Chief Financial Officer, Commercial

Brewer Morris; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Strong benefits package

Clear pathway for professional development

Job summary

A higher education institution in East London is seeking a Chief Financial Officer to join its executive leadership team. This critical role involves shaping financial strategy, enabling sustainable growth, and driving transformation within a values-led organization. Candidates should have proven senior-level finance leadership experience, a strategic mindset, and the ability to manage large finance teams. The institution offers flexible working arrangements and a strong benefits package.

Qualifications

• Proven senior-level finance leadership in high-growth environments.
• Experience delivering complex change programmes.
• Ability to lead and manage performance in large finance teams.
• Comfortable engaging with the board and diverse stakeholders.
• Resilient and adaptable, with a track record of leading through change.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a key member of the Executive Leadership Board.
• Lead financial strategy and planning to support growth.
• Ensure financial sustainability through forecasting and budgeting.
• Advise on financial implications of strategies.
• Oversee compliance with governance and regulatory standards.
• Strengthen financial controls and optimise processes across the organisation.
• Develop and implement treasury policies to ensure liquidity and investment capacity.
• Lead and grow the finance function with a high-performance culture.
• Represent the finance team externally at industry events and forums.

Skills

Senior-level finance leadership

Strategic thinking

Ability to lead large finance teams

Engagement with stakeholders

Change management

Governance and compliance knowledge

Innovative mindset

People leadership

Job description

We are exclusively retained to appoint the next Chief Financial Officer for a renowned and rapidly expanding higher education institution based in East London.

While operating as a not‑for‑profit, the organisation has experienced exceptional growth over the past five years, with international expansion now firmly on the horizon. This is a newly redefined role, reflecting the evolving strategic and operational needs of the business.

This is a rare opportunity to join the executive leadership team of a forward‑thinking institution that places innovation, inclusion, and impact at the core of its mission. The CFO will play a critical role in shaping financial strategy, enabling sustainable growth, and driving transformation across the organisation.

The company offers flexible working arrangements, a strong benefits package, and a clear pathway for professional development and progression.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a key member of the Executive Leadership Board.
• Lead financial strategy and planning to support new business lines and international growth.
• Ensure financial sustainability through robust forecasting, budgeting, and performance monitoring.
• Advise the executive team on the financial implications of strategic initiatives.
• Oversee compliance with governance, regulatory, and reporting standards across all jurisdictions.
• Strengthen financial controls and optimise processes across the organisation.
• Develop and implement treasury policies to ensure liquidity and investment capacity over short, medium, and long‑term horizons.
• Lead, manage, and grow the finance function, fostering a high‑performance culture.
• Represent the finance team and organisation externally, including at industry events and collaborative forums.

Required Experience and Skills

• Proven senior‑level finance leadership, ideally across multiple sectors and in high‑growth or transformational environments.
• Strategic thinker with experience delivering complex change programmes.
• Demonstrated ability to lead large finance teams, including hiring, development, and performance management.
• Comfortable operating at board level and engaging with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• Resilient and adaptable, with a track record of leading through change in fast‑paced settings.
• Innovative mindset with a commitment to continuous improvement and challenging the status quo.
• Strong understanding of governance, compliance, and risk management frameworks.
• Desirable: experience in bid preparation and external representation.

This is a high‑impact leadership role for a CFO who wants to make a meaningful difference in a values‑led organisation committed to inclusive growth and global innovation.