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Head of Finance/ Financial Controller

Cambridgeshire Permanent View Job Description
This is a pivotal leadership role offering the opportunity to influence decision-making at a senior level, support organisational growth, and drive continuous improvement across finance operations.
  • Senior leadership opportunity with broad organisational exposure.
  • Significant autonomy and influence over financial strategy and operations.

About Our Client

We are partnering with a large, complex, research-led organisation undergoing significant growth and investment. With multiple operational divisions and a diverse funding base, the organisation is seeking an experienced finance leader to oversee financial management, controls, and strategic financial planning across a substantial portfolio.

Job Description

Reporting to the Director of Finance and Operations, the Head of Finance / Financial Controller will lead a finance team and take overall responsibility for financial management across several business units. Working closely with senior stakeholders, you will provide high-quality financial insight, ensure robust financial controls, and support strategic planning and investment decisions.

This role combines operational financial leadership with strategic business partnering and offers significant scope to shape financial processes, systems, and reporting frameworks.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead and develop a finance team, providing guidance, coaching, and professional support.
  • Oversee the production of monthly management accounts, quarterly reporting, and annual financial statements.
  • Lead budgeting, forecasting, and long-term financial planning processes.
  • Provide strategic financial advice and decision support to senior leadership teams.
  • Ensure robust financial controls, governance, and compliance with relevant accounting standards and organisational policies.
  • Monitor financial performance, identify risks and opportunities, and recommend corrective action where required.
  • Deliver insightful financial analysis to support operational and strategic decision-making.
  • Oversee complex income streams, including grants, contracts, and externally funded projects.
  • Lead the preparation of annual financial returns and submissions.
  • Drive continuous improvement in financial systems, reporting processes, and operational efficiencies.
  • Support organisational growth initiatives, investment projects, and business change programmes.



The Successful Applicant

You will be a commercially minded finance professional who combines strong technical expertise with the ability to influence and partner effectively with senior stakeholders.

Essential Requirements

  • Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
  • Significant experience in a senior finance leadership position such as Financial Controller, Head of Finance, Senior Finance Manager, or similar.
  • Strong financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning experience.
  • Proven experience managing and developing finance teams.
  • Excellent analytical skills with the ability to translate financial information into meaningful business insight.
  • Experience implementing or improving financial controls, processes, and reporting frameworks.
  • Strong stakeholder management skills with experience advising senior leadership teams.



Desirable

  • Experience within higher education, research, healthcare, not-for-profit, or other complex multi-stakeholder environments.
  • Knowledge of grant funding, research income, or project-based funding streams.
  • Experience supporting organisational growth, transformation, or capital investment programmes.



What's on Offer

  • Permanent Head Of Finance/ Financial Controller
  • Salary of £60,000 to £70,000, dependent on the level of experience.



If you're interested in this role, apply now.

People are at the heart of Michael Page. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment. As an inclusive recruiter we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities and experiences. If you require any adjustments or accommodations during the recruitment process, we'll work with you to ensure you can perform at your best.

Contact
Nia Trussler
Quote job ref
JN-102026-7130859
Phone number
+44 118 955 9040

Job summary

Job function
Accounting
Subsector
Financial Controller
Sector
Not For Profit
Where
Cambridgeshire
Contract type
Permanent
Consultant name
Nia Trussler
Consultant phone
+44 118 955 9040
Job reference
JN-102026-7130859