Head of Financial planning & analysis

Head of Financial Planning and Analysis

Location: London (hybrid working available)
Contract: Permanent
Salary: Competitive, commensurate with experience

About the role

We are seeking an experienced Head of Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) to play a critical leadership role within a London university undergoing a major finance transformation programme.

This role will lead the University's FP&A function, providing strategic financial insight and robust planning, forecasting and performance reporting to support decision-making across Faculties and Professional Services. Reporting to the Director of Finance, the postholder will be a key contributor to the successful delivery of the finance transformation agenda and the long-term financial sustainability of the institution.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and manage the University's FP&A function, ensuring the provision of high-quality, timely and forward-looking financial information

• Develop and embed best practice approaches to budgeting, forecasting, long-term financial planning and scenario modelling within a higher education context

• Play a central role in the finance transformation programme, including financial process redesign, systems implementation and improved use of management information

• Produce clear, insightful financial performance reporting for Executive Board, Council and senior academic leaders

• Act as a trusted finance business partner to Faculties and Professional Services, supporting strategic planning, investment decisions and cost management

• Lead, develop and motivate an FP&A team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and strong stakeholder engagement

• Ensure financial planning processes align with regulatory, funding and governance requirements specific to the higher education sector

About you

You will be a senior finance professional with substantial experience in a similar FP&A leadership role within a university or higher education institution. You will combine strong technical capability with the ability to influence, challenge and support senior stakeholders in a complex academic environment.

Essential criteria:

• A recognised professional accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)

• Significant experience working in a comparable FP&A or financial planning leadership role within a university

• In-depth understanding of higher education finance, including faculty-based budgeting models, student income, research funding and regulatory requirements

• Proven experience contributing to or leading finance transformation, systems implementation or major process change within HE

• Strong financial modelling, forecasting and analytical skills

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to present complex financial information clearly to non-finance audiences