Head of Finance Business Partnering ( Interim)

Michael Page; London; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious global university in London is seeking a Head of Finance Business Partnering. In this role, you will oversee a finance team, manage strategic financial processes, and ensure financial sustainability. The ideal candidate has substantial experience in finance leadership, managing large teams, and is proficient with ERP systems. This role offers a competitive salary and flexible working, including remote opportunities.

Benefits

Highly competitive salary

USS pension

Up to 41 days holiday

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing a large finance team (30-60 staff).
• Experience in complex organizations, preferably in Higher Education.
• Understanding of best practices in FP&A, MI, budgeting, planning, and forecasting.

Responsibilities

• Oversee financial business partnering and FP&A within the Finance Division.
• Lead a team of 8 direct reports and foster a high-performing culture.
• Provide strategic leadership and operational delivery of financial processes.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication

Financial analysis

Education

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

Tools

ERP systems (SAP, MS Dynamics, Oracle)

Job description

The Head of Finance Business Partnering at the University of Cambridge 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

The University of Cambridge is one of the most prestigious and highly ranked universities in the world, with a mission to contribute to society through education, learning, and research at the highest international levels of excellence. Our priority is to ensure the University can continue to excel in education and research, 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 financial processes with a focus on efficiency, accuracy, and operational excellence. Drive the development and implementation of 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 financial business partnering, reflecting the University’s working practices.
2. Supporting the Finance Transformation Programme to ensure the new Oracle Fusion system meets FP&A needs and leveraging system tools for decision-making.
3. Collaborating with the academic community to understand and map how School and Institution Finance Business Partners work with various stakeholders in producing institutional Business Plans.
4. Shaping the evolving footprint of critical finance roles in line with FTP and RPS principles.
5. Overseeing devolved finance functions across Schools and UAS, focusing on service delivery and surplus improvement.

Additionally, the role includes managing the key assumptions and risks in the University’s Ten-year Model.

Profile

A successful candidate will have:

• A degree and a professional accountancy qualification (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA).
• Proven experience managing a large finance team (30-60 staff).
• Experience in complex, large organizations (e.g., turnover >£500m), preferably in Higher Education.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills 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.
• Proficiency with large ERP systems like SAP, MS Dynamics, or Oracle.
• UK Right to Work.
• Availability to work 2 days per week in Cambridge.

Job Offer

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