Chief Financial Officer

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Finance
Location:  Guildford
Salary: 
Competitive Salary
Post Type:  Full Time
Closing Date: 
Monday 08 January 2024
Reference:  059223

The University of Surrey is a global community of ideas and people, dedicated to life-changing education and research. Set within its Guildford-campus, its 2,500 staff provide exceptional teaching and practical learning to over 15,000 students. A home to research excellence, Surrey provides world-class research facilities and an environment to nurture, develop academic research into real world commercial applications.

Looking ahead, the University is embarking on a significant strategy development process that aims to set a grand vision for 2041. This vision is part of a long-term, multi-phase strategic growth plan, to realise its ambitions in line with its 150th anniversary.

The Chief Financial Officer will play a key role in shaping and overseeing the institution’s financial health, strategic direction, and commercial endeavours. They will be responsible for the leadership of the finance function, overseeing the financial strategy and accompanying operating arrangements, to support and facilitate the University’s Strategic Plan.  

Reporting directly to the Vice-Chancellor and acting as a member of the University Executive Board, the CFO will:

• Provide advice and guidance to the University Exco, for its long-term financial and investment strategies including revenue growth through commercial opportunities and investment of endowment and other funds.
•  Provide ongoing insights and reviews to the executive board, developing the University’s budgeting and forecasting processes.
•  Represent the University at Council, Executive Board, Finance and Subsidiary committees.
•  Seek to grow the organisation in a sustainable way, overseeing its financial performance and reputation.
•  Provide dynamic leadership and guidance to the finance and accounting teams.

The successful candidate will be a finance professional who is values-led; blends authentic, emotionally intelligent leadership with technical expertise, and has proven ability gained within a large and complex organisational context. An accomplished leader who works collaboratively across all stakeholder groups and can engage, inspire, and influence at all levels. 

This role will require tenacity, resilience, and a drive to deliver to a very high standard. In turn, it represents a fantastic opportunity to deliver commercial benefit across diverse areas including sports, research & innovation, real estate development and innovative learning solutions. To that end, we welcome candidates from all industry backgrounds who can point to relevant experience.

The University of Surrey has engaged the services of The McLean Partnership, to whom applications should be sent by midnight, Monday 8th January 2024. 

To apply, please send a concise covering letter and CV to The McLean Partnership via [email protected] , reference: UoS/CFO. Initial meetings will take place in the month of January and formal interviews to take place late January / early February 2024.

A full candidate prospectus is available here and via McLean Partnership. For an informal and confidential conversation before applying, please call Caius Freeman (07517 950 934) or Paul Soothill (07775 598 446).

For more information and to apply online, please download the further details and click on the ‘apply online’ button above.
In return we offer a generous pension, relocation assistance where appropriate , flexible working options including job share and blended home/campus working locations (dependent on work duties), access to world-class leisure facilities on campus, a range of travel schemes and supportive family friendly benefits including an excellent on-site nursery.

Click here to find out more about the benefits we offer to support you.

The University of Surrey is committed to providing an inclusive environment that offers equal opportunities for all.  We place great value on diversity and are seeking to increase the diversity within our community.  Therefore we particularly encourage applications from under-represented groups, such as people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups and people with disabilities.