Head of Finance ( Maternity Cover)

Michael Page (UK); Oxford; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global organisation is looking for a Head of Finance for maternity cover in Oxford. This role involves overseeing financial operations, leading financial strategy, and managing a team. The ideal candidate will have significant management experience, strong accounting knowledge, and will contribute to the organisation's long-term goals. This fixed-term position offers a competitive salary, generous pension contributions, and 35 days of annual leave.

Benefits

Generous pension contribution of approximately 14%

35 days of annual leave, including bank holidays

Opportunity to work in a complex and challenging organisation

Potential for future opportunities

Qualifications

• Significant experience at management level in a large complex organisation.
• Strong accounting knowledge evidenced by professional qualification.
• Experience in management accounting, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Oversee financial operations and ensure timely reporting.
• Lead on financial matters and manage month-end processes.
• Provide strategic advice to senior leadership and governance bodies.

Skills

Management Accounting

Budgeting

Forecasting

Reporting

Financial Leadership

Education

Degree in Accounting or Finance

ACA, CIMA, CIPFA, CPA or ACCA qualification

Tools

Oracle Financials

Job description

The Head of Finance (Maternity Cover) will oversee financial operations and provide strategic guidance for our client, a global complex organisation with offices in central Oxford.

Client Details

Our client is a large blue chip organisation with a global brand and reach.

Description

Leadership and Management

• Provide strategic advice to senior leadership and governance bodies to support the development and execution of the organisation's long-term goals.
• Lead the financial function, influencing decision-making and promoting financial sustainability across the organisation.
• Build and maintain relationships with external stakeholders (e.g. partners, suppliers, sponsors).
• Manage key projects including internal financial reviews, forecasting tool development, and business process enhancements.
• Foster collaboration across departmental teams, particularly in areas such as research, development, and student administration.
• Develop cross-functional networks within the organisation and with relevant external partners.
• Act as professional line manager to the Deputy Finance Manager, with overall accountability for the finance team's performance.
• Provide financial leadership to staff with finance responsibilities, overseeing recruitment, training, onboarding, supervision, and performance development.
• Promote a strong understanding of financial principles across the organisation and ensure systems support transparency, compliance, and efficiency.

Financial Control

• Lead on all financial matters internally and with external partners and suppliers.
• Oversee and maintain robust and compliant financial systems and controls. Ensure key policy and procedural changes are understood across relevant teams.
• Manage month-end, quarter-end, and year-end processes, ensuring accurate and timely reporting.
• Champion cost control across departments, supporting teams to adopt best practice.
• Stay informed of regulatory and funding requirements, advising staff accordingly and serving as the first point of contact for finance-related queries.

Financial Strategy and Planning

• Provide forward-thinking financial leadership to support the organisation's strategic objectives.
• Lead the budgeting process in collaboration with senior leadership and departmental heads.
• Contribute to strategic planning and the development of medium- and long-term financial plans.
• Oversee the financial structure and sustainability of affiliated centres, programmes, and initiatives.
• Lead financial modelling and cost analysis for new and ongoing projects.
• Provide data-driven recommendations to senior management using risk-based financial analysis.
• Contribute to the organisation's risk management framework through financial oversight.

Reporting and Management Information

• Advise the senior leadership team and department heads on financial performance and planning.
• Own and develop reporting processes, ensuring timely and accurate monitoring against budget.
• Lead stakeholder engagement through regular reporting and review meetings.
• Deliver quarterly forecasts and variance analysis to meet internal and external reporting requirements.
• Maintain internal cost models, analyse teaching-related returns, and manage fee structures.
• Prepare financial reports for donors, sponsors, and other stakeholders.
• Ensure purchasing and expenditure approvals meet defined compliance standards.

Profile

A successful Head of Finance (Maternity Cover) should have:

• Educated to degree level, with strong accounting knowledge, evidenced by an ACA, CIMA, CIPFA, CPA or ACCA qualification.
• Significant experience at management level in a large, complex organisation with proven management accounting, budgeting, forecasting and reporting skills in a complex, research-intensive or equivalent environment.
• Experience of Oracle Financials ideal.
• 40% time is required in the office in central Oxford ( access via Park And Ride or walk from Train station)

Job Offer

• Competitive salary range of £50000-£58000 per annum.
• Generous pension contribution of approximately 14%.
• 35 days of annual leave, including bank holidays.
• Opportunity to work in a complex and challenging organisation.
• Fixed-term contract with potential for future opportunities.

This Head of Finance (Maternity Cover) role in Oxford provides an excellent opportunity to contribute to a meaningful cause while advancing your career. We encourage qualified candidates to apply.