Head of Financial Control

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer

About this role

We are seeking an exceptional finance leader to join The University of Chichester as our Head of Financial Control. This pivotal role oversees the integrity, accuracy and effectiveness of the University’s financial accounting, controls and reporting environment.

As a senior member of the Finance Leadership Team, you will provide authoritative guidance on financial governance, drive improvements in our control framework, and ensure our statutory and regulatory obligations are met in full. You will also act as a trusted partner to the CFO, deputising as required and providing leadership across the wider finance community.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Financial Accounting, Treasury and Operational functions of payroll and finance systems, ensuring high standards of accuracy, compliance and service delivery.
• Oversee the preparation of statutory accounts, regulatory returns & external audit processes.
• Maintain and enhance a robust internal control environment, managing financial risk & embedding best practice across the University.
• Provide authoritative technical accounting advice (including FEHE SORP, FRS102).
• Ensure effective cashflow, treasury and balance sheet management along with bank covenant compliance requirements.
• Provide financial information, due diligence checks and scenario modelling for university strategic initiatives, reporting findings and identifying risks.
• Lead continuous improvement in systems, processes and controls.
• Build strong relationships with senior leaders, academic departments & professional services.
• Lead, mentor and develop a high‑performing finance team.
• Represent and deputise for the CFO in key meetings, committees & strategic discussions.

About you

We are looking for a forward‑thinking, collaborative finance leader who brings:

• A fully qualified accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Significant senior‑level experience in financial control, statutory accounting & financial governance.
• Strong technical accounting expertise and fluency in financial reporting standards.
• Excellent judgement, analytical capability and a solutions‑focused approach.
• Credibility to influence senior stakeholders and deputise for the CFO.
• A track record of driving process improvement and strengthening control environments.
• Proven ability to lead, motivate and develop high‑performing teams.
• HE sector experience advantageous but not essential. 

Why Join Us?

At The University of Chichester, you will play a key role in supporting our academic mission and ensuring the long‑term financial sustainability of the institution. 

This post is campus based for a minimum of 3-days per week. We are looking for the successful candidate to commence ideally before the end of May.

In addition to your salary, we offer a competitive reward package with a range of staff benefits & discounts which include:

• Defined Benefit pension scheme via our provider the Local Government Pension Scheme. Your own monthly contributions are enhanced with employer contributions and a substantial automatic lump sum life cover scheme enhancement.
• A paid closure period over the Christmas break is in addition to our generous holiday allowance with bank-holidays too and an occupational sickness scheme.
• There’s also an on-site gym at our Chichester campus; a cycle purchase salary sacrifice scheme; subsidised bus travel between our Bognor & Chichester campuses & Chichester town centre; 24/7 Employee Assistance programme to support our staff & extensive personal / professional training
• opportunities throughout the year.

Further enquiries are welcomed by: Lucy Harper, HR Officer, L.Harper@chi.ac.uk

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion at every level because we believe a diverse workforce benefits us all.

• Closing Date: Sunday 15^th February 2026
• Interview Date: Thursday 26^th February 2026

For full details of the post, please visit our website https://www.chi.ac.uk/jobs

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