About us
UCL 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. We are committed to building a skilled, collaborative and forward-looking finance profession that supports informed decision-making across the university.
About the role
We are seeking an experienced and strategic Head of Profession – Finance to lead the development of finance capability, professional standards and career pathways across UCL.
You will shape and deliver a Finance People Plan aligned with UCL’s institutional priorities, future operating model and People Plan. Leading a comprehensive programme of training and professional development, you will establish competency and career frameworks, develop a Finance Apprenticeship Programme and explore opportunities for a graduate trainee scheme.
Working closely with senior leaders, colleagues across UCL and external partners, you will champion professional excellence, continuous learning and inclusive career development. You will build a connected finance community, ensuring colleagues have the skills, qualifications and opportunities to support UCL’s world-class teaching, research and operations.
About you
This is an opportunity to shape the future of the finance profession at one of the world’s leading universities. You will lead initiatives that strengthen professional capability, create meaningful career pathways and foster a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement across UCL.
Your work will include overseeing finance training and apprenticeship provision, building partnerships with professional bodies and sector networks, and supporting workforce planning, talent management and professional standards. You will also lead initiatives that bring the finance community together, evaluate the impact of development programmes and ensure effective governance, quality assurance and use of resources.
You will hold a recognised professional accountancy qualification, such as ACCA, CIMA or ICAEW, and bring substantial experience in financial management, finance operations or professional development within a large, complex organisation. You will have a strong understanding of professional qualifications, apprenticeship standards and training frameworks, with a proven track record of designing and delivering capability-building programmes.
An accomplished leader and communicator, you will be confident influencing stakeholders at all levels, managing competing priorities and using data to drive improvement. You will bring experience of working with external training providers and professional bodies, alongside a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and a passion for developing people.
What we offer
As 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 insurance
Visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/reward-and-benefits to find out more.
Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
As 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.
