Deputy Head of Faculty and Professional Services Finance

About us Are you an experienced finance leader looking for an opportunity to shape financial services across a world-leading university?

UCL is seeking a Deputy Head of Faculty and Professional Services Finance to play a key leadership role in its newly established Faculty and Professional Services Finance team, which has been created following the consolidation of devolved finance teams.

This is an exciting opportunity to help shape a developing finance function, strengthen financial governance and deliver a consistent, high-quality service across a complex, multifaceted organisation.

UCL is a global top 10 university, employing around 17,000 people and supporting more than 50,000 students across 11 academic faculties and central professional services. Its work spans world-leading research, exceptional teaching and innovation, creating a diverse and intellectually ambitious environment in which finance plays a vital strategic role.

About the role Reporting to the Head of Faculty and Professional Services Finance, you will lead the delivery offront line finance services across an allocated portfolio of Faculties and/or Professional Services, providing senior financial expertise, strategic insight and operational leadership.

Working closely with academic and professional services leaders, Finance Managers and central finance teams, you willbe responsible for delivering effective financial management support across operational finance activity and the provision of accurate reporting, planning and analysis that enables effective financial performance and decision making. You will also play a key role in embedding new ways of working following the consolidation of devolved finance teams, driving greater consistency, improving data quality and strengthening financial controls across UCL.Key

responsibilities will include:

Strategic financial leadership:
Provide expert advice on financial planning, resource allocation, performance and risk, helping senior stakeholders make informed decisions.

Operational leadership:
Lead finance service delivery across your portfolio, supporting Finance Managers, developing team capability and ensuring resources are deployed effectively.

Financial performance:
Oversee budgets, forecasts and management accounts, ensuring robust reporting, meaningful financial insight and effective performance monitoring.

Governance and control:
Strengthen financial compliance, risk management and internal controls, ensuring adherence to UCL’s financial regulations and policies.

Continuous improvement:
Lead initiatives to improve finance processes, service consistency, data quality and operational effectiveness.

Strategic stakeholder engagement:
Build trusted relationships with senior academic and professional services leaders, representing finance in institutional initiatives and governance discussions.

A full job description is attached to this advert.

About youYou will be a fully qualified accountant (CCAB or CIMA) with post-qualification experience and a strong track record in financial leadership within a complex organisation.

You will combine excellent technical financial knowledge with the ability to influence senior stakeholders, lead high-performing teams and translate complex financial information into clear, practical advice.

You will also bring:

Strong technical knowledge in budgeting, forecasting, financial control and risk management.

A thorough understanding of financial governance, compliance and policy frameworks.

Proven experience leading teams and managing competing priorities across multiple business areas.

The ability to build credibility and effective relationships with senior stakeholders.

A continuous improvement mindset, with experience strengthening processes,…