable improvements.
Working collaboratively with finance colleagues, subject matter experts and wider professional services teams, you will develop user-centred solutions that address underlying challenges, simplify processes and embed best practice. You will lead initiatives that improve consistency, strengthen financial controls and governance, and deliver better experiences for colleagues across UCL.Your work will span change portfolio management, process and systems improvement, stakeholder engagement and change adoption.
You will establish effective governance, oversee implementation and training plans, monitor risks and benefits, and provide senior leaders with clear insight into progress and priorities. A key priority will be supporting the new Faculty and Professional Services Finance team to establish consistent, efficient processes, sharing best practice while recognising where flexibility is needed.
You will also provide strategic oversight of the finance change portfolio, ensuring effective prioritisation, governance and coordination across people, processes, policy, data and technology. This is an exciting opportunity to shape how Finance operates in a world leading University, helping colleagues navigate change and building a more connected, efficient and future-ready function. A full job description is attached to this advert.
About youYou will bring significant experience leading change programmes in a large, complex organisation, supported by a professional qualification in project or change management, or equivalent practical experience.
You will have a strong understanding of finance processes, systems, controls and regulatory requirements, alongside experience managing change portfolios, project governance and cross-functional delivery. A confident and collaborative leader, you will be skilled at engaging stakeholders, influencing across organisational boundaries and bringing people together to deliver shared outcomes.
You will be comfortable navigating complex interdependencies, making informed decisions, managing competing priorities and using data to identify risks and measure improvements. You will also demonstrate a proactive approach to problem-solving, a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and the ability to communicate change clearly to both specialist and non-specialist audiences. A finance or accounting qualification and evidence of ongoing professional development would be advantageous.
Please read our job description, paying particular attention to the Essential and Desirable criteria, and ensure these are covered in your application. What we offerAs well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:
- 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
- Additional 5 days' annual leave purchase scheme
- Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
- Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
- Immigration loan
- Relocation scheme for certain posts
- On-Site nursery
- On-site gym
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
- Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
- Discounted medical insuranceVisit to find out more. Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and InclusionAs London's Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world's talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL's workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.
Finance Change Lead in London employer: UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON
UCL's Information Services Division (ISD) is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters innovation and collaboration among over 50,000 staff and students. With a commitment to employee growth, ISD provides extensive benefits including 41 days of holiday, a defined benefit pension scheme, and opportunities for professional development in cutting-edge technology areas. Located in the heart of London, UCL promotes a diverse and inclusive culture, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in higher education.
