Director of Financial Performance

Imperial College London; England; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

41 days' annual leave

Generous pension schemes

Flexible working policy

Interest-free season ticket loan schemes

Cycle-to-work scheme

Season ticket loan

Diverse and inclusive culture

Job summary

A prestigious higher education institution in England is seeking a Director of Financial Performance. The role involves enhancing financial performance, overseeing budgeting processes, and managing high-performing finance teams. Required qualifications include being a qualified accountant, experience in higher education, and strong relationship-building skills. This full-time position offers a competitive salary and benefits.

Qualifications

• Experience managing teams of skilled professionals.
• Up to date accounting knowledge.
• Ability to influence all levels, including senior leadership.
• Strong costing, pricing and activity-based accounting understanding.
• Strategic forecasting and planning techniques and stakeholder influence.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the CFO to enhance financial performance and present complex data.
• Drive long-term integrated planning across the University.
• Oversee budgeting processes and advise on contingency planning.
• Ensure transparency of financial performance to a wide stakeholder group.
• Develop financial business partnering to departments and faculties.
• Lead and develop high-performing finance teams and drive professional growth.
• Represent Finance on University boards and deputise for the CFO when needed.

Skills

Financial performance management

Team management

Higher education experience

Strategic financial forecasting

Strong relationship building

Communication skills

Relationship building

Communication skills

Influence at senior levels

Attention to detail with big picture

Staff development

Education

Qualified accountant

Job description

Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features.

With our Top 10 world ranking, a £2bn balance sheet and an ambitious 10-year capital development plan, including our commitment to net zero carbon by 2040 and the next stage of our White City Deep Tech Campus, we are seeking a Director of Financial Performance to help shape the financial future of the institution.

You will work with the Chief Financial Officer in developing our financial strategy and financial performance management framework and will lead the provision of financial support to our leaders and managers across the University.

We are looking for a collaborative and values-driven individual with a strong track record of driving financial performance in complex organisations.

What you would be doing

• You will partner with the CFO to enhance financial performance, promote financial awareness, and present complex financial data in a clear, accessible way across the University.
• You will drive long-term integrated planning, working with peers across the University, incorporating scenario planning and financial risk assessment.
• You will oversee the University’s budgeting processes, providing appropriate challenge, identifying risks and advising on contingency planning.
• You will ensure there is transparency on financial performance across the University and communicate this to a wide group of stakeholders.
• You will promote further development of financial business partner support to departments and faculties, and set the standards for financial analysis to support strategic decisions.
• As part of the senior leadership team in Finance you will build and manage high-performing finance teams, support career development, and champion initiatives that strengthen the Finance function.
• You will represent Finance on University boards, foster collaboration, build networks internally and externally, and deputise for the CFO when needed.

What we are looking for

• A qualified accountant with experience in a similar role in a large, complex organisation.
• Experience of managing teams of skilled professionals.
• Experience in higher education.
• Up to date accounting knowledge (FRS 102/ HE SORP).
• Activity-based accounting, costing and pricing methodologies.
• Strategic financial forecasting and planning techniques.
• Strong relationship building skills.
• First-rate communication skills, both written and oral.
• Independent thinker, able to identify solutions to complex issues.
• Able to influence all levels, including senior leadership.
• Attention to detail, whilst keeping sight of big picture.
• Able to inspire and develop staff to achieve their full potential.

What we can offer you

• The opportunity to support the University in achieving its strategic mission.
• The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution and be part of our mission to use science for humanity.
• Benefit from a sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 41 days’ annual leave and generous pension schemes).
• Access to a range of workplace benefits including a flexible working policy from day one, generous family leave packages, on-site leisure facilities and cycle-to-work scheme.
• Interest-free season ticket loan schemes for travel.
• Be part of a diverse, inclusive and collaborative work culture with various staff networks and resources to support your personal and professional wellbeing.

Further information

This is a full-time, open ended post in Imperial’s Finance team.

Due to the nature of this role, we will be shortlisting candidates as applications are received. We therefore reserve the right to close this vacancy as soon as a suitable candidate has been appointed. It is therefore advisable that you submit your application as possible to avoid disappointment.

Candidates are required to complete an online application.

If you require any further details about the role, please contact [e-mail].

Seniority level

• Director

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Administrative

Industries

• Higher Education