Deputy Head of Professional Services Finance

Newcastle University; Newcastle; On-site; ZAR 47 000 - 57 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading academic institution in South Africa is seeking a Deputy Head of Professional Services to lead the finance team. This pivotal role involves strategic financial operations, support for management accounting, and collaboration with senior stakeholders. The ideal candidate will be a qualified accountant with strong leadership, financial analysis skills, and the ability to inspire a high-performing team. A competitive salary and generous benefits package are offered.

Benefits

Generous holiday package

Pension schemes

Health and wellbeing initiatives

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a management role in a large or complex organisation.
• Ability to effectively manage and motivate a team.
• Experience in financial systems and IT-based financial systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead and direct the Professional Services finance team.
• Ensure the finance operations run efficiently in compliance with regulations.
• Provide financial analysis and insights to senior stakeholders.

Skills

Staff management and leadership skills

Financial analysis and interpretive skills

Communication and interpersonal skills

Strategic thinking

Financial systems reporting skills

Education

Qualified (CCAB / CIMA) accountant

Tools

SAP

Job description

Salary : 47389.00 - 56535.00 per annum

Newcastle University is a great place to work with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 14 September 2025

The Role

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced finance professional to join us as Deputy Head of Professional Services directly to the Head of Professional Services Finance you will play a pivotal role in leading the day-to-day operations of our finance team supporting the management accounting function. You will drive the co-ordination and consolidation of budgets forecasts and financial plans across the Professional Services functions ensuring accuracy consistency and strategic alignment.

In this influential role you will work closely with the Head of Professional Services Finance to provide insightful analysis expert advice and clear recommendations to senior stakeholders including the Chief Financial Officer Registrar and Directors of Finance and People Services helping to shape decisions that deliver our strategic and inspiring colleagues within the finance team you will ensure the provision of an exceptional management accounting service that supports our central Professional Services.

Were looking for someone who combines sharp financial insight with strategic thinking can lead and inspire a high-performing team in a complex environment and communicates with clarity and influence to build strong relationships at the highest level.

If that sounds like you then wed love to hear from you. Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to Jenni Milne ()

Key Accountabilities

Lead and direct the Professional Services finance team developing individuals through coaching and performance development reviews

Oversee the consolidation of the Professional Services financial planning budgeting forecasting and reporting ensuring consistency and best practice is adopted by the Finance Business Partners

Work closely with the Head of Professional Services Finance in the development of high quality insightful management information and financial analysis delivering to tight deadlines

Through the Finance Business Partners ensure Directors of Professional Services develop a clear understanding of the services financial performance and are fully informed of the financial implications of initiatives and decisions

Provide oversight to the Finance Business Partners in the development of business cases for consideration by the Head of Professional Services Finance

Ensure that finance operations within the Professional Services run efficiently and effectively in compliance with university financial regulations and with up to date accurate technically correct accounting

As a senior member of the Finance service play a key role in the delivery of the wider strategic goals for the office and University

When appropriate make recommendations and lead upon strategic finance projects

Review the viability and provide recommendations for advancement of commercial opportunities

Deputise for the Head of Professional Services Finance when required

The Person

Knowledge Skills and Experience

Excellent organisational staff management and leadership skills with the ability to successfully recruit manage develop and motivate a team

Experience in a management role in a large or complex organisation

Excellent financial analysis and interpretive skills with the ability to grasp the detail whilst retaining big picture

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to engage and influence senior colleagues and external contacts including the Head of Central Professional Services Finance and members of the University Executive Board

Ability and experience to deploy strategic thinking to identify issues and opportunities to improve the performance of the finance operation to the benefit of the university

Financial systems reporting and business warehousing skills are essential (SAP desirable) with the ability to maximise the use of IT- based financial and related systems

Attributes and Behaviours

Ability to quickly identify what is important and prioritise accordingly whilst maintaining flexibility in work plans to allow for changing circumstances

Ability to understand question and analyse complex or conflicting data and the different perspectives of stakeholders

Develops objectives and KPIs supporting the key aims of the area and University

Excellent communicator in all forums with the ability to tailor style and content to the audience appropriately

Takes the initiative to ensure the future success of the University and Finance function by presenting and implementing new ideas and approaches

Provide clear direction to colleagues in a way that is motivating and empowering giving feedback and identifying areas for development and recognising good work

Effective at monitoring and controlling the teams workflow and organising own complex workloads

Qualifications

Qualified (CCAB / CIMA) accountant with proven recognised relevant experience

Up to date continuous professional development e.g. knowledge of current key management accounting techniques and business developments

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a silverAthena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC. We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

In addition we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.

Requisition ID: 28492