Chief Financial Officer

Job title:

Chief Financial Officer

Department:
Finance

Location:

Manchester – UK Management College, with responsibilities across UKMC and the wider Unibridge Group  

Reporting to:
Group Chief Executive Officer  

Remit: UKMC, with Group-wide responsibilities and support across the wider Unibridge Group.

Works with:
Group shareholders and Board; UKMC Board and senior leadership; leadership teams across Unibridge Group organisations;
Finance and Audit & Risk Committees; external auditors; banks; HMRC; insurers; professional advisers; regulators; awarding bodies; funding partners; and other relevant stakeholders.

Salary: £100,000–£135,000 per annum

Employment Type:

Full-time, Permanent

ABOUT UKMC AND UNIBRIDGE GROUP

UK Management College (UKMC) is a growing higher education provider in the United Kingdom, focused on widening participation and providing accessible higher education opportunities to students from diverse and under-represented backgrounds.

UKMC delivers partner-validated and franchised degree programmes across multiple campuses in Greater Manchester, the East Midlands and the North-East.

UKMC forms part of the wider Unibridge Group, which includes a growing portfolio of education institutions and businesses. Each institution operates within its respective governance and regulatory framework, with the wider Group providing strategic direction and support.

The Chief Financial Officer will be based within UK Management College's Manchester offices and will provide senior financial leadership to UKMC while also supporting the wider Unibridge Group and its institutions.

ROLE PURPOSE

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will be the senior finance executive responsible for providing strategic financial leadership, oversight and stewardship across UKMC, while also supporting the wider Unibridge Group and its colleges and institutions.

The post holder will lead UKMC's finance function and provide Group-wide financial expertise and support in relation to financial strategy, sustainability, governance, financial modelling, reporting,

cash and capital management, financial controls, income diversification and strategic growth.

Beyond financial stewardship, the CFO will play a key strategic role in developing sustainable financial models, building and maintaining sophisticated financial forecasts, designing and stress-testing scenarios for growth, diversification and resilience, and supporting the development of new and diversified sources of income.

The CFO will also provide financial leadership and support for the expansion of academic partnerships and portfolios, providing financial due diligence, business cases and investment appraisal to support strategic decision-making.

The CFO will report to the Group Chief Executive Officer and work closely with UKMC and Unibridge Group senior leadership, Boards and relevant committees.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Financial Strategy and Leadership

Lead UKMC's financial strategy and provide strategic financial leadership and support across the wider Unibridge Group.
Ensure financial strategies support the strategic plans of UKMC and relevant Group institutions and promote long-term financial sustainability.
Act as the principal financial adviser to the Group Chief Executive Officer, providing clear advice on financial performance, forecasts, risks, opportunities and strategic options.
Work closely with shareholders, Boards and senior leadership teams on significant financial and investment decisions.
Develop and maintain appropriate financial policies, delegation limits, approval thresholds and financial governance arrangements.
Lead annual financial planning and budget cycles, ensuring budgets are realistic, capacity-led and aligned with organisational plans.
Advise on the appropriate balance between investment, reserves, growth and financial sustainability.
Ensure financial decisions support educational quality, student outcomes and the long-term sustainability of UKMC and the wider Group.

B. Financial Modelling and Sustainable Financial Models

Build, own and continuously maintain integrated financial models for UKMC and support consolidated and institutional…