Chief Finance Officer

At Royal Holloway, we are resolute in our ambition to be a University of Social Purpose. Our students are at the heart of what we do, and we are committed to academic excellence and inclusion, a commitment threaded through our education, research, student experience and our engagement with local, national and global communities. We are proud to be one of the UK’s leading research-intensive institutions, ranked in the top 25% nationally in REF2021. Through the dedication of our academics, discoveries that change the world, and the distinctive Royal Holloway experience, we have built a diverse and supportive community that inspires students and colleagues to succeed.

At a pivotal moment in our evolution, we are seeking to appoint an exceptional Chief Finance Officer (CFO). A key member of the Executive Board, reporting directly to the Vice-Chancellor and Principal, the CFO will play a central role in delivering the RH2030s Strategy and shaping the long term sustainability, resilience and transformation of the University.

The CFO will lead a high performing Finance Division and serve as the University’s principal financial advisor. They will be responsible for long term financial planning, ensuring robust forecasting, effective governance and a resilient financial base. Working in close partnership with senior academic and professional service leaders, the CFO will align financial strategy with institutional priorities, ensuring clarity through the annual planning round, supporting major transformation initiatives, and enabling strategic investment in people, research, infrastructure and digital capabilities.

The successful candidate will also play a key role in enabling transformation, growth and innovation. This includes developing strategies for income diversification, commercial development and rigorous appraisal of new ventures and capital projects. They will champion the digitisation and simplification of financial systems, driving transparency, agility and operational excellence across the institution.

We are seeking a collaborative, forward thinking and values driven leader. You will bring an outstanding track record of financial leadership in a complex environment, a recognised accounting qualification, exceptional communication and influencing skills, and a deep understanding of financial governance, risk and regulatory requirements. Comfortable with ambiguity and complexity, you will demonstrate intellectual agility, strong stakeholder engagement capabilities and a commitment to inclusive, values-led leadership.

We are seeking a Chief Finance Officer who will help us shape a future that is as daring and future facing as the founding principles of Bedford and Royal Holloway Colleges. If you share our ambition for Royal Holloway and our passion, values and commitment to social purpose, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Further information, including a full candidate brief, can be found at: www.odgers.com/95126  

Applications are invited by close of business on Friday 6^th March 2026.

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