Chief Financial Officer

As the University prepares to become part of Global University Systems, this is a rare opportunity for a strategic, commercially astute and purpose-led financial leader to help scale educational opportunity for the students, employers and communities the University seeks to serve.   

As a confident, person-centred and forward-looking university offering a highly personalised and engaging student experience on-campus, online, in the workplace and through partners, the positive difference Lincoln Bishop makes through its graduates is reflected in a sector-leading reputation for widening participation with outstanding results. 

The University’s mission is to serve the common good by advancing social and economic prosperity through excellence in teaching, research and knowledge exchange. The Chief Financial Officer will play a central role in enabling this mission, combining strong financial stewardship and regulatory assurance with an entrepreneurial approach to sustainable growth, investment and the expansion of high-quality educational opportunity.

The role

Reporting to the Vice Chancellor, and working in close partnership with University Council, executive colleagues and Global University Systems, the Chief Financial Officer will provide senior leadership of finance, estates, IT services and data and planning.  The postholder will ensure that financial plans, investment decisions, institutional risk management and corporate services are aligned to the University’s strategic priorities and long-term sustainability.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading the development, implementation and ongoing delivery of the University’s financial strategy in support of Strategy 2030.
• Providing clear, authoritative and commercially informed advice to the Vice Chancellor, University Council and University Executive and University Leadership teams.
• Ensuring robust financial planning, forecasting, management reporting, treasury, cash-flow management and financial resilience.
• Leading institutional approaches to financial risk, internal control, regulatory compliance and governance.
• Overseeing the external audit process and ensuring the continued effectiveness of internal audit arrangements.
• Supporting the development and delivery of key institutional sub-strategies, including Estates and Accommodation, People and Data, and the University’s Digital Transformation Roadmap.
• Driving improvements in the University’s data environment, financial systems, business processes and decision-making capability.
• Ensuring effective strategic and operational alignment across Finance and relevant corporate service functions.
• Identifying, evaluating and supporting sustainable commercial, partnership, portfolio and investment opportunities that advance the University’s mission.
• Providing visible, credible and reassuring leadership throughout organisational change, fostering confidence among colleagues, students, partners, regulators and other stakeholders.

The person

Lincoln Bishop University is seeking a fully qualified accountant with substantial post-qualification experience in senior or executive financial leadership roles. The successful candidate will bring the judgement, resilience and strategic perspective needed to lead in a complex and changing higher education environment.

They will be an effective and influential communicator, able to build trusted relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders. 

The University is looking for someone who can demonstrate:

• A strong track record of executive-level financial leadership, ideally within a complex, regulated and mission-driven organisation.
• The ability to translate financial insight into clear strategic choices and practical action.
• Sound knowledge of financial governance, risk, audit, controls, compliance and regulatory accountability.
• A commercially minded and entrepreneurial approach to sustainable growth, investment and organisational development.
• Experience of leading finance and corporate service transformation, including improvements to systems, data, processes and reporting.
• Credibility, integrity and the confidence to provide constructive challenge at executive and board level.
• Outstanding communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage confidently across diverse stakeholder groups.
• A clear motivation to contribute to the social purpose and transformational impact of higher education for individuals, communities and society.
• The ability to balance financial stewardship and regulatory requirements with a bold commitment to expanding access, opportunity and impact.

Opportunity

This is an exceptional opportunity to shape the financial future of a university with a distinctive mission at a moment of profound strategic opportunity. The Chief Financial Officer will help Lincoln Bishop University realise the potential of its future relationship with Global University Systems, strengthening resilience, enabling innovation and supporting growth that expands the University’s educational reach and societal impact.

Applications are welcomed from senior finance leaders in higher education and from the wider public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Above all, the University seeks a leader with the professional expertise, commercial imagination and commitment to purpose required to help deliver Strategy 2030.

Key dates:

Deadline for applications: Monday 28th September

Initial interviews - week commencing 5th October

Final interviews - week commencing 12th October

Lincoln Bishop University is handling this appointment in partnership with Regroup Consulting. For an initial informal and confidential conversation about the role, please reach out to Phoebe Breretonphoebe@regroup.consultingor Monika Fryzickamonika@regroup.consulting.

£120,000 per annum