Deputy Head of Finance

Location: Rewley House, 1 Wellington Square, Oxford, OX1 2JA

Oxford Lifelong Learning in the Department for Continuing Education is seeking to appoint a Deputy Head of Finance to join our Finance Team. We are keen to appoint an enthusiastic manager to support the development of our finance team and to support the Head of Finance to deliver an excellent finance service to the department.

About the role 

The Deputy Head of Finance is a key management position within the Department assuming full operational responsibility for financial management when required and deputizing for the Head of Finance (Governance).

Reporting directly to the Head of Finance (Governance), you will support the Department’s strategic agenda and work closely with the Chief Operating Officer and Head of Finance to develop and deliver the Department’s financial strategy. You will be responsible for the annual budgeting and reforecasting process, applying robust financial modelling and ensuring courses, regular activity and new initiatives are costed and priced accurately. You will ensure that the Department’s financial position is closely monitored and that timely, accurate management information and analysis is provided to senior management, budget holders, and internal/external stakeholders.

You will be responsible for the effective and efficient day-to-day leadership and motivation of the finance team (currently six roles), including recruitment, performance management, capability development, allocation of work and maintaining service resilience.

This is a full-time position, available on a permanent basis. There will be an expectation of working at least two days on-site initially at our central Oxford office. Hybrid working for three days is available.

About you 

You will be an experienced finance professional educated to degree level or with equivalent relevant experience. You will be able to understand stakeholders’ information needs and communicate complex financial information clearly. Experience working in a large, complex accounting environment with demonstrable technical accounting skills is essential. You should have strong planning and organizational skills, and a strong understanding of financial procedures and processes. Experience working within Higher Education and with Oracle financials is desirable. You should possess strong problem-solving skills and have the ability to develop practical and effective solutions. As you will be required to manage a team of people, management experience is desirable. You should hold accounting qualifications (e.g. ACA/CIMA/ACCA/CIPFA) or be in the final stages of qualification.

What we offer

Your happiness and wellbeing at work matters to us, so we offer a range of family friendly and financial benefits including:

• An excellent contributory pension scheme
• 38 days’ annual leave
• A comprehensive range of childcare services
• Family leave schemes
• Cycle loan scheme
• Membership to a variety of social and sports clubs
• Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans

Application process

You will be required to upload a covering letter/supporting statement, CV and the details of two referees as part of your online application.

To make informal enquiries about the post please contact Wanda Groenewald (wanda.groenewald@conted.ox.ac.uk)

The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Sunday 15 February.

Interviews will take place during week commencing 23 February 2026.

Bring your expertise to the University of Oxford and be a part of a community that values creativity, diversity, and excellence.

The University of Oxford is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from individuals regardless of their background.

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