A well-established college in Birmingham is seeking an experienced and strategic Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to join the senior leadership team on a temporary basis. This is an excellent opportunity for a highly skilled finance professional to provide leadership, stability, and strategic direction during a period of transition and development.
Reporting directly to the CEO, the successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing all financial operations, ensuring robust financial management, regulatory compliance, and the long-term financial sustainability of the college.
Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic financial leadership and advice to the Principal, Executive Team, and Governing Board.
• Lead the college's financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting processes.
• Ensure compliance with all statutory, regulatory, funding, and audit requirements.
• Oversee cash flow management, treasury activities, and financial risk management.
• Deliver accurate and timely management accounts and financial performance reports.
• Support the development and implementation of the college's strategic objectives.
• Lead and develop the finance function, ensuring high standards of financial control and governance.
• Manage relationships with external auditors, funding bodies, banks, and key stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities for efficiencies, cost savings, and income generation.
• Support capital projects, funding applications, and business cases where required.

Person Specification
Essential:

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA, or equivalent).
• Significant senior-level financial leadership experience, ideally as a CFO, Finance Director, or Deputy CFO.
• Experience within the education, public sector, charity, or not-for-profit environment.
• Strong understanding of financial governance, compliance, and risk management.
• Proven ability to influence and advise senior stakeholders and boards.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and analytical skills.
• Experience managing complex budgets and financial planning processes.

Desirable:

• Previous experience within further education, higher education, or the wider education sector.
• Knowledge of funding frameworks relevant to colleges.
• Experience of leading organisational change or transformation programmes.