<p><strong>Role Title:</strong> Director of Finance (FIN24-010)</p><p><strong>Normal Workbase:</strong> Your normal place of work is the Stoke Campus, but you will be required to work or</p><p>be based at any premises the University occupies or any other reasonable location</p><p>where the University is undertaking its business.</p><p><strong>Grade:</strong> 12</p><p><strong>Role Family:</strong> Senior and Ultimate Lead</p><p><strong>Reporting To</strong>: Chief Financial Officer</p><p><strong>Responsible For:</strong> Director of Business, Planning and Resources</p><p>Head of Financial Planning and Analysis</p><p>Head of Sustainable Strategic Procurement</p><p>Head of Financial Operations</p><p> </p><p> </p><p><strong>Summary of the Role</strong></p><p>Lead the development, deployment and evaluation of the Five-Year Financial Strategy, to support the delivery of the</p><p>Strategic Plan and the strategic priorities.</p><p><strong>Key Accountabilities</strong></p><ol><li>Design and manage the delivery of the operational plan to support the Five-Year Financial Strategy including</li></ol><p>academic resource planning, student number planning, the further development of the Target Operating Model,</p><p>budget preparation and forecasting, procurement, treasury management, tax and VAT compliance and the capital</p><p>master plan.</p><ol start="2"><li>Design and manage the delivery of the Financial Regulations and supporting policies and procedures across the</li></ol><p>university, ensuring that these are designed and implemented in accordance with regulatory, legal and statutory</p><p>requirements, and are in compliance with internal and external audit requirements.</p><ol start="3"><li>Ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory financial requirements including the preparation of the annual</li></ol><p>consolidated Financial Statements, and the required reporting to regulatory bodies.</p><ol start="4"><li>Design and manage the operational approach to supporting all schools and services across the University with</li></ol><p>their financial management, through the finance business partnering approach.</p><ol start="5"><li>Lead and manage the staff within Finance, in accordance with university policies and procedures, delivering our</li></ol><p>approach for an inclusive culture, in line with our values, whilst ensuring the health, safety and wellbeing of all.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Role Dimensions</strong></p><p><strong>Qualifications</strong></p><p>To be successful in this role you will need to hold the following qualification requirements:</p><ul><li>Relevant professional accountancy qualification (ACA, CIMA, ACCA)</li></ul><p>Experience and Knowledge Requirements</p><p>To be successful in this role you will need to demonstrate:</p><ul><li>Thorough understanding of Higher Education sector including its future direction and a regional and national</li></ul><p>level.</p><ul><li>Strong analytical skills with both quantitative and qualitative data, coupled with the ability to understand</li></ul><p>themes and identify key messages form complex data sets.</p><ul><li>An experienced and credible senior leader, comfortable at operating in high profile, uncertain environments,</li></ul><p>with a style that encourages openness, transparency and empowerment.</p><ul><li>High level communication skills, both written and oral, with the capability of influencing a direction of travel.</li></ul><p><strong>Core Competencies</strong></p><p>As a University we have aligned success, in all roles, to the demonstration of all ten Behavioural Competencies that</p><p>bring our Values to life. Demonstrating these Behaviours is a critical part of a successful career at the University of</p><p>Staffordshire. Whilst you are expected to demonstrate all ten behaviours, five core behaviours have been identified as</p><p>essential for success in the Senior and Ultimate Lead role family as follows:</p><p><strong>Making Relationships Work</strong></p><p>Builds great working relationships, internally and externally, through an honest, open and collaborative approach.</p><p>Communicates effectively and adapts their style to suit the audience or individual, always considering the needs of</p><p>others</p><p><strong>Sees the Bigger Picture</strong></p><p>Thinks and plans several steps ahead. Delivering today's commitments with an eye on future changes and</p><p>requirement. Works collaboratively across the organisation understanding where and how things link together to</p><p>enhance the reputation of the University</p><p><strong>Personal Credibility</strong></p><p>Takes pride in doing a great job. Demonstrates energy and commitment in all aspects of the role. Focuses on the</p><p>things that make the biggest difference to the University, the team and the department.</p><p><strong>Leadership</strong></p><p>Demonstrates leadership of self or self and others if in a management role. Takes responsibility for own actions and</p><p>where in a manager/leader role, the actions of their team. Demonstrates the University values consistently in the way</p><p>they work. Inspires others by their actions.</p><p><strong>Digital</strong></p><p>Demonstrates a positive approach to working with University systems, software and technology. In an ever-changing</p><p>environment seeks out opportunities to embrace change using digital skills, software, and technology to improve</p><p>processes and drive behavioural and organisational change.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Fair and Inclusive * Curious and Daring * Ambitious and Inspirational * Innovative and Enterprising</strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Robert Half Ltd acts as an employment business for temporary positions and an employment agency for permanent positions. Robert Half is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. Suitable candidates with equivalent qualifications and more or less experience can apply. Rates of pay and salary ranges are dependent upon your experience, qualifications and training. If you wish to apply, please read our Privacy Notice describing how we may process, disclose and store your personal data: roberthalf.com/gb/en/privacy-notice.</p><img src="https://counter.adcourier.com/YmVuLmhld2l0dC40MDM3NC4xMDkyM0ByaGkuYXBsaXRyYWsuY29t.gif">
<p><strong>Group Financial Controller | Paying up to £80,000 | Hybrid working | Permanent </strong></p><p>Robert Half is working with a large, complex organisation undergoing significant transformation to recruit an accomplished Group Financial Controller<strong>.</strong> This is a high-impact leadership role, ideal for a commercially minded, technically strong finance professional who thrives in a dynamic, forward-looking environment.</p><p>You will play a pivotal role in shaping financial strategy, elevating reporting standards, driving operational improvements and leading a high-performing finance team through change.</p><p><strong>The Role</strong></p><p>Reporting to the Head of Finance, the Group Financial Controller will oversee financial accounting, statutory reporting, working capital management and compliance. You will lead the Financial Accounts, Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable functions, ensuring robust controls, high-quality reporting and efficient end-to-end processes.</p><p>This is a role with breadth, influence and the opportunity to genuinely shape how the organisation manages and grows its financial capability.</p><p><strong>Key Responsibilities</strong></p><p><strong>Financial Leadership & Transformation</strong></p><ul><li>Lead continuous improvement across finance operations, streamlining processes and enhancing reporting.</li><li>Drive adoption of digital tools, automation and data-led decision-making.</li><li>Support the development of the organisation's rolling financial strategy.</li></ul><p><strong>Technical Accounting & Regulatory Compliance</strong></p><ul><li>Oversee month-end close and the preparation of statutory and management accounts.</li><li>Ensure full compliance with accounting, regulatory and tax standards.</li></ul><p><strong>Financial Reporting & Insight</strong></p><ul><li>Lead the production of consolidated Group and subsidiary financial statements.</li><li>Strengthen the organisation's reporting framework and enhance financial insight.</li><li>Develop dashboards and analytics to support improved performance visibility.</li></ul><p><strong>Stakeholder Management</strong></p><ul><li>Build strong relationships with internal leaders and senior stakeholders.</li><li>Manage key external relationships including auditors, tax advisors, pension advisors, insurers, banks and regulators.</li><li>Provide strategic challenge and support to ensure high-quality financial decision-making.</li></ul><p><strong>Leadership & Team Development</strong></p><ul><li>Lead, mentor and develop finance colleagues, supporting capability growth and succession planning.</li><li>Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement and high performance.</li></ul><p><strong>About You</strong></p><p>We are looking for an experienced finance leader who combines technical excellence with strong people and change management capability.</p><p>You will bring:</p><ul><li><strong>Professional accountancy qualification</strong> (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).</li><li><strong>5+ years' experience</strong> in a senior financial management or Group Controller role.</li><li>Demonstrable success in leading financial accounting or transactional teams.</li><li>Strong technical accounting knowledge and understanding of financial controls.</li><li>Experience in transformation, automation or systems implementation.</li><li>Knowledge of defined benefit pension schemes (highly advantageous).</li><li>Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.</li><li>A solutions-focused, analytical mindset with high attention to detail.</li></ul><p>Experience in large, complex, multi-entity environments will be highly beneficial.</p><p><strong>Why Apply?</strong></p><ul><li>High-impact role with genuine influence over financial strategy and performance.</li><li>Opportunity to lead transformation and shape a modern, efficient finance function.</li><li>Hybrid working with excellent flexibility.</li><li>Competitive salary, generous holiday allowance and a comprehensive benefits offering.</li><li>A supportive environment committed to professional development and continuous improvement.</li></ul><p>Robert Half Ltd acts as an employment business for temporary positions and an employment agency for permanent positions. Robert Half is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. Suitable candidates with equivalent qualifications and more or less experience can apply. Rates of pay and salary ranges are dependent upon your experience, qualifications and training. If you wish to apply, please read our Privacy Notice describing how we may process, disclose and store your personal data: roberthalf.com/gb/en/privacy-notice.</p><img src="https://counter.adcourier.com/S2lyc3R5LldvcmRlbi40NzU2NS4xMDkyM0ByaGkuYXBsaXRyYWsuY29t.gif">
