Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited
6-12-month contract | Flexible working | Attractive packageA Yorkshire-based Higher Education institution is seeking an experienced senior finance leader to undertake a high-impact interim assignment as number two in Finance, reporting to the Executive Director of Finance and Strategic Planning.This appointment comes at a pivotal point for the organisation, offering the opportunity to provide immediate leadership capacity during a period of financial recovery, regulatory focus, and organisational change.
The Role
This is a hands-on, senior leadership position operating across both strategic and operational levels.The successful candidate will:
- Provide day-to-day leadership of Finance and Planning, ensuring clarity of priorities and delivery
- Create operational headroom for the Executive Director to focus on strategic finance, lender engagement and board assurance.
- Strengthen financial grip, reporting, and performance insight
- Support delivery of year-end, audit, and budget cycles
- Play a key role in embedding integrated planning and data-driven decision-making
Key Focus Areas
- Leadership & Delivery: Visible, credible leadership of finance and planning teams through a complex and evolving environment
- Financial Planning: Oversight of budgeting, forecasting and development of the medium-term financial plan
- Cash & Covenant: Strengthening liquidity management, cash flow forecasting and covenant reporting
- Reporting & Insight: Enhancing Executive and Board-level reporting to support decision-making
- Business Partnering: Supporting senior academic and professional leaders with clear financial insight
- Audit & Compliance: Supporting year-end, external audit and regulatory returns
- Continuous Improvement: Driving improvements in systems, processes and reporting outputs
Candidate ProfileWe are seeking a qualified accountant with:
- Significant senior finance leadership experience, ideally within higher education or a complex regulated environment
- A track record of delivering in financially challenged or recovery settings
- Strong expertise across planning, forecasting, cash flow, audit and reporting
- The ability to bring pace, grip and clarity in a demanding environment
- A collaborative, pragmatic and hands-on approach
- Credibility to operate with Executive colleagues and senior stakeholders
Why This Role?
- A rare opportunity to step into a number two finance role with real influence
- The chance to make a tangible difference in a critical period
- Exposure to Executive and Board-level activity
- A flexible, hybrid working model
- A highly competitive interim package, reflective of the scope and impact
Key Details
- Duration: 6-12 months
- Start: Immediate / ASAP
- Location: West Yorkshire / 2/3 days in the office
- Reporting to: Executive Director of Finance and Strategic Planning
For a confidential discussion, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
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