Deputy Director of Finance

6-12-month contract Flexible working Attractive packageA Yorkshire-based Higher Education institution is seeking an experienced senior finance leader to undertake a high-impact interim assignment as number two in Finance, reporting to the Executive Director of Finance and Strategic Planning.

This appointment comes at a pivotal point for the organisation, offering the opportunity to provide immediate leadership capacity during a period of financial recovery, regulatory focus, and organisational change.

The Role
This is a hands-on, senior leadership position operating across both strategic and operational levels.

The successful candidate will:

• Provide day-to-day leadership of Finance and Planning, ensuring clarity of priorities and delivery
• Create operational headroom for the Executive Director to focus on strategic finance, lender engagement and board assurance.
• Strengthen financial grip, reporting, and performance insight
• Support delivery of year-end, audit, and budget cycles
• Play a key role in embedding integrated planning and data-driven decision-making

• Leadership & Delivery:
  Visible, credible leadership of finance and planning teams through a complex and evolving environment
• Financial Planning:
  Oversight of budgeting, forecasting and development of the medium-term financial plan
• Cash & Covenant:
  Strengthening liquidity management, cash flow forecasting and covenant reporting
• Reporting & Insight:
  Enhancing Executive and Board-level reporting to support decision-making
• Business Partnering:
  Supporting senior academic and professional leaders with clear financial insight
• Audit & Compliance:
  Supporting year-end, external audit and regulatory returns
• Continuous Improvement:
  Driving improvements in systems, processes and reporting outputs

• Significant senior finance leadership experience, ideally within higher education or a complex regulated environment
• A track record of delivering in financially challenged or recovery settings
• Strong expertise across planning, forecasting, cash flow, audit and reporting
• The ability to bring pace, grip and clarity in a demanding environment
• A collaborative, pragmatic and hands-on approach
• Credibility to operate with Executive colleagues and senior stakeholders

• A rare opportunity to step into a number two finance role with real influence
• The chance to make a tangible difference in a critical period
• Exposure to Executive and Board-level activity
• A flexible, hybrid working model
• A highly competitive interim package, reflective of the scope and impact

• Duration: 6-12 months
• Start:
  Immediate / ASAP
• Location:
  
  West Yorkshire / 2/3 days in the office
• Reporting to:
  Executive Director of Finance and Strategic Planning