We are seeking an experienced Interim Finance Director to provide senior financial leadership across a successful and complex education group.
This is a key leadership appointment, providing strategic and operational oversight of the Group’s Finance function and supporting the COO, Principal, senior leadership team and Governors in delivering the organisation’s strategic objectives and maintaining long-term financial sustainability.
The successful candidate will be a commercially minded, credible and hands-on finance leader, with the ability to operate strategically while maintaining strong oversight of financial controls, compliance, reporting and day-to-day financial operations.
The Role
As Interim Finance Director, you will lead the Finance function and take responsibility for the Group’s financial planning, reporting, controls, risk management and financial operations.
Working closely with the COO and wider Executive Team, you will ensure that the organisation has accurate, timely and robust financial information to support effective decision-making, while maintaining strong governance, compliance and financial discipline across the Group.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Provide strategic financial advice and support to the COO, Principal, senior leadership team and Governors.
- Lead, manage and develop the Finance team, ensuring a high-performing, professional and customer-focused service.
- Develop and maintain the Group’s financial strategy and long-term financial sustainability plans.
- Lead the annual budgeting, forecasting and management reporting processes.
- Produce accurate, timely and meaningful financial information for senior leaders, Governors and budget holders.
- Develop financial models, forecasts and scenario planning to support strategic and operational decision-making.
- Identify, assess and manage key financial, commercial and operational risks.
- Ensure robust financial controls, accounting processes and governance arrangements are maintained.
- Oversee compliance with relevant taxation, VAT, charity and other statutory requirements, including HMRC reporting.
- Ensure accurate and timely management of payroll, PAYE, pensions and National Insurance obligations.
- Oversee cash flow, working capital, investment and treasury management.
- Safeguard the Group’s assets and ensure appropriate insurance arrangements are maintained and regularly reviewed.
- Manage key external financial relationships, including auditors, banks, investment advisers and other professional service providers.
- Provide financial advice on fees, salaries, pricing, bursaries, fee remission and other significant financial decisions.
- Support the COO with bursary administration and financial policy.
- Lead continuous improvement across Finance processes, systems and technology, including the implementation or enhancement of financial systems.
- Develop and implement Finance policies and procedures that support effective governance and operational delivery.
- Attend Finance Committee, Governors’ and Council meetings as required.
- Provide strong financial leadership during a period of organisational development and change.
- Ensure the Finance function provides a responsive and effective service to operational and academic leaders across the Group.
About You
We are looking for an experienced senior finance professional who can quickly establish credibility, assess priorities and provide effective leadership in an interim environment.
You will ideally be a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or CIPFA) with significant experience operating at Finance Director, Interim Finance Director or equivalent senior level.
- Significant experience leading a finance function and managing finance professionals.
- Strong strategic and operational financial planning, budgeting and forecasting experience.
- Excellent financial modelling and scenario-planning capability.
- Strong knowledge of financial controls, governance, risk management and statutory compliance.
- Experience managing cash flow, working capital and treasury activities.
- Strong understanding of taxation and VAT, ideally including experience within a charity, education or similarly regulated environment.
- Proven experience leading finance transformation, process improvement and/or financial systems implementation.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder-management skills, with the ability to explain complex financial information clearly to non-financial audiences.
- Experience working with senior executives, Boards, Governors or equivalent governance structures.
- A pragmatic, commercially aware and solutions-focused approach.
- The ability to operate effectively in a changing environment and make sound decisions under pressure.
- The ability to balance strategic oversight with a willingness to remain close to the detail and provide hands-on leadership where required.