Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

About Oxford Business College

Since 1985, Oxford Business College (OBC) has spearheaded transformative education, carving a unique path for overlooked individuals, especially mature students facing barriers in traditional education. Operating seven days a week for our students, OBC's pioneering approach adapts to the diverse lifestyles and commitments of non-traditional learners. Across campuses in West London, Oxford, and Nottingham, OBC's ultra-flexible scheduling ensures inclusivity, reinforced by a robust digital infrastructure. Actively fostering a sense of belonging for students from all backgrounds, we provide comprehensive support services. Emphasising practical skills for employability through industry placements, OBC stands as a dynamic catalyst for change, reshaping higher education with an unwavering commitment to accessibility, flexibility, and inclusivity. With over 7500 students and 300 colleagues, join OBC in shaping the future of education and unlocking opportunities for a diverse range of students. The college appointed a new executive principal in November 2023.

The role

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) holds a pivotal role in steering the financial strategy and ensuring the fiscal health of the college. As a senior member of the strategic leadership team, the CFO significantly contributes to the formulation and realisation of the college’s overarching vision and strategy. This role demands a proactive approach to providing expert financial leadership and advice to the Executive Principal, Managing Director, and the Board of Governors. Integral to the CFO’s responsibilities is the development and implementation of strategic financial plans that align with the college’s objectives. This includes robust financial planning to achieve key targets, ensuring financial sustainability, and fostering an environment conducive to generating surplus cash from operations. The CFO is also charged with maintaining a strong balance sheet and spearheading cost control measures, alongside developing income streams and asset management strategies.

The CFO plays a crucial role in risk management, particularly concerning large, capital-intensive projects. They must develop a thorough understanding of associated financial risks and implement effective mitigation strategies. Additionally, the CFO is responsible for leading all financial operations within the college, encompassing accounting, budgeting, cash flow management, and procurement, to name a few. Collaboration forms a significant part of the CFO’s role. They must work closely with internal stakeholders to mentor and guide the finance and budget departments while also engaging with external entities like local businesses, educational bodies, and community organisations. These partnerships are vital for enhancing the college’s operational capabilities and community integration. Furthermore, the CFO is expected to stay abreast of regulatory, taxation, and audit developments that impact the college's financial landscape. They must ensure that all financial policies and procedures comply with legal standards and reflect best practices, thereby safeguarding the institution's integrity and financial resources.

The CFO’s role is not just about managing numbers but also about leading change, driving efficiency, and ensuring that the college remains financially robust and compliant in an ever-evolving educational and economic environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute, as a key member of the strategic leadership, to the development and implementation of the college’s vision and strategy.
• Provide financial advice, reports, plans and proposals to the Executive Principal, Managing Director and the Board of Governors on all finance, financial governance and taxation matters.
• Deputise for the Executive Principal as required for provisions delivered in collaboration with university or college partners.
• Work closely with the Executive Principal to develop and implement strategic plans for achieving key targets, emphasising sound financial planning and collaboration with other key stakeholders.
• Line-manage and mentor finance team and provide necessary training and development.
• Ensure the financial sustainability of the college, developing and executing the college’s financial strategy, by delivering plans to generate surplus cash from operations and maintaining a strong balance sheet.
• Prepare financial plans and establish relevant KPIs. Monitor and report financial performance against those om regular basis.
• Act as a catalyst for the creation of ideas and options to further develop the college’s income earning, asset management and cost control activities.
• Develop a strong understanding of the college’s financial risks, particularly those relating to large capital-intensive projects, and ensure that appropriate mitigation is in place.
• Anticipate and take account of the long term impact of demographic, national and local government developments and trends, including economic, political, environmental, social and technological, on financial strategy and delivery of financial services.
• Lead all finance operations and all aspects of the college’s financial management, including (but not limited to) maintaining accurate and up to date accounting records, budgeting, cash flow and, treasury, monthly management accounts, preparation and coordinating external audit, carrying out financial planning and analysis, , reporting and procurement with  cost control.
• Assume the lead financial role in key negotiations and business case development and assessment.
• Ensure inclusive, sustainable, and innovative lifelong educational practices, achieving raising aspirations, achievements, and attainment.
• Take oversight of the college’s financial policies and procedures, ensuring that mechanisms are in place to monitor and ensure compliance.
• Develop and maintain respect across all stakeholders, inspiring positive contributions to shared ideas and plans for the college.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge on accounting and tax regulations, understand implications, identify risks and take action to mitigate.
• Manage third party financial service relationships, including banks, insurers, auditors and payroll services.
• Actively engage with external stakeholders including local businesses, educational bodies, and community organisations to forge partnerships that benefit both the college and the wider community.
• Lead the development and implementation of institutional financial policies and regulatory frameworks to enhance the college’s operations and compliance.
• Contribute to delivering the college’s mission from a financial perspective and support the strategic leadership in ensuring that the college’s assets and portfolio are adequately funded, such that they can be well maintained and utilised.
• Act as a role model of good leadership, including providing mentoring and personal support to colleagues.
• Provide comprehensive financial, performance and planning reports to the relevant boards and stakeholders to inform decision-making.
• Lead and facilitate regulatory data returns, including timely submissions to key regulatory and official bodies.
• Attend and chair relevant committee(s) and regularly report to the relevant board on operational progress and challenges.
• Undertake any other duties as reasonably required by the Executive Principal and/or Managing Director, ensuring flexibility and responsiveness to the evolving needs of the college.

PERSON SPECIFICATIONS

TRAINING AND EDUCATIONS

Essential

• An undergraduate diploma/ degree in finance, economics, accounting or a related field.
• A qualified chartered accountant designation (ACA, ACMA and ACCA preferred) or equivalent.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.

Desirable

• A postgraduate diploma/ degree in finance, economics, accounting, or a related field.

EXPERIENCE

Essential

• Considerable experience in a senior finance role within a comparable organisation, demonstrating a deep understanding and proficiency in financial management.
• Extensive experience in financial management within higher education, demonstrating a proven track record of overseeing budgets, developing financial strategies, and resource allocation for academic programmes, departments, and personnel.
• Extensive experience of leading transformational change programmes involving investments, infrastructure, systems, and people.
• Track record of delivering successful finance and accounting service and outputs.

Desirable

• Hands-on experience of emerging technical and digital innovation (e.g. AI).

SKILLS AND KNOWELDGE

Essential

• Strong leadership skills and experience in leading financial teams, fostering an environment of accountability and excellence, and guiding teams towards achieving financial objectives that support the company’s strategic goals.
• Ability to develop and implement robust financial strategies that align with college's mission, vision, and values, ensuring financial stability and growth while maintaining compliance and ethical standards.
• Ability to challenge and critically evaluate financial processes and systems, advocating for necessary changes that lead to greater efficiency and effectiveness in financial operations.
• Excellent communication abilities, particularly in articulating complex financial data and strategies in a clear, effective manner to stakeholders, enhancing understanding and facilitating informed decision-making across the college.
• Comprehensive understanding of financial regulations and compliance requirements set by external bodies such as the Office for Students (OfS), Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA), and Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), crucial for maintaining the financial integrity and accountability of the college.

BEHAVOURAL SKILLS

Essential

• Strong collaborative leadership qualities, with the ability to effectively manage and inspire a team of finance professionals.
• Capacity to adapt financial strategies to changing circumstances and priorities in a dynamic academic environment.
• High ethical standards and a commitment to upholding the integrity of the college's financial records and processes.
• Resilience and adaptability to manage the demands of a busy and challenging role model for college’s core values, which underpin our vision, mission and strategy.

To Apply 

Please click on the ‘Apply’ button above