Senior Director of Finance

South Devon College; Paignton; On-site; GBP 79,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent educational institution in Paignton is seeking a dynamic Senior Director of Finance. This role will lead the financial strategy of the College, providing expert advice to the leadership team. The ideal candidate will have exceptional communication and leadership skills, with a commitment to inclusivity and enhancing the learner experience. With ongoing investment in innovative educational facilities, this is an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact in the community.

Qualifications

• Experienced and successful leader in finance roles.
• Ability to develop relationships at all levels.
• Passionate about inclusivity and learner experience.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the strategic finance lead for the College.
• Provide expert advice and guidance.
• Lead the financial strategy and operations.

Skills

Effective communication

Leadership

Strategic finance knowledge

Relationship building

Job description

Salary: £79,224.00 to £82,425.00 per annum depending on experience

Location: Paignton, Devon

Closing: Midnight, Sunday 25 January 2026

South Devon College has been educating and supporting the local community since 1931. Although our facilities and provisions have come a very long way since then, we are more committed than ever in our role as South Devon's leading FE College. The college is a highly successful education and skills provider, embedded as an impactful anchor institution in the local area. With an income of around £36m, the college has benefited from significant investment. Our £17 million Hi-Tech & Digital Centre focuses on digital skills, cybersecurity, and advanced engineering, while our dedicated Marine Academy is leading the way in training for cutting-edge marine automation technologies. Launched in 2025, our state-of-the-art Clean Energy Centre is a regional centre of excellence for clean energy technologies and training all vital skills for moving towards Net Zero.

The college has a bright future, and our mission to inspire our community through learning remains steadfast and central to all our goals and achievements. We deliver a vast range of courses and qualifications for students of all ages, backgrounds and abilities, from entry-level short courses through to full honours degrees at our TEF Gold-rated University Centre.

As our new Senior Director of Finance, you will serve as the strategic finance lead for the College, providing specialist expert advice and guidance. This role embodies our values of continuous improvement, innovation, and sustained excellence. You will have the ability to communicate effectively and develop relationships at all levels. Reporting directly to the Vice Principal, People & Resources, you will need to lead by example. As part of this role, you will be a key member of the Senior Leadership Team and accountable for the financial strategy and operations of the College.

You will be an experienced, successful, and authentic leader ready to make a profound impact and share our passion for inclusivity and exceptional learner experience.

If you believe that you have the drive, vision, skills, expertise, and enthusiasm to make a difference and help us realise our ambitions, we want to hear from you.

Please click on this link for a full Job Description and Person Specification, Senior Director of Finance | Association of Colleges