Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial strategy and support university growth as Chief Financial Officer.
- Company: Join the University of Essex, a top-ranked institution known for bold ideas and inclusivity.
- Benefits: Enjoy a dynamic work environment with opportunities for digital transformation and professional growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a mission-driven community making a real impact on education and society.
- Qualifications: Seeking experienced finance leaders with strategic insight and values-led leadership.
- Other info: Open to applicants from various sectors; integrity and clarity are key.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Whilst we value being ranked in the top 25 in the Guardian University Guide 2025 and the top 30 in the UK in the Complete University Guide 2025, and in the world’s top 20 for international outlook according to the THE World University Rankings, we know that what we do next is even more important than what we have achieved in the past. Our next Chief Financial Officer will have the skills and experience to match the scale and breadth of our ambition. Join us at the University of Essex: home to the curious, brave and bold.
This is a pivotal moment in our university’s journey, and a uniquely exciting time to join us. As I prepare to take up the post of Vice-Chancellor later this year, I am looking to appoint a Chief Financial Officer who will be a critical partner in shaping our university’s future. Essex has long stood for bold ideas and progressive values. We are an ambitious community, with a deep commitment to excellence in education and research, and to the transformative impact that higher education has on individuals and society. We now seek a CFO who shares these ideals and who will help secure a sustainable and vibrant financial future for our university.
This is far more than a finance role. As CFO, you will join our University Steering Group, lead a talented team across Finance, Planning and Data Insight, and act as a trusted advisor to the Vice-Chancellor, University Council, and wider executive leadership. Your portfolio will extend across strategic finance, business planning, investment, risk, institutional data, and performance insight. The postholder will be a key architect of our long-term financial strategy, embedding financial discipline, analytical excellence, and future-focused thinking at the heart of decision-making.
We are realistic about the challenges. Like many in the sector, the University of Essex faces significant pressures: constrained income, rising costs, demographic shifts, and increasing regulatory scrutiny. But we also see opportunity. With the right leadership, we will not simply manage through turbulence; we will adapt, innovate, and grow stronger. Your insight, creativity, and leadership will help ensure we are equipped to navigate uncertainty and to invest in our priorities for the long term.
Founded on principles of inclusivity, internationalism, and impact, Essex is proud of its distinctive character. We are:
- Top 30 in the UK in the Complete University Guide 2025
- Ranked 23rd in the Guardian University Guide 2025
- Silver-rated for Teaching Excellence in the latest TEF framework
- Home to students from over 140 countries
- A leading research-intensive university, part of Universities UK and the Young European Research Universities Network
We are especially proud of our Knowledge Gateway on our Colchester campus, an innovation community that fosters business growth and social enterprise. We are deeply engaged in our local and regional economy, and passionate about advancing social mobility and global understanding. As we plan for the future, we are investing in digital transformation, estate and infrastructure renewal, and inclusive excellence. The CFO will play a critical role in enabling these ambitions to become reality.
If you are an experienced finance leader with the strategic insight, commercial acumen, and values-led leadership to make a lasting impact, we would be delighted to hear from you. We are open to applicants from a range of sectors; what matters most is your ability to lead with integrity, think with clarity, and deliver with purpose. This is an exceptional opportunity to contribute to an institution with a strong mission, global outlook, and an appetite for change.
If you are excited by this challenge, I warmly invite you to explore this role further and look forward to receiving your application.
For a confidential discussion on this role please contact: Owen Francis, Director or David Heaton, Principal Researcher on +447842 003 200. If you require any reasonable adjustments to be made as part of the recruitment process please can you advise us so that we can ensure this is accommodated.
Chief Financial Officer, University of Essex employer: University of Essex
Contact Detail:
University of Essex Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Financial Officer, University of Essex
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the University of Essex's strategic goals and recent initiatives. Understanding their vision for the future will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their ambitions during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of the University of Essex, especially those in finance or leadership roles. They can provide valuable insights into the university's culture and expectations for the CFO position.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss how you would address the specific challenges mentioned in the job description, such as constrained income and rising costs. Having a clear strategy will demonstrate your readiness to tackle these issues head-on.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your leadership style and values during interviews. The University of Essex is looking for a values-led leader, so be ready to share examples of how you've led teams with integrity and fostered a culture of inclusivity.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Financial Officer, University of Essex
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Cover Letter: Craft a cover letter that specifically addresses the key aspects of the job description. Highlight your relevant experience and how it aligns with the University of Essex's values and ambitions.
Showcase Leadership Experience: In your CV, emphasise your leadership roles and achievements in finance. Provide examples of how you've successfully navigated challenges and contributed to strategic decision-making.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Make sure to include skills that are particularly relevant to the CFO role, such as financial strategy development, risk management, and data analysis. Use specific examples to demonstrate these skills.
Prepare for Right to Work Checks: Be ready to provide documentation for right to work checks if shortlisted. Familiarise yourself with the process to ensure a smooth transition into the next steps of the recruitment process.
How to prepare for a job interview at University of Essex
✨Understand the University’s Vision
Familiarise yourself with the University of Essex's mission and values. Be prepared to discuss how your leadership style and financial strategies align with their commitment to excellence in education and research.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Insight
As a CFO, you’ll need to demonstrate your ability to think strategically. Prepare examples of how you've successfully navigated financial challenges in the past and how you plan to address the current pressures facing the university sector.
✨Highlight Collaborative Leadership
The role involves working closely with various stakeholders. Be ready to share experiences where you’ve acted as a trusted advisor and collaborated with executive teams to drive financial performance and institutional growth.
✨Prepare for Questions on Innovation
Given the university's focus on digital transformation and innovation, think about how you can contribute to these areas. Prepare to discuss any relevant experience you have in implementing new technologies or processes that enhance financial operations.