Director of Finance

Job Reference WQUM
Closing Date Wednesday 02 Sep 2020

Location: London

Salary: Competitive

Brunel University London is a global university, dedicated to providing education and research relevant to the needs of industry and society, ensuring that the UK is contributing to the knowledge base so it can compete on the world stage. Since 1966, Brunel has championed innovation and advancement, pioneering sandwich degrees, and giving students the academic education and professional and personal skills they need to succeed in their future. In that time, we have increased our student population from just 866 to over 14,000 and introduced successful degree programmes in everything from anthropology to aerospace engineering; business management to healthcare sciences. In 2020 we will continue to develop research and research-led teaching that meets the needs of industry, the NHS, government and the third sector, while giving our international and socially mobile students the opportunity to apply their knowledge for the benefit of society. In the spirit of our namesake, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, excellence, innovation and entrepreneurialism is at the heart of everything we do.
The University is seeking a Director of Finance with the strategic, operational and leadership capabilities to provide excellent financial leadership, guidance and stewardship, as the institution develops into the future. Working closely to support the Chief Financial Officer, Andrew Murphy, to develop and deliver the University’s financial strategy and targets, s/he will work closely with and support the University senior management team, providing timely advice to optimise income, expenditure and investment to deliver the 2030 Mission and Vision. Not only will this role own the day to day numbers and provide insight to commercial decision making, the Director of Finance will continue to build upon and embed a culture focused on working as a pro-active business partner across the University, driving internal excellence and growth.
The Director of Finance, in support to the CFO, is responsible for ensuring the long-term financial sustainability of the institution, supporting the achievement of the University’s strategic objectives.  S/he will nurture an enabling service culture aligned with professional excellence across the function.  Success in the role will be measured through the proactive delivery of an ambitious strategy and an outward looking finance function.
Candidates will have a compelling track record of financial leadership within a complex organisation of significant scale. Though they may come from a variety of sectors, they will have a commercial and strategic mindset which enables them to develop and deliver plans to enhance the financial position of Brunel University. They will be a committed team player with a collegial approach and an aptitude to inspire and develop the finance team: embedding a forward-looking and adaptable culture. Whilst experience of working within higher education is not a pre-requisite, candidates must be able to demonstrate the cultural flexibility to play a key role in the leadership of an important, wide-ranging and complex organisation with the energy and capacity to embrace new challenges.
Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to Brunel University on this appointment.  For further information about the role, including details about how to apply, please visit www.saxbam.com/appointments using reference WQUM.  Alternatively telephone +44 (0)20 7227 0880 (during office hours).  Applications should be received by noon on Wednesday 2 September 2020.