Financial Services Centre Lead (Fixed Term)

Department/Location: Finance Division, Central Cambridge

The Role 

The Finance Division at the University of Cambridge is seeking to recruit a senior and experienced qualified accountant who will act as lead for the University's operational finance function, providing effective and professional leadership, developing and implementing strategy, and delivering outputs and services in line with the Division's mission and business objectives. Leading a team of around 100, you will be responsible for developing, establishing and overseeing best operational accounting practice and financial control, and for the design of a future model for school-based service centres. The successful candidate will have a broad range of expertise across transaction processing and financial systems, and will be able to demonstrate dedication to continuous improvement. 

The Team & Our Work 

The Finance Division's vision for 2027 is to be a customer-focused and digitally enabled community that helps maximise Cambridge's long-term academic impact by supporting colleagues to deliver excellent teaching and research while keeping the University financially sustainable.  Our ambitious transformation programme will modernise our ways of working through new processes, technology and governance.  We'll enable our people to provide customers with the specialist support and guidance they need, while ensuring we are effectively managing the financial resources of the University. 

The University 

You will be part of a world-leading institution renowned for its commitment to education, learning, and research at the highest international standards of excellence. For over 800 years the University of Cambridge has been nurturing and developing incredible talent, creating legends and visionaries. Our people have changed the course of history, many times. As a key member of the University's professional services, you will play a crucial role in helping the University fulfil its mission to contribute to society and make a positive impact on the world. Your work will be meaningful and impactful, driving forward the University's goals and making a tangible difference to the world. Nurturing talent is what we do, and we believe you will develop your skills while you are working here. 

About You & The Role

We are looking for someone who: 

• is a degree-educated, qualified accountant
• has excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• is able to communicate complex accounting issues to non-finance professionals
• is able to work effectively in a large and diverse organisation 

We will expect you to have: 

• strong experience within the finance function of a large complex organisation, with a broad range of experience in financial management, including transaction processing and financial systems
• substantial staff management experience as a senior manager;
• experience of service planning and delivery; and
• the ability to work to many competing deadlines across a range of different subject areas. 

For a full role description and details of our reward and benefits package, please refer to the Further Particulars document

Please apply with CV and cover letter.

This position is available on a fixed term basis for a period of two years.  

We would prefer to make a full-time appointment but are open to considering part-time or compressed working arrangements. Our approach to flexible working values both face-to-face engagement and personal freedom, and reflects contemporary practices. You and your manager will work together to tailor an arrangement that best suits your preferences and our business needs. 

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society. 

Advert information