Chief Financial Officer

Imperial College London; London; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Imperial College London is seeking a Chief Financial Officer to lead the financial strategy and department of the University. This pivotal role involves financial stewardship, advisory skills, and overseeing capital projects, contributing to the institution's goals of growth and excellence in research and education.

Qualifications

• Senior financial leader with a track record of success in complex organizations.
• Experience in financing and funding capital projects.
• Proven ability to improve operating margins.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for financial strategy and leading the finance department.
• Fostering a high-performance culture aligned with Imperial's values.
• Supporting the mission of excellence in research and education.

Skills

Advisory and influencing skills

Financial stewardship

Corporate finance knowledge

Tax knowledge

Treasury management

Job description

Imperial College London is a science-based University with a difference. Since our founding in 1907, we have sought to be not only a world-leading University, but a world-changing one. We have combined our tremendous strength in science, engineering, medicine and business (STEMB) with scientific discovery, innovation and entrepreneurship, to create real world impact. Our enduring STEMB focus, and the exceptional disciplinary foundations that underpin it, are the reason for our continued high-impact trajectory and place amongst the top ten Universities in the world.

Our recently launched strategy, Science for Humanity, aims to maximise Imperial’s potential as a global force for good, using science to try and understand more of the universe and improve the lives of more people in it.

We have a significant balance sheet with assets of £2.5bn and we are embarking on a 10-year, £2bn+ capital infrastructure programme to ensure that it has the research and education facilities it requires to maintain its global top ten status.

As a key part of the senior team, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is a pivotal role for Imperial. You will be responsible for the financial stewardship of the University, its financial strategy and leading the University’s Finance department, fostering a high-performance culture in line with Imperials values. This is an exciting opportunity to directly support our mission to achieve enduring excellence in research and education across STEMB and for the benefit of society.

You will be a senior financial leader with a demonstrable track record of success in an appropriately large and complex organisation. You will have excellent advisory and influencing skills and will take advantage of emerging opportunities in support of the University’s ambitious plans for growth and development. You will have direct experience of the financing and funding of capital projects through partnerships and joint ventures. A track record of driving sustained improvement to operating margin is essential, as is good working knowledge of corporate finance, tax, and treasury.

This is an exciting opportunity for a commercially astute senior leader to join a world-leading institution as it positions itself for further growth and success.

For further information, including details of how to apply, please visit www.odgers.com/93944

Closing date: Monday 7^th July 2025