Chief Financial Officer

GatenbySanderson; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious international university in the UK is seeking a Chief Financial Officer to join its senior leadership team. The ideal candidate will lead strategic financial operations and ensure alignment with the institution's goals. This full-time, fixed-term role offers a negotiable salary and a range of competitive benefits, including accommodation allowance and relocation support.

Benefits

Accommodation allowance

Insurances

Schooling support

Relocation and repatriation support

Paid annual leave

Qualifications

• Proven track record in strategic financial leadership within complex organisations.
• Experience in higher education or international finance is advantageous.
• Mandarin language skills beneficial but not required.

Responsibilities

• Shape the financial future of the University.
• Oversee Finance and Business Development Offices.
• Lead the financial aspects of UNNC's Strategic Roadmap to 2030.

Skills

Strategic financial leadership

Risk management

Stakeholder engagement

Long-term financial planning

Collaboration

Education

Professional qualification such as CPA or ACCA

Job description

The University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC) seeks a strategic and visionary Chief Financial Officer to join its senior leadership team. Reporting to the Provost & Pro-Vice Chancellor and serving as a member of the Management Board, the CFO will play a critical role in shaping the financial future of the University. This is a unique opportunity to lead financial strategy and operations within a dynamic, globally connected institution. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring the University's financial excellence while championing a people-first culture. They will lead the financial aspects of UNNC's Strategic Roadmap to 2030, ensuring alignment with institutional goals and long-term sustainability.

The CFO will provide strategic financial analysis and recommendations to the Joint Venture Board and Management Board, oversee the Finance Office and Business Development Office, and collaborate closely with the Chief Operating Officer and other senior leaders to support strategic initiatives and operational excellence. They will embed principles of equity, diversity and inclusion across all financial practices, and foster a high-performing team culture that values collaboration, innovation and continuous learning.

UNNC is seeking a dynamic leader with a proven track record in strategic financial leadership within complex organisations. The successful candidate will bring experience in long-term financial planning, risk management, stakeholder engagement and professional qualifications such as CPA or ACCA. Experience in higher education or international finance, particularly within the UK, China or ASEAN regions, would be advantageous. While Mandarin language skills would be beneficial in navigating the local context, they are not a requirement for the role.

UNNC is committed to providing competitive employment packages while supporting the wellbeing of our staff to help them reach their full potential. You will have access to a range of benefits and rewards, including accommodation allowance, insurances, schooling support, home flights, relocation and repatriation support and paid annual leave. The salary and benefits package is negotiable and commensurate with experience. This role is offered on a full-time, fixed-term basis for five years, with the possibility of extension.

For an informal conversation about the role, please contact our recruitment partners at GatenbySanderson: Jacqueline Lau at [e-mail] or Maliha Ahmed at [e-mail]

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Recruitment Timetable

Closing date
9am, Monday 13th October 2025

How to Apply

• Please submit your CV along with a Supporting Statement addressing the person specification criteria, evidencing how you meet the criteria.
• Detail any employment or education gaps.
• Be ready to provide the names, positions, organisations and contact details for two referees; one should be your current or most recent employer. Referees will be contacted for those proceeding to final stages. We will always gain your permission before we contact referees.
• Let us know any difficulty you may have with the indicative timetable.
• Check that your contact details are correct before you submit.

Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an automated email confirmation. If you do not receive, please email [e-mail]