Chief Financial Officer, University of Essex

University of Essex; England; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading academic institution in the United Kingdom is seeking a Chief Financial Officer to provide critical financial leadership. The successful candidate will lead a team and work closely with executive leadership to develop long-term strategies while navigating financial challenges. Commitment to equality of opportunity is essential for this role.

Qualifications

• Experienced finance leader with strategic insight and commercial acumen.
• Ability to lead with integrity and deliver with purpose.
• Demonstrated capability in developing and implementing a financial strategy.

Responsibilities

• Lead a talented team across Finance, Planning and Data Insight.
• Act as a trusted advisor to the Vice-Chancellor and executive leadership.
• Develop and implement a long-term financial strategy.
• Embed financial discipline in decision-making.
• Work with senior leaders to drive strategic objectives.

Skills

Strategic insight

Commercial acumen

Values-led leadership

Integrity

Analytical excellence

Job description

Chief Financial Officer, University of Essex

University of Essex, United Kingdom

The University of Essex is seeking a Chief Financial Officer to play a critical role in shaping the university's future. The successful candidate will have the skills and experience to match the scale and breadth of the university's ambition.

The CFO will join the 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. The portfolio will extend across strategic finance, business planning, investment, risk, institutional data, and performance insight.

The university faces significant pressures, including constrained income, rising costs, demographic shifts, and increasing regulatory scrutiny. However, with the right leadership, the university will adapt, innovate, and grow stronger. The CFO's insight, creativity, and leadership will help ensure the university is equipped to navigate uncertainty and invest in its priorities for the long term.

The university is proud of its distinctive character, with a strong mission, global outlook, and an appetite for change. The CFO will play a critical role in enabling the university's ambitions to become reality, including investing in digital transformation, estate and infrastructure renewal, and inclusive excellence.

Responsibilities and requirements include:

• Leading a talented team across Finance, Planning and Data Insight
• Acting as a trusted advisor to the Vice-Chancellor, University Council, and wider executive leadership
• Developing and implementing a long-term financial strategy
• Embedding financial discipline, analytical excellence, and future-focused thinking at the heart of decision-making
• Working with the Vice-Chancellor and other senior leaders to drive the university's strategic objectives

The ideal candidate will be an experienced finance leader with strategic insight, commercial acumen, and values-led leadership. They will have the ability to lead with integrity, think with clarity, and deliver with purpose.

The university is committed to equality of opportunity and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates. To apply, please submit a covering letter, CV, and contact details for three referees.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to ensuring that our workforce is reflective of the local community and therefore we actively encourage applications from under-represented groups.

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