Bucks New University is an ambitious, modern university; one that is always open to fresh ideas and thinking. Throughout our 125-year history we have kept true to our core values of widening participation, social mobility and the transformative power of education. We change lives. Our staff combine the very best professional practice with inspirational teaching and the University is consistently in the top quartile of the NSS for higher education institutions in the UK, exceeding the sector average in almost every area of the survey (NSS, 2019). An anchor institution, we develop partnerships that shape the social, economic and cultural fabric of our region, including an employment-led approach to learning that ensures students from a wide range of backgrounds achieve their ambitions.

This is an exciting time to join the university, as we launch our new University Strategy - Impact 2022 - and our revised values. Our recently completed Transformation Programme has delivered improvements to the University's financial sustainability, agility and responsiveness.

We have improved student retention, buoyed our student recruitment through a vigorous programme of portfolio growth, including a highly successful Foundation Year, and our partnership and apprenticeship programmes have seen significant growth, including recent success (c. £13m) with Thames Valley Police. The University is now poised for the next phase in its development as we seek to develop our impact still further, enrich the student experience through innovative and employment-focused education, and realign our professional services in support of our strategic aims.

Reporting to the Vice-Chancellor, the Director of Finance is responsible for the sustainable financial management of the University and the development and delivery of its financial strategy. Within this, the Director will have responsibility for the group finances and commercial procurement, including those of the University and its subsidiary companies. As a member of the University Executive Team, the Director of Finance has a critical role in supporting the University’s strategic development, providing advice to the Vice-Chancellor and the University Council, and driving financial and operating performance. The Director will lead the transformation of the Finance Directorate, providing strong leadership to ensure a culture of high performance and customer service in the finance and commercial procurement functions that is representative of the University’s values and ambition.

The Director of Finance will have a proven track record of financial leadership in a comparably complex organisation and be comfortable operating at board level. They will have outstanding communication skills and the ability to influence across a wide range of stakeholders, delivering high standards of customer service. We are seeking a strategic leader who has excellent financial operational management and technical skills, as well as a commercial mindset and the ability to innovate our approach to income generation and financial investment.

If you have the qualities and attributes we seek, we would be delighted to hear from you.

For further information, including details of how to apply, click the Apply button now. 

Closing date: Monday 2^nd December 2019