Head of Finance Business Partnering ( Interim)

Michael Page; Cambridgeshire and Peterborough; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious university in the UK is seeking a Head of Finance Business Partnering to oversee a team and provide strategic leadership in financial planning and analysis. The role requires a degree and professional accountancy qualification, along with proven experience in managing large finance functions. This position offers flexible working arrangements with 2 days in the office and competitive benefits.

Benefits

Highly competitive salary

USS pension

Up to 41 days holiday including Bank holidays

Qualifications

• Experienced in managing large finance functions (30-60 staff)
• Worked in complex large organizations, preferably in Higher Education
• Part of a Finance Leadership Team

Responsibilities

• Lead business partnering and FP&A operational delivery
• Develop financial models, forecasts, and performance metrics
• Act as trusted advisor to senior leaders

Skills

Stakeholder management

Financial decision-making

Communication skills

Leadership

Understanding of FP&A best practices

Education

Degree and professional accountancy qualification (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA)

Tools

SAP

MS Dynamics

Oracle

Job description

The Head of Finance Business Partnering will oversee a team of 7 Finance Business Partners and 20 in financial planning and analysis. You will play a key role in ensuring best-in-class Management Information, budgeting, and forecasting whilst providing strategic leadership.

Client Details

Cambridge is one of the most prestigious and highly ranked universities in the world with a mission to contribute to society through the pursuit of education, learning, and research, at the highest international levels of excellence. Our priority is to ensure the University can continue to play an extraordinary role in education and research, while contributing to local, national, and global societies long into the future.

Description

Accountable for the strategic leadership and operational delivery of business partnering and FP&A within the Finance Division. This role ensures the provision of a high-quality, insight-driven service that supports the University's financial sustainability and strategic objectives.

Provide clear strategic direction to the business partners and FP&A functions, ensuring the seamless execution of day-to-day financial processes with a strong emphasis on efficiency, accuracy, and operational excellence. Drive the development and implementation of robust financial models, forecasts, and performance metrics.

Lead a team of 8 direct reports and provide strategic oversight to an extended team of approximately 50, fostering a collaborative high-performing culture that supports professional growth and cross-functional integration.

Act as a trusted advisor to senior academic and professional services leaders, providing expert financial insight and challenge. Build strong relationships across the University to ensure financial strategies are well understood and effectively implemented.

Key responsibilities include:

1. Providing enduring business leadership, coordination, and capability development for all aspects of financial business partnering, including financial decision-making support, delivered in a collegial way reflecting the University's working practices.
2. Supporting the Finance Transformation Programme to ensure the Oracle Fusion system delivers fit-for-purpose FP&A needs and leveraging system tools for decision-making.
3. Collaborating with individual institutions to understand and improve how School and Institution Finance Business Partners work with key stakeholders to produce fit-for-purpose Business Plans.
4. Shaping the evolving footprint of critical finance roles in the context of FTP and RPS programmes.
5. Overseeing devolved finance functions throughout the Schools and UAS, focusing on service delivery and surplus improvement.

Primary responsibility for managing key assumptions and risks related to the University's Ten-year Model.

Profile

The ideal candidate will have:

• A degree and a professional accountancy qualification (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA).
• Proven experience managing a large finance function (30-60 staff).
• Experience in complex large organizations, preferably in Higher Education.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, especially in senior business partner roles.
• Experience as part of a Finance Leadership Team.
• Understanding of best practices in FP&A, MI, budgeting, planning, and forecasting in large organizations.
• Proficiency with large ERP systems like SAP, MS Dynamics, or Oracle.
• UK Right to Work.
• Availability to work 2 days per week in Cambridge office.

Job Offer

• Highly competitive salary, USS pension, and up to 41 days holiday including Bank holidays (pro-rata).
• Daily Rate consideration (inside IR35 only).
• Flexible working: 2 days in the office, 3 days remote.