Chief Financial Officer

The University of Staffordshire; England; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK university is looking for a Chief Financial Officer to shape and deliver its financial strategy and five-year plan. This pivotal role involves leading the Commercial and potentially the Infrastructure functions, and is integral to the Executive Team. The ideal candidate will have senior leadership experience and a strong track record in financial stewardship. This is an exciting opportunity to influence positive change within higher education.

Qualifications

• Significant senior leadership experience from a large, complex organisation.
• Strong track record of financial stewardship and transformational project delivery.
• Ability to challenge and support the Executive Team effectively.

Responsibilities

• Shape and deliver the University’s financial strategy and five-year plan.
• Lead the Commercial function and potentially the Infrastructure function.
• Drive performance and effectiveness ensuring continued annual surpluses.

Skills

Senior leadership experience

Financial stewardship

Strategic planning

Transformational project delivery

Relationship building

Job description

Overview

The University of Staffordshire is a bold, innovative and resilient institution with a proud heritage and a clear ambition: to be the UK’s leading modern university. With campuses in Stoke-on-Trent, Stafford, London, and a higher education centre in Lichfield, we serve a global network of over 20,000 students. Our rebrand in 2024 marked a new chapter — one that celebrates diversity, opportunity and inclusivity, and reflects our commitment to transforming lives, places and society.

At a time of significant change and opportunity in the UK higher education sector, we are seeking to appoint a new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to join our Executive Team. Reporting directly to the Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, the CFO will play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering our financial strategy and five-year plan, whilst also leading our Commercial function, and potentially the Infrastructure function, dependent upon experience. The CFO will be a key voice on the University Executive Team, the main decision-making body of the University.

Responsibilities

• Shape and deliver the University’s financial strategy and five-year plan.
• Lead the Commercial function, and potentially the Infrastructure function, depending on experience.
• Be a key voice on the University Executive Team, the main decision-making body of the University.
• Drive performance and effectiveness to ensure continued annual surpluses and investment in the future.

Qualifications

• Significant senior leadership experience from a large, complex organisation.
• Strong track record of financial stewardship, strategic planning and delivering transformational projects.
• Ability to challenge and support the Executive Team and University Executive Board, inspire colleagues across the University, and build relationships with external stakeholders.
• Experience in higher education is welcome but not essential; what matters most is the ability to adapt quickly, lead with purpose, and deliver impact.

Opportunity and values

This is a strategically important role at the heart of a financially sustainable university. We are looking for a leader who is ambitious, innovative and collaborative—someone who can challenge and support the Executive Team and University Executive Board, inspire colleagues across the University, and build strong relationships with external stakeholders.

This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the future of a university that is a catalyst for change and a force for social good. If you share our values and vision, and have the experience and drive to lead in this critical role, we would be delighted to hear from you.

How to apply

For further information and details of how to apply, please visit www.odgers.com/94418

Applications are invited by close of business on Friday 3rd October 2025