Head Of Finance/ Financial Controller

Page Personnel; Cambourne; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Page Personnel is partnering with a large, research-led organisation in Cambridgeshire to appoint a Head of Finance / Financial Controller. You will report to the Director of Finance and Operations, lead a finance team, and manage financial management across multiple units, delivering high-quality reporting and strategic financial insight.

The role blends operational leadership with business partnering, offering scope to shape processes, systems and reporting frameworks, while supporting growth

Qualifications

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA) or equivalent.
• Significant senior finance leadership experience.
• Strong budgeting, forecasting and financial planning skills.
• Experience leading and developing finance teams.
• Experience in higher education, research, healthcare, not-for-profit, or similar complex environments.
• Knowledge of grant funding, contracts, or project-based funding.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a finance team.
• Oversee monthly management accounts, quarterly reporting and annual financial statements.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting and long-term financial planning processes.
• Provide strategic financial advice and decision support to senior leadership.
• Ensure robust financial controls, governance and compliance with accounting standards and policies.
• Monitor financial performance, identify risks and opportunities, and recommend corrective action.
• Deliver insightful financial analysis to support operations and strategy.
• Oversee complex income streams including grants and externally funded projects.
• Lead the preparation of annual financial returns and submissions.
• Drive continuous improvement in financial systems and reporting processes.

Skills

Financial leadership

Stakeholder management

Financial reporting

Budgeting & forecasting

Grant funding knowledge

Education

Qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA)

Job description

• Senior leadership opportunity with broad organisational exposure.
• Significant autonomy and influence over financial strategy and operations.

About Our Client

We are partnering with a large, complex, research-led organisation undergoing significant growth and investment. With multiple operational divisions and a diverse funding base, the organisation is seeking an experienced finance leader to oversee financial management, controls, and strategic financial planning across a substantial portfolio.

Job Description

Reporting to the Director of Finance and Operations, the Head of Finance / Financial Controller will lead a finance team and take overall responsibility for financial management across several business units. Working closely with senior stakeholders, you will provide high-quality financial insight, ensure robust financial controls, and support strategic planning and investment decisions.This role combines operational financial leadership with strategic business partnering and offers significant scope to shape financial processes, systems, and reporting frameworks.Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a finance team, providing guidance, coaching, and professional support.
• Oversee the production of monthly management accounts, quarterly reporting, and annual financial statements.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, and long-term financial planning processes.
• Provide strategic financial advice and decision support to senior leadership teams.
• Ensure robust financial controls, governance, and compliance with relevant accounting standards and organisational policies.
• Monitor financial performance, identify risks and opportunities, and recommend corrective action where required.
• Deliver insightful financial analysis to support operational and strategic decision-making.
• Oversee complex income streams, including grants, contracts, and externally funded projects.
• Lead the preparation of annual financial returns and submissions.
• Drive continuous improvement in financial systems, reporting processes, and operational efficiencies.
• Support organisational growth initiatives, investment projects, and business change programmes.

The Successful Applicant

You will be a commercially minded finance professional who combines strong technical expertise with the ability to influence and partner effectively with senior stakeholders.Essential Requirements

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Significant experience in a senior finance leadership position such as Financial Controller, Head of Finance, Senior Finance Manager, or similar.
• Strong financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning experience.
• Proven experience managing and developing finance teams.
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to translate financial information into meaningful business insight.
• Experience implementing or improving financial controls, processes, and reporting frameworks.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with experience advising senior leadership teams.
• Experience within higher education, research, healthcare, not-for-profit, or other complex multi-stakeholder environments.
• Knowledge of grant funding, research income, or project-based funding streams.
• Experience supporting organisational growth, transformation, or capital investment programmes.

What's on Offer

• Salary of £60,000 to £70,000, dependent on the level of experience.

Head of Finance/ Financial Controller • Cambridgeshire, England