Senior Strategic Finance Partner

Lancaster University; Lancaster; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Generous leave entitlement

Professional development opportunities

Family-friendly policies

Job summary

A leading educational institution in the UK is seeking a senior finance leader to provide strategic financial insight and analysis. You will lead financial planning and support budgeting, fostering strong relationships with stakeholders. This role requires expertise in financial modelling and a collaborative approach to leadership. Benefits include a competitive salary and professional development opportunities. Higher Education experience is a plus, but not mandatory.

Qualifications

• Fully qualified accountant.
• Experience in senior-level finance partnering.
• Strong in financial modelling and forecasting.
• Ability to interpret and present complex financial information.
• Collaborative leadership and commitment to continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting.
• Develop and maintain financial models.
• Analyse financial performance to identify trends.
• Present clear and insightful financial information to senior decision-makers.
• Lead the University’s TRAC return through to Vice-Chancellor sign-off.
• Line manage and develop members of the Finance team.
• Deputise for the Director of Financial Planning & Analysis, as required.

Skills

Financial analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership

Financial modelling

Forecasting

Education

CCAB/CIMA or equivalent

Job description

This senior finance leadership role supports Professional Services and other non-Faculty areas, providing strategic financial insight, robust analysis, and evidence-based advice to senior stakeholders.

About the Role

You will:

• Lead financial planning, budgeting and forecasting for your portfolio.
• Develop and maintain financial models to support multi-year planning and scenario analysis.
• Analyse financial performance to identify trends, risks and opportunities.
• Present clear and insightful financial information to senior decision-makers.
• Lead the University’s TRAC return through to Vice-Chancellor sign-off.
• Line manage and develop members of the Finance team.
• Deputise for the Director of Financial Planning & Analysis, as required.

The role requires strong technical financial analysis capability combined with effective stakeholder engagement and leadership skills.

About You

You will be:

• A fully qualified accountant (CCAB/CIMA or equivalent).
• Experienced in senior-level finance partnering within a complex organisation.
• Technically strong in financial modelling and forecasting.
• Confident interpreting and presenting complex financial information.
• A collaborative leader committed to continuous improvement.

Higher Education experience and knowledge of TRAC are desirable but not essential.

Lancaster University offers a competitive salary, generous leave entitlement, professional development opportunities, and family-friendly policies. We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from all sections of the community.